Help! Need at new [transitional] job to save my sanity.

[Photog]

I'm 40 and I need some sort of transitional job. I have no clue what but I need to get out of the one I'm in now.

I work in logistics (transportation). Basically I'm in INTP hell: the phone rings off the hook, I work in a shared open office space, at the front door where every customer and supplier comes in (half the time the speak to me instead of the receptionist because they see me first), my coworker who sits right beside me is a stress case and is unable to speak at a normal volume, even when he's not freaking out (though most of the time he is). I can't even hear myself think. Also, because of the "open office" work area, there's always someone coming up behind me, asking me for their help, to follow up on something , to help them fix a problem of theirs. This would not be do bad if it wasn't every few minutes. And it's not unusual for three people to be all trying to talk to me at the same time. Also I manage a team of truck drivers for our local deliveries (let me just say I have nothing against truckers , incase there are any in this forum, but my particular drivers are... let's just say "special"). They seem more interested in making me preside of their childish squabbles with each other, or their equally childish power struggles with me rather than just doing their job like professionals or allowing me to do mine. In fact, some days i have to convince them just to do the most basic requirements of their job. Sorry for the long rant, but basically it's all very exhausting for an INTP.

I'm not talking about trying to figure out a new career. I have an idea of what I would like to be (ultimately). I studied photography in university and have worked at least part time as one since then. I would enjoy that as a career very much ,but I will not bore you with the very long story of how I attempted to do that as a full time business, or the details of current state of that industry. I'm willing to give it another go, once I've changed tactics, spent some serious time learning, and raising the level of my work . So like, in a couple of years maybe??? I'm also interest in web design and can easily see myself learning that with all of the available online resources. I've noticed both those career paths are high on the lists for INTPs. But to get to a professional level? Again, probably at least a couple of years.

So my dilemma is this: I need to transition to something, on the way to my ultimate goals, that will not give me a nervous breakdown. And, at my age and current financial obligations, I don't think I could start from scratch at an entry-level job. I guess I need to find something mid-level that incorporates some of the INTP aspects of logistics.

Has anyone dealt with this before? Any suggestions?

 

[Lot]

Pizza delivery. You have lots of time to be by yourself. Interacting with customers last no longer than 60 seconds most of the time, and it doesn't even include much talking. If you get a gig in a good area the tips are pretty good. Not say its the be all end all of jobs, but it can really bring in the money.

What other job starts at $12-22 an hour with no education needed? Usually flexible with school. Doesn't mentally drain you. Get paid to listen to music. But tips can be unstable and finding a place that needs a full time guy can be a bit hard. But I know a guy that worked delivery for most of his adult life and paid for all his university and travel abroad with it. He only did it so long, because he had trouble finding a teaching position.

 

[Yellow]

Call centers may be a good transitional job. Especially government contract jobs like signing people up for Affordable Healthcare, which start you out at $12-$15 / hour, offer benefits, and provide paid leave. They generally only require a HS diploma and a clean criminal background.

As a bonus, everyone is too busy trying to meet their quotas to sit and chat. You have to talk to callers, but really, after a month or so, the job is so mundane that you forget that you are actually talking to people.

Also, if you're clever, you'll be promoted a troubleshooting position within a month or so on "the floor".

 

[Photog]

Thanks. A couple of decent, out-of-the-box ideas. Though I don't think I'll be signing anyone up for Obamcare as I live in Canada. But I get the idea.

 

[Sockrates]

Go into finance. It's quiet, numbers are nice to you, if you're nice to them, and it's lucrative if you let it be.

 

[OptiMist_Prime]

Uber/Lyft? Are they in Canadia?

Also, before you lose your mind, I have some other ideas in case you are interested, not for careers but with the office.

...at the front door where every customer and supplier comes in (half the time the speak to me instead of the receptionist because they see me first).

Do you think that you are being too averse to confrontation? What if you were to ask the receptionist to get that customer? “Jane/Jack can you help this asshat with that?” Or you could start ignoring the customers (seem busy, shuffle papers) or just ask them to speak to the receptionist, “The receptionist can help you with that, mmkay?” while pointing to the receptionist. People need visual cues damnit! Or put a sign up if you have to. Police crime-scene tape?

Same with the drivers and other people asking for help. It sounds like you have some control over them, like managerial? (If not what the hell are they doing coming to you for help?) Anyway, they probably don't know that what they are doing bugs you. On a practical note, what if people came in front of you? I mean it bugs me when people come from behind me, so maybe you could rearrange your desk. Or set up barriers. Crime-scene tape! You know, make everything more feng shui. Deep breathes.

 

[Reluctantly]

Long haul Truck driver?

See if a company will sponsor you to drive their trucks and get your cdl. You could do that a couple years or so, go into contract work, go local, or do something else.