Career change... Any suggestions?

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jmoburg

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At 26, I’m not quite sure what to do career wise. I’ll list a couple things I’ve been doing, and hopefully someone might bring up a good idea.

The last two years I’ve been in the mortgage industry (got in at the wrong time, under the wrong impression). I’ve enjoyed working with people, working on strategies… but I don’t like looking for new business or prospecting. Prior to that I was in the stock market/financial advising business as an assistant to some successful advisors and brokers. That industry still requires a commission based lifestyle, and prospecting as well.

Ethically… I don’t like the idea of networking, because its often a false friendship. I love knowing great people to refer to when someone needs a deck, or new furnace, haircut, etc … but I don’t want to live a life that requires intentionally setting up referring business partner relationships. Plus, I’m not willing to pay for those friendships either.

I’m a people person, have had the chance to help increase the growth in a company (from recruiting, training, managing etc). I’ve been putting in 60-75 hour weeks trying to keep afloat in a strange commission based career and I’m burning out. I can communicate well, I can teach others simple to complex concepts.

As my faith has been skyrocketing, my Catholic identity growing… what I once wanted for a career has changed. I haven’t ruled out the priesthood, but I don’t think at this time its the right move as in terms of discernment i feel I’m not being called to it.

I want to be in an ethical company, a position where my time is valued, a position that doesn’t put me in a spot to compromise my values/morals. … any thoughts?
 
I feel just like you lately, but I’m not sure that I am the one you should be taking advice from right now.

You see, I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion your level of success in the business field (specifically!) is inversely proportional to your level of dedication to ethics. Either you will be doing something unethical yourself, or end up working for somebody who doesn’t have a problem with being unethical… and of course these employers are not going to just broadcast their lack of ethics to everyone else, so as long as you stay ignorant of what your bosses are doing you can pretend everything is juuust fine. 👍😉
 
hmm thought I should say this… don’t let my aloof manner throw you off… these same questions have really been eating me up inside lately…
 
you said it perfectly exoflare… the opportunities of success and money I’ve been exposed to have just made me sick about the business world. I know there have got to be some good companies, ethical bosses etc out there… but reality is disheartening
 
With your experience in stock exchange and mortgages and your issue with ethics, have you considered the NFP sectors?
 
What about being a teacher? If you have your BA, you’re in, unless you live in California - you probably need to go back for another year of school.
 
jmoburg said:
I haven’t ruled out the priesthood, but I don’t think at this time its the right move as in terms of discernment i feel I’m not being called to it.
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Have you discussed this with a GOOD priest spiritual director?

Not to be rude, but if you haven’t, you haven’t done your due diligence. And without that, you are operating on incomplete or erroneous information and haven’t done your discernment.

Talk to a GOOD priest spiritual director about this. Merely feeling “not being called to it” is not discernment.
 
Keep in mind, people change careers at least 6 times before they retire. I can attest. I’ve changed careers 3 times in 20 years.

Lets see, I majored in Accounting and worked in accounting for about 6 years, I’m currently working in Human Resources, love it. Since last year I’ve taken courses at a local college so that I can get my Teaching Certificate. I want to teach middle school math. My huband supports me in my decision to be a teacher, he’s seen me struggle with the idea over the years. Finally, I took the big leap forward.

One thing you got to think about is do you really want to be 67 years old and retired and say to yourself, “what if…”. This is what made me take the decision to be a teacher, I’m 40 years old. Its never too late to jump into a career or look into another career. Talk to people, take a day off and spend a day with them, see what they do. Don’t reach retirement age and question yourself. Just do it.
 
just a thought, use the skill set, experience and yes, networking, you have developed in this industry to work for a non-profit that helps people buy homes, negotiate the RE market, renovates or manages low income housing, and generally consists of the corporal work of mercy “sheltering the homeless”.
 
Have you thought about working for a parish as a business manager. I know around here many parishes have business managers to free up the pastor from the business end of the parish. While the money is nothing like the private sector, you will get a good sense of parish life and see if God is calling you to a vocation to the priesthood. I know several priest who were in business or law before entering the priesthood and this has really helped them in running a parish.
 
hasikelee said:
With your experience in stock exchange and mortgages and your issue with ethics, have you considered the NFP sectors?
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I talked recently to my financial advisor at TIAA-CREF.org in Denver.

She’s worked there for 5 years and loves it. She’s finishing her master’s in finance (thru Regis–Jesuit) soon.

TIAA-CREF.org is the huge investment arm of people in academics, including university profs. researchers, physicians. The motto is 'working for the Greater Good" It includes a whole range of mutual funds, stock/bond/fixed indices to invest in and lots of educational tutorials on its huge website. All the management fees are low ,and their performance for all funds is excellent, following the benchmark for each fund.

This lady says that they live up to their motto. She’s on salary, no commissions. They helped pay for her master’s education.

Someone there divested of subprime mortgages a couple of years ago so that the company did not lose any money directly.

This would be a very good company for someone with a high code of ethics to work for. They should have offices all over the US.

Check out their website.

www.tiaa-cref.org
 
sassy11 said:
I want to teach middle school math. .
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If you become a middle school math teacher, I swear that that will put you on the Golden Non-Stop Escalator to the pearly gates!

ANYone who is willing to teach math to MIDDLE-SCHOOLERS is automatically a candidate for sainthood!
 
1234 said:
If you become a middle school math teacher, I swear that that will put you on the Golden Non-Stop Escalator to the pearly gates!

ANYone who is willing to teach math to MIDDLE-SCHOOLERS is automatically a candidate for sainthood!
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7th and 8th grade boys is why I quit teaching. I agree anyone teaching that grade level has a great shot at heaven with a pass purgatory pass.
 
Joannm said:
7th and 8th grade boys is why I quit teaching. I agree anyone teaching that grade level has a great shot at heaven with a pass purgatory pass.
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I am student teaching middle schoolers in the ghetto right now. They have even told me that they know it takes a lot of patience to deal with them. They have asked me how I put up with them. I told them that if I don’t I fail student teaching LOL
 
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