Career Advice

[1987 GN]

A few times over the last few months I have seen people looking for career advice. I have offered the same suggestion to those people that I have always received: "Do something that makes you happy and don't worry about the money, that will take care of itself down the road." This theory has worked for me but now I am no longer happy doing what I do. I cannot think of anything that might interest me so I will describe the job charecteristics I am looking for and see if anyone has some input on some possible career choices for myself. A little background on me:
Age: 27
B.S.: Mathematics '97
Over 6 years of financial services, insurance experience.

Basically I am sick of life in a cubicle. I am not unemployed yet, (although with the repeated visits to turbobuick.com and job search sites I might be unemployed sooner than later) but just bored with my current situation. I am looking for a job where I am out of the office or on the road at least some of the time. I would want to be home daily. A long drive or overnight once in a while would be ok but I am not interested in flying anywhere or multiple nights away. My interests include automobiles, investing, and insurance. I am having a hard time coming up with any solid ideas and thought maybe someone might have some good ideas they would be willing to share. I am not afraid to put in long days or work odd hours. I am just looking for a change. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[Chad Oliver]

If your interested in becoming a district manager give me a call @ (480) 203-9970.

 

[1987 GN]

Chad,
Send you a private message.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[BlownZ]

I am a division manager for a Fortune 500 company and my job fits exactly what you are after. I am on the road every day in a different location dealing with different problems and different people. You have to be very self sufficient and a self motivator when you do not have a time clock to punch or a boss checking up over your shoulder but if you are the right type of person and can handle the stress then it is a great job.

 

[Little6pack]

I hear Jack Cotten is looking for help. J/K

I hear you about the stuck in cube syndrome.


Forget working on cars!

Why not try your hand at Buying & Selling Classic cars.
You can start out with renting a small building for
storage/showroom. Maybe open nights & weekends while staying at current job until you make the leap full time.

at first you can buy local cars or consign them out for customers.

Eventually you will have to travel around & lease a car carrier as time goes on.

Massachusetts is RIPE & in need of a classic car dealership.

 

[zam70]

hmmmmm
An Insurance adjuster?

 

[victa1]

Well, if you don't mind long hours and hard work, try to be your own boss. Your own business, any kind of business that allows you to live at a decent level is the way to go if you can make it work.

Nowadays, there is no such thing as "job security" working for someone else, be it a small local company or a mega-corporation.
You can get canned without notice for any reason. If the company's bottom line says they can save a few bucks by getting rid of long time, hard working employees, they are gone.
The corporate life sucks for the average joe. There used to be a time when you would get out of college, get your first job with
the "company", and as long as you did well, you had job security and a pension at the end.

See the movie "Office Space". While it's supposed to be a parody, it is pretty much dead on.

If you have the drive, will, and patience to be your own boss, that would be the way to go.

 

[1987 GN]

Originally posted by zam70
hmmmmm
An Insurance adjuster?

I think I would enjoy a job as an insurance adjuster I thought of this a while ago, but I have looked at 5-10 different companies in the Massachusetts area and they all require a minimum of 3 years experience plus an adjusters license. You cannot get the adjusters license though without an apprenticeship but the companies are looking for experienced help, not apprentices so I cannot seem to figure out how to get my foot in the door. Thanks for the idea though.

 

[1987 GN]

Originally posted by victa1
Well, if you don't mind long hours and hard work, try to be your own boss. Your own business, any kind of business that allows you to live at a decent level is the way to go if you can make it work.

Nowadays, there is no such thing as "job security" working for someone else, be it a small local company or a mega-corporation.
You can get canned without notice for any reason. If the company's bottom line says they can save a few bucks by getting rid of long time, hard working employees, they are gone.
The corporate life sucks for the average joe. There used to be a time when you would get out of college, get your first job with
the "company", and as long as you did well, you had job security and a pension at the end.

See the movie "Office Space". While it's supposed to be a parody, it is pretty much dead on.

If you have the drive, will, and patience to be your own boss, that would be the way to go.

Office Space is my life exactly. I am really sick of this environment but I do have bills to pay so I tolerate it for now. If I could think of a good business to start I gladly would.

One of my favorite Office Space quotes: "Did you get the memo?"

 

[1987 GN]

Originally posted by littlesixsteve
I hear Jack Cotten is looking for help. J/K

I hear you about the stuck in cube syndrome.


Forget working on cars!

Why not try your hand at Buying & Selling Classic cars.
You can start out with renting a small building for
storage/showroom. Maybe open nights & weekends while staying at current job until you make the leap full time.

at first you can buy local cars or consign them out for customers.

Eventually you will have to travel around & lease a car carrier as time goes on.

Massachusetts is RIPE & in need of a classic car dealership.

Talk about a dream job. Looking at classic cars and then buying and selling them. Startup capital is kind of tough right now but down the road this could be a real possibility. Massachusetts does need a dealership like this though.

 

[DKREDT]

Money is not everything, but how much do you need to live on? That may limit some choices. Are you in a sales position now or more customer service?

Lot's of sales positions out there that wouldn't have you stuck in a cubicle. (and give you some control of your income)

As far as adjusters go.. check out Progressive Insurance. I know they are growing and have hired a lot of entry level adjusters here in the midwest in the last year or so.

HTH

Joel

 

[RBE17]

I've been going through this struggle myself lately. One possibility is becoming a Snap-on or MAC rep. On the road, different people everyday, your own boss. I don't know the specifics of either, but I know someone who works for Snap-on and he's done quite well for himself at 28. It all depends on whether or not you need to utilize your degree and justify the time spent in college.

Good luck,


Steve.

 

[GN One Day...]

Sounds like you like what you do for a living, just not where you're doing it. Try downsizing the business you work for. IMO, I've always been happier with the smaller a company I've worked for. You don't get quite as lost in the shuffle. Have you thought about working for a local agent? Maybe someone older that wants to train someone to run his/her office in a couple of years? Maybe a smaller insurance company will want to train their own adjusters. A lot of businesses are like that. If they train a greenhorn, they know that person does things the way they like them done.

BTW, yes, cubicles do suck.

Oh yeah

 

[1987 GN]

Anyone else with any other ideas. I figure it has been a few days so I should bring the thread back to the top for some fresh input. Thanks.

 

[1987 GN]

Thanks for all of the replies to this thread and for the PMs too. I appreciate people taking the time to respond. It seems to me that the automobile appraiser/adjuster position might suit me well. I am currently exploring how to get into a career like this as it seems all of the open positions require some experience. If anyone else has any ideas on this or any other career suggestions please feel free to email me, PM me or reply to the thread. Thanks!

 

[DKREDT]

http://jobs.progressive.com/jobs_frameset.asp?JobFrame=search

Progressive Insurance is a growing and innovative Insurance Company. They hire entry level and will train you. Check out the above link (if it works) or go to www.progressive.com.

HTH

Joel