I want to change jobs. But I can't.
I am 52 years old, hold a Level 1 Civil Engineering Construction Management Technician certification, and am currently employed at a small construction company.
I can't really say this out loud, but I've changed jobs a few times. And even now, whenever I have a spare moment, I find myself thinking about changing jobs.
Since I’m a middle-aged man now, I figure it’s only natural if people say, “What are you thinking at your age? Are you sick?” But the reality is, I’m in a difficult situation where, even if I wanted to change jobs, it doesn’t seem like I could.
Why is that?
As a Level 1 Civil Engineering Construction Management Technician, I’m going to share with you here why I can’t change jobs.
A 52-year-old guy who's always thinking about changing jobs
Everyone has their own reasons for considering a career change.
People who want to increase their income, or those considering a job change because of a poor work environment, for example. To be honest, in my case, I’m always thinking about increasing my annual income. I wonder if you could call this ambition?
It’s true that when I think about changing jobs, since I’m a 52-year-old guy, there’s a considerable risk compared to younger people, and I’m at a huge disadvantage…
But you know what? Even guys my age are thinking about changing jobs!! All the time!!
After all, you never know when you might be told, “You’re fired”…When I have free time, I Google job listings!
The company I currently work for is by no means a bad place to work. The pay isn’t bad either, but since I’m only human, I can’t help but think, “There must be a company out there that pays more than this one!”
I know there’s no end to it if I keep looking up… but I do find myself longing for companies that give employees weekends off. Is that a sleazy way of thinking for a middle-aged guy like me?
By the way, have any of you reading this ever Googled job listings for construction management engineers? Give it a try. You’ll be surprised by how many there are!
I was so surprised I almost blurted out, “There are so many!” I couldn’t help but get excited, thinking, “I can pick whichever one I want!” In fact, there were even job openings at companies where even someone like me—at 52—could still hold my own!
Plus, the salary for a Level 1 Civil Engineering Construction Management Technician is really high, isn't it~!!
Is confidence and courage what it takes to change jobs?
So here I am, really getting into looking at job listings, but changing jobs often means your living situation changes completely, doesn't it? I mean, people tend to be afraid of change, don't they?
Will the next company I work for actually be a good fit for me? In other words, it’s all about the people! I think this is the most important factor, but it’s tricky because you won’t know until you actually switch jobs.
If it turns out that I'm not a good fit for my next company... Well, as the saying goes, "You can't take back what you've done."
Another thing to watch out for is what’s known as a “black company”! When it comes to changing jobs, isn’t worrying about black companies probably the number one concern? Even though it’s a major concern, there’s no clear information available. That’s why people end up hesitating to make the move.
"Is this company really okay?"—my timid side keeps popping up over and over again... In the end, maybe the reason I can't change jobs isn't because of my age or anything like that, but simply a matter of my own mindset.
Because I lack confidence and courage, I end up being timid and find it hard to take action.Am I the only one who thinks that?
Construction management engineers can’t change jobs because of their position and heavy workload
There are other factors that can hinder a job change. One of them is your position at your current company.
The company I work for has very few employees. There are only eight people in the entire company! What’s more, besides me, there’s only one other construction management engineer! So, even though I’m a construction management engineer, I naturally do hands-on work as well.
On particularly grueling job sites, you end up doing everything yourself: calculating costs and preparing bid documents; drawing up construction plans; dealing with government agencies; conducting surveys; operating heavy equipment; hauling excavated soil in a dump truck; and sometimes even erecting formwork, pouring concrete, and acting as a plasterer to finish the surface...
I'm just so, so exhausted!!
I ended up raising my voice... That's why I'm wondering if there are any other good companies out there.
But I really don't have time to look for a new job!That’s because even after a project I’m managing as the site representative wraps up, there’s no time to catch my breath—the next one is already waiting. What’s more, the next project gets assigned right in the middle of managing the current one…
Should I just go ahead and say, “I quit!”… Sigh. Unless I make a huge mistake and get fired, this downward spiral seems like it’ll go on forever!
In a situation like this, I don’t even have time to seriously think about changing jobs. Is my career going to end right here at my current company? I’d rather not have that happen, that’s for sure.
What will happen to me from here on out…? What on earth should I do? What do you all think?
Hmm... I think it's actually pretty good for a small business out in the countryside, though...
Everyone has their own way of feeling things, and as they say, the grass is always greener on the other side, lol.