[HateMyJob]

I realize part of the beauty/horror of being an ENTP is this feeling of never quite being fulfilled.. always trying to "figure out a better way"

Having grown into adulthood, and the wisdom that comes with it, I've realized that I'll always feel "the grass is greener" yet I'm trying to find a career I don't hate. My gifts had allowed me to excel in my field-- becoming very successful at a young age without a degree. I've been a "professional" since I was 19, and now, 15+ years later, I'm incredibly bored with my job. Further, my industry is changing, and thanks to my "exceptional insight" I realize that the future in my job means less and less money and "fighting for scraps" which makes an already mind-numbing situation downright depressing.

Knowing it's in my nature to "jump into new things that look exciting" I'm trying to take a cautious approach in considering new fields, but frankly, long term, I'm trying to figure out how *not* to become depressed/bored, and still have a decent standard of living.

Having a family means a lot of restrictions re: location, and age 40 is looming, especially if I'm talking going back to school for something completely different. My spouse will never make enough to support my family alone, so any serious amount of education will require working and going to school-- which will take years to "change course"

So, with the wisdom of age, I'm trying to be smart about this. I want to hear from "my people" Do any of you truly enjoy what you do?

I love problem solving, figuring out methods. It seems like some management position in certain fields would lend themselves to this but I can't simply "become a manager" especially having skipped the standard 4 year degree process.

I also have a crappy memory for small details, and hate bureaucracy (I know, welcome to the club) So, that would obviously contraindicate middle management.

tl;dr I'm making less and less money, getting more bored, and looking for a new job-- how's yours? Anybody have a job they LOVE as an ENTP?

[accrualworld]

You mention having 15 years of experience in a field - couldn't you go into consulting? Also, what's making your job less lucrative (and what profession do you have if you don't mind sharing)? Is there a possibility to follow where the money is headed/create your own organization/startup with colleagues?

Also, you may want to take a look at certifications recognized by your state board (like real-estate appraising, brokering, etc) - usually you just need a few community college classes and to pass a state-licensing exam and you will be qualified to work in a decently paying/stable profession.

I apologize since I'm still in my 20's, so if my perception seems limited, that's why, haha.

[HateMyJob]

Heh, like a true ENTP, you're not answering the question, you're trying to fix my problem. or maybe you hate your job too...

Couldn't you go into consulting?

This would require relocation, which is not a possibility in the near term (few years) And then, my actual real-world experience wouldn't line up with the rest of the industry.

Part of the reason I don't want to talk about my actual job is because I don't want to go down a path of a bunch of ENTPs trying to figure out why I'm not happy, some befuddled as to why I wouldn't be happy, and then have to defend my reasoning on why my industry will become much less profitable, when to some it will seem like my industry is "blowing up". This is an interesting topic to be discussed, surely, but I want to hear how other ENTPs feel about their jobs, specifically ones that feel fulfilled.

If the only answer I get is the job I already have, I'm gonna shoot myself.

I don't see any way to leave my industry, so the highest probability is I'll remain doing what I'm doing and trying to find a marginally better way within my field not to hate it as much.

But again, realizing that my core ENTP desire is to "figure out/fix things" I'm wondering if there's a job where you get to scratch that itch all day long, (in an intellectual capacity, rather than work on cars or something..)

[DiamondDays]

I know an ENTP who loves his work but still occasionally hates what he does. He runs his own company with 30 employees, he designs the products they manufacture and sell, he manages the relations with the different sales companys, he makes the strategic decisions for the manufacturing division and so on...

I know that he thrives on the fact that absolutely everything pivots around him. He gets to do everything that matters in the company. It's not an efficient way of running things but it keeps him busy and usually very happy. I guess he's in ENTP heaven, always running around solving the most pressing issues and handing of the busywork to his peons... So whatever it is you do try to employ people to take care of the boring stuff.

[accrualworld]

Heh, like a true ENTP, you're not answering the question, you're trying to fix my problem. or maybe you hate your job too...

I wouldn't suggest anyone go through 5 years of school and study for the CPA exam just to get an entry level position as an auditor, making 55K through 50-60hr weeks at 30+ years of age with kids. Audit work itself isn't that cool but the experience makes you eligible to work on more abstract engagements which is why I chose it.

I know one ENTP who enjoys working as a manufacturer of very simple products. It may not be the most intellectually stimulating process to develop a new product, but the work that goes into marketing, budgeting, HR and branding has been very fulfilling for that person. Its stressful though and it takes discipline to not throw in the towel when the going gets tough.

There was a post on reddit about some local maid contracting service that someone created and marketed online. He documented every part of how he started up that business and it seemed to get him a decent amount of extra cash. I have two friends who partnered up to take his idea to their town and they're seeing some success. Not bad for a part time gig on top of your day job.

Anyway, the only industry I know of having the stigma of "blowing up" and being somewhat lucrative without the need for a degree, is technology. However, it wouldn't make sense to need to relocate if you were going to be a consultant, since most e-lancers solicit work virtually.

[GoldenApple]

There was a post on reddit about some local maid contracting service that someone created and marketed online. He documented every part of how he started up that business and it seemed to get him a decent amount of extra cash. I have two friends who partnered up to take his idea to their town and they're seeing some success. Not bad for a part time gig on top of your day job.

Could you post a link to this article? That would be absolutely awesome!

[accrualworld]

PM'd you ^^^