Career change in your early 30's......

smooth

smooth

Club Member
Anyone ever done this? I'm really sick of working with paint, I've completely lost my passion and I really am starting to think about a career change.I'll probably take a huuuuge pay cut but I would like to get into firefighting(sounds crazy I'm sure)
 
I don't think there's anything wrong with making a career change while in your 30's. Thought about it many time myself! Only real issue I see with your plans is whether you can adopt/change your lifestyle to living on a firefighter's salary. Not to mention that that's not a very good place to be right now with the economy the way it is -- most cities are cutting police and fire right now, and you'd be behind those guys that already have years of experience.
 
Yeah I would be worried about going back to being the "low man" at a new place. In our economic state, if you were to go somewhere else...you would be first to GO if they downsized.....BUT on the other hand, if your no longer happy....Then maybe its time to take the chance...
 
I did it about 5 years ago, it was a better financial decision, but I'm still not really happy per say. But my kids eat every night, so my happiness really comes likr 4th or 5th in this house now.
 
Change it up now. You will find yourself at 50-60 really kicking yourself in the ass since then it will be too late.

Plus, being in the firefighting business, you can get hit on by cougars and swing the hose around more often.

:D !
 
My wife just graduated a few weeks ago, so when my youngest is in school full time she is going to go back to work. if she can make a decent wage I WILL go back to school and do something I ENJOY.
 
Go for it...better to be doing something you like than suffering in something you hate, even if it does mean a pay cut.
 
I'm a work to live person and not even a hint of a live to work person. If it puts a roof over my head, pays my student loans, doesn't do evil, and lets me participate in my hobbies I don't really care what it is. I'd rather not work in the weather but I'd be fine wading in other people's shit at a waste treatment plant.

I'm not independently wealthy, my parents aren't wealthy and are on a fixed income, and my wife's parents aren't much better off and still working and older than my parents, so quitting my mediocre-paying job to go do something I'd like to do is pretty much out of the question. The pay cut would pretty much eliminate a lot of opportunities for me.

But I'm busting ass hoping to retire by age 50. Right now, if my math is correct and the gubmint doesn't shaft us all, I'm on target for maintaining our current lifestyle at age 54.
 
Last edited:
I kind of did this. It's worked out so far, even though my job is kinda shitty, it does pay the bills. I'd say to remember you won't ever have too much fun at work though. You gotta do what you gotta do to pay the bills.
 
smooth said:
Anyone ever done this? I'm really sick of working with paint, I've completely lost my passion and I really am starting to think about a career change.I'll probably take a huuuuge pay cut but I would like to get into firefighting(sounds crazy I'm sure)
Click to expand...

My buddy just passed all his exams and he is 30 or 31. I'm a year from the police academy and I'm 33. Go for it smooth. It requires a lot of studying. My buddy owns his own concrete/construction company and he found time to do it.
 
I would say if fire fighting is your dream be prepared to move out of Michigan. Really hard to find FF jobs around here. You would also have to move to a city that does volunteer fire fighting to try to get some experience if your local FF doesn't already do that.

I'm 32 and I've come to the conclusion that even if you find a job doing something you love eventually it always becomes work and you grow to hate it.
I hate my job now but I'm good at it and it allows me to do things I like to do.
 
black88coupe said:
FYI- You might wanna re-think that part as ALOT of city's are cutting back on firefighters. A bunch of my friends are at risk of losing their FF jobs due to budget cuts.
Click to expand...

exactly, i dont think you will find a department that is hiring right now. Have a couple buddies that got laid off indefinitely.
 
black88coupe said:
FYI- You might wanna re-think that part as ALOT of city's are cutting back on firefighters. A bunch of my friends are at risk of losing their FF jobs due to budget cuts.
Click to expand...
These guys aren't newbs either. At least a couple years seniority. Not trying to be a buzzkill- just realistic.
 
It would be a tough move for sure. I'm 24 and already considering going back to school for something else since I can't find a job
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Construction Advice - Lally Column not plumb. Best correction?
Replies
6
Views
1K
Atrus
A
no5.0notch
Mid Life Crisis---career change---need help!!
Replies
16
Views
3K
DetroitStyle
DetroitStyle
2
Thinking bout getting back in the toy car game
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
TTA
TTA
RyeLou
1993 Mazda RX7
Replies
8
Views
2K
RyeLou
RyeLou
slowfive0
What's this car worth?
Replies
10
Views
1K
TTA
TTA
Back
Top