hello. I am past burnout so this post is going to wreak of cynicism.. I'm an Mai. I've been in this field 22 years. I make $135,000 a year and I work anywhere between 50 to 80 hours a week. every vacation I've ever tried to schedule has been a nightmare where I have to work 80 hours the week before and 80 hours after to go on the vacation. I do have some 40-hour work weeks but they are getting fewer and far between .My benefits suck and just got cut back. most people I know in corporate America who've been in their fields, as long as I have make significantly more money and have much better benefits. I work in an office where I'm basically making money for the person above me who works 40 hours a week and is never stressed out. I am done with being a fee appraiser.
Being a review appraiser seems completely boring to me, and most I've come in contact with seem to be in that position because they could never survive as an actual appraiser. (Don't get me wrong. there are some excellent reviewers out there ) I would like to know of other jobs in this industry where I won't lose my entire history of experience in the transition. I called the appraisal institute today and they are basically clueless on The variety of careers that their members have. I'm at a point where I believe that I have wasted my life in one of the worst fields that anyone could go into. I spend my days answering emails from Bank clients who don't understand the first thing about appraisal. can't review reports, and can't even email or read attachments correctly. All I care about at this point in my life is a work-life balance and being able to take a vacation. I'm willing to take a 30% pay cut to do anything besides work 12 to 15 hours a day while I'm receiving 200 emails a day trying to wrap up reports. Right now I'm focused on looking up career counseling, but the main reason I've stuck with this for so long is because I don't know what else to do. I'm sure you've had a much better or different experience than me as a fee appraiser. I'm not interested in hearing about that. I want out a fee appraisal work and I want to know what you do if it's something else .
edit.... this post has been up for approximately 1 hour and those of you who've taken the time to comment have helped me so much and have given me a sense of hope. I don't know who gave me the impression that government jobs did not pay a living wage, but I'm so glad that is not the case. I also had no idea that review appraisers could make significantly more than six figures. Thank you so much for your input!!!!!!!