What next?

3,083 Views | 13 Replies | Last: 4 yr ago by Quinn
oilythrowaway
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At the risk of getting ahead of myself, I think I'm about to be at a career crossroads and I have no idea what to do next. Here is some background info:
Age: early 30s
Degree: Mech Engineering
Work Exp:
  • graduation-2017 large independent E&P co doing a variety of engineering functions in an early career training program
  • 2017-2018 PE Backed portco, small oil company. Successful exit in 2018 netted me mid 6 figures
  • 2018-present Same PE backed portco (just added a 2 to the name of the company and ran it back). Anticipating another successful exit this year that will net me low 7 figures but will only get to keep upper-mid 6 figures (don't get divorced kids)
I currently work a very soft "40 hours" per week, in reality it is much much less. I am good at my job and have found ways to make it easy for myself. My total comp has gone up steadily and is $229k this year, and the equity has obviously worked out well. Joining this company has been the best career decision I ever made from a compensation and work/life balance, but my skills have gone stagnant. We have 6 employees and I am the only engineer so I have not continued to learn and develop skills as you do in a large competitive company.
Net worth after this next exit will be around 2-2.5mil, but I have a pretty good indication that we aren't gonna run it back again. The CEO and CFO will each have netted close to 20 mil out of the 2 sales and I think just don't want to keep coming to work every day, plus our business model will not be as successful going forward.

I have always been interested in finance, but I think I am too soft to commit to breaking into IB/PE etc with the grueling hours if I am really honest with myself. I feel a stirring inside me to go do something meaningful, to find or create a job that will make me happy and also provide a good living. I don't like my current job, but it is easy and pays me very well for the amount of effort. I have only lived in Texas my whole life and have thought a lot about living elsewhere. I love the energy of big cities, but also enjoy skiing and being outdoors, etc. But my family is in Texas.

I have considered getting an MBA and did well on the GMAT (770 in 2016) but that score is expired and I'm on the older side of normal for going to get an MBA, and I feel like post-MBA salaries would be a step back. I guess I have to realize that most jobs I can get would be a step back in terms of compensation.
Here are some things I love, maybe writing them down will help me gain some inspiration:
  • Dining/cooking/mixology - in an online cooking club and participate every week
  • Personal finance - have always enjoyed learning about how money works and making it grow
  • Technology - have always been a "gadget-y" type and have learned/taught myself to code some but definitely not qualified to be a developer
  • Travel - very into the points game and always planning the next trip and figuring out how to spend as little cash for the bougiest experience possible

I'm not really sure why I'm writing this or what I'm expecting to come from it. I am grateful for the position I am in but I'm a pretty anxious person and thinking about the next phase of my life is starting to really eat at me. I am a planner and have always had a vision for what's next, but this time I am at a loss.

So what should I do?
LMCane
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seems like you have some financial independence to do what you would want to do.

I would follow your passion- at least you will enjoy working every day.
BTHOtrolls
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AG
Run it back one more time with yourself as the CEO and asks your former bosses to partially back you.
Pendragon12
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AG
J.P. 03
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AG
If you did want to pursue an MBA, enroll in a professional program and you definitely won't be too old if you're still in your early 30s. Agree that a full-time program probably doesn't make sense for where you are career-wise.

As an added bonus, it may enable to you stay in your current job assuming it remains lucrative and not too challenging so you can focus your additional energy on classes and homework/projects.
CBarrett12
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AG
No help here but what is this "online cooking class," you speak of? That interests the heck outta me…very cool!
Captain Winky
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Do you mind expanding on this a bit? I see discussion about coding and jobs, but I don't have a very good understanding of what that means exactly.

I am at a crossroads as well where I have been promoted to a point where I feel I am now past my ceiling and hit the Peter Principle. I have also had imposter syndrome pretty bad even in my previous roles. I think it all comes down to me not really enjoying operations and managing/dealing with people.
AggiEE
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Sounds like you hit the lottery with Cush job, high compensation, and massive equity

I have a much lower comp, much higher hours, and far more stress as an EE with far more experience than you.

Where can I apply?
TRADUCTOR
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Didn't read, just advise to press on, quit thinking.
AggieMainland
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Dont get divorced again would be my suggestion.
aggiepaintrain
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AG
Look into H&B
Charismatic Megafauna
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AG
They go through this scenario daily on https://www.reddit.com/r/fatFIRE/ check it out if you haven't yet. Also congrats
Jet Black
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Next? Grab your ankles.
Quinn
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AG
Assuming that you don't have kids, you should move out of Texas. Go move to New York and see if you like it. Texas will always be here if you want to move back. You only get one life and you sound pretty restless in the one that you have. I'm not in your industry, so I can't help there, but I'm sure you can find something that fits your resume/skill set up there.
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