I'm not talking a drastic change.. just refocusing your career.

Never, if it is what you want to do, go for it. You have to do what is right for you!

I'd say if you work at a company that offers a retirement package, once you get over half way to attaining said package, you may as well stick it out.

Fab1b wrote: Never, if it is what you want to do, go for it. You have to do what is right for you!

We have a winner.

I made a career path change twice in the past 4 years. I had to move backwards for a year or 2 until I was able to get the job I wanted, but it was well worth it.

Once you have a career with a company..you need to stick it out until that company moves out of your town...then it's ok to find a new one.

I say 40-45. Once you get to, presumably, a point of middle management, real career changes (as opposed to changing industries within the same function) set you too far back on that road to success. You know, say you're a director in engineering and if you want to go into marketing it would be nearly impossible to even get a lower level management position, unless it's a technical marketing position that leverages your current expertise.

Otherwise, loyalty is gone now on both ends and simply changing companies for basically the same position you can do at any point, but if you do have a pension you should consider that value in terms of the compensation you are losing. However, that is usually something that can be negotiated if you are playing in the senior mgmt level.

I am really trying to figure out what I want to do. I don't know if it is just the current situation I am in or if I am just getting sick of my field but I would love a career change right about now. Not sure what I could switch to (without more schooling) and maintain my current salary level, though.

Yeah..I'm laid off right now from a decent gig myself..but going to school for another trade..school isn't over until March..but I'm hearing I'll get called back to my current job after the holidays..so I'll have a decision to make there myself.

With a 401k there's no attachment on either side of the table anymore. You'll be hard pressed to find a pension anymore.

GoChiefs wrote: Yeah..I'm laid off right now from a decent gig myself..but going to school for another trade..school isn't over until March..but I'm hearing I'll get called back to my current job after the holidays..so I'll have a decision to make there myself.

What r u in school for chiefs?

Just going to a welding school right now..nothing big..was just something to gain another skill and trying to pass the time until the man came a callin' me back to work since the State of Ohio was offering to pay for it..but now I'm really enjoying it..unlike my job at the 'other' place..and I got job opportunities if I finish the school..but doesn't pay as well as I can make right at this moment. So I don't know what I'm gonna do.

When is it to late?
When you stop breathing.

Fab1b wrote: Never, if it is what you want to do, go for it. You have to do what is right for you!

This +1000

^^^ DING! We have a winner.

Lady D'Friskies (Mrs CatFood) got an IT degree at age 48 - with the appropriate promotion from a clerical position at work in less than six months.

Us late baby boomers will have to work until we're 70 (at least) before we will be able to get Medicare or Social Security - at age 50, I'm still looking at working for another twenty years. Not a problem - I'd go crazy lying around the house for twenty years after retiring.

GoChiefs wrote: Once you have a career with a company..you need to stick it out until that company moves out of your town...then it's ok to find a new one.

Was this a serious answer?

I Wear Pants wrote: Was this a serious answer?

Gonna have to say no.

It's never too late. Don't settle for a crappy job. Find what you love to do then figure out a way to get paid to do it.