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Thread: changing careers, out of adult industry

  1. #1
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    Default changing careers, out of adult industry

    I don't want to say I am quitting or even retiring, because I am not taking such drastic measures, but it is time for a career change for me.

    I have been dancing/camming/modeling off and on for 10 years, full time for 8 years. Due to this gap in "normal employment history," I am of course terrified/confused, and continue to keep tellig myself that "I am not ready," my usual excuse for not looking for a "normal job" However I am ready, I am just scared. There never will be a "perfect time to quit" working in the adult industry, for me, so I am going to put fourth my very best effort to do so in the next coming weeks. I have not tried to find a "normal job" in 8 years, so I am going to TRY and see what happens. I am not officially retiring because, who knows, I may not find a job for a few months, but I do not want to rely on this industry as much. I simply have no passion anymore, am burnt out, and frankly feel I am not reaching my full potential. Money is not worth my happiness anymore.

    I have noticed alot of girls moving forward lately and I wanted to congratulate you and I am certainly curious of where you have taken your life after dancing/camming/etc.

    I am trying to focus on a few specific industries where my "modeling experience, sales experience, or internet marketing experience" will help make my transition bit easier, as well as jobs that will be flexible with hours, offer commission/tips/cash daily, and other perks. I am currently looking for commissioned retail jobs/high end retail, hospitality, casino cocktail waitressing, cigar hostess, salon receptionist, barista, etc. I am keeping a very open mind but would prefer a job that I can make tips or commission that is relaxed. Before i worked in adult I had many jobs in customer service, hospitality and retail.If anyone has any experience in these industries and or has sucessfully transitioned out of adult industry into one of these industries and would like to share some insight it would be wonderful.

    I am also curious about working as a cocktail server, cashier/hostess, in a stripclub, though I really need a life change and out of the environment, I am open to all opportunities and I think working in a stripclub as anything but a stripper may be good for me as I am familiar with the industry and at the very least would not have to lie on my resume lol.

    I am not thrwing in the towel for good but I need a life change and am putting fourth my best effort not to rely on the adult industry for income any more. I know it will be difficult in any of the above industries to make the money I am used to but I have the support of friends, fam etc to help me thru this transition period and I am not worried about taking a pay cut as I am worried about finding a job that I enjoy doing again.

    Any insight appreciated ty in advance and happy new year!!!

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    Default Re: changing careers, out of adult industry

    If you need a good filler for your resume, you could say that you were in childcare for some or even all of those 8 years. Depending on the area, it would not be uncommon for a family to have a live in nanny for the first 8 years. I wouldn't list references on the resume, but if they asked for them give them a good friend's info and also give your friend a list of the tasks and job skills you put on your resume.

    If you're interested in anything in a bar or club, see if a manager from your club will cover for you and say you were a waitress for a couple of years. I've seen plenty of girls from my old club give their new employer the manager's info and he's lied and said dancers were waitresses, doorgirls were bartenders etc. to help people get the job. Bars don't seem to care if it's a strip club, they figure the experience is all the same and are much more open minded. But it might be different if it's a high end or food serving position.

    If you have a really well written resume I think you'll instantly get called in for the position if you seem qualified enough. You just have to relate the job experience from your previous work to the position you're applying for. So if you list you were a nanny and want a job at a high end retail store, talk about following directions, cleaning, communication skills, being dedicated and alert, working odd hours including holiday and weekends etc. etc. A lot of people apply for jobs to see if they can get something better than their current position and have this attitude of feeling entitled to certain things if they are hired. So for a prospective employer to see someone who seems bright enough, with well rounded job experience, and can be molded into their idea of good employee they are instantly interested. Especially since you don't have the same financial needs as somebody outside of the adult industry. Lots of people apply to expect more money than what they're currently making. If you put that you're expecting $20,000 less per year than the people like that, you'll appeal to employers even more.

    Don't have super high expectation and be willing to bend over backward for entry level pay for six months or a year or so, pay your dues, but always think how you can use them in the future. Good luck!!

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    Default Re: changing careers, out of adult industry

    What sucks is, with most jobs where you have an employer, you have to like "earn" your way up the ladder. Meaning, you'll likely have to take a demeaning position (one that undervalues your abilities and talents) at first for the first few years, which is likely just as stressful as being in the adult industry. I'd suggest picking something where you can be your own boss, or it might be tough on you. Or do something you really enjoy.

    Ideas:

    - Massage therapist
    - Cosmetologist / hair stylist / makeup artist
    - Esthetician (though that industry is heavily flooded right now)
    - Business / sales (will likely require a degree)
    - Therapist or something in psychology (requires a degree)
    - Social work (but not working w/ children- too risky!)... like something in sexual health (think planned parenthood)?
    - Something in communications/media/marketing/advertising/sales (likely requires a degree)
    - Something in the arts (since you said not to worry about money). Working for a gallery or in art sales

    Those are my exit plans, anyway. Most require a strong portfolio and/or heavy networking though.

    Likely with business, sales, or marketing jobs, they will probably require a degree and extensive internships or a strong portfolio of past related work. Can you put together a portfolio of some sort?

    With cocktailing or bartending, if you could find a relaxed restaurant or bar to work at, that would be great. Those non-stressful or "good" positions are probably found more with networking though.

    I think you should try to work in a salon. Like you said, as a receptionist, and see if you like it. Or maybe a receptionist at a spa, esthetics clinic, or something like that. Then maybe you could transition into working there as the cosmetologist/esthetician/masseuse after like a 4 month program. That's what I would do since jobs are so hard to come by these days.

    Honestly, the ONLY way I see girls actually get out of this industry completely is to get a job doing something they love. Otherwise, the money and flexibility lures them back, and is often times a better fit anyway. What I'd recommend is still working in the adult industry part-time and your new job part-time. That way, you can keep job-hopping til you find something you like.

    You don't need a degree or certifications to find a job, but you do need connections. If I were you, I would network network network and look at your contacts already. And look at what you're good at or interested in.

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    Default Re: changing careers, out of adult industry

    Quote Originally Posted by BringOnTheMen View Post
    Massage therapy and cosmetology will require very rigorous schooling that is laden with apprentice hours, but the plus is that anyone can just "sign up" for both school-you just have to be 18 and have a checkbook.
    Social work also requires a degree I believe...at least lucrative social work. But it can be very lucrative, especially if you get a Masters in Social Work. If you get your MSW you can have your own private practice for therapy and earn 6 figures once you get your business going. My mother does this.
    Working for an art gallery often requires a PhD in art history fyi. Not sure about other positions related to art. This seems to be a field where you could get by without a degree if you had connections.

    Sales seems to be the easiest to get into with the most opportunities. And if you want to pursue other options, you can do sales on the side while you study for something else. You can also do sales for some random company while studying real estate.
    All of the bullet ones require a degree, certificate, or formal training. I was just giving suggestions, but OP didn't list any formal education or specific interests, so I was just throwing things out there. The best thing to do with the economy the way it is, is to get into the industry you're interested in at a basic level, and then work your way up. Receptionist is a good way to start.

    Real estate is a good option if the economy was not the way it is. After all, isn't that what technically caused the economy to become stagnant? Foreclosures?

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    Default Re: changing careers, out of adult industry

    Thank you for your replies and suggestions!!

    I am just trying to bring back some "normalcy" to my life, I suppose I am not really looking for a "career for life" Whichever job I do decide to take, my ultimate goal is to start a home based non adult internet business in the future. In the meantime, I have to support myself somehow and GET OUT OF THE FRIGGIN HOUSE.

    I have been interested in becoming licensed/certified in health/beauty/wellness areas as GLAM suggested but as of right now I am not quite sure which direction I would like to go in, nor do I have the education.

    I am going to apply at a few tanning salons in my area, it seems to be a very relaxed environment, and I will make commission on the beds and products. At one of the salons, it turns out the owner is also a GM of a stripclub!!!

    The beauty of living in Vegas is that strippers/adult entertainers are not "looked down upon" as they are in other states. This could actually help me land a job in this town lol. There are also many opportunities for me to work in SC land without being a dancer.

    As far as my resume is concerned, I am not going to technically "lie" I am going to say I have been in interenet marketing/sales. My job duties would include, customer assistance and support, phones, light office duties, etc. To be frank, I am trying to "start over" I guess, so I really don't want to have to LIE LIE on my applications and say I am a mom when I do not even have children. To me this is too much of a hustle that I would not want to keep up. I have to hustle day by day dancing and camming, I do not want this type of hustle to cross over into my real life. Of course I am not going to put "faked hardkore anal sex on webcamera" on my resume lol.

    As far as starting off with a demeaning position, I could care less. I am still the low man on the totem pole as a cammer and dancer, just with more options and on my own terms. I do not realy consider working retail for example to be demeaning work, I have experience and it can be a bit much at times with management, but my work has never been my life until I started camming. To me it will be a welcome change to clock in, deal with any unpleasentness and clock out and be done for the day. I don't have this luxury with camming. I will work all hours of the day and neglect myself, family, etc. This way I can work for 5-8 hours and be DONE!!! After 8 years in camming, I have come to "hate it" for many reasons. The camming industry is rapidly changing and I do not like the direction it is headed in, so I am leaving with my dignity and self-respect before I feel forced to "sell out" and beg for money on a tipping-based site (where they are all headed) And if I need a little financial help, my regulars will always be there. I have let all of my regs know my plans and with their help I will probably make more money then I ever have (working a normal job and working my regs on the side lol) The only thing I will truly miss is not being HOME. To me this will be the most difficult part of the transition, leaving the house and being to work on time for a set amount of hours. I will not miss anything else. I hate everything else lol.

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