Sly Bald Guys Forum
Confidence and Success => Business/Work => Topic started by: hammerdrill376 on June 29, 2008, 06:38:54 AM
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Just want some input from fellow SLY guys out there. I am 44 years old and have been in pest control since in my mid 20's. Much of my work involves crawling under homes, into attics. There is also an aspect of sales involved (which I do not mind at all) however some of the nature of this work is taking a toll on my knees, back, etc. I am SERIOUSLY considering making a career change. Not sure what yet but will probably be sales related.
Have any of you out there made a career change mid 40's or even older? If so I would love to hear about your experiences and what the positives and even negatives have been for you.
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I was a Social Worker for about 10 years in child protection, left that and worked in the mortgage industry for almost 10 years, becoming a VP in a Commercial Mortgage lending firm that did construction land development etc. and actually having my own small lending and brokerage company (which I still do PT), and now I'm almost done becoming a Chartered Psychologist with a new degree in Counselling Psych.
Life's too short too worry about all the little what ifs. Most career changes can be done if you plan and are willing to make adjustments to your lifestyle. The biggest hurdle most people have is not being willing to make do with less for a little while or make sacrifices.
Ask yourself how you will feel if you're still asking this question when you're 50?
What do you want to do now?
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Thanks for your advice and comments.
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What other careers R U looking at?
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Career change in your 40's--DON'T get me wrong but you're an amateur, I just changed careers from being a lawyer to a consultant in disaster recovery and FEMA negotiations for municipalities and eligible nonprofits, and I'm 63!
Granted Katrina put a BIG hole in my retirement plans, but I'm in pretty good health, it's interesting work, and, for me at least, learning something new has always been fun. Hopefully I'll make enough at this new place--pay's pretty good--to get back on my retirement track. But, my parents lived long and healthy lives as did theirs, so the genetic imprint indicates a life term into my mid-ninties. It's going to be neat when I'm old enough that when I hit young kids w/ my cane, everyone says, "That's cute!" >:D >:D
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LOL...good reply..I have relatives that lived into their 90's and others to early 60's. Hope I am in the first set. Probably something sales related. I enjoy sales just not sure of which field yet.
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LOL...good reply..I have relatives that lived into their 90's and others to early 60's. Hope I am in the first set. Probably something sales related. I enjoy sales just not sure of which field yet.
is there anything sales related to the pest control or any other related biz?
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Career change in your 40's--DON'T get me wrong but you're an amateur, I just changed careers from being a lawyer to a consultant in disaster recovery and FEMA negotiations for municipalities and eligible nonprofits, and I'm 63!
Don't ya know????
60 is the new 40 ;)
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60 is the new 40 ;)
So what does that make 40? :)
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LOL...good reply..I have relatives that lived into their 90's and others to early 60's. Hope I am in the first set. Probably something sales related. I enjoy sales just not sure of which field yet.
Hammerdrill,
This is just my opinion but, the economy is sucking bad right now. Sales will be a hard field to make money right now seeing no one is really buying stuff...unless its gasoline.
Pest control is a necessity, so there is work. Have you thought about starting your own business in the area? Hire a couple of young guys and teach them the ropes, then you can be the salesman and they can do the crawling around. Again its just my opinion but I hope you do your homework before you make a drastic change.
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60 is the new 40 ;)
So what does that make 40? :)
a young punk :/O
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So what does that make 40? :)
Not quite out of puberty ;D!
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So what does that make 40? :)
Not quite out of puberty ;D!
Dang you mean I still have 2 more years to go???
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So what does that make 40? :)
Not quite out of puberty ;D!
Dang you mean I still have 2 more years to go???
Considering present status and progress, 2 years is OPTOMISTIC :*))!
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60 is the new 40....Man thats GREAT news for me (44).
As far as pest control, it is now doing well in our area at all. Termite prevention is one thing..that is the necessity but alot of homeowners are opting to do their own pest control. Alot of companies here are requiring techs to pay part of the cost of fuel and as a result alot of guys are getting out of it. I have a friend who started his own company and is STRUGGLING so now is not the time to begin one in our area. Alot of buyouts by the larger PC companies are occuring and honestly, I know how these guys do business and I want NO part of it. Plus 20 years of crawling under homes and into attics is taking a physical toll so I am definately looking else where. I do have something in mind and had my first interview yesterday. Will let you all know how it comes out.
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So what does that make 40? :)
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a young punk :/O
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Amen to that ! I did a career change at 48 ; from professor to Seminary student (for 3 years) to clergyman. I'ts been a great change. The university is a real rat race and stress factory .
so; go for it ; do what you've always dreamed of doing. Believe me, if I could do it; so can you
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I am an x-ray tech (18 yrs) and took a hiatus to start a company with my wife. We started a promotional products/advertising business. Gotta tell you, business is pretty good. With the economic slowdown, companies are advertising just as much as ever. Not that I want to add competetion. lol
It's a lot of outside sales and my wife does production and the financial stuff which bores me to tears. I still work 3 nights a week at a small hospital just to keep my skills up and my x-ray license active. Hopefully, our company will be generating enough revenue in a couple of more years that I can quit the hospital.
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Update on the career change...Today is the last day at the pest control company I work for. My boss was very cool about it and actually asked me to keep my cards and what marketing materials I have and if I wanted to work part time I was welcome to.
Starting Monday in the timeshare business. I have a SLY friend who has been in this for sometime and even in the economic downturn there does not appear to be a lack of people who want to buy timeshares here in Myrtle Beach.
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All the best on the new career venture. Myrtle Beach is one of my favorite places, having grown up in central North Carolina. I still go back there every now and then. My sister lived there a few years ago and worked in advertising sales. Made a good living at it. You seem like a real people person. You should do real well. O0
Red
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Sounds like things are going your way. Good luck!
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Thanks guys. I think the change will be good.
SimplyRed....What part of NC. I am a native of Stedman, NC just east of Fayetteville
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Good luck, it is always better to work for yourself, working for others u make a wage, for yourself u make money.
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Congratulations Hammer! O0 Let us know how your first day at the new job goes. All the best in your new endeavor. 8)
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Update on the career change...Today is the last day at the pest control company I work for. My boss was very cool about it and actually asked me to keep my cards and what marketing materials I have and if I wanted to work part time I was welcome to.
Starting Monday in the timeshare business. I have a SLY friend who has been in this for sometime and even in the economic downturn there does not appear to be a lack of people who want to buy timeshares here in Myrtle Beach.
Congratulations on this buddy. I hope you do well. You seem to have a positive outlook so that is half the battle.
I wish I had friends like that who are successful. Everyone I know is either working for someone (and unhappy) or unemployed. I know one guy (not extremely well) who is doing well and I tried to network with him about a job but he blew me off completely.
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Hammer, good luck with the change.
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Good luck, it is always better to work for yourself, working for others u make a wage, for yourself u make money.
Now, doggonnit, Bird....for once we agree on somethin' O0
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Good luck, it is always better to work for yourself, working for others u make a wage, for yourself u make money.
Now, doggonnit, Bird....for once we agree on somethin' O0
:*)) :*)) :*)) :*)) :*))
Yep!
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Hammer, congrats on the new job! Timeshares is actually one of the fastest growing segments of the hospitality industry in warm-weather areas. Good luck - you'll be fine!