Has anyone had a career change? How old were you and what did you do before and after? Do you feel happier with your choice?

If you started a business and had way too many ideas, how did you decide on the final idea and what did you do to learn about how to maintain a business?

I worked in print editorial and library science through my earlier career. Was good at it. Liked it. Didn't love it. And it didn't fulfill a sense of purpose or affect a level of substantive positive change in the world that I suspected myself capable of. In 2006 I opted to leave my gig and pursue additional graduate study -- this time in intercultural theology -- decidedly outside of my native United States.

I now work in the non-profit sector, developing interfaith initiatives toward global housing and poverty relief. And, yep, I'm much happier.

I can't give specific pointers on how to start your own biz. But amid all those ideas, identify the ones for which you have a sustained passion. It's sooo cliche, but it's good practice. And remain open to unexpected ways you might end up engaging that passion in the world. I thought I'd be a comparative theology professor, for example, tucked away at some ivy-covered university campus. I'm now rather in the trenches, actually applying all my do-gooder talk in service to -- and alongside -- those humans whose lives are most impacted by it. Be willing to do that grunt work as well as simply orchestrate it.

Also, consider enrolling in business courses to give yourself the knowledge base, the vocabulary, the networking opportunities to launch a solid enterprise. And do not underestimate the value in volunteering with a respected company in your desired industry. People often pass off volunteers as envelope stuffers or cold callers. But I can tell you in my own company it's not at all unusual for volunteers to immediately find themselves rubbing shoulders with important community leaders; high-level industry execs; and municipal, provincial and federal politicos, all of whose expertise can be an invaluable learning resource. Possibly the best free on-the-job training you'll ever come by.

[Edited 2/8/13 6:23am]

I don't think I can go for business courses, and those who could have given me great advice are not in my life, but the people I could go to will give good advice though I don't think they will take me seriously.

Glad you found something you like that's for the betterment of people

[Edited 2/9/13 1:28am]

alphastreet said:

I don't think I can go for business courses,

Why?

those who could have given me great advice are not in my life,

I'm sorry to hear this. Yet many others with experience and knowledge must remain

the people I could go to will give good advice though I don't think they will take me seriously.

Why?

Quit being consumed by "Yes, buts" or reasons you can't go forward. Otherwise, you wallow in defeat before you even begin your venture.

.

[Edited 2/9/13 7:57am]

worked for a popular fast food chain for 5.5 years. got hired damn near on the spot. was a hothead from the get-go. fought with just about anyone. a shoo-in for for middle management. procrastinated, finally got pushed into it. got soft, got punked. half-ass trained, transferred, bitter, disgruntled (means the same shit, but i'm not stopping ). was the sweetheart teddy bear figurehead, who only opened his mouth when he was having a bad day. still no one listened. their fault? maybe, maybe not. fraternized. only made things more... awkward, worse, for me. promised the world, never got it. probably didn't deserve it. whatever, could run the whole store now. don't want to. met some awesome people that i don't ever need to see again. cut to my present career. making much less. much happier with myself, for one. kinda into the debauchery () of the job (a fucking gas station, yes , very little emoticons this time ). will try the management thing again in the semi-distant future. met some not so awesome people here and got deterred, realized it was just a fucking job, i don't love these people, they don't have to love me either, shit, but they will respect/pay me. wish i had a , but didn't get 'em cuz i couldn't work today. or tomorrow. we'll be alright.