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Career Change
Posted on 7/31/19 at 10:43 pm
Posted on 7/31/19 at 10:43 pm
I am 25 and am in my third year of sales at my first job. I graduated in engineering and did not think I’d be happy calculating tank temperatures and pipe sizes so I took a technical sales job traveling all over the place. I have done well and am good with numbers and people, but the sales world has worn me down and is not something I see being able to do forever.
If you were to hit the reset button and dive into something new, what would the wise ones of the MB do in my shoes? I have thought hard about going to get an MBA, or even going to law school to do patent/environmental law or something that a technical background would benefit. These require a lot of time and money though and I don’t want to go that route just because I don’t know what else to do.
Part of me wants to go to a prestigious business school and shoot for the big leagues just for the sake of shooting for the stars, but another part of me wants to just move closer to home and family and get drunk with my hometown buddies after work. Part of me also is addicted to the paycheck that sales can provide at an early age.
I am single and constantly flip flop on what my priorities need to be at this point. Any words of wisdom will be appreciated.
If you were to hit the reset button and dive into something new, what would the wise ones of the MB do in my shoes? I have thought hard about going to get an MBA, or even going to law school to do patent/environmental law or something that a technical background would benefit. These require a lot of time and money though and I don’t want to go that route just because I don’t know what else to do.
Part of me wants to go to a prestigious business school and shoot for the big leagues just for the sake of shooting for the stars, but another part of me wants to just move closer to home and family and get drunk with my hometown buddies after work. Part of me also is addicted to the paycheck that sales can provide at an early age.
I am single and constantly flip flop on what my priorities need to be at this point. Any words of wisdom will be appreciated.
4
Posted on 7/31/19 at 10:51 pm to bigeasy225
My brothers friend did not like his large construction job at skanska at the time. After 4 years working he went to get his MBA from Harvard. He was the only guy with a CM degree and did well on his testing but not awesome. He’s going heavy finance for really large construction projects now.
I’m an engineer as well and I’m on my 3rd role in the engineering/Const world. So you can definitely make some changes to get into a different spot as you sort out what you prefer.
I also suggest to save up your $ to allow your future options for jobs or work locations to be open. If you have a good pile of cash it’s easier to take a chance on something different or new.
I’m an engineer as well and I’m on my 3rd role in the engineering/Const world. So you can definitely make some changes to get into a different spot as you sort out what you prefer.
I also suggest to save up your $ to allow your future options for jobs or work locations to be open. If you have a good pile of cash it’s easier to take a chance on something different or new.
Posted on 7/31/19 at 11:27 pm to bigeasy225
If you have any cash I’d start my own show.
Engineer + sales. I’d take that as a starting point. You will work your arse off.
Ive met 2-3 engineers in my life who could communicate what they were actually trying to say.
They are all rich.
Not a dig on anybody- most of the technical guys I meet don’t have the people part and most of the salesmen I meet don’t have the technical part.
Edit to emphasize rich. Rich rich.
Also you and your buddies are going to get married and and have kids. Those relationships are going to change.
Also all these guys I’m talking about are just kind of leaders. One got kicked out of the marines after a damn nice showing because they found out he faked his birth certificate. He wasn’t old enough.
Life is funny. Do what makes you happy.
Engineer + sales. I’d take that as a starting point. You will work your arse off.
Ive met 2-3 engineers in my life who could communicate what they were actually trying to say.
They are all rich.
Not a dig on anybody- most of the technical guys I meet don’t have the people part and most of the salesmen I meet don’t have the technical part.
Edit to emphasize rich. Rich rich.
Also you and your buddies are going to get married and and have kids. Those relationships are going to change.
Also all these guys I’m talking about are just kind of leaders. One got kicked out of the marines after a damn nice showing because they found out he faked his birth certificate. He wasn’t old enough.
Life is funny. Do what makes you happy.
This post was edited on 7/31/19 at 11:34 pm
Posted on 8/1/19 at 6:48 am to bigeasy225
Worst option is going home just to hang with buddies.....pretty much the opposite direction in every way from a high end MBA program. Think hard about what seems to be missing in your life: friends, stability of location, challenges, novelty, mental stimulation.....really think hard. Take a day or two off and imagine what shape you’d like an ideal life to have.
I’d lean toward finding another job before going back to school. Some non sales experience might help you to clarify your path forward.
Agree that a fat stack of cash makes any decisions and changes quite a bit easier. Start an invest in yourself savings pile.
I’d lean toward finding another job before going back to school. Some non sales experience might help you to clarify your path forward.
Agree that a fat stack of cash makes any decisions and changes quite a bit easier. Start an invest in yourself savings pile.
Posted on 8/1/19 at 7:05 am to bigeasy225
if you are as competent as a technical guy (being an engineer) and a sales guy, you can print money in the business world with that backbone. most people i know in those 2 areas are completely deficient in the other area. you'd be a unicorn who (allegedly) excels at both
Posted on 8/1/19 at 7:46 am to SlowFlowPro
There is no way I would get out of sales. The more things get automated, the more valuable sales jobs are. Also, a commission based job, your income is limitless. You just need to find the right sales job.
Posted on 8/1/19 at 7:59 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
Ive met 2-3 engineers in my life who could communicate what they were actually trying to say.
quote:this perception is WILDLY outdated. I'm in oil and gas and most common background among the business development/commercial folks is engineering
you are as competent as a technical guy (being an engineer) and a sales guy, you can print money in the business world with that backbone. most people i know in those 2 areas are completely deficient in the other area. you'd be a unicorn who (allegedly) excels at both
Posted on 8/1/19 at 9:10 am to hungryone
quote:
Agree that a fat stack of cash makes any decisions and changes quite a bit easier. Start an invest in yourself savings pile.
Amen to this. At 25, it’s normal to have a wide range of desires and ambitions. You’re still growing up. You might not really find your path until 30, and you don’t want to go into debt or feel shackled to a particular situation due to insufficient funds.
Posted on 8/1/19 at 9:45 am to StringedInstruments
quote:
At 25, it’s normal to have a wide range of desires and ambitions.
I cant stress this enough. It sounds like you aren't under paid, so your current situation could be worse. I was in your same shoes at 25, but not making what I wanted but enjoying the work I was doing.
I chose to go from working for a general contractor to a estimating/PM role with a more specialized sub contractor. Most people in my circle view this as a lateral move or even a step back. It was one of the best decisions I ever made both from an income and personal growth point of view. I learned a lot, built a ton of relationships, made good money.
In hindsight I wish I would have gone the MBA or Finance route, but I prioritized work and family over further education.
I've since left that job and I now at 34 have the job I've wanted since getting out of college working for a developer.
FYI: You only have 3/4 of a brain at 25. The other 1/4 comes later.
Posted on 8/1/19 at 11:24 am to HamCandy
Id assume you are a CM? I am a recent Civil grad and I went into the major wanting to eventually work in development. Any tips on how to get there?
Posted on 8/1/19 at 5:03 pm to HamCandy
Thanks for the insight. Like someone else said, I’ve seen from others around me how the sky can be the limit in sales.
But this is not necessarily about an income ceiling. I feel like i’d regret not exploring other opportunities when I have the freedom to do so now (no family). I’d like to see what other parts of the country are like. I currently travel through rural LA/MS/AL and spend the night at a holiday inn 10-15 nights a month. Work is good, but can’t say that’s what I dreamed about growing up.
Trying to not just see the grass as being greener on the other side. Seems to be a fine line between wanting to pursue other opportunities and taking your current one for granted.
But this is not necessarily about an income ceiling. I feel like i’d regret not exploring other opportunities when I have the freedom to do so now (no family). I’d like to see what other parts of the country are like. I currently travel through rural LA/MS/AL and spend the night at a holiday inn 10-15 nights a month. Work is good, but can’t say that’s what I dreamed about growing up.
Trying to not just see the grass as being greener on the other side. Seems to be a fine line between wanting to pursue other opportunities and taking your current one for granted.
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