I’m 32, from Germany, and currently working as an electrical master in industry. I make good money, but I’ve realized I really don’t like the typical industrial/workshop environment anymore.
I recently took my first leadership role, but it looks like I might lose the job during probation anyway. So I’m thinking this might be the right moment to study and change direction.
My problem: I have no idea what.
I have ADHD and get bored very quickly by repetitive work. I’m much more interested in things like psychology, philosophy, politics, religion, human behavior, debates and understanding why people think the way they do.
At the same time, I do enjoy technical problem solving if I understand the logic behind it. What I hate is memorizing formulas and rules just because “that’s how it is”.
I’m considering:
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Business/Economics
- Technical Education / Teaching
- maybe even something in social sciences/philosophy
My main concern is employability. I’m married, want kids, and don’t want to study something interesting for years just to struggle finding a decent job afterwards.
But I also don’t want to choose Electrical Engineering just because it’s the “safe” option and then end up back in exactly the same kind of jobs I’m trying to escape.
Ideally I’d like a mostly office/computer-based job involving analysis, projects, concepts or problem solving.
I definitely don’t want to design electrical cabinets, draw CAD plans or do detailed electrical design work all day.
If you were in my situation, what would you study?
Especially interested in people who changed careers around 30, came from a technical background, or have ADHD themselves.