Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Hello,
Im 31yrs old family of 5, i have been in in the industrial painting business for 15 years. In that time I have been in supervision for 8. I have quit multiple jobs trying to find the " right" job , in the same field of course. In the end, Its always the same crap with every job, and end up quitting. I have come to the conclusion that it may not be the job but actually me thats always unhappy with it.Not to brag , but I am quite good at what I do and can take on any project that has been given to me. Unfortunately, I have decided to embark in a new journey of a diffrent career. Thing is I dont know what the hell i want to do,? The thought of starting somewhere from the bottom with lower pay seems asinine, especially when you're the sole provider of the family. I dont have much education but have done very well for myself with the current career, I have made great money but truly unhappy where i have ended up. This is killing me on the inside
and dont know what to do? Should i continue with my miserable career or look for something new?
Every industry has "the same crap" everywhere you go. You can chase better jobs or more money but, in my opinion, I don't think many people can find "the right job."
Having a family to support greatly reduces your options. Do you have the contacts and means to run your own painting company?
Actually i owned a small business a while back but i couldnt continue for several reasons,
1- either quit my full time job and devote my time 100% and risk it and possible loose it all
2- Didnt have the means to own a land and paint big equipment that i was getting.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,553 posts, read 81,085,957 times
Reputation: 57728
It's never too late for a career change. I did it twice, at age 40, and again at age 57. It was only in 2009 when I finally found what I really enjoy doing, with the best pay and benefits ever. I'll be retiring in the spring with a pension. The problem is turning your experience into something you enjoy doing more, with the same or better pay and less of the "same crap." You have to really think about it, and explore the kinds of work that are being done which are at all related to industrial painting. Without being familiar with your work, I would throw out a couple of possible examples:
Self employment, buy a Dustless Blasting system (set your own hours and days of work)
Painting at a custom auto shop
Museum restoration
I did a career change last year. I love my new position as an educator. Wish I had discovered teaching 15 years ago. Money is not the issue for me, but I’m making it.
Early 30's is very young. I am 50, switched careers a couple of times in my professional life. Last time I switched was about 10 yrs ago, although it was tangentially related so not a complete 180 like going from accountant to electrician or something.
So the answer is yes, switching at your age is far from out of the question.
Best of luck with whatever you decide.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
