The equation is not always that simple.

Say I'm 25-35 and have a family. I can't afford to explore myself and pursue a career that will truly make me happy. I've got a family to feed; maybe a mortgage to pay. And my spouse has to be warm to the idea too. I can't afford to start over again.

Say I'm 45-55. I'm entrenched. I can't toy with the idea of leaving my employer and starting over again. New employers in my *current* field view me as old and tired. Employers in a potentially *new* field view me and old and tired and without experience. Plus, I can't nonchalantly throw away my retirement or go without health benefits in the interim.

An investment banker can afford to become a catfish farmer. Most of us do not have plush jobs and a fat balance so that we can entertain flights of fancy.

Posted by: Nightly Periods of Unconsciousness on January 24, 2003 05:40 PM

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Posting Date: December 28, 2002 ;-)

(I thought this was a really good article. So, it doesn't bother me that MadMan linked to it also!)

Posted by: John S. Rhodes on January 24, 2003 07:34 PM

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Nice to dabble into things that your are passionate about even if you cannot do it full time :)

Posted by: daniel szuc on January 24, 2003 09:14 PM

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Well, I'm going to make a radical change in my career pretty soon. John already knows about it. I'm leaving the usability business to pursue something I've always dreamed about. It helps that I'm not married, don't have a mortgage, or any other major financial committments.

Posted by: MadMan on January 25, 2003 09:59 AM

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Another good usability person hits the dust.

Noooooo!!! *runs into the distance*

Seriously, wishing you all the best MadMan and pursue your dreams!

-Gamellian :)

Posted by: daniel szuc on January 25, 2003 08:46 PM

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Have you ever considered that 'Usability' produces a new kind of pod person?

Re "The double posting": Great minds think alike.

Posted by: Mac on January 27, 2003 07:35 AM

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