Looking to change careers...

[+ carlos45]

Good Afternoon, gentlemen:

 

Any suggestions for a career change?? I've worked the hospitality industry, (hotels), for 25+ years. It's been good to me and I'm grateful, but I'm tired of it and need something different. Since I started I the industry, I've moved to different city, originally, from Southern California, it has allowed me to live independently, and I've completed a college degree, so I am truly grateful. Ideally, I would like to do something away from the service industry, any suggestions??

[+ honcho]

It would be helpful if you said what your major in college was.

 

Seems to me that "service industry" is broader than "hospitality industry". So it isn't clear to me whether you would consider working in health services administration too close to the hospitality industry or if that would be different enough from what you were doing before, but might make good use of skills you learned.

 

There's also creative industries - artists, photographers, musicians, writers, and mangement for them.

 

Technical services, like computer programmers, or skilled health care workers - x-ray techs, phlebotomists, or on the professional end pharmisists, might or might not considered providing services, even though I wouldn't think of them as part of the "service industry".

 

Have started a new hobby (photography/video) it seems that the folks in retail support there have a passion for the hobby, can be very knowledgeable and insightful. The folks who work in both the local music store I frequent, and a mail order place 2,000 miles away are all at the very least semi-professional musicians.

 

So it might also be useful if you shared your hobbies and passions ...

 

Sadly, since the hobby that all of us have in common is somewhat illegal in many places, the closest support I could think of for that would be video folks working for porn companies, but I'll bet there's *stiff* competition for limited jobs there ...

 

And, in another thread, somebody talked about a possible career change of going into teaching - I seem to recall that some of the community colleges around where I live offer classes related to the hospitality industry, although the country could sure use more devoted K-12 teachers.

[+ carlos45]

It would be helpful if you said what your major in college was.

 

Seems to me that "service industry" is broader than "hospitality industry". So it isn't clear to me whether you would consider working in health services administration too close to the hospitality industry or if that would be different enough from what you were doing before, but might make good use of skills you learned.

 

There's also creative industries - artists, photographers, musicians, writers, and mangement for them.

 

Technical services, like computer programmers, or skilled health care workers - x-ray techs, phlebotomists, or on the professional end pharmisists, might or might not considered providing services, even though I wouldn't think of them as part of the "service industry".

 

Have started a new hobby (photography/video) it seems that the folks in retail support there have a passion for the hobby, can be very knowledgeable and insightful. The folks who work in both the local music store I frequent, and a mail order place 2,000 miles away are all at the very least semi-professional musicians.

 

So it might also be useful if you shared your hobbies and passions ...

 

Sadly, since the hobby that all of us have in common is somewhat illegal in many places, the closest support I could think of for that would be video folks working for porn companies, but I'll bet there's *stiff* competition for limited jobs there ...

 

And, in another thread, somebody talked about a possible career change of going into teaching - I seem to recall that some of the community colleges around where I live offer classes related to the hospitality industry, although the country could sure use more devoted K-12 teachers.

[+ carlos45]

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Speech & Communication studies.

[+ honcho]

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Speech & Communication studies.

 

So first a meta-comment. Way back in the day, my dad suggested I read "what color is your parachute", which had helpful advice about job seeking in general. And in many major radio markets there's a guy named Marty Nemko who hosts a call in program where he chat with people thinking about career changes.

 

Speech and Communication folks sometimes go into broadcasting, but that's highly competitive, especially for middle age folks changing stream.

 

If you're at all interesting in Marketing, and you're still working for one of those hospitality companies, it is sometimes easier to get a job in your own company's marketing department than it would be to land a job outside with only a degree and no experience in hand.

 

Then after a year or two, it might be easier to get into a job in a general marketing department being able to show some experience on your resume.

[MidwestCoastal]

I would suggest pivoting to something where your experience in hospitality can still be valuable, but allows you to try something new. Ideally, you want that experience to also increase your value and therefore, your salary.

 

There are a TON of new (and old) internet housing and travel companies out there.

 

Think Airbnb.... I just saw a relatively new one...'Bungalow.com'....

[+ carlos45]

Thank you, the responses are appreciated.

[rvwnsd]

The Financial Services industry is in dire need of people who can take dry, technical material and translate it to "real people" speak without losing the message we are trying to convey. In banking, documents like disclosures are "owned" by Product Management and/or Marketing. You might want to look out for roles that would use your speech and communication skills. Alternatively, in areas like Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering investigations people who have communications skills flourish because they can convey a message better than a law-and-order type.

[down_to_business]

If I had it to do all over again, I would try and make a career about something I was passionate about (like my concern for animals). I think its a lot easier to keep going when you make a career out of something you either really love doing or really care about.