Mid-life career switch
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I like to think I'm on the younger side of midlife - still, been working as a professional for close to 15 years. Doing a big switch, moving from consulting to big tech (though in a small, growing niche).
Anyone here do something like this? What helped you pull it off? Watch-outs?
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Sounds like a lot of work and stress in exchange for a possibility of untold riches. Good luck! The consultants I've worked with have been technical R&D types who do the same jobs as the internal resources of the company who hired them. So going from that type of consulting to an internal R&D position would not be a huge switch. I gather that is not the sort of switch you'll be making.
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Oh I think there's going to be a ton of short-term stress - but the sort of consulting I do is strategy/ops-focused, long-hours, lots of travel, all senior executive discussions, etc. So my hope is way less hours long-term. Comp-wise it's rather neutral in the near-term. I will not be in the R&D org at the new gig.
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oh, so you're looking to downsize the career as much as anything. That's cool. I hope it's as stable, or more so. After you get the hang of the new company, I imagine you can go more on auto-pilot, as compared to the steady stream of new challenges given to you by the consulting work.
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Have money saved up to last you a few years of living expenses (frugal it may be), so you make decisions out aspiration rather than desperation.
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On the same team with people you trust. Shouldn't have to watch your own back from your own team when you navigate big changes.
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Have faith/confidence, be it in your own abilities or your own luck or in some supernatural beings, that even if this particular transition turns out to be a disappointment, you will find a way to pick yourself up and continue to care for your family.
Oh ... make sure the wife is onboard with you making this transition.
Good luck!
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I like to think I'm on the younger side of midlife - still, been working as a professional for close to 15 years. Doing a big switch, moving from consulting to big tech (though in a small, growing niche).
Anyone here do something like this? What helped you pull it off? Watch-outs?
@xenon said in Mid-life career switch:
I like to think I'm on the younger side of midlife - still, been working as a professional for close to 15 years. Doing a big switch, moving from consulting to big tech (though in a small, growing niche).
Anyone here do something like this? What helped you pull it off? Watch-outs?
Here for the comments because I've been contemplating same.
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I've gone back and forth. Aside from possibly travel, the only thing you really need to look out for is being on a good team that you trust in a good company culture. In your type of position, you can always go back to consulting if you like.
And, of course, doing work you enjoy.
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When I was 35 I… Who am I kidding? I’ve been doing this shit since I was 25. Got 10 years left, though…
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I'm not sure what type of tech, but I've found if you can really be proficient in one or two parts of the tech system, then you'll become less dispensable and a go-to person for (fast) solutions that use whatever tech you're an expert in. From there, grow your relationships and use lots of GIFs if you have internal chat.
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A well timed eye roll and a stage-whispered F-bomb is worth more than any GIF
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