Career change, mid-life crisis advice

[DoctorSithLord]

Hey everybody, newbie here. I am going on 38 and have a degree in IT back in 2009, I just lost my only job in the IT field and cant find anything else. I am having my mid-life crisis and I am totally lost and don't know what to do. I am going to get my CDL and drive a big rig. I leave this weekend for a CDL training which.

I always liked geology and enjoy watching TV shows/documentary about it. I am a nerd, geek and movie enthusiast. I am thinking about going back to college for geology but just scared too because of money and not having a full time job for 4 years. I have some money saved up but really don't what to use it like that. Now if I would do trucking for a year that should pay for my local college and also have a year to think about everything.

I am also not sure which way to go for geology, I really like the science said but don't know what the job market is out there for it and don't know if I am smart enough for that. I like Volcanology, I also think I would like hydrology.

Please let me know what you guys think.

Thanks

Edited April 17, 2017 by DoctorSithLord

[iNow]

I'm not an expert in this space, but when I hear of geology jobs, I tend to think of oil and natural gas exploration. Whatever path comes next for you, good luck!

[Velocity_Boy]

Hey everybody, newbie here. I am going on 38 and have a degree in IT back in 2009, I just lost my only job in the IT field and cant find anything else. I am having my mid-life crisis and I am totally lost and don't know what to do. I am going to get my CDL and drive a big rig. I leave this weekend for a CDL training which.

 

I always liked geology and enjoy watching TV shows/documentary about it. I am a nerd, geek and movie enthusiast. I am thinking about going back to college for geology but just scared too because of money and not having a full time job for 4 years. I have some money saved up but really don't what to use it like that. Now if I would do trucking for a year that should pay for my local college and also have a year to think about everything.

 

I am also not sure which way to go for geology, I really like the science said but don't know what the job market is out there for it and don't know if I am smart enough for that. I like Volcanology, I also think I would like hydrology.

 

Please let me know what you guys think.

 

Thanks

Congratulations on your recent freedom to explore New horizons. As I think that's truly the best and potentially most productive way to view a job loss.

 

Also, kudos on deciding to drive a rig. Great opportunity to see the country and take some time to decompress a bit and decide what you want to do for the Long haul. See what I just did there? LOL

 

Who knows? You might dig driving otr so much you decide to make it a career and just indulge in those other interests like geology as hobbies! And with trucking your really be able to travel to some cool sites. Go on your own digs when you have a layover or some time between trips.

 

I have a good friend, brother in law, actually, who took up trucking after being canned from his high paying financial consultant job. He was just gonna drive for a couple years till the recession got better and then return to his MBA type of work. But he sound up living the travel do much he and his wife decided to make a life of it.

 

Did you know the average age for long haul truckers is 50? You're a youngster!

 

 

Also you're too young for a midlife crises, bro. Forty be the new thirty. Your just making your first career change.

I'm only four years younger than you and don't think I'll be hitting midlife...As least in a mental and emotional sense...For at least another couple decades of so.

 

Again....Best of luck. I'm actually sorta envious. I live travelling and driving.

[Strange]

When i was in my thirties, I decided to go back to university and study for a masters in a new field that I had got interested in. I could barely afford it and wasn't sure I would be able to get a job at the end of it. It was one of the best things I ever did, though. The course was fantastic and it was great to go back to study with a more mature (slightly) attitude.

 

I did get a job afterwards (although not actually doing what I had just studied) but it would have been worth doing anyway.

[MarieTharpRocks]

I've almost done the same exact thing! ( minus the truck driving) ....I'm 38 as well , got my undergrad at 21 in computer science and just two years ago I decided to go back to uni for Geology. ( I got burnt out as an IT admin)

 

I've always loved rocks ( sounds very weird saying that out loud) and the entire geologic science area ( learning about continental drift, sediment layers, periods of geologic history , extinction events, etc).

 

My conundrum at the moment is a specific field surrounding Geology. I'm torn between hydrology, mineralogy, and geophysics. I found that my second fave thing (next to rocks:) , was finally understanding basic physics. I aced my class, and even had my prof ask me to switch my major to physics. While I would LOVE to spend some time messing about with a mass spectrometer, I also know I left my career in IT, because it's always been my dream to study rocks. Which is why I'm leaning towards mineralogy. Hydrology is a distant third simply because I'm fascinated also by desalination. ( and salt ...another mineral).

 

So what I would say in my very non-expert opinion , is find a field encompassing Geology you find you love ONCE you start your studies. Because...we never know what we may end up excelling in until we learn the basics. I had no idea I would love physics as much as I do. I even find myself in my "off time" researching more on photons. ( don't ask me why but photons rock my world ....that particle is cool as FUCK).

 

Even if your decide , "hey I actually really like seeing the country driving" , it's worth going back to school to have a better understanding in particular fields of science. It not only expands your mind , its also real philosophical journey unto itself.

 

Good luck! And feel free to share your fave thing in Geology

[Zavier Sami]

Are you sure you wanna go with Geology? I mean there are so many other options that can be easily as well? Do you want me to suggest them?