Jeffrey Jones ⋅ Saint Simons Island, GA www.FreedomEffect.com ⋅ 7 years experience

Thank you for your service, Steve. Depends on what your immediate need is. If you need income to make ends meet, then a job. If you’re looking to invest in yourself, and build a legacy of residual income for the future, then perhaps owning your own business is for you. I have found that some entrepreneurs get into business for themselves only to find they’ve bought themselves into another J-O-B. Only they’re now the boss. They work longer hours, have all the headaches of employee management, and find they can’t leave for vacation without still worrying about not being there. We have a different approach: www.FreedomEffect.biz let us know if you’d like to learn more.

Karen Shockley ⋅ Smyrna, GA Whey To Go LLC ⋅ 20 years experience

Happy New Year, Steve. As a business owner, I have to tell you to follow your passion and your heart on this one. Has the idea of owning your own business been lurking in the back of your mind for years or is it just a recent idea? My advice? DO BOTH! Apply for jobs based on your background and in the states with the highest demand. Once the job is secured, start working on your business plan. It starts with a mission statement. If you start spending more time on your business plan then on your job, there's your sign. If you give up on the business plan, then stick with the job. Whatever you do... find ways to increase your savings... in case you get the urge to be a business owner again! Best of luck to you.

Jennifer Polhemus ⋅ Santa Monica, CA Precision Research (self-employed) ⋅ 25 years experience

Depends on your financial reserves, your tolerance for risk, and your passion.

Do you have $25,000 in savings (NOT your retirement savings) that you are willing to lose, is your car paid off, do you have a free place to live for the next 2 years, and do you have a winning business idea? Then maybe self-employment is for you.

But why not build on your skills (KEEP building throughout your working life) and find employment with a company or the government? Try StrengthsQuest ($10 fee and NOT just for students) to discover your strengths, and then find a way to match those with needs of employers? Happy New Year!
http://www.strengthsquest.com/home.aspx

Paul Dietrich ⋅ Staten Island, NY Phillips Petroleum ⋅ 35 years experience

With regards to business owner, you have to look at available capital to purchase the opportunity and then to cover costs till the business becomes viable and can pay its way. With regards this capital you have to look at is it your own capital or the banks you are risking and decide if the risk vs. reward is worth it to you. In addition, you have to look at what businesses you are familiar with and feel comfortable with and then see if there are those opportunities. On average about 50% of the startup businesses do NOT make it. You may wish to look at a growing field for employment such as cyber security with your many years of computer background.