Not changing jobs, changing careers

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

I can't believe I'm doing this but I think it's time.  I've been in the LE K9 business for over 26 years with the last 15 years as a trainer.  I retired in 09 (after 30 years as a police officer) and have been a govt contract K9 trainer since early 2010.  A company that handles training services for another federal agency offered me a job where they need a SME in K9 training.  This is a freakin desk job with some field work checking on some training projects to include observing K9 training.  There is also some international travel involved.  (At 6'5 and 200 plus lbs I hate flying).  My body will thank me for getting out of the hands on training field but my heart is not so sure it will be happy.  Working strictly Mon-Fri with weekends/holidays off sounds real sweet though.  I sure as hell hope I'm making the right decision.  I WILL be taking a week between jobs and going for a long ride.

[miles]

Good luck with the change, BF.  I hope it works out well for you.

[Mr.Black]

Congrats on the move.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

Thanks.  Appreciate it.  

[R Doug]

Good luck with the new position.  

Perhaps you'll be able to ride more?

[JonS]

Congratulations! Maybe you can add first class seating to your job description. A regular, predictable week of work is very nice.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

Good luck with the new position.  

Perhaps you'll be able to ride more?

Actually it will be less.  At least for some time.  

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

Congratulations! Maybe you can add first class seating to your job description. A regular, predictable week of work is very nice.

Since the company works for the feds this will never happen.  Any upgrades are on me.  This part sucks.  Flying cross country to LA for my current job sucks bad enough.

[Kneescrubber]

I changed careers 3 years ago. After 30+ years in the visual arts field I now repair appliances. Go figure.  

[scottzilla]

It's cool that you learned an obscure skill and managed to make a living at it.

[R Doug]

Actually it will be less.  At least for some time.  

I am sorry to hear.  I made a career move last year (this June will be the first anniversary).  There was VERY little riding for me the first year, but it's starting to get better in that regard.

[DNA]

Did you go to Indonesia?

Good luck on the career change - have care - riding a desk tends to put lbs on the waist.  I gained 25+ wen I went from a field job to a professional bureaucrat.

[falconati]

After enough flights, you'll get free upgrades to business class.  It works for me  

[wibornz]

Retire and then right back to work???  

I do not understand.  When I retire, I am riding 49 states and a little bit of Canada.  Working in retirement is highly overrated.

[Tombstone]

They say a change is as good as a vacation........aaaaaaaaaaand they are wrong.

But my best wishes to you on your new career!  

[ConPilot1]

I could only wish I had the knowledge that you have in your head in mine.

The shit you've done over a career was a young dream of mine. Always wanted to be a dog handler.

I'm very sure some of your contributions over the years have kept Americans out of harms way at one time or another. The dogs are a very valuable resource, in sooooo many arenas. From bomb sniffing, to assisting the disabled, to snuffing up truffles, or flushing game birds, dogs are awesome if you're dealing with the right kind of Dog.

Good luck man.  

[ConPilot1]

I changed careers 3 years ago. After 30+ years in the visual arts field I now repair appliances. Go figure.  

\
I used to fix printing presses years ago.  

God I'm so sick of cubicles anymore.

I think I'm gonna go photograph locomotives and such again.

Probably weddings for the cash.  

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

Did you go to Indonesia?

Good luck on the career change - have care - riding a desk tends to put lbs on the waist.  I gained 25+ wen I went from a field job to a professional bureaucrat.

Indo was set for Sept and Oct so I didn't go.  I work out 4-5 times a week so hopefully I can keep the weight gain from happening.  I certainly don't need to add any.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

I could only wish I had the knowledge that you have in your head in mine.

The shit you've done over a career was a young dream of mine. Always wanted to be a dog handler.

I'm very sure some of your contributions over the years have kept Americans out of harms way at one time or another. The dogs are a very valuable resource, in sooooo many arenas. From bomb sniffing, to assisting the disabled, to snuffing up truffles, or flushing game birds, dogs are awesome if you're dealing with the right kind of Dog.

Good luck man.  

No doubt working with dogs has been an incredible job.  I still am amazed at what they can do.  I had about 4 lbs of C-4 hidden on a car the other day and the teams had to search about 40 cars on a sweep.  The wind was blowing and of course the handlers are taught to start downwind for obvious reasons.  One dog started and immediately alerted head high then pulled the handler 100 feet right to the correct car.  Shit like this never ceases to amaze me.  

[zer0netgain]

At least the bright side is that you are "retired" (presuming you are drawing a pension).  You have an option about keeping this job if you are unhappy with it.

Hope it works out.  I hate flying, but being able to travel the world isn't a bad trade off.