Career Change - Tech vs. Accounting/Actuary

UniqueAwareness
Sun, 01 Jan 2017 20:56:56 +0000

Hello ~ I am new here and wasn’t sure where to post my topic.

I am 25 years old and looking for the next big career step. I currently work as an account manager - most of my day is customer service related work. There is little room for growth and it isn’t what I want to do long term.

I have a BS in Biology and a lot of student debt already so I wouldn’t be eligible for any more financial aid for undergrad education. I also have a family to support and cannot quit my day job, so any educational pursuits would need to be done online and in an affordable manner.

The top career fields that I am considering switching to would be Computer Science/Systems Administrator, Accountant, Auditor, and Actuary. I am an INTJ.

Computer Science - I love learning about and am fascinated by new technologies. I have also done some basic programming (worked my way through part of a free coding camp) and enjoyed it (although I am more interested in IT work than programming). My main concern is that I never was really that interested in tech as a kid - the interest developed in college but I didn’t think I had what it takes. My current concern is the sheer learning curve I have. I would be competing against young nerds that have been tinkering with tech since they were in their diapers. There is also a concern of ageism in this industry. By the time I could get some education and the foundations, I would be starting in an entry level tech job and try working my way up at the ripe old age of 30.

Accountant/Auditor - All of my friends and family consistently recommended this career path to me throughout high school and college. I never pursued it because of a lack of interest. Let’s face it, accounting isn’t exactly an exciting field. However, it is appealing because I feel like despite my age and lack of experience I would face less of a challenge entering the workplace at my age and there is less ageism (compared to CS). I love predictability, schedules, organization, etc. However, I am also concerned that I would get bored in this field for the same reasons I would love it.

Actuary - This field is appealing as it seems to have the least barrier to entry. I wouldn’t need a second degree to pursue this as long as I have what it takes to pass the exams. However, while I liked math in college it never came naturally to me and I was an average student. Far from gifted.

What are your thoughts on these career fields at my age? I have little experience in any of them.

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