How can I professionally grind my way to a better job?

[Thatrogueassdiaz]

How do my Coli Brehs grind professionally?


I want to change careers. I spent a lot of time during my initial post-graduate days trying to get into grad school, and failed. So I had to stick with the field I'm in (healthcare). The pay is good, but I definitely need to be making more. I'm tired of doing my kind of work, though (technician).


Outside of networking with my professional connects--which outside of those who wrote my graduate school references and my former bosses, there are none--and spending countless hours applying to jobs on craigslist, what else can I do that might facilitate a change of careers?


How often do you all put in applications/resumes? I have a cousin who used to switch jobs every like 4 months, granted he works for the federal government, where it's easier to do that. For me, it becomes monotonous when I'm getting no where.

What career books have you all read/are currently reading?


How did you find guidance?


I need some help with this. I am tired of working in the field I'm in, and I want more money. I'm going to go back submitting my resume like before, but like I said it doesn't seem like that's enough.


A big plan of mine is going back to applying for graduate school. I think I want to get my MPA (Masters of Public Administration)--a great degree, and is identical to a MBA, except with more perks; plus easier to get into.


Thoughts?

 

[teacher]

Go back to school in some form or fashion...whether it's grad school or certification programs in a field you are interested in...

or

you can lie on your resume and cross your fingers

 

[Brown_Pride]

prior to getting my degree i was given this advice from a control friend of mine and it paid dividends both financially and w/ regards to my experience.

Never stay at a job longer than 2 years unless you're moving up until you get the experience to become a commodity.

This may not apply to all fields but it did to mine. After starting in the mail room at Bechtel right out of college and applying this method i've done pretty well for myself, now with a public utilities company making good money AND i have experience from many different markets, manufacturing, service, audit, bookkeeping, IT, transportation, publishing, etc, etc and each new job i learned something new.

What's cool is that the place i'm at now has people here who have been here for 30+ years and this is ALL THEY KNOW. So when i come in with "new ideas" i'm the man

 

[Gallo]

One thing that has stood out for me in the private sector and the military - although both are important, your personality matters more than what you know. I have manager friends who've hired people with weaker resumes simply because they had a cool confident persona and would "fit in." EQ(emotional quotient)>>>IQ. Obama, Clinton and Bush Jr are great examples of how far likeability can take you and why Romney, Kerry, McCain and Bob Dole had zero chance even when their resumes were far superior. I've also witnessed experienced and extremely hard-working military NCO's and officers get passed over for promotion/rank simply on likeability/cliquishness. Mind you, the military is supposed to be a place where meritocracy is paramount.

Rather than getting another degree you may be better off joining your supervisor for a beer.