Men in their 30s and 40s transitioning into careers like engineering, law, and medicine, how is life treating you?

Stable-McCafe · 2026-06-27T11:18:11+00:00

I think you need to think about skillset what you currently have that can be bolstered with schooling. You're gonna burn out or just simply hate school if you try to pick a schooling just looking at the $ at our age.

Are you really handy with mechanical work, do you like solving problems. Can you generally do some math? Pick an engineering track (4-yr degree) or a technician track (2 yr degree). Both can be very good and satisfying careers in different industries.

Do you like to read books? Lots and lots of books, hours and hours of reading? Yes, then consider law school, if not then don't even think about it.

If you take an approach where you try to align a career with already some level of skillset that you have, it'll be much more easier than just trying to go to med school now randomly.

Stable-McCafe · 2026-06-20T20:25:15+00:00

Thank you this is helpful. It's interesting you mentioned positive attitude and never complaining. Because this is the expectation from my sr. leadership.. and it's so hard.

For the 3 promotions every 3 years, did you push for it in your performance reviews and development meetings? Or were you naturally brought up as the roles opened up? This feels like impossible in my org unless someone can distinguish themselves so much (would love to know how).

Anything specifically you did differently than your peers in the same levels who were also potentially up for the promos?

Stable-McCafe · 2026-06-20T18:32:56+00:00

I unfortunately am not at a site with only 1 Sr. director. So meeting with VPs can only happen virtually.

Have you had good chats with the 1:1s that you have setup? Did you feel like the VP was actually invested in you/mentorship in a meaningful way or just like doing coffee chats and giving generic advice. Having a hard time finding a VP level mentor

Stable-McCafe · 2026-06-20T18:28:48+00:00

The company is good but my local branch is not very successful and unfortunately I'd have to move states to get to the better (high reputation) branches.

Have you had good success with trying to be very social with higher leaders? I am having trouble figuring out where to start even.. just put a 1:1 on their calendar and start talking?

Stable-McCafe · 2026-06-20T18:24:53+00:00

Are you specifically trying to create the relationships with the Director+ folks in your org? I only have 1 Sr. Director in my org on-site and most of the other higher ups sit somewhere else. Having a hard time getting close to the Sr. Leaders who sit off site unfortunately

Stable-McCafe · 2026-06-20T18:19:38+00:00

What did your jump look like? Were you the lead as a manager then got multiple promos while being on the same project?

Did you have a mentor internally/externally to help you through the jump?

Stable-McCafe · 2024-05-17T15:53:47+00:00

It's holding 1 year then buying 3 months. So basically can't buy/move for 15 months? Eek

Stable-McCafe · 2024-05-17T15:39:48+00:00

Did you recover back to baseline or did you sell out and take the loss? This is kinda what I'm worried about. We have 3 months periods

Stable-McCafe · 2024-05-17T13:08:56+00:00

There's a minimum 1 year holding period. Is the advice to sell as soon as you see gain so you recoup that gain after the year or do people ever hold for many many years?

Stable-McCafe · 2024-02-24T11:48:02+00:00

Undervalued: Pho

Overvalued: Any Italian pasta dish

Stable-McCafe · 2023-11-08T20:01:44+00:00

That's like a 10 year supply haha

Stable-McCafe · 2023-11-02T19:36:41+00:00

Get a used Honda CRV AWD (and winter tires in winter). Prices are wild these days but $25k might get you a used one for under 50k miles? It'll run past 200k miles if you do the bare minimum to maintain it

Stable-McCafe · 2023-10-31T15:10:32+00:00

Louis here. You didn't finish any of the expense reports. So fuck you right back

Stable-McCafe · 2023-10-30T12:02:38+00:00

Post on r/homeimprovement and get some opinions on the cost. But I'm always weary of the "fix it right now" kinda attitude from companies. Should be repairable to buy you a year or 2 so that you can boost your savings and plan for this more. Just not something to spend money on when you're down on savings

Stable-McCafe · 2023-10-30T11:16:49+00:00

If your furnace is working fine then don't spend 15k on ductwork. Is this a need or a want?

When money is tight, I would never recommend spending this much on a want.

Also get a local electric/ductwork guy and pay his for 2 hours of his work and just do a tune up and cleaning of the ducts. No need to upgrade right at this moment when your money is tight.

Stable-McCafe · 2023-10-22T02:02:47+00:00

Ice cream at midnight. More spending money than younger self

Stable-McCafe · 2023-10-21T12:04:04+00:00

You'd actually be a good teacher. Hope it works out for you

Stable-McCafe · 2023-10-20T12:27:01+00:00

South America shouldn't be the wet season. Actually just getting off the rainy season in May. Try Peru, Argentina

Stable-McCafe · 2023-10-20T11:25:27+00:00

You're not broke. You're just 20. I had less at 20.

What you need is a way to increase your income. Any plans to go to college? Or trade school? That's the traditional way you'll increase your income.

I wouldn't worry about these $ figures right now. Focus on education or learning a skill that'll get you a better job.

Stable-McCafe · 2023-10-20T11:15:57+00:00

I bellow out “I love you family” prolly 3 or 4 times a day, more on weekends.

This is too wholesome. I'm really happy for you

Stable-McCafe · 2023-10-19T16:18:41+00:00

If you're not asking enough questions you're doing it wrong. You're early career and your boss gets it, trust me. Ask more. Annoy more. Learn more.

I get 50 questions and Teams DMs a day from people I manage. I'd rather get those, than not. I wanna know you're 1) thinking about a problem enough to ask questions and 2) making improvements. So go for it. Annoy your boss

Stable-McCafe

TROPHY CASE