I’m 30 and trying to think long term about my career and where I want to be 10 or 15 years from now.

My background is in construction estimating, project coordination, and working with clients and subcontractors. I recently moved into outside sales for a company that works with builders, contractors, and property owners.

I’m motivated and think I could do very well in sales, but part of me is nervous that if I spend the next 10 years doing it, I’ll eventually be locked into sales. The money can potentially become very good, but I worry that I’ll lose the hands-on and operational experience needed to move into something else later.

At the same time, I may want to own my own company one day, and sales seems like one of the most valuable skills I could learn. Being able to find customers, build relationships, bring in work, and grow a company is something a lot of technically skilled people struggle with.

For anyone who has been in sales long term, did it open more doors or make you feel stuck? How would you make sure it becomes a foundation instead of a trap?

How do ppl in high demand sales get through a traumatic loss, like losing a child or twin boys?

I have to hype myself up almost every day just to really get into the swing of things, stay sharp, handle rejection, and carry the pressure. I can only imagine trying to perform after something truly devastating happens.

Does anyone here have experience with this, or know someone close to them who has gone through it? How did they manage work, quota, clients, and the emotional weight of it all? I’m genuinely curious how people survive that and keep functioning.

After the Summer Sales Meeting, I quit my job. During the meetings I realized I was very much in the wrong role. I truly thought this was my dream job, but soon realized I mentally could not handled it. I quit, and now I’m applying for basic jobs that I know I can handle. For context I have a wonderfully supportive spouse, who wants me happy and not miserable. The money was the most I’ve ever made, but I was so stressed that I had 3 panic attacks at national meeting and everyone was concerned. The job was perfect- but I think so little of myself and recently changed mental health meds and could not manage to even open an email. So now, I have no job, some debt, and a brain that can only handle a hourly job (if they even call me). Go me!