As my order from the library, Scott Adams' How to Fail at Almost Everything , just came in, I was hesitant about getting another book, so I made do with comprehensive review of the book (https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-revi ... 1455509124) instead.JamesR wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2017 6:55 pmYou might find it useful to read "So good they can't ignore you" by Cal Newport. There's a study that shows that in general, the longer people work in their job/field, the happier they are. The more skilled you are in your job/field, the more control you also have - you can command the salary you want or get business to agree to non-standard work schedules for example. So the combination of working in a familiar job/field & having control will give you more happiness.
This career change seems to be somewhat abandoning the previous 17 years of your work experience - your strengths seem to be related to writing, research, editing, and newsletters. It sounds like you're also interested in pedagogy & child development, and the MA gives you that opportunity to enter the field of education. Have you considered finding a job that plays to your existing strengths in the field of education? Perhaps help teachers be better teachers, instead of teaching children directly?
I have thought about your suggestion - finding a job that taps on my existing strengths and current interest. The only idea I could come up with is going into curriculum development. A look at job ads makes me think this isn't quite feasible since they require teachers with teaching experience, and I would only be able to offer a year of experience, and that's in childcare with toddlers.
I have a primary school teacher friend who just told me she will be switching to becoming a educational psychologist, and I can see the common threads so clearly: working with children. I can envision very clearly the skills and experience she can easily transfer to her new work. But for myself, I am not clear at all. I need to find the threads between what I've done, with what I need to do.
What is that low-stress, high-paying job that you've got?? Sure need one over here!JamesR wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2017 6:55 pmWhen I was coming back to the job market some 3-4 years ago with a crap resume, I was wondering whether to pursue a new career, get re-training, etc. But after reading Cal Newport's book, I decided to double down on my existing skills, even though it didn't seem that interesting. Within a year I got a great, low-stress, and high-paying job. The work played to my strengths so it was challenging and relatively interesting. I suppose I could've gone a more exciting route, but ultimately I'm glad I didn't because I don't respond particularly well to high-pressure environments, also after 3 years I'm considerably closer to ERE. I guess my point was maybe don't get too focused on an 'interesting' job and focus more on what your existing strengths are.
I wasn't after an interesting job, more of a job that would allow me to live out a better version of myself, hence I was looking for a job that balances mind and body, that allows me to be outside of a cubicle, that allows me to see impact immediately etc, but all these are not my better strengths..which is probably why I never thought of teaching as a career my entire life. At the same time, I think I had to enter the profession to realise that.
By the way, everyone, 3 weeks of St John's Wort is working well for me.