I need help coming up with an idea for a career change. I currently work in Accounting and hate it- HELP!?

Not sure where you live, but in Southern California you could work as an assistant to a CFO or Principal, handling all their client contact. I work for a Principal (CPA Firm) as his executive assistant, I make $50K, and I didn't go to college. Maybe check for jobs that want someone with accounting experience, but it isn't the main focus. Emphasis the other aspects of your business degree, and volunteer work through college.

Unfortunately, when you are considering a career change, you have to be willing to make sacrifices, and that means accepting the possibility of a pay cut. It's usually the price you have to pay in order to find something you really love.

The chances of someone hiring you in a field where you have no experience and no education, are slim. If you do get hired, it will probably be a very basic, entry-level position. You will have to work your way up from there.

Do some research. Figure out what kind of job you would like and look up what the average salary would be. Then you can take some time to prepare yourself financially before taking the plunge.

There's also the option of starting your own business, but that will require a certain amount of capital, and in your startup years you may not do as well as expected.

Ashley, I understand. I just faced this question down myself about 3 months ago. My situation had some differences, but essentially I was in a job that had been financially good to me in the past that I wanted (needed!) to leave. So, here's what I did: spent some time thinking of some "maybes" for industries to explore. Then, I went and got a job as a temp in one such industry! I actually made decent money. Not a lot, but it helped the family. So, what happened was that I got paid to do a little exploration. And, whaddya know: less than 3 months into the temp job, a new job presented itself. I actually just sent my "acceptance of offer" this morning. And I feel confident I made a good change because I didn't have my back against the wall when I made the decision.

Having a little leverage by already having a job you can tolerate gives you a lot of strength! GOOD LUCK!

You need to keep these things in mind before you jump ship: two years only and already make 50K is exceptional. Why you won't take more schooling to learn something new is your secret but its going to have to happen. UNLESS, you start your own little bookkeeping on the side and start gaining more small business clientele, you've got to hang onto the salary that you have because you will sink without it. You can launch something after work so you can begin a new vision without it interfering in your present stable financial situation. So start researching the possibilities with what you already know. I've purchased books in the bookstores about launching new careers.

if you're making 50k only 2 yrs out of college - the only way from there is down with a career change - i am fortunately past the mid point of my accounting career and am counting down to retirement - only 15 yrs to go-maybe