I’m at a real crossroads and need to increase my income soon.
I’m supporting my partner through school and helping a sick family member.
I could really use perspective from people further down the path.
My Background:
I’ve spent 6 years across retail, customer service, and sales:
- Retail guest services
- Sales team lead (car wash)
- Membership sales / customer service (current role)
Over time, I’ve realized something I used to reject:
I’m actually good at sales, but only when it’s done the right way.
I used to hate sales because it felt pushy and unethical (especially after a short stint in used car sales).
Now I see it differently:
- Good sales = qualifying, not convincing
- Creating urgency when there’s real value
- Helping people face problems they’re avoiding
- Closing through clarity and comparison rather than through up front pressure.
The situation:
I have an opportunity to move into a commission-heavy role (ADT).
The income potential is significantly higher, and I need that right now to:
- Support my partner through school
- Help a sick family member
At the same time, I’ve also been considering moving into IT / operations, where I think I’d do well long-term (possibly solutions engineering or Sys Admin).
The dilemma:
Do I:
- Lean into sales, build it as a real career, and maximize income now
- Or pivot toward IT/operations for a more technical long-term path
My question:
If you made a similar decision earlier in your career, I’d especially value hearing how it played out a few years later.
I’m not looking to hear “sales is bad” or “just follow your passion.”
I’m trying to make a grounded decision that balances income, skill growth, and long-term alignment.
Appreciate any perspective from people who’ve actually been through this.