Did you ever realise that you chose the wrong career?

LSandman2019 on 08/11/2019 - 22:45
Last edited 08/11/2019 - 22:45

Long story short - i'm 25 years old, nearly 26. I chose a degree in accounting and finance for the wrong reasons. I was influenced by my family an also by the job security/money.
Having spent a few years in the accounting field i think it's safe to say that i hate it. I feel pretty annoyed that i've wasted so much time in a career and a job i don't like. I've hardly made any progress in my career as i have no motivation to improve or do better.
It's starting to hit me now. I don't want to go back to uni but at the same time i don't really know what else to do. I don't really have any passions anymore.
I've done a few career tests online but i seem to get varied responses. Each test seems to give me different answers.

Has anyone else ever been in a similar scenario? how did you find out what you wanted to do as a career?

Education & Work

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  • John Kimble on 08/11/2019 - 22:49
    +68

    Yes.

    Still haven't…and don't see how I will…and I got about 10 years on you. I reckon 95% of the workforce would be in the same boat.

    For me, a job is just something that pays the bills to keep my family from being homeless (a tad extreme, but technically true).

    Edit: Let me clarify that I don't hate my job, I just am not Steve Irwin passionate about it.

    • 87percent on 09/11/2019 - 09:20
      +21

      I work in IT. I don’t hate my job, but it’s not what I love doing. I was always good at computer related stuff and didn’t really know what I wanted to do. My motto is “I work to live, not live to work”

      • ashdays on 09/11/2019 - 13:39

        Bro, I love your motto. It resonates with me so much.

        For the last 12 years I've been in different jobs in one field. I can't tell you how many times I've moved jobs in another field which I love and everytime it gets f****d up due to factors beyond my control and I end up back in the field I left.

        I sometimes feel God is taking the piss and having a good laugh at my expense!

        Like you say, "I work to live, not live to work"

    • SlickMick on 09/11/2019 - 12:59
      +7

      Your degree will be valuable, as will business experience, so don't think you've wasted your time or efforts.
      Would you want to run your own business? You'd have a huge head start.

      If you find something you'd rather be doing, see if you can find the time to study after hours, so you don't have to forego an income while changing careers.

      Some say find something you love, but I actually wouldn't want to love my job. I want to look forward to the things I share with family and friends, and I know that part of my life would suffer if I loved my job.

      On the other hand, getting a very average job after being unemployed for a while made me appreciate any job.

    • Sandman2019 on 08/11/2019 - 22:54
      +4

      Good point

      I live at home so i guess i'm not in that situation yet and i think about these things

      • Kangal on 09/11/2019 - 00:10
        +79

        You've become "woke" rather early, and that's a good thing.
        Remember you don't have any expenses at the moment, and you have a good paying job. For every one of you, there are 99 people who would love to be in your position. As cliche as it is, the grass does seem greener on the other side.

        With that out of the way, you should look at your time, and do time budgeting.
        Put everything into a schedule from when you wake up to when you sleep, and everything in between. You will discover how much time you waste on needless things that bring low-quality gratification. Your mission afterwards is to transition yourself to work hard at work and get better at it/promotions, and to tell your sub-conscious that you are happy with the progress you are making. And in the same time, you should be spending your free time in experiencing things you want to; ie Hobbies.

        It could be weight lifting, MMA, jogging, cycling, mountain biking, dirt biking, archery, surfing, canoeing, camping, photography, CGI modelling, development, woodwork, playing the guitar, singing, dancing, learning Spanish, writing fanfic, comedy etc etc. Just to give you an example. Most of these things are free or cheap, and only require your time and effort. So save like crazy, and put it all into long-term stocks whilst saving up for your own real estate. That's one advice that doesn't get repeated enough times. Once you do find the thing you are good at, or enjoy, then you keep doing it by telling yourself "I'm an archer" and create internal fulfilment. So when you have those "burn-out" moments at work, you can always tell yourself, well at least its a couple days till the weekend and I get to do my hobby etc etc. I know it's slow and gruelling, but the long-burn gratification is much better than drinking and gaming instant satisfaction. And eventually you will transform as a person without even realising. Your new happy and optimistic personality will attract like-minded friends with meaningful relationships and probably a love interest.

        Basically, I'm saying put in the plan, work on it, remain patient. Have no ragrets. Time fvcks us all in the end.

        • Sandman2019 on 09/11/2019 - 22:35
          +4

          appreciate the advice!

        • Resistor on 11/11/2019 - 10:51
          +1

          I am not quite in the similar boat as OP but I appreciate this advice as well. Thanks

      • sprucemoose on 11/11/2019 - 12:53
        +6

        I was in the exact same position as you. Studied accounting and then was fortunate to score an accounting gig at a great company. I realised very quickly that it wasn't for me so I quit after 6 months. Loved the industry and most of my colleagues but just hated the actual job.

        At the time I was angry that I was wasted my time doing an accounting degree. However, I managed to find a stop gap job for 6 months and then scored a marketing gig that revolved around numbers but not debits/credits, Reconciliations, etc.

        18 months later I am now in Denver, Colorado. My employer was expanding rapidly in the states and I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to move over without having to go through any hoops.

        If I didn't take the risk of quitting that accounting job I wouldn't be sitting here in this city that is surrounded by one of the most amazing mountain ranges in the world doing something that I actually enjoy day in day out. It was the smartest thing I ever did.

        • Sandman2019 on 11/11/2019 - 23:12

          wow that's incredible

      • John Kimble on 08/11/2019 - 23:00
        +2

        Yeah, if you are confident you hate accounting, I think you should consider changing (I understand your dilemma of not knowing what to change to)…better now than in 10+ years you would think…

        Perhaps you haven't progressed because you are not putting in as much as others who don't hate their job, or management can sense it…

    • Illyria on 10/11/2019 - 23:32
      +3

      Steve Irwin's career choice didn't work out so well for him. I'd stick with accounting.

      • singlemalt72 on 11/11/2019 - 14:21
        +1

        I'm sure a lot of accountants die early from office/stress related problems.

    • rlay3 on 12/11/2019 - 18:19

      Any chance you're a detective?

  • [Deactivated] on 08/11/2019 - 23:07
    +34

    You're 25. You've barely spent five years in your industry.

    You're going to hate everything that isn't making you a superstar with the opposite sex, paying for multiple supercars, have fully paid property and month long holidays four times a year.

    • ozbjunkie on 09/11/2019 - 11:22
      +6

      Yeah look you're probably right… But give the op some credit that browsing near endless spreadsheets and brushing up on the minutia of tax law and exemptions doesn't rustle his jimmies, and something (anything) else might be mildly more entertaining.

      • supersabroso on 12/11/2019 - 00:32
        +5

        You're dead right, I had romantic ideas about being an engineer prior to university and I like my job as an engineer despite doing better than my doctor friends on the UMAT. I was adamant that I wanted to do something I was passionate about. However, I now wish I took medicine instead so that I can be a GP raking it in even though I like my job, it's no where near as amazing as I had imagined it to be in high school.

        Having money to do what you want to do outside of work is far more important than doing what you want to during work. The reason being you spend far more time not working than working, odds are spending time with your family and friends is more important than the work you do (probably something that can easily be replaced by someone else eager to take your position).

      • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2019 - 11:33
        +3

        Mate, my dream job can be sieving shit to look for other shit in a big pool of shit whilst covered in shit… if the pay is right.

        (I think that is already my job).

        • ozbjunkie on 09/11/2019 - 11:43

          I think I've picked up over the years that you work in a medical field, so yeah dealing with literal shit might be in there.

          I take your point about the pay being right, and I'll raise you one additional personal requirement of mine - if the hours are right… I ain't spending 40 hours a week doing anything. Not even things I like. 40 hours per week doing ANYTHING gets boring. For me at least.

          • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2019 - 16:21
            +1

            @ozbjunkie: 40hours a week is fine…

            If I can retire in 5 years.

            • ozbjunkie on 10/11/2019 - 04:56

              @[Deactivated]: Hmmmm. I would be tempted - very tempted. Luckily nobody wants to pay to see me naked so I don't have that option.

              • [Deactivated] on 11/11/2019 - 22:46

                @ozbjunkie: Is anyone willing to pay for you to keep your clothes on?

                • ozbjunkie on 12/11/2019 - 06:14

                  @[Deactivated]: You're an outside the box thinker. I like it.

                  I feel like that might be illegal though, like, is it extortion? Lawyers, please advise.

        • nosey on 10/11/2019 - 12:16

          Haha tshow.

        • trapper on 11/11/2019 - 12:49

          I would not spend my life sieving shit for any amount of money.

          Even a billion dollar cash bonus when retiring at 67 would not be worth it for 50 years of shit sieving.

          • [Deactivated] on 11/11/2019 - 13:01

            @trapper: Hmm.. I may consider it for a billion.

  • kahn on 08/11/2019 - 23:10
    +13

    I knew a guy who became a monorail conductor and it was the best decision he ever made.

    • ProlapsedHeinous on 09/11/2019 - 03:40
      +13

      I hear those things are awfully loud

    • Kangal on 08/11/2019 - 23:52
      +5

      Damn, now I have the song stuck in my head!!

      • Mallard on 09/11/2019 - 16:37
        +2

        Mono…D'oh

    • Kapinny on 09/11/2019 - 20:05
      +1

      and by GUM it put them on the map

    • MementoMori on 11/11/2019 - 13:45
      +1

      Is there a chance the track could bend?

  • Goldcoasterlinda on 09/11/2019 - 08:30
    +12

    Rather than think you've wasted your study, maybe rethink what you can do with an accounting qualification. I actually wish I had done accounting (I did Business and HRM and IM), as throughout my working life I have come across many roles that sounded really interesting but I needed an accounting qual. Many non-traditional roles utilise an accounting background. I had previously assumed accountants just sat in offices working with numbers, but there are many other related avenues. Look around more broadly, and you may find another field that you find interesting. Often, just having a degree demonstrates ability that can be applied in different ways. I don't subscribe to the thinking that you have to be "passionate" about your life/work/career. It creates unnecessary pressure, similar to thinking success equals being "happy all the time". Being content with your life is important, and contentment can come from a variety of places… work, friends, family, hobbies. Good luck with your future, you might be surprised where your journey takes you.

    • serpserpserp on 09/11/2019 - 09:34
      +1

      Some truth to this. OP could extend themselves and get a CPA/CA and start looking at some more interesting roles in finance.

      • Tenet on 11/11/2019 - 15:12
        +3

        First time poster, long time lurker and I felt i had to sign in to comment about this post.
        NO, NO and NO- as an Accountant myself, I would NEVER recommend studying something so useless as a CPA to rely on getting a "more interesting role". Unless you have a passion for studying (i.e. remembering mostly useless information to pass 3 years of useless multiple choice exams) and work is paying and giving you lots of time off, don't waste your time.
        Spending a large amount of my time completing my CPA and paying $750 membership per year to receive emails about "automation is coming" and "soft skills are important" useless emails, I am no smarter or a better Accountant.

        What it did make me realise that time is something you cannot buy in life, and a good chunk of it was wasted on this qual.

        If you dont enjoy Finance, turn around and run from the CPA/CA program.
        It's an amazing business model that makes up and coming Finance professionals think they need, while not offering a single thing except basic status points because you can add it to your email signature. It's amazing the number of "Accountants" i've worked with who managed to gain a CPA but couldnt understand a basic journal….

        I dunno, i've only been an Accountant for 15 years and this being Ozbargain so maybe i'm wrong?
        Would like to hear some Accountants chime in on this.

        • Sandman2019 on 11/11/2019 - 18:29

          Hmmm, thanks your post mate really appreciate it. I'm really indecisive. My firm wants me to start my CA soon I've been told i should because it will open more doors but you're right. Even before reading your post i've had similar thoughts about the CA/CPA process.
          really not sure what to do now. ughh…

          • serpserpserp on 11/11/2019 - 21:34

            @Sandman2019: I agree that the CPA/CA can be a complete waste of time in some eyes. But the fact of the matter is that it does open doors to more interesting opportunities. Same with the CFA. It is a ROTE learners dream exam and won't make you a better financial analyst or the like, but it will open doors purely because it is on the C.V. It really isn't the content, it is the people showing commitment to something that isn't simple to achieve.

            • Tenet on 12/11/2019 - 10:39

              @serpserpserp: I will agree that a CPA/CA may contribute to open up opportunities to more roles, but it's not the answer to what the OP's thoughts and dilemmas are.

              Working up to the higher more interesting roles in the Finance industry and being effective in these roles (something that is important for job satisfaction) is not all about having a piece of paper that shows you've sat some exams and memerised an outdated textbook.

              Your soft skills (i.e. the way you deal with people) play a massive role in how you progress in all careers. I have seen so many times accountants with their quals who cannot progress and stay in their as I like to call "worker bee" roles.
              Processing/data entry no matter what type is still the same sh*t, different day.

              Another example- there's this girl in my team, and to be PC, english is not her first language.
              She spent a few years and took on a debt of $80k to study an MBA at the UNSW which she successfully completed.
              Two years on, she is in the exact same role doing the exact same thing.
              Mostly data processing with a CA, and an MBA…

              If I felt like the OP feels, and spent 3 years studying to end up in the same position again because I havent had a chance to develop the oh so important soft skills- i'd be a very depressed person(if not already depressed)…

              I dont have the answer, but I do know that CA/CPA is something you need to think about carefully and feel passionate about before commiting your time.

              • Sandman2019 on 12/11/2019 - 19:08

                @Tenet: thanks really not sure what to do
                i came home from work and cried today

                all i did was sit in a (profanity) corner all day with a massive box of receipts and invoices
                i'm so angry i can be so much better / more than this!

              • Sandman2019 on 13/11/2019 - 20:37

                @Tenet: hello?

              • serpserpserp on 14/11/2019 - 09:55

                @Tenet: I know what OP's problem is. However I don't think he should just quit his career and embark on something else he might end up hating without even trying to do anything to improve what he has in his current career. It sounds like OP has only had 1 job his entire career so it is time to shake things up and get a new job, new organization. I'm sure OP can do this with his skills/quals just needs to put some time into it. A change in organization/role can do wonders for your perspective. The whole CPA/CA thing is an option OP can take, like many others. But the basics of this problem is to make a change. I'm suggesting a somewhat easy change, if OP still hates it after that least they know they gave it a chance and didn't leave too early, time to think long and hard about what they really want.

                I have a friend who has had a 13 year career in banking and has outwardly talked a long time about how he hated it. But now he is out of the workforce and looking for a new job (still in finance) he reflects on a lot of times when he really enjoyed his various jobs and the satisfaction gained.

            • Sandman2019 on 12/11/2019 - 19:06

              @serpserpserp: should i do my CA? really not sure now

              • serpserpserp on 14/11/2019 - 09:57

                @Sandman2019: You should change organizations into a job you are more interested in. See if that makes any difference. You should also go and see a psychologist and talk through why you hate your career so much and maybe they can help you understand your deeper motivations.

              • Tenet on 18/11/2019 - 10:32

                @Sandman2019: sorry- didnt keep up with this thread (blame work! haha)
                Im really sorry you feel this way, I have had many bouts of similar frustration too and there is no easy answer.

                One strategy you might want to consider (what I also did) is start your CPA/CA and do one unit at your own pace.

                This gives you a feel for what you can put up in regards to the patience and resillinace of studying something that you might not be passionate for, but at the same time try and look for a different role to get out of your current role that you are obviously not enjoying (not necessarily a new company, but maybe apporach your Manager and see if there is something else that you can transition to in the business). Looking for a job and telling potential employers you are progressing through CA also sounds more impressive than not starting CA at all (for now, unfortunately). You can always get a new job and put a pause on your studies.

                As an example, I started out as a Financial Accountant (think AR/AP/Financial Statements) and it took me nearly 7 years to transition to Management Accounting/ Systems Administration with our FMIS.
                Im not sure if it was luck to how i got to where I am now, but I started by trying to streamline and automate as much of my boring ass tasks (e.g. learning how to use and then create Technology One/Electronic forms to improve the workflow of how invoices are submitted for processing). Once i achieved a small improvements, I would add them to my CV and use that to sell myself to my Manager, and then later, to sell myself at interviews.
                This, I believe, shows initiative and self drive.

                It is much more enjoyable these days (not my passion), but it has held me up for the last few years…….

                • Sandman2019 on 20/11/2019 - 18:11
                  +1

                  @Tenet: thanks! appreciate it

                  • Tenet on 09/01/2026 - 08:51

                    @Sandman2019: @Sandman2019
                    how are things 6+ years on from this last post? What have you progressed into and have you found peace with your current position?

                    • Grunntt on 12/01/2026 - 21:15
                      +1

                      @Tenet:

                      Last Seen
                      12/12/2019

                      I somehow doubt you will see a reply anytime soon.

  • Meho2026 on 08/11/2019 - 23:48
    +10

    You are normal
    Most people feel like this
    Most of us pick the wrong first career choice
    If you are truly creative, go follow your passion
    If not, this is a means to an end
    Do it so you can earn enough to afford to do what you want
    It’s 40 hours a week of sacrifice
    Don’t let what you do for a living identify who you are
    You can use a job like this to support you financially to study something else
    Or you can use it in a role outside a corporate environment to contribute in a more meaningful way to to society.
    Working as a PAYE employee sucks but most of us have to do it.
    It’s a matter of finding a balance between selling your soul to the devil and living life
    If you’ve got to get out sooner is better than later
    Everything will be alright in the end

    • pegaxs on 09/11/2019 - 10:17
      +15

      Why did I read this like a poem in my head?

      Almost thought it was IVI replying…

    • aboogee on 12/11/2019 - 08:41

      Depending on which firm it could be 70+ hours per week with not overtime pay. Well I guess the no overtime pay part is true for most white collar jobs.

  • Fysh on 08/11/2019 - 23:19
    +9

    Drop current career spend next 5 year's buying OzBargain specials and onselling for profit then retire

  • whooah1979 on 09/11/2019 - 06:13
    +9

    i'm 25 years old, nearly 26
    i've wasted so much time in a career and a job i don't like.

    You're only 25. How much time are we talking about here?

    • ozbjunkie on 09/11/2019 - 11:32
      +5

      The most energetic part of his day for around 20% of his life seems like a sizable portion to me.

  • tomleonhart on 09/11/2019 - 04:06
    +8

    yep. I studied IT because mum wanted me to. I then worked in an office job for about 7 years since 22, everyday I do things that I don't even think it matters, I had the best work place environment and the best colleagues, but somehow it does not help. Job satisfaction was just not there. I then decided to sell the house and sign up for a pilot course.

    I am never been happier even though currently I'm getting much worse pay than the office job I had before!!

    • RotundPolarBear on 09/11/2019 - 11:07

      a pilot course

      Do you need 20/20 vision to be a pilot or can you wear glasses?

      • tomleonhart on 09/11/2019 - 11:19
        +2

        You can wear glasses whilst holding a class 1 medical. They will just impose a condition on your medical. Usually having an extra pair on you while flying.

  • pegaxs on 08/11/2019 - 22:54
    +6

    Every single day of my life… :D

    I’m well into my 40’s and I still don’t know what I want to be. But if nothing else, I pick things that I enjoy. The work I do, I do because it’s interesting. I recently got sick of packing boxes, driving forklifts and trucks, so I moved over into being a Locksmith.

    And as for accounting, we had a guy who worked for us who is an accountant and he got sick of working in a white collar job, so he changed directions completely and went on to become a boilermaker and he has never been happier.

    • RotundPolarBear on 09/11/2019 - 11:03

      being a Locksmith

      How did you get into this? Are you starting as an apprentice?

      • pegaxs on 09/11/2019 - 13:28
        +1

        Started out as a mature age apprentice. Because I was already a tradesman, I got some RPL on some of the course modules and didn’t have to do my 4th year.

        • chasis on 09/11/2019 - 18:49
          +3

          Now I'm super curious about what you do.

          • Locksmith
          • Workplace has volunteers
          • has to lockdown the radio

          detective face

          • pegaxs on 09/11/2019 - 19:56
            +3

            @chasis: Hahaha. No, I’m just building the locksmith business. It’s only part time at the moment and I work for myself doing that.

            I do a lot of work for local charities, schools and other programs. One of my joys in life is helping other people.

            One of the places I volunteer at, yes, there is an issue with the radio. It is quite the hilarious situation, but it’s nothing to do with my regular day job. :)

            If you look at my post history, I have done an AMA about what I have done for work if you wanted to detective face that one.

            • abuch47 on 10/11/2019 - 18:42

              @pegaxs: Domestic locksmithing? Much hardware fitting?

              • pegaxs on 10/11/2019 - 23:13
                +1

                @abuch47: At the moment, I’m working more on lockouts/rekeying. It’s good work because it’s sporadic in nature, plenty of time for it. More interested in commercial maintenance stuff, but I guess whatever people want me to do.

                Hardware fitting usually requires stock on hand which I don’t have the space or capital to stock yet, so I only buy what I need when/if a job arrives. I have done a few installs of different types. Electronic locks are the big thing at the moment that people buy off the internet and want fitted.

                • abuch47 on 11/11/2019 - 15:54

                  @pegaxs: yeh i do door hardware flatout but not a smith.

  • OzHunterNSW on 09/11/2019 - 10:56
    +5

    Wipe that notion from your head… You are now realising that you are a slave to debt, finding your station in life not what you expected, and lumbered with HEX debt, house, car debt, etc, etc, places you in the world of modern slavery. You are a slave to debt. Unable to change career, too fearful to rock the boat, hesitant in throwing caution to the wind… no no no… every waking moment from now on is you living a nightmare of being a slave to debt.
    You no longer go to the library, you peruse shopping malls, you are being systematically programmed in a world of want where your worth is measured by the value of your possessions. Hope they all fit inside your coffin.

    • ozbjunkie on 09/11/2019 - 11:38
      +5

      This 100%, and explains the best reason to live debt free and be a bargainer. Debt slavery is the worst slavery, it is the voluntary slavery of a brainwashed consumer buying trinkets to feel that their selves have value.

    • Sandman2019 on 10/11/2019 - 17:29

      very deep

    • serpserpserp on 14/11/2019 - 09:58

      Dang. Now I need to buy a bigger coffin.

  • pao2x on 09/11/2019 - 11:45
    +5

    News flash. A lot of people dont like their jobs. Its a job, get money go home do something fun with the money.

    • moph on 09/11/2019 - 13:25
      +3

      My take - from working in the wrong career for almost a decade and then switching, and finding myself much happier - There are some people who can live like this and others who require more meaning and fulfilment in their work. Obviously OP is in the latter group. Members of each group look at the other and think "What's wrong with them? Why can't they just be satisfied with a job?" or else "How can they be happy working in that meaningless job?". Sounds like you're a member of the easily satisfied group. Great. But people in the other group experience real suffering including mental health problems from the wrong career. Don't downplay it.

      In response to OP, you are in a great position. As others have said most people don't figure out they picked the wrong career until a decade or two down the track by which time they will find it much harder to switch. Personally I switched out of necessity but once I did so I didn't look back. Obviously there is a cost - for me it was 2-3 years of reduced income as I had to start from scratch again, but when you enjoy your job it is easier to perform well, impress people, and ask for pay rises, so I caught up with and surpassed my previous income fairly quickly.

      • Sandman2019 on 13/11/2019 - 20:44

        Thanks for the advice!

  • Mallard on 09/11/2019 - 16:45
    +5

    Bear with me on this.

    I grew up in the UK. I was good with numbers but did a geography degree that had a lot of statistics. I've now spent 25 years in the data and analytics industry and I love it. 15 of that is Australia.

    I feel that people in Australia are shuffled into a vocational degree at too early an age. That's why the data industry in Australia is full of poms. A lot of numerate Aussies got funnelled into accounting.

    You must be highly numerate, but you are stuck using numbers within very rigorous legal systems

    You could work in data. Do courses in SQL and Python. You could become proficient in a few months. Get some basic stats knowledge.

    Go find a job in data that will offer a lot more variety. You can solve problems rather than follow the rules that someone else has set.

    Your background in finance will be a big help later in your career.

    Good luck

  • HardlyCharly on 09/11/2019 - 02:14
    +4

    I've never committed to a career yet, my passions and goals have absolutely nothing to do with work. I've pretty much hated every job I've ever had, but there were a couple I was particularly ill-suited for and huge regrets. It's nothing more than a necessary suffering in order to keep a roof over my head. The best I can do is to not work full-time so at least I can have some time/energy for the things I actually care about rather than having my soul completely crushed.

    • ozbjunkie on 09/11/2019 - 11:30
      +5

      Dude I have no idea who would downvote this, probably some boomers who are salty about the fact they secretly resent spending half their waking life at work but never really admitted it to themselves until they got old.

      If your goals align with work, good for you. But personally I think you have to be a relatively uninspired person to be really captivated by or find meaning in 99% of jobs out there. "yeah I have a passion for solving logistical problems in a package delivery business" - give me a freaking break.

      40 hours a week IS too much. Work to live. And if you're thrifty, you get to work less. I use my extra time for relaxing, reading, internet, gaming, exercise, picking up silly hobbies that I end up dropping because my interest moves on like flying stunt kites. There is so much more to do in life than sit at work, and I'm convinced the vast majority of people who say "I love my job" really just "hate it the least of any they have found". I don't see many people shedding tears on Friday afternoon.

      You do you mate, work IS mostly soul crushing drudgery. One of the top 5 regrets of the dieing. Good book, by the way.

  • ozbjunkie on 09/11/2019 - 11:41
    +4

    I think I basically said it in my comments above, but I think (barring "loving your job" which seems like brainwashing doublespeak to me) you should basically work enough to support your lifestyle, and be really deliberate in the choice of that lifestyle. You are selling your life, one hour at a time, make sure what you are getting back is worth it, and don't sell too much of it.

    20 hours per week is my happy medium. I don't need other people to understand, all I need to know is 40 hours feels like I'm drowning and I kind of hate the world. More than that and I'm a junk food eating alcoholic zombie who doesn't want to talk to anyone.

  • D A Y on 10/11/2019 - 00:41
    +4

    Have the same issue with you , was an accountant with bachelor degree and hating my jobs . I want to transitions to IT and try my luck there , I talk to my manager to discuss my career progression and luckily as him being nice and don’t want to throw me to IT , he created position called system accountant where I have to deal with 50% accounting stuffs and 50% IT .
    Turn out I quite enjoy the IT side of it . Then start asking lots of people , what do i need to do to get the job. I learn coding Python and Visual Basic from Udemy ( spending approx $150) to learn the basic , and the rest just work experiences .

    I am now working full time as an IT developer with no qualifications and happy .

    Morale of the story , ask lots of people , they may have answer for you.

    • Sandman2019 on 10/11/2019 - 10:46
      +1

      That's really cool! glad you found something that works

    • spiff on 12/11/2019 - 14:36
      +1

      Awesome story

  • try2bhelpful on 09/11/2019 - 08:31
    +3

    Before you do anything you need to figure out what you want to do. My first degree was Chemistry my second IT. My IT career drove me mad, kept me sane, but overall it was terrific. I finished the first degree because I started it, the second because I really liked it. Maybe look at dabbling with things during your leisure time to see what kindles your interest.

  • Hardlyworkin on 10/11/2019 - 08:59
    +3

    Do a working holiday overseas. Don't get trapped in the Australian mindset that the one object in life is to save for a house. You're in your 20s and already have a career to come back to or use overseas.

    Why stay in the same job doing the same thing? You're obviously not happy, shake it up!

    • AncientWisdom on 10/11/2019 - 17:17
      +2

      Was going to post the same - save some money and go traveling. Traveling really helps change your perspective and also give you motivation to do the things you're passionate about. After traveling for a bit I'd suggest go to a country you can work in random jobs while still traveling and do that for a while. You'd be surprised how much you learn about yourself doing this, and you'll have a ball in the meantime.

  • wombat81 on 10/11/2019 - 22:44
    +3

    It's very common, dude. I did an IT degree straight out of high school because it seemed like the right thing to do. I was good at IT in high school, the dotcom bubble was imminent. It made sense. I got through the degree and started working in IT and hated it. There was no job security, everything was contracts. To get a permanent job you needed 10 years experience. I just didn't enjoy the lifestyle. Long hours. Long commutes to the Brisbane CBD. The work itself didn't motivate me.

    My partner was a high school teacher. I had never entertained teaching. I saw myself as an introvert with no presence who would be hopeless trying to teach anyone anything. But I began doing some training of other staff in my IT job and actually quite enjoyed it. My partner and I sat down and thought about it and how great it would be to have the same holidays and I decided to give it a crack. If I didn't like the first prac I'd go back to IT and re-think. I did an 18 month Grad Bachelor and came out qualified to teach math and IT to year 12. That was over 10 years ago now and I'm still teaching. I regard myself as a high quality teacher and somewhat of a leader in my sector. I wouldn't say I LOVE my job, like some people do, but it is rewarding and I do, generally, enjoy it.

    Anyhow, I'm not suggesting you should become a teacher (but I guess you could explore it) but reaching this point in life and losing direction is common, but there are options. Think about what elements of your job you do like, even a little bit, and think about how you can do more of that.

    Good luck.

    • fossilfuel on 10/11/2019 - 23:20

      I agree. I did an undergrad in psychology then postgrad with dual qualifications in teaching/counselling. Dreaded my first teaching prac but honestly I enjoyed it and it was so rewarding. Something about it boosted my confidence and competence. Especially when several of my students told me something along the lines of "I used to hate Geography but you made it fun and now I love it." That sealed the deal. Second prac became a breeze. Now I'm finalising my proficient teacher accreditation and undergoing registration as a psychologist.

      Have another mate who worked as an accountant overseas for 10+ years, went stuff it and did a postgrad teaching degree. Now he teaches Commerce, Economics and Business studies. He loves his job, he teaches extremely well, enjoys challenging his class and his students are getting top marks across all cohorts. He's also able to achieve relatively good work life balance. He blitzes through his marking, programming and creating resources in the first week of the school holidays then chills in the second week.

    • wombat81 on 10/11/2019 - 23:55

      I should add, too, that I don't feel like my first degree was a waste of time, money and effort because I'm still using the skills I learned. I believe I'm a better teacher having taken the path I have than someone who did an ed degree straight out of high school.

  • Munki on 11/11/2019 - 20:33
    +3

    One of the biggest mistakes I feel we as a society have inflicted on our students is the whole notion that they must pick something they should learn in tertiary education straight after high school. Most kids lack the maturity and foresight to even know what it is they would like to be doing in six months time - let alone setting in stone their future career.

    I'm thankful I deferred university until I was about 21 and did something I was actually passionate about. Thankfully I've managed to incorporate what I did at uni - despite not being formally trained at what I do now.

    • knk on 12/11/2019 - 08:37

      +1 if you don't go to uni you're trash. So go and get a useless degree

  • IamPo on 12/11/2019 - 14:55
    +3

    Hey OP,

    I signed up to share my story and to let you know that you didn't choose the wrong career, but found a career you don't want to continue on with.

    When I was 25 I was working morning and graveyard shifts as a facility officer contractor with my Mechanical Engineering degree. It was good enough pay that I didn't need to look for a job but it had no progression and I wasn't passionate walking around backup generators at 3am. I decided to quit and force myself to for another job.

    I landed a project coordinator job at a small company which has low pay but now I have motivation to be a project manager. I learnt everything I could from P&L, resourcing, forecast to payroll and moved on after 1.5years to Big4 Accounting as an internal consultant.

    I started realising how big data analytics is and decided to change my career goal once again. After doing some research online, I was under the impression that I'll need to complete another uni course to learn coding. However after speaking with my coach, he recommended me to try an internal transfer to one of the analytics team which was exactly what I did. I started focusing on learning excel, vlookup/index.match and VBA, facilitated excel workshops and automated spreadsheets to prepare myself.

    I approached the Partner for analytics and got rejected - twice. I wasn't techy enough but I continued to learn SQL, Python Tableau in my own time through online courses and finally bugged him enough to let me join. There's been lots of burning midnight oil but I enjoy what I do and more importantly - huge learning opportunities.

    Back to your original post, your current role is only a stepping stone to what you do next. Be excited to suck all the learning you can related to what you want to do. You will never get to your next job with the current (fact), the only thing you can change is the mentality and excite yourself with what's to come.

    To think about this at 25 you're already ahead of people your age. What happens next is completely up to your determination and actions.

    Set yourself a goal a keep us posted.

    Po

    • Sandman2019 on 13/11/2019 - 21:14

      wow that's an incredible story
      thanks for the inspiration

  • nomoneynoproblems on 09/11/2019 - 06:43
    +2

    Lol yes all the time. I'm 29 and stuck in a vicious cycle of staying or going.

  • cookietime on 09/11/2019 - 08:04
    +2

    Yes, I did and I know what my dream career is so I started working towards it.

    There were a few turning points for me though, one of them was telling myself 'I don't want to work here in the next 40 years'. There were mornings I woke up and wished I was sick so I didn't have to go to work.

    It has been hard work studying and working at the same time, but I'm motivated to change my career so it has been great. There are times I wonder if my next job is actually my dream job and whether I'd be bored again. I guess I never know until I find out :)

  • bobbified on 09/11/2019 - 08:20
    +2

    I think for most people who feel this way, it's simply "the grass is always greener on the other side". Some people will find what they love and others will keep changing in the hope that they find the "right" one. When they do find the "right" one, how long does that feeling last?

    Me personally, I'm not the biggest fan of my own career, and being in my late 30s now, I've spent my entire working life on it trying to make the most of what I had. I don't hate what I do, but I'm also not willing to drop back and start again because I don't really have many sets of "20 years" to experiment with.

    Whether you can or can't change your career might also come down to your own circumstances and whether you have any dependants.

    • funnysht on 11/11/2019 - 16:36
      +1

      Yeah the grass is always greenee on the other side. And when you get to that other side, they'll always be another paddock thats always greener

    • Sxio on 12/11/2019 - 11:50

      The funny thing is you have almost 30 years of work ahead of you, so you totally have the time to try something new.

  • ihbh on 09/11/2019 - 08:36
    +2

    I've hardly made any progress in my career as i have no motivation to improve or do better.

    Could it just be you? Irrespective of whatever career you're in, you might respond the same way.

    What alternative do you think you'll be supermotivated?

  • Hardlyworkin on 09/11/2019 - 09:36
    +2

    Like other posters, your accounting degree should be useful in many other disciplines. Maybe you need to branch out into an area of more interest. More interactions with people perhaps?

    If you're looking for a growth industry where you can genuinely help people and feel rewarded then look at underpaid employees!
    There are many employees lacking the accounting skills to calculate amounts owed to them. It would involve a new skill set though something that can be learned and build on your current skills. You could try and volunteer at a community legal centre as a starting point. Maybe helping others will bring some satisfaction/motivation for you.

  • Ozpit on 09/11/2019 - 10:08
    +2

    Your work environment/culture can have a big impact on job satisfaction. Perhaps look for an accounting job with another organization, including in an industry that has more appeal.

    As others have said, most of us would rather be doing something else, at the same time not knowing what that perfect something else is. Or if we think we do, it’s often a ‘fantasy’ conception and the realities of that job are not what we expected, and we would soon tire of or hate that job too.

    On the flip side, most of us would still much rather be doing what we’re doing now than most other jobs out there.

    Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do. Remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained. And you can always go back to accounting if other ventures don’t work out.

    BTW, as soon as my Grade 3 teacher got us started on add ups, I knew straightaway that accounting was not going to be my career path.

  • ozboygsl on 09/11/2019 - 10:51
    +2

    Every day. I work as a psychiatric nurse. I recently left a ward that had the highest rate of assaults in the country. The violence from patients ebbs and flows, but the unchanging fact that is the real cause of the problems are the morons who run the system… add to that a useless police force and a pathetic judiciary. Making a name for yourself whilst ticking all the boxes of the various interest groups and being p.c. is seen by the powers that be as being more important than patient outcomes.

    • ozbjunkie on 09/11/2019 - 11:36
      +4

      As you are someone working on the frontlines, in the trenches, I thank you for your service. Nurses are saints in my eyes. All that suffering that you reduce ends up going onto your shoulders. Tough job.

    • OzHunterNSW on 09/11/2019 - 11:04
      +2

      I have had a number of issues with "inmates" you describe let out in society, where the police seem to protect them, than the individual they target. Recently my landlord was ordered by NCAT (Tribunal) to pay me $2,500 for their negligence in properly dealing with my "seven years" of complaints regarding a neighbour. Seven years of my being verbally abused and physically threatened, each and every time this neurotic individual set eyes upon me. The cops would fabricate false accounts so as to down-play the issues, and the landlord would twist facts 180 degrees, somehow finding ways to place blame on me.
      Anyway, I'm the one with $2,500 in my pocket.
      The neurotic neighbour is now placed on an APPVO for two years, and is down $3,000 for paying a solicitor who could not defend his neurotic client. I surmise he knew this, but still sponged 3k from the prick.
      So hopefully for the first time in seven years, I can now sit back and enjoy my tenancy.

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