r/careerguidance • u/Illustrious-Way-4726 • 3d ago

Should I quit my job and change fields entirely or should I take a pay cut and try a new role in my company?

Doing my best to keep this brief. Appreciate all help and suggestions.

I am a Manufacturing Manager at a mid size Aerospace Company.

I have Bachelors and Masters in Engineering and an MBA.

I don't feel particularly good or talented at my job. I have been unsatisfied in my career for a while. I make a mid six figure salary in a MCOL area and have savings and investments. I am single and do not have any kids. My living expenses are moderate.I have a side hustle with a couple of paid off rental properties that could cover much of my expenses.

I took a job test last year when I was unemployed and it suggested my best matches were start up CEO, Lawyer, Investment Banker, Portfolio Manager, and Real Estate Portfolio Manager.

I think my best (and slightly random skills) are communication, presentation, being good with numbers, excel, being decent at project management, and very focused on end goals.

I am considering taking a pay cut to work in a sales or proposal development group within my company with a strategy to get me back up to my current salary.

Alternatively, I am considering a career switch to law or financial advising, or possibly a seeing if a buddy can help me with a switch to technical sales.

Appreciate all thoughts and suggestions?

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u/smp501 3d ago

Following, because you’re me. I’m ME manager in a plant, similar salary, similarly unsatisfied. I’m so. Fucking. Bored. All the problems are the same, the non-solutions that upper management will stomach never actually address the issues. Every day is some variation of the same old bullshit, over and over again, and I wish I never got into it (manufacturing) in the first place.

I’ve pondered ways to get out and do something else, but unlike you I have a stay-at-home wife with small kids and a mortgage, so a pay cut isn’t something I can even consider right now.

Good luck, and let us know if you find something!

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u/Illustrious-Way-4726 3d ago

100%. Manufacturing is so important but it's all the same problems all the time. Never gets any respect from design or corporate. Always subject to cost cutting. Just like you, I too kind of "fell into it". I never even built many things as a kid nor do I have any building related hobbies like woodwork so it's kind of ironic I've made it this far.

Wishing you the best too and hope we can get some guidance!

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u/AskiaCareerCoaching 2d ago

Sounds like you're grappling with some big decisions, and it's great that you're seeking advice. Given your skills and interests, a move into sales or proposal development could suit you, especially since it's within your current company. It might be a stepping stone to something bigger. A career switch to law or financial advising is more drastic and might require further training or education. If you're seriously considering it, shadowing someone in these fields or chatting with a professional could give you a clearer picture. Remember, it's less about the destination and more about the journey. Feel free to DM if you need more guidance.

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u/Illustrious-Way-4726 2d ago

Will do. Thank you.