What should I try next? (career options - lengthy)

[muscleman]

At 28, I find myself at another career crossroad. Besides making lots of money, there really isn't a field which I would say is my calling. My degree is in graphic design and I've worked at several design firms. I've ran my own businesses. About 1.5 years ago I quit my first "real" job and got into the fitness industry. It was actually the rationalmale forum (props to rt and str8up) that prompted my decision to get into a more social/sales field as it would help my game and make me a more rounded individual, since staring at a computer all day doesn't get you far. I was a personal trainer for a while (on my own, then at a commercial gym) and worked my way up to managing a training department - which was really a thinly veiled sales position. Great experience by the way; get to meet a ton of people (yes girls) and work on your social skills.

I just finished what was essentially contract work for a startup. The startup is still ... starting up, so if it ever hits the ground running I'm back on board. I have spent most of the summer just relaxing though ever since that work was done, and am getting the itch to get back at it so as not to stray from my financial goals. I'm currently applying for a director/management position at a local design company. I may do some in-house training as I got a couple requests from lonely wives, but having ran my own business I wouldn't be making enough to actually make it full time. I'd need another job or 2 on the side to make the amount I want.

So as I'm entering the other half of this soul searching (I gave myself until 9/1 to make up my mind), all I know is what I'd generally like to do:

- Some form of management/leadership. I'm very organized and have a knack for keeping others organized and on track.

- Something creative and related to the art field. Doesn't have to be literal (work at a design company). Could be responsible for the advertising direction of a new tv show, or liquor (hi rt). Just something creative.

- Something social. While I left my fitness job due to the no-end-in-sight sales aspect with little long term potential, the actual management and interaction part of it was awesome. I don't mind spending half the day staring at a screen if the other half is spent interacting face to face.

- Something that puts me in front of attractive women. It just makes work more fun.

I don't mind hours or traveling or stress (to a point) so long as the compensation is adequate. I should also point out that although I am very creative (been drawing/painting most of my life), you wouldn't think it looking at me. I've been doing natural bodybuilding for the better part of 10 years now, I stay in great shape year round, and other guys defer to me in most situations, though I don't really advertise it. It's actually a great card to play on initial dates ("after this drink let's go back to my place and I'll show you my art") since girls don't suspect it at all.

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My longer term plan is residual income and early semi-retirement (still on track for somewhere in my mid 30s). Semi-retirement meaning I could get by without worrying if I had a job or not, but will continue working as I have more flexibility to pursue what I want.

There are 2 paths to residual (both of which I've been pursuing). First is basic investing (market-wide stock/bond allocation). Second is real estate. I've had my condo for 3 years now and can now officially turn it into a rental property, so I'm back to research mode and looking into property #2. I have some landlording experience (and investing experience) so I'm not entirely new to either.

This would also allow me to pursue a few fun job opportunities which are frowned upon in the upper echelons of the corporate world, but at that point it wouldn't matter.

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Right now I'm thinking local, particularly if I pursue the real estate route. Although I do want to leave this city, I don't mind sticking around until that "semi retirement" date before moving to south beach or west coast, especially since I've spent over half my life here and am very familiar with the neighborhoods.

That's not to say I won't job search elsewhere and I'm 100% open to relocating if the conditions are favorable, just that I haven't quite factored that in.

Anyway, I'm mainly looking for some suggestions on avenues I should explore which I may not have thought about yet, or how some of the more experienced men here have made their peace.

 

[Duffdog]

So, basically you don't have a degree.

If your degree is not in business or a hard science, you don't have one. Not a problem, though, as there are ways to make money without having any marketable skills. Its highly unlikely that you will land a job at a successful corporation as management without the specific degree that they request. Also it is highly unlikely that you will get to do something that actually makes money and is enjoyable with your skill set and certifications. (Do you have any certifications?)

Basically, your options are to become an artisan or trade worker and pretty much work for yourself, OR, compete with the millions of unemployed harvard graduates who are looking for the exact job you are describing because they just got fired from their banking job on wall street and need some cash.

I have found that in troubled times, its best to make your own job. That being said, you may have to step outside your comfort zone and do something that you feel is beneath you.

 

[muscleman]

? I have a bachelor's degree (science in design, digital) from a top 10 design school. I haven't had a problem finding actual design work, just looking for something different.

 

[Duffdog]

? I have a bachelor's degree (science in design, digital) from a top 10 design school. I haven't had a problem finding actual design work, just looking for something different.

Thats what I mean. You don't have a real degree. A "science in design" is not a recognized degree in any field other than what for profit schools claim in order to extract money from students. Did you attend the Academy of Art or something like that? Do you have a 'Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering' or "Bachelor of Science, Business Administration"?

Like it or not, most of the people who went to a for profit school with hopes of attaining wealth, aren't getting it. I am not saying this to get you down, but there are about 6 million kids with specialized degrees which are not portable. This means that they can't leave their profession and go to another one because their training is so narrow and focused. I have many friends who have done what you did and have no options other than the 1 thing that they learned in school. Most of them are doing work for pixar and other media companies.

 

[muscleman]

No, it's a university that's renowned for graphic design, architecture, industrial design, and fashion design. "Bachelor of Science in Design". Doesn't really matter though. I know the degree isn't the ticket to wealth, I realized that long ago. I'm just trying to figure out what I want to do next with my skillset and experience. I don't mind going a completely different route either, which is what I did when I got certified as a personal trainer, started my own business, then worked as a trainer at a chain, then ran their training department.

Honestly if I could make good money working as a bartender, I'd have no problem with it.

 

[MatureDJ]

Do you fancy Asian women? You could easily get a job teaching English in China.

 

[muscleman]

At this point I prefer to remain stateside. No I don't fancy Asians too much. I'm Eastern European myself. Actually going through some extensive goal-setting right now to see how I want my life to play out, as the jobs should be a reflection of that.