I want to be a lion tamer.What else is available to a guy who graduated in accounting, worked a few years to a Senior Accountant level, but has spent most of his career in finance afterwards as an analyst in various industries? Bottom line, I hate what I do. But what else can I do...that pays almost as well?
Have you checked out the O*NET website and checked what you can do that is related to what you've done? Something that uses your experience and education, but is not exactly what you've already done? Or have you considered teaching at the local community college? Tax season is coming up; do you think you can help people with their taxes, assuming you are proficient in that area? Or maybe considered government employment?
Help us out a bit. Have you liked any of the industries you have worked in? Are there industries that are appealing to you? What kind of Analysis? Can you take that analysis and morph it into a related, but different world? For example, Marketing Analytics is big these days. What parts of your roles have you enjoyed? What parts do you hate? Ian Christie Career Changers Coach Ian, I graduated in accountancy but never really got "into" it. I did it because it seemed like a safe, stable work environment and I was always curious as to how a business was run (dad was an accountant too). After becoming an accountant, I kind of sidetracked into financial analysis and have been there for the past 9 years. Done just about everything and learned to hate reporting and production work (side bars for some analysis). I did enjoy sales and marketing analysis, measures of profitability and such. Project work. Finance analysts can cover a wide range. Each of us has areas we don't like. Liked the mortage industry, but these days that's moot. I guess I'm looking to see if my degree and experience can be turned into a different career. I don't think I'm a sales guy. Any industry that's exciting is obviously appealing. If Marketing would look at me, I'd consider it for sure. But don't you have to have experience in that field? And I need to pay the bills, so taking a huge pay cut and starting from entry level is not an option.
I think your point about the curiousity of how a business is run is key. Can you manage people and projects? I am wondering if there is a step for you into a role where it is taking that solid knowledge of accounting, performance measurement and finance and now applying it to an operational role, one where there is tracking, etc. I.e. be manager of something. An operation. A department. A business unit. So, step off the analysis track and onto a new one. I don't know about your skills in this area, but it is feasible, if you pick a business where these kinds of things matter (they matter everywhere, but business drivers differ, as you know). On the marketing side, if it is of interest, I would look into it. Again, analytics, vs. marketing per se. What is the performance of various campaigns. Costing. Budgeting. If we change this variable, what happens...The world of online, TV and direct marketing is heavy into this, but others are as well. www.marketingsherpa.com and www.marketingprofs.com are two professional communities that might offer clues in this area. Ian Christie Career Changers Coach | |
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