thinking about quitting my job, but i want to be patient? help please!!

I decided and have been very happy since. My father opened a dealership a decade ago. I helped him with whatever needed to be done. I was studying physics in college when my father began to talk about how much i would make if i was to graduate. Then he began to talk about how it was so different to work for someone else.(never had a "job") I wasn't doing too bad I'd buy a car here and there and paid for college and always had something in my pocket. I enjoyed it. But I liked to read about how physics effects us but my heart was with what i had been doing all along. I changed my career to Automotive Repair. (If its raining lemons learn to make lemonade) I finished all of my classes and was about to graduate when i found out that i had to work for a gm dealership for a minimum of 3 semesters.(ASEP program) The hardest part was that i had to take orders for guys that had no idea how a dealership ran or anything they were just focused on thier work from the waiter rack. It felt as though i was undervalued. But as accouple years passed on they would send me to pick up parts when they weren't busy. I became friends with acouple of the vendors that later severed helpful. The manager was a close friend of a dealer and i'd bump into very often at the auctions. Whenever they weren't busy i did some building maintence that later helped. I paid real close attention as to how things ran. My father had alot of people that needed thier cars worked on.I was always busy, my girlfriend nearly left me because she was tired of not seeing me. I was taught how to detail from a retiredneighbor that detailed showcars for a living and we became friends after i had gotten him a suv he needed. My father placed the dealership in my hands. I learned so much that it sucked at first but now i'm so happy that it happened. I get up in the morning happy that i know i do the best that i can.
 
I feel your pain, having just graduated myself...only I just got my MS.



Who knows what the future holds, but I am leaning towards the whole "at least when your old you wont have any regrets for not trying".



Any actions right now you regret not taking? I'm sure you can relate. . .





That said, (spoken from the ripe old age of 31), make sure you have that buffer in place. Emergency fund, 3 months of living expenses etc.



Especially get rid of crap debt (credit cards/store cards etc). . . Figure any student loans were more of an investment. . .



As mentioned above, run those numbers man. Go in with a clear picture, and dont discount your gut.



Kudos to you for being able to pull off a job like a prison guard, (a necessary evil, i'd not want to do), is that what you were hoping for in law enforcement? Or is police/sheriff/border patrol, fbi, secret service, cia/state dept etc more your passion?



Anyhow, sorry for the ramblings from a stranger still trying to get his crap together. . .and figure out what he wants to be when he grows up. . .
 
quamen said:
Ill try to make this as short as possible, but i really need your guys help. I have owned and operated my own detailing business for the last 5 years which has done extremelly well according to me. I would work part time days like 5-6 days a week and make about 600 dollars profit so i had time to do my school work and hit the gym etc. I ran the business while going through college and i recently graduated with a BA in criminal justice/sociology. I landed a job in a maxium security prison about 40 miles from my house, 90 miles round trip. I was happy and excited because in live in Pa, and we have bad winters and detailing started to slow down. Anyways i have been there since Nov and i have grown to be unhappy.



While people say that is normal, i know i had those ruff days of detailing where i just didnt want to do it anymore, but i always came back for more. I make 17 bucks/hr at the jail, have great benefits, work schedule sucks 3-11 never have a weekend off, super easy job i do pretty much nothing except talk to inmates all day as well. I took it as a stepping stone in order to use my degree to get into something else, but i am really not liking the job anymore. I keep thinking about going back to detailing and i cant seem not to be my own boss. Even though you bust your *** day in and day out, i keep thinking about going back.



Am i crazy for wanting to leave a secure job that can build my resume and secure possibly a well paying career job that would provide financial stability, in order to go full time again to my business? Any other kind of insight is well appreciated and i know people say i should think about the future, but i always seem to want to live the day being happy, not caring about 2 years from now. I have a steady flow of clientele including weekly's, so im not worried about making the money, just on what should i do? Its so weird and this is so irreverent, but i never had another feeling of accomplishment and respect for myself when i would walk to my work truck and trailer and just think, im doing okay, and i built this business myself. I never had a problem paying a bill, getting what i needed or wanted, every time i wanted to quit, i would try another job part time and end back up to full time detailing. I got so stressed alot with so many customers i had to learn how to manage time better, with school and for myself in order to relax.



Rich.
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You are wondering about staying at a ucurrent job to be able to secure aa future job that would provide financial stability?

IMHO that is the wrong question to ask.

The question I would ask is can your current job lead to a possible job that will make you happy and want to go in to work every day for the next 40 or so years?

Money can be made up for with your detailing business as you already know but if your heart is in a certain career you will eventually regret not using your education.
 
I am in a similar situation. I am making 75k in the web business ( was making a lot more than that till I got laid off ) but I have been doing this for 10 years and I just don't have the enjoyment I used to have. I love working on cars and detailing. I can't wait to go home everyday and work on my truck. I detailed for about 6 years in the 90's for a dealership til I went back to college for a Database degree. Problem is all the debt I have right now. I just don't know if I could just up and quit to do this full time. My intention tho, is to start part time. I just want to be able to quit this job within a year or less.



BTW, I love that Confucius quote. "Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life."



Derek
 
Update. The job doesn't seem to be getting any better in the jail, even though it is such an easy job. With the nicer weather here, i just keep picturing myself out there, doing what i love to do. I am looking at truck tomorrow, because i think im going to go back into detailing. My dream job was to become a police officer, but i need to get my act 120. Even though i have my BA in criminal justice, i need my act 120 because many departments do not pay for the police academy anymore.



I want to start my own business so i can get my act 120, and then see where the business takes me. It takes 10 months to complete part time which does suck. but i have to do it in order to make my dream come true.
 
if you worked steady 7-3 weekdays would you like it better?

would moving closer, cutting down the drive time help?



I say give it some time, see if you can progress within the system...you have a college degree which should give you an advantage...



detail when you can, and see what happens in 6 months...



but if you hate it, and the enviornment, you have a tough decision to make, especially in these tough economic times...
 
I think i would like it better if i was closer and had a better shift. After owning your own business, i guess i got to complacent in doing what i wanted, when i wanted to do it. Never having weekends off and holidays do suck to, but at least it is a job. It also seems after taxes making 500 a week isn't really much money either. I was making that in less time doing detailing, so i always compare it to that also. I would move closer, but i know that isn't my dream to work in a jail and i couldn't afford it off that salary. I guess just being in an environment sitting around all day, talking to inmates doesn't really interest me, but rather bores me.



I also look at this other end. I went to school and within that facility, the only job i could possibly see myself doing, is a councilor position. Extremely hard to get, because they don't really ever hire because no one else leaves. Right now that job is providing me with nothing more, than detailing seems to provide. Seems like i was more ahead when i was detailing, and was able to control my own future in a way. Winters are the worse, but i suck it up and deal with it.
 
Legacy99 said:
Your degree kind of dictated your job. Can your present job be a stepping stone to something that you would enjoy? If so, stick with it and do detailing on the side for enjoyment and extra income. Set a time goal for a different job and if you don't reach that goal then you can alway's fall back on detailing. If a BA can't get you the type of job your after, then get a master's.
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IMHO, this is the best advice so far given.



Often we have to temporarily work at jobs we do not really enjoy in order to get the jobs we really want and will enjoy. So yes, you need to look at all of this long-term, you need to re-evaluate your goals and hopes, and you need to look at the present state of the economy. What you do not want to do is to sacrifice your long-term goals, and therefore long-term happiness, for short-term happiness. One of my sons did precisely that and realized five years later he had made a terrible mistake. He had to start all over again but five years behind where he would have been if he had stuck with his program.



We all want immediate happiness, but the willingness to sacrifice immediate gain for long-term gain is the mark of a mature man.
 
quamen said:
Ill try to make this as short as possible, but i really need your guys help. I have owned and operated my own detailing business for the last 5 years which has done extremelly well according to me. I would work part time days like 5-6 days a week and make about 600 dollars profit so i had time to do my school work and hit the gym etc. I ran the business while going through college and i recently graduated with a BA in criminal justice/sociology. I landed a job in a maxium security prison about 40 miles from my house, 90 miles round trip. I was happy and excited because in live in Pa, and we have bad winters and detailing started to slow down. Anyways i have been there since Nov and i have grown to be unhappy.



While people say that is normal, i know i had those ruff days of detailing where i just didnt want to do it anymore, but i always came back for more. I make 17 bucks/hr at the jail, have great benefits, work schedule sucks 3-11 never have a weekend off, super easy job i do pretty much nothing except talk to inmates all day as well. I took it as a stepping stone in order to use my degree to get into something else, but i am really not liking the job anymore. I keep thinking about going back to detailing and i cant seem not to be my own boss. Even though you bust your *** day in and day out, i keep thinking about going back.



Am i crazy for wanting to leave a secure job that can build my resume and secure possibly a well paying career job that would provide financial stability, in order to go full time again to my business? Any other kind of insight is well appreciated and i know people say i should think about the future, but i always seem to want to live the day being happy, not caring about 2 years from now. I have a steady flow of clientele including weekly's, so im not worried about making the money, just on what should i do? Its so weird and this is so irreverent, but i never had another feeling of accomplishment and respect for myself when i would walk to my work truck and trailer and just think, im doing okay, and i built this business myself. I never had a problem paying a bill, getting what i needed or wanted, every time i wanted to quit, i would try another job part time and end back up to full time detailing. I got so stressed alot with so many customers i had to learn how to manage time better, with school and for myself in order to relax.



Rich.
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Well here is the deal. It seems that you wanted to be a police officer but you need additional coursework. Working for the State may be a bit boring it may not pay as well but as you said you have wonderful benefits you have not have to worry if the next customer will come in will not have to work in the cold and in the rain. You work a standard shift which suck a bit since you are the new guy on the block. This will change it will get better. Meanwhile you are getting experience in what you went to school for and more important to what you want to accomplish(being a police officer). Useful for the next step which is to become a police officer. In a year or two you will be done with your ACT120 and be ready and guess what if you have a couple years of correctional officer experience you will be ready and I bet more ready that more other cadets and new officers. I mean no one can stop you from detailing part time since you like it. But when you are fed up in cold and the rain and when there is a slowdown you know you have your job to fall back.



I think if you quit it would be a mistake. Nobody landed the perfect job right after college. But you always work towards it. You have set a goal and you strive to achieve it. I started right out of college making $10-12 an hour.

I am still working on nearing my dream job but I am in the right direction making many times that starting rate having very good benefits and I am my own boss because guess what by work boss knows less than I do and he actually calls me to ask my advice. (And guess what his boss asks me questions as well). I know I offer value in the company and I am valued as an member of the team.



Regards and good luck.



Nick
 
I think that this idea of "doing what you love, and always being happy" only goes so far. Happiness doesn't always pay the bills.



I believe the OP said he was making about $600 per week detailing, which is probably pretty close to what he's taking home after tax from his prison job at $17/hr. So money-wise, we're probably even.



The prison gig has benefits and security. I don't know what kind of benefits exactly, but I assume we're talking about standard health, dental, disability, 401K, etc. On the other hand, detailing is more interesting and satisfying to you.



To decide this, you need to look at what makes you happy when you're NOT at work.



Do you have a family? Wife? Kids? If not, do you want to have those things?



I work in finance. I can't say I'm "passionate about it". I can't look at a well constructed spreadsheet and get teh same satisfaction that I get out of looking at a just-waxed black sedan. Does that mean I'm in the wrong job?



I do know that when I left college, I was right where you are ($17/hour), and I hated my job. Now I make much more than that, and I'm only slightly less unhappy with my job. However, I do take immense pride and satisfaction knowing that I'm providing a home, food, healthcare, and a college education for my wife and kids. I couldn't do those things on a $600/week detailers salary.



So just put things in perspective. Yes, there are people out there that say "I absolutely love my job" and they're excited every single day. realistically, many many more people do a job because they have a requisite skill, and they use that job to facilitate a lifestyle.
 
I have started a detailing business twice now. I am on my second run as we speak. No matter what I would do, I just could not escape the facts. I love doing this kind of work. Sure, people are going to tell you that you are just cleaning up other people's messes and that you are a blue collar worker. Truth is, if you know how to market yourself and you take pride in your work, then this is a field where owning your own business can bring you a six figure income. I have friends who are jealous of me just because I am happy in what I do. I brought home 2700.00 last week and I had sunday to myself and family. Just remember that it is your own happiness that is at stake. As miserable as you sound, you will eventually work your way out of a job more than likely by doing something stupid. I say that if you were and still are a good detailer, then run with it and get yourself into a better situation. What stands out to me is there must be a reason why you are still at the jail. You must be doubting yourself. Start detailing "part time" again and see where it takes you. If you are mobile, then you can usually work all hours. See where it takes you. If you are goof at detailing, it might just surprise you at how much you can make if you bust your hump. My 2 Cents
 
I also work in corrections so I thought I might have some input for you. I also have my degree, my B.S. I make $50,000 a year where I am at but also hate it. Most people I know that work in corrections do so for the money only. I was hired as a counselor but people think you're crazy if you actually cousel anyone. It is an easy job. I think that is why it is so boring. Most people I work with don't have anything intelligent to say and the inmates can only be so entertaining. If one more person says "what's up wit choo?" I think I will die. Oh yeah, did I mention I am female and work in a cell block with sex offenders? But it is actually the staff that are most annoying. The money is great but that's not what it is all about. I am getting out before my brain rots, or I become corrupted like my coworkers.

Good luck. I know where you're coming from.
 
This is a very interesting thread, and I'd like to contribute my two cents.



I'm 28 now, and I've played with the idea of having my own detail business for many years now. In '05 I nearly was successful since I had lost my job and needed income, but at the last minute I couldn't get my bf to clean out our detail shop-ready garage in time, and I was offered a full-time job with good benefits, so I took the job.



I have been bouncing around from crappy admin job to crappy admin job and I blew the one chance I had at college because I thought I had enough talents that I could work my way up without a degree. Yeah, right! More recently my focus has been on accounting. I took a job that I thought was more accounting intensive in '07 and I've slowly watched it suck the very life out of me. I have probably never had so many health issues as I do now, thanks to my rotten employer. I chose the wrong path to go down, obviously! I loathe every single minute I'm here and I've thought up of so many ideas to get me the heck out of dodge, but in the end none of them pan out. And I still regret not starting my detail business.



I decided to sell my car last month, and of course it needed a detail. I had been sick most of last summer so I missed out on detailing. But when I got out my chemicals, it was pure bliss. I had forgotten such a large & important part of me somewhere along the way. I am extremely passionate about cars and detailing. I love who I am when I'm detailing. I feel like I can accomplish anything, and that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I ended up buying a new car a couple of weeks ago, and it needs major reconditioning. I have been happily spending my spare time on the car, although my bf is starting to have some severe jealousy issues. :p



I would absolutely love to turn my love for detailing into a full-time gig, but once again I have opposition. It seems to natural to me, but I also have to work around some physical limitations (asthma, allergies, back problems, tiredness, heat sensitivity...). I've thought about going to school for accounting because it leads to well-paying jobs, but after being at my current job, I really hate corporations and working in a flippin cube all day. It provides benefits and a steady income, whereas detailing may not.



We may be losing our house, and then I'd lose my detail shop garage. But I can always rent a space from someone, or I could even become a detail manager for an existing company. Right now I own two cars- my Subaru Outback wagon that would be perfect for a detail business vehicle, and my Toyota Solara, which makes the perfect model detailed car and pleasure vehicle. My bf is also out of work, and has been since January. In a way the circumstances are perfect for "screw it, time for radical changes!", but there's the side of me that never shuts up, trying to do the responsible & sensible thing.



I want to try a different type of business that incorporates eco-friendly and health-friendly practices. I want to spend more time focusing on reconditioning and the extras light headlight & windshield repair. I'm not sure if I can make it in this tough economy though, I'm a bit nervous. I know if I go to school for accounting, I'll have a good job within the next couple of years.



My situation echos the above ones. What is the right choice- go for money and a steady life, or go for happiness? i hate to say it, but I think at 28 I feel all washed out of the corporate/office environments and its due time for a radical change, before it kills me. Literally.
 
Tresola, where are you working? I know you said accounting, but is it public, private, big four, etc?



And to the OP, there is a job for every type of person. Although you might not like being a corrections officer, I'm sure there are many people who absolutely love the job and every second of it. Just like there are people that love being nurses, or work with it databases, or scoop **** all day out of portapotties. Everyone's got their preference. If you want to become a cop, stick with it for a few years and see where that leads you. Detail on the side to keep your clientele and if you end up not liking the life of the LEO then you can move onto full time detailing. Now if you were going to be a corrections officer for the next 40 years of your life and you didn't like it now, then walk away.
 
Sort of in the same boat, so I decided to respond..



Finished college a year ago, and working as a web developer.. When I first started I was loving it, however right now it is boring….My passion right now is detailing cars... So what did I do? I started up my own business, and am detailing cars part time....



Maybe you should see if you can cut back on the hours at work and just start detailing part time again...This will give you the job security, and bring you more happiness in your life, then go from there...
 
[quote name='redfred18t']Tresola, where are you working? I know you said accounting, but is it public, private, big four, etc? QUOTE]



I'm not going to name the specific company for security reasons (to protect their name) but I'll say they have 1000+ employees, and work in grains, agriculture, energy and they have gas stations across the country. I've never been so miserable in a place, or been so discriminated against, or sexually harassed. Sure, I can hold my own because I'm tough, but here is just plain office politics and status. Since I'm lowly admin and a female, I'm treated like dirt. I've tried to apply for other positions here but its practically who you're good friends with or will jump into bed with, will get you a promotion only. I don't play those kind of games, I find them so ridiculous. I've saved their a** countless times and the thanks I get is being watched continuously, my workload gets lightened and they keep the most incompetent man I have ever met in my life heavily involved in matters he shouldn't be. You should hear this man give driving directions- he can't even keep the names of the highways straight, let alone which side of town you're talking about. And they let him do billing, assigning and financial matters... :hairpull



Anyways, enough of my ranting! I've been here almost two years now and I really don't want to make that two year mark. I wanted to quit & collect unemployment under MN State's ruling that "circumstances forced you to quit where any average worker would be compelled to quit". My wording isn't quite right on my quote, but you get the idea.



Actually, while trolling Carwash magazine's website, I ran across an article about GeoWash systems. I'm thinking of coming up with a similar system to use here in the Cities. I'd be the first, as far as I know, and we still don't really have any washes that promote ecologically friendly practices. I also have a couple of blogs I'm thinking of doing for income as well. I've got a million ideas, but it takes time and money to make it work. That and a few people I've discussed my ideas with pretty much think its just another crazy idea of mine and that I'd be a fool to give up a steady job. Well, if you were in my position, what would you do? Fun with a lot of risk or a steady-paying death?
 
Wow i almost forgot i posted this thread. I quit the job, and have been so happy and no longer depressed. I love detailing and seeing the customers eyes when i am done with their vehicle. I was worried with the economy, but every week since i quit, I have been making at least 700-800 dollars and that is working only a half day. I now have the freedom to take off Sundays and Saturdays sometimes, dont have to get up at 430 am anymore, worry about being late and working 40 hours a week at a job i hate for 450 bucks after my gas money. While it might not lead me where i want to go as quick, i am super happy and excited to be back outside doing what i love and what i know how to do. thanks for all the replies and input on this situation.
 
quamen said:
Wow i almost forgot i posted this thread. I quit the job, and have been so happy and no longer depressed. I love detailing and seeing the customers eyes when i am done with their vehicle. I was worried with the economy, but every week since i quit, I have been making at least 700-800 dollars and that is working only a half day. I now have the freedom to take off Sundays and Saturdays sometimes, dont have to get up at 430 am anymore, worry about being late and working 40 hours a week at a job i hate for 450 bucks after my gas money. While it might not lead me where i want to go as quick, i am super happy and excited to be back outside doing what i love and what i know how to do. thanks for all the replies and input on this situation.
Click to expand...



"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.."

- - Confucius
 
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