Career change after becoming a dad - nervous but thinking about it

Dec 31 min read

I've been in tech sales for 8 years. Good money, solid benefits, but the hustle culture is real and it's eating me. I have a 5yo and 2yo. My wife asked yesterday if I'm "always going to be like this" (stressed, distracted, traveling).

Thinking about pivoting to something more stable - maybe IT support, project management, something that doesn't require constant grinding. Less money probably. But also less stress.

Has anyone actually done this? Or am I just having a crisis and should wait it out?

6 comments385 views

Comments(6)

JJared C.RegularDec 3

Do it. I went from finance to teaching and took a pay cut. My kids actually know who I am now and I'm not constantly in hustle mode. The money conversation is real but so is the fact that you can't get this time back.

LLuca P.RegularDec 4

Tech sales eats you alive, especially with little kids at home. Your brain never stops because there's always another quarter, another number to hit. A career change might actually be a health choice, not a risky choice.

WWyatt C.RegularDec 5

If your wife is asking "are you always going to be like this" then you already know the answer matters. Life's too short to be miserable during the exact years you should be present with your kids. What would a change look like for you?

IIsaac T.RegularDec 5

Your wife asking that question is the data point that matters more than salary. She's basically saying "I miss you" in frustrated language. That should carry more weight than staying in a job that's killing you.

HHank W.RegularDec 6

Have you looked into what actual options exist? Because "tech sales vs total career reinvention" isn't binary - there might be stuff in tech that doesn't eat your soul or hybrid roles or remote stuff that gives you your life back without starting from zero.

RRay C.RegularDec 5

What's scary - the change itself, or the money conversation? Those are different problems. The change itself usually feels good once you're in it. The money part needs actual planning but that's doable.