I'm kinda in the same boat. I want away from my job. It is in a field I love, but, the co. I work for is dangerous. I'm in mining. It doesn't have to be a dangerous job, if you practice good safety policy. It is that the co. I work for doesn't do that. But......they just so happen to be in a fairly stable area(heavy metals) and where I want to go is in coal mining, which is better at making sure you go home alive. (PS. I will not take any crap for being in a non-eviro friendly industry by anyone using the copper I'm mining to achieve their internet connection or the elec. produced by coal to power the damned thing, so save your snarky comments for someone who cares!!! I care about the future too, but I live in reality!!!!!
Let's all work together to prepare a better future.)
Anyhow, I want to go back home, but I'm scared. Mines are a boom-bust business. Do I give up the security of a steady job for the next 20-50 years, but risk the hazards and crappy wages and conditions where I am? Or do I take a chance on better wages and safety only to be laid off 5-10 years from now when I'm 45-50 years old(try getting a new job then
). I have decided to look for other work, but this decision is one I'm making after over a year of soul searching.
YOU will have to decide. 2008 is a lousy time to have to make that decision. I can tell you, if your job sucks now, it won't get any better. Can you live w/ that for the security a regular paycheck brings? It's OK, and you are not a Puss if that is your choice.
It is just your choice. I, myself, like a regular paycheck over betting on the future, for now. So, I guess I'm a puss who happens to be feeding myself and my DDs and providing a roof. You don't have kids, so atleast that's not something you have to worry about. If I were on my own, the decision would have happened a long time ago. In fact, 4 yrs. from now when my youngest DD is 18 it will greatly influence my decision making process.
If you feel you can handle it, try it as a business owner. Most new business start-ups fail within the 1st 5 years. But the ones that make it can last a lifetime. It's up to you.
THE FUTURE IS YOURS!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!