When I Grow Up

In my career I've been a:

• Submarine sailor
• Computer/electronic trade school instructor
• Navy combat system instructor
• Curriculum developer
• Software test engineer
• Computer salesman
• Software engineer
• Systems integrator
• Personal computer/network engineer
• Small business owner
• Online seller

For almost a decade I've been doing the last. While it's had its high points, the last few years have been dwindling. Other family issues have kept me from pursuing a new line of work. But recently I've been mulling over what path to take, now that the kids are almost gone.

 

I have a BS in Vocational Education, but no High School diploma. I quit halfway through my senior year, at age 17, and joined the US Navy. Only got the college degree due to peer pressure from Navy buddies; it was a Navy sponsored program. I've never had a job where I used that degree.

 

My wife has a great job with Animas, a diabetic pump manufacturer for J&J, in a career that fits her temperament and giftings. She's also pursuing a degree from Eastern, funded by work.

 

I've worked at Fortune 500 companies, small family owned businesses, my own company of 10 employees, and as a lone consultant. I even started a small business in the second largest town in Venezuela (oh the stories).

 

As an INTP temperament, emphasis on the P, I need a change. Something completely different, something I can get excited about. At 50 years old, I've come to realize that I'm never going to grow up and decide what I finally want to be.