I've been with the same company for 13 years now. I started out in HR (which is what my degree is in) but that position was eliminated and put on line. I really hated certain aspects of the job..being disrupted by employees constantly, having to be pleasant to everyone (GOD i sound like a ***** when I say that) but I liked knowing everyones information and being responsible for people getting paid. Kept me interested for sure. My roommate at the time said the best job for me would be to work where there were no other people. Well I went into a training class to be able to pay claims with the same company after my HR position was eliminated and have been doing that ever since. First I was in the office answering phones (YUK YUK YUK) and paying claims and for the past 4 years i've been telecommuting from home. I don't have any human interaction at ALL except for an instant messanger and a weekly call. I am now terribly bored and lonely. It was great at first, and I really don't know if I could go back "out there" into the workforce and deal with people every day. I get VERY easily irritated and am really moody. I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut and have gotten in trouble in the past for sounding negative. I don't WANT to be a *****..I just can't tolerate stupid people!!!

I'd like to go into teaching or nursing, but i'd have to give up the security of 13 years of employment and 6 weeks vacation. I'm too scared to make a move. I feel like I'm wasting my life away...but what if I'm unhappy somewhere else?

Any suggestions?

OK, here are a couple of quick thoughts:

-Can you ask your present employer to work from the office 1 or 2 days a week?

-Would getting an education or nursing degree in a part-time program w/o leaving your job be an option?

Oh, and if you do opt for teaching, too little vacation shouldn't be a problem.... :D

You sound really set with your job. WOW, super lucky there..I can't keep a job for even a year straight without having to quit and find something else.

What about instead of quiting going into work 1-2 days a week.

Taking a fun class at an adult school 1 or 2 days/nights a week

I don't know how you feel about going to a movie alone but I really like to see a cute chick flick alone...kinda just giving myself a gift I guess. :)

coffee shops are always nice or the mall to people watch if you can handle that..I like the coffee shops the most

If nothing else get involved in a church group and start doing things with them. Church groups always have stuff going on.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the suggestions! Going into the office is no longer an option since they sent everyone that pays claims (600 of us) home 2 years ago and the buildings we used to work out of are now call centers. I live in PA..my supervisor lives in NY, my manager lives in TX, and my director lives in FL.

My husband and I moved here 4 years ago due to his job. He got a huge promotion to move here. We could actually go anywhere his job sends him now with me working from home. I went to visit my sister in Oregon and they shipped my computer out there for me and I could work out there and not use vacation. It really is a sweet deal.

I guess I'm just lonely and bored. I don't have any close friends here. We have no children (not by choice) so we have nothing in common with the neighbors. My husband makes friends at work and we get together with other couples from time to time, but it's the day to day living that gets to me.

I had to learn a new function recently and I hate it. It makes me feel inadequate, stupid and impatient. It's not that it's HARD..I just don't like it. And there is no chance to go back to doing what I was doing before. I guess that's what got me upset. I DONT like change.

There is a great need for nurses in our area. I'd love to look into getting a degree. I've heard some hospitals are actually paying for your schooling. I just haven't found one yet.

What it boils down to is finding the energy to actually DO something. I think about all these things and then don't DO anything about it.

We're trying to adopt, so if we get a child it would be great to have me working from home. so many decisions.

Thanks again for your input. I appreciate it!

I am in the same boat. I have only been with the company for about two and a half years. I joined the company not to pay claims, but to move into other areas. I feel like I am totally stuck and want out, but I am afraid to leave because of the job market.

I am considering leaving my job. I need to cut the cord and get away from it as I am afraid to take chances.... I am becoming too complacent and its time to make a change. I asked my mother if I could temporarily move back in with her if needed. I have around 1 year's salary in savings and I probably would be working part time while I looked for something I actually wanted to do..

Go for it, do whatever you can to make yourself happy. You don't want to live with any regrets.