I've been a ASE master certified Tech at a GM dealer for over 30 years. My only benefit is I work hard and make a good living. My wife has insurance and other family health care benefits for us. Well, I tested and interviewed for a union job in the elevator trade and my number has come up. I talked to a friend who has worked in that trade for over 30 yrs. and he told me that with my work ethic that I would be working as long as I wanted. Fine by me. PRO's...Benefits, pay and my wife could stop working in about 5 years. Cons...Close to a 5 year apprenticeship program and I would be on the high end of 50 when done with the program. Has anybody been through a job change late in life and have any thoughts? How do I know GOD wants me there?
First of all, I commend you for seeking where God wants you. I'd pray about it and let Him take you where you need to go.
I'm only 28, so I haven't done a career change later in life, but I am finishing up college now with a degree in business. I've been in the automotive industry for 8 years, with supervision being 7 of those 8. I make a great living, enough to where my wife can be a stay at home mom for our 4 kids and we struggle at times, but for the most part we are in a good place financially.
With that being said, i have two years of working where I am after I finish college due to them helping with tuition, but I want to go another route. Maybe even owning my own business. This will be at the same time that we pay off all of our debt, except for our home. I'll be around 30-32 when this happens and it's scary for me at that age to think about, but a supervisor in the automotive manufacturing industry is not what i want to do for the rest of my life. I'd say it's up to you, but I'd go where I was going to be happier. Hope I could help.
The biggest factor is which job allows for the most turkey hunting.
I understand. I am 47 and have been on my current job 15 years. For me, I detest every minute of it. I would like to stay and get my 20 years in but I am not sure my current position will remain intact and I am getting the feeling in MY gut that it is time to make one final move and live with it. Time feels like it is running out. I am preparing myself for a change and to be ready when an good opportunity arises. When God opens that door I will walk through it but the opportunity hasn't happened...yet.
Have you considered that this opportunity is Gods opening ? Are you waiting for him to tell you ? Im not sure either but I figure I will know because the feeling will move from my gut to my heart. Ask God to put it in your heart so you will know that it's not your head or feelings talking. Best of wishes !!
2015 Old Gobbler contest Champions
Quote from: silvestris on March 03, 2016, 09:53:32 PM
The biggest factor is which job allows for the most turkey hunting.
Well said ... Amen!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Forgot to say I am happy with my current job and it allows for plenty of turkey hunting. BowBendr I never thought of it as GOD opening the door. That's what this is. I've not changed jobs much in my life and have always felt GOD want's me here. (job wise)
Well if you are a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ you really can't go wrong. We have two doors open and some of us want God to put His foot on our backside and push us through the one He wants for us to go through. He gives us free will because he loves us...not "thou shalt not take this job". Just remember that wherever you are that is your mission field for God. I'll be praying for you and if you have more specifics you want me to pray for shoot me a PM. Not for mans glory but for Gods!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Financially, I would consider the effects on my retirement at your age. Do you have any retirement benefits at your current job? If you leave now will you be forfeiting any of those benefits? What are the retirement benefits at the new job, and how long do you have to be employed there to have access to those benefits? You sound like a hard worker, and you might feel that you want to work as long as you're able, but you also have to keep in mind that there is no gurantee on how long you will be "able" to work. The compounding interest of most retirement investments can make a huge difference in a few years, so walking away from a big chunk, or not participating in a plan for a few years can be detrimental to your stability in retirement.
I don't want to sound like money is everything, because I'm not a believer in that. However, at 33 I know that I don't want to be forced to work full time when I'm 85. My goal is to be able to retire comfortably, and possibly work a part-time "hobby job" while I'm still able to enjoy that part of my life. Also, your family can possibly suffer the consequences of a poor choice in this aspect as well. On a fundamental level, the two worst things you can do as a bread winner for your family is A. die too young, or B. live too long (ie unable to work and retirement is depleted). You offset the risk of A with life insurance, and you offset B with prudent decisions regarding retirement during your career.
My post focuses on this factor because it seems that you have a good handle on the immediate effects of a career change, and I am just encouraging you to look a little further down the road. Again please don't take this as a greedy, money, money, money post.; that is not my concern. The goal is simply for you to be able to retire comfortably and enjoy what you worked so hard for, and to ensure financial stability for your family. Best of luck!
30 years probably equals:
Vacation (Turkey Hunting)
Other perks
Top of the totem pole
New job probably equals:
Min. vacation (Turkey Hunting)
Min. other perks
Bottom of the totem pole
New guy on the block
Unless there is a compelling reason, such as you hate your current job, substantual pay increase/benefits, it a tough decision.
Always tough to leave your "comfort zone".......make sure it's worth your while.
Here are some addional considerations.
Can you retire from the GM job? Are you in a pension system with that 30+ years? Is it possible to advise the powers that be you may leave. and negotiate for a better salary?
Right now. Can you take off at the drop of a hat when ever you want? Sounds like you have some seniority. Family time, and time to do what we love ya can't get back.
Learning a trade is awesome! But you know what they say about the elevator business?
It's up and down :funnyturkey:
I do know this from experience. Contractors tend to keep apprentices. So you will work steady for 5 years. Mechanics on the other hand,are another story. If the work picture is minimal you may be in for a bumpy ride. With new construction there are dead lines to meet. Contractors don't like when you take off.
I was in the building trades and switched careers right after my apprenticeship. All because of the work picture.
Good luck.
B-Well
True fact: leaving spirtuality aside we live our lives and strive for gain. Now some people strive to gain possessions and others to gain experience. I say this live your life to be happy. If happiness comes in material wealth or gain then go for it and if it's in the ride then buckel up and do the things that make you happy today but still be responsible enough that tomorrow isn't a failure.
Does your current job have a 401k program that matches a percentage of your contribution? Will the new job have that benefit? Do you feel fulfilled in your current job?
Quote from: Gooserbat on March 04, 2016, 09:05:15 AM
True fact: l I say this live your life to be happy.
Mr.Gooserbat is spot on. ^^^^ :icon_thumright:
I am the Vice President and part owner of my company. I understand your struggle with your decision and have had to make several like this myself. There is really no way to predict the future of the new job, your current job is a known quantity good or bad, and only you know the good and bad things about it. Recently I had a young very bright employee come to me and announce he was not looking for a job but a competitor had taken notice of how he handled himself at a trade show and contacted him later and offered him $20k more than he currently made. He was only in his current position about two years, I had planned on bringing his compensation up a good amount each year but faced with this I came up with a plan to retain him....he is vital to our business. You might think through where you are currently in your compensation scale...are you topped out and no room for more income? Is there potential for you to take more of a supervisory or management roll? Until you have formally accepted the new job you hold all the negotiation cards with your current employer. How hard will it be for them to. replace you? Put yourself in their shoes and think this through.
If you approach them respectfully and professionally they will listen...if you are a trusted and valuable employee and I am betting you are, you may be able to negotiate a substantial raise or promotion.
If this is an option for you, you still hold all the cards...if you don't get a better offer from current employer you can take the new job. If they make you a counter offer you should be able to respectfully ask for a couple of days to talk it over with your family.
Above all be professional and respectful...you don't know if you will like the new job and you may be back in six months inquiring about getting your old job back....don't burn any bridges. I would even go as far as writing your supervisor and company management a personal letter thanking them for your employment, if you take the new job.
Good luck in your decisions, I wish you the best.
Mike
I'm kinda at the same point in life fallhnt. I'm a real believer that the Lord will put the right people in place to help with those decisions. I've learned I can't do much without Him, and any and everything is possible with Him. Best of luck to you and will send a prayer your way.
You are in a tough spot. I myself am working a job I really don't love. I however look at what this job has given me and that makes me happy, I work overtime and earn 115k, have a beautiful home in a great school district , benefits and 20 yr retirement. These things would make it extremely hard to leave even though the job is less then great. They only have my soul for another 7 years so I am going nowhere
Quote from: fallhnt on March 03, 2016, 09:28:04 PM
I've been a ASE master certified Tech at a GM dealer for over 30 years. My only benefit is I work hard and make a good living. My wife has insurance and other family health care benefits for us. Well, I tested and interviewed for a union job in the elevator trade and my number has come up. I talked to a friend who has worked in that trade for over 30 yrs. and he told me that with my work ethic that I would be working as long as I wanted. Fine by me. PRO's...Benefits, pay and my wife could stop working in about 5 years. Cons...Close to a 5 year apprenticeship program and I would be on the high end of 50 when done with the program. Has anybody been through a job change late in life and have any thoughts? How do I know GOD wants me there?
The lord probably has bigger things to worry about than where any of us works. It is a relatively small, non-moral or spiritual issue.
You should probably think over the bad macro trend that is going to affect you later in life as well as how flat mechanic pay is. I am not a mechanic, but know several, and they all complain that they have been in the $18-20/hr range for years with not much prospect of more in the near future. Most of them are tired of the grease and busting their knuckles anyway, and the flat compensation trend has not helped their morale.
Those elevator trade jobs are hard to get and once they get them, people don't leave them for other stuff.
We are likely to face significant inflation in the future which will diminish the value of past labors and savings from them. Unless one has a big inheritance lined up, he is going to have to think about working beyond 65 to avoid being without. Social Security is not going to amount to much. Thus, what you have before you is an opportunity to go work somewhere for 20 years and earn and save far more than you will with the current and employer and a good opportunity to hedge against the future and take care of your family.
If the people that work there can honestly tell you that there is no toxic environment making employees miserable and that employees are generally pretty happy, then run, don't walk. Acquire everything you will need in retirement, like a truck, camper, boat, canoe, shotgun, etc. and get it paid off. Pay off the house and all other debts. Work all the hours you can and save and invest as much as you can. It is likely to prove to be very beneficial to you 20 years from and you'll be glad that you are not struggling like friends that spent a lifetime in lower paying jobs and are dependent on a volatile market affecting their 401(k) and a busted SS system.
Actually, He doesn't have bigger things to worry about, because He loves each and every one of us.
Quote from: dejake on March 04, 2016, 01:39:28 PM
Actually, He doesn't have bigger things to worry about, because He loves each and every one of us.
Agree 100%
The scriptures tell us that he knows the cares of our heart. He cares so much that he knows the hairs on our head before we were born....
2015 Old Gobbler contest Champions
Quote from: TrackeySauresRex on March 04, 2016, 08:55:43 AM
Here are some addional considerations.
Can you retire from the GM job? Are you in a pension system with that 30+ years? Is it possible to advise the powers that be you may leave. and negotiate for a better salary?
Right now. Can you take off at the drop of a hat when ever you want? Sounds like you have some seniority. Family time, and time to do what we love ya can't get back.
Very good points!
If you are considering making a change in the near future, and your current employer has been good to you, I would certainly discuss this with them first, and let them know as to why you are making the change, to see if they do not give you some incentive to stay....
Do NOT burn any bridges, as you might find yourself looking for employment again in the future, and a job to go back to, or even a strong recommendation can be nice.
I myself have had employees leave, and when given notice and reason, it has never bothered me... I have enticed some employees to stay, and some to come back, as long as they leave on good terms, and do not leave me "high and dry."
Quote from: Gooserbat on March 04, 2016, 09:05:15 AM
True fact: leaving spirtuality aside we live our lives and strive for gain. Now some people strive to gain possessions and others to gain experience. I say this live your life to be happy. If happiness comes in material wealth or gain then go for it and if it's in the ride then buckel up and do the things that make you happy today but still be responsible enough that tomorrow isn't a failure.
Some words of wisdom right there... Personally, I find happiness in a career that allows a certain degree of financial reward, so that I can provide for my family and myself, and a career that gives me the feeling of accomplishment (whatever that is for any given individual).
I believe if you are happy with your work/career, you will likely be happy at home, and make for a better "family man."
After reading your posts, I remain uncertain as to why you are considering the change, and what benefit such a change would mean to you personally or financially????
I've owned my own business most of my life, and while it clearly has its perks, it is by far more time consuming then working for somebody else. All I can say is, if you go your own business route, be prepared to be all in. To succeed, more often then not, everything else in your life will take a back seat, including your wife, children, girlfriend, family, and HUNTING! HUNTING!
With that said, if it is burning inside of you strong, better to do it while you are young/er. GO for it...
i never worked in a union shop as i was in private sector all my career in management.praying about a big move always the place to start.i moved my family abour every 5 years while climbing the ladder and my two boys changing schools was probably the biggest negative.being in a union provides a security blanket i never had so i cannot speak to that.the biggest concerns should be location and cost of living,and real estate selling or buying and your age is a factor after 50.i left a corporate position in 1992 and moved back home to MS to a home i had kept since 1979.i was 52 years old and had decided my moving was over.my salary level had peaked and i was 'over qualified' for everything in my profession and nobody wanted to pay what i had been earning.i would have had to move again even if i had found an opportunity with decent salary.make your move before you hit the 50 mark as that could be a negative beyond that.good luck!
I work in the oil & gas industry and if oil and natural gas prices don't go up and rig count keeps decreasing I may be looking at a career change! I actually have 16 years with my company and have been very blessed in this career...most likely will get through these bad times but I have a lot of co workers and friends that have been let go over the past 6 months.
You are a very blessed man to have this dilemma. Many pro's and con's to consider. For me it would be how this would effect my family life. Seeking God's counsel is a wise decision.