What’s the biggest career change you’ve ever made?
I went from an office monkey at a huge (and now in trouble with the law) mortgage company in the burbs of Chicago to an elementary school in rural Bulgaria.
How long had you been thinking of pursuing the new career?
A couple years. I hated my job but it took me a few years to figure out what I really wanted to do (international development).
**How hard was it to get started? **
Well, I moved from Chicago to a village of 900 people, none of whom spoke English, with no internet access. What do you think?
So…it was hard. Very hard.
Were other people supportive?
Yes. My parents and friends were really happy for me.
I just started a masters degree program a couple weeks ago and I am feeling great about my decision to change careers. Yeah, I’m going into debt to do it, but it’s going to be worth it. I couldn’t stand the thought of staying in my old line of work for the rest of my life.