(January 9, 2016 at 2:41 pm)Mermaid Wrote: I absolutely loved my job for years, so I guess I am lucky that way. (I also work in science). I get paid well so I need to suck it up and count my blessings.
Mermaid . . . yes. I'm afraid so.
I loved my job - but it was quite literally disappearing, due to socioeconomic changes. At 50, I was going to have to make a change or - - end up homeless, because I'm single and have no family. During the first career I never made enough for health insurance or any retirement savings, so I was looking at - real financial trouble. So I actually earned a second Master's degree, and worked extra apprenticeships and projects to try to make the career change. When they say, "never leave a job after 50", BELIEVE it, trust me. I was job-hunting for over two years.
I did find a full-time job with benefits . . . it's low-paying, but then I'm in my mid-50's and female. One place where I had worked part-time interviewed me for a full-time position, a position where I had created the work flows for the the job in question. It would have paid well. I didn't get the position - it went to a kid right out of college who needed 6 months of training to do the job that I knew backwards and forwards. I actually believed that I was part of that team, that they loved having me there. A member of the hiring committee told me, a few weeks ago, that they didn't want to hire someone who would retire in ten years.
If there is some kind of lateral move you can make, either to a related job or within the company, that might be an option. But take it from me, don't quit. Not until you have something better lined up. Not at our age.
To address the OP . . . I loved my original career and I love this one. I'll never make much money, though.
"The family that prays together...is brainwashing their children."- Albert Einstein
