Im in a fairly big crossroads searching for my next move. I’ve hoped around industries quite a bit and am approaching 40 without a specialization and it’s taken a hit on my earning potential. I always thought the jack-of-all-trades approach made me versatile but it’s not reality I guess.

The fork in the road is going toward laboratory automation or medical device product development. I found a lab automation field application scientist role and also a medical device product development project manager role.

The lab automation side would probably be more geared toward what I enjoy. I’ve worked in that space a little and I like the combination of fields and the diversity of projects. The med device role would be moving me “up” toward managing which could lead to pay increases. That being said, who’s to say the FAS role in lab automation wouldn’t open a door to the same in a space I enjoy more in a few years.

The other concern is location. The project management gig is fairly local. While the FAS role involves a lot of travel (east coast territory). I’m not opposed to travel, I like visiting new places. But it worries me about longterm where I may be locking myself into a specialization that I can’t make any upward moves without relocating.

Any thoughts from folks on all this?