Ok, I live near Dallas, Texas where there are plenty of cool high paying jobs out there like, paralegals, meeting planners, event coordinators, corporate executives, corporate trainers and many others. They may not sound as exciting to some people, but I would love nothing more than to find a job like this. I am a smart person who has worked as a collector for over 7 years full time and go to a local university part time to finish my bachelors degree. I make a decent living at my huge company, it's not the money I am worried about here, it is the job. I can't stand it and haven't for years, especially the crazy hours I work, but when they pay you 60K plus a year and pay for my school it is a hard place to leave to start somewhere fresh making much less. How do other people find jobs in the corporate world? I try to get into other jobs but get turned down when they think I only have call center experience. I know it is all in who you know, but what jobs do you have and how did you get into them? Do you like your job? And is it worth it to make less money somewhere else for my sanity? Does anyone have any event coordinator jobs they need filled!!???

Wheetsin, I did check and UNT has a techology, training and development masters certificate and program. I had no idea. They are wanting you to have a year experience in training for a company for you to take the masters program (which I don't understand) and if not to do an internship for 6 months. I am making an appointment once school is opened back up after the holidays to talk to them about it. Thanks again for your insight!

Another good thing to look into are the online Master's program - well, some of them anyway. What better way to help prepare yourself for an industry that's becoming more and more e-based than to have completed an entire curriculum online? UCSD has an AWESOME program. My master's program is mixed. It's offered on campus, but you can also take it distance. Then we collaborate with the classroom-based people and become on big classroom. My program is through Boise State University. It's pricey (about $1500 per class) but who cares, work pays 100%. :eek:

Kira, very interesting, my mother was an international event planner actually for the corporate part of the company I work for. She has since retired and just does events a few times a year now. International is a tough job but the perks are awesome. Thanks for the website, very informational.

Another job area you might want to look into is fundraising. When I was a kid my mother was the director of corporate fundraising for the American Cancer Society. We lived in San Diego at the time, and they had their corporate offices near Old Town. She says it's hands-down the best thing she ever got paid to do. It was her "job" to network with celebrities & movie stars and get them to attend fundraising events. Professionally she was an accountant, but left a corporate controller job to take this position (her past work was not a qualifier, they wanted someone "fun" and "entusiastic" who could sell people on coming to events).

I can remember being at home one night and the phone rings and I answer and hear, "Yeah this is Dan Fouts. Is your mom home?" (Dan Fouts = old quarterback for the San Diego Chargers) I was maybe 12. I ran straight to my dad with the phone still in my hand, still up to my mouth, and told him, "Uh-oh dad mom is having an affair with Dan Fouts, he's calling for her at our house!"

Too Funny about Fouts!! That would be awesome. I did find out the masters program at my university is all online also, and you are so right about my company paying, I couldn't afford that otherwise. I guess I am very lucky to have the job I have and need to just stick it out and use it to get where I really want! Thanks for all the advice everyone!!! Hope ya'll have a happy new year!!!

PS, I don't think my dad would mind the affair if it was with Fouts, he might just look right on past that for season tickets! HA!

One other thing, Kim - Once you determine what field you want to go into - find their organization and go to a meeting. I work in the mortgage industry - there are 3-4 different professional organizations - I chose the Association of Professional Mortgage Women because I had friends that brought me along. Once you go to a meeting and start talking to people - they will tell you what you need to do to break into the field. Besides, you will meet people that are actually IN the field you want to work in.

Also - if you are getting rejected for jobs because they think you only have call-center experience, then your resume is not doing what it is supposed to do - which is SELL YOU. You need more job description, a personal cover letter, or SOMETHING to tell prospective employers what you have done and why YOU are the one they should hire.

I firmly believe that you should try to figure out what makes you happy - but money is what it takes to survive. It might be "safest" to just stay where you are until you finish school. The money is good and they already know and love you...

Just my 2 cents.

Good Luck!

So true Rene. I was totally clueless to the world of these business organizations until I just started looking them up online. I've never been a joiner, but feel like it will get me where I need to be and give me the encouragment to keep forging on for the perfect career.

Even if you don't change jobs today - preparation is a good thing. Visit some organizations in your chosen field - learn the lingo and then, when you go to the interviews - you will sound like a pro.

Good Luck!!