Jordy
11-10-10, 08:10 PM
When I left school I didn't really know what to do with myself, my career advisor at school was a joke and suggested I do vehicle mechanics at school (because i told her i liked cars lol) at the time sounded pretty good so I went with it and enrolled at my local college.
Despite having 7 C's at GCSE they put me on a course that was full of knuckle scrapers and I've since realised that I should've been on the course above, but at the time I had no idea. I got on okay though, had a laugh and completed it with a distinction. I then went on to do a National Certificate in vehicle repair and technology afterwards and passed that.
Halfway through my National Cert I hated it, we were just going over what I did in the first year and there was hardly any practical also no garage would give me any work experience, so I was learning nothing. I became bored and lost confidence in myself when it came to practical tasks. This led me to lose any passion I once had for a career in the motor trade and decided I wanted to join the forces.
I set my sights high and went for a career as a logistics officer in the RAF I lost 3 stone and took evening classes to improve my grades (now have an 'A' in Maths & English) I had my heart set on it and was dedicated. But I failed to gain entry because I didn't have enough UCAS points and vacancies were low. I thought okay fine... It's okay I can join as a regular and make my way up the ranks, not a problem at all.
For over a year now I've been trying to join the army as as aircraft technician whilst juggling crappy dead end jobs, I was made redundant twice since I left college and it has been tough tbh. A few weeks ago I went to ADSC (army developement and selection centre) in Pirbright Surrey, for those that don't know it's a 48 hour long interview basically - Including physical and mental tests and a medical. If you're successful you're offered a job.
I got there after 5 hours on the train, I was there for about 2 hours... Got a medical deferal due to my acne which I have on my shoulders and back. Their excuse was it could become infected or just painful and I wouldn't be able to carry my backpack 'rendering me useless' lols. The point is they're being extremely picky becasue they can afford to be atm.
I was devastated and angry but couldn't argue, I had to bite my lip and take it. Also my colour blindness is too severe for my chosen trades. (Which they couldn't possibly tell me waaay back :rolleyes:). So shattered dreams really because that's all I wanted to do and I can't now due to something I can't help.
So here I am now - 22 years old, living with parents, working as a tyre/exhaust fitter... Which lets face it I could have done since I left school with no qualifications. It doesn't challenge me and there are no prospects. Plus I have to work every saturday! Grr lol. But seriously I am very worried about my future now, becasue I feel I can do better and I don't want to be 30 years old with nothing, stuck there. So here are my options that I can see.
Army - Different job choices (once the acne has been treated/gone)
Navy
RAF
Motorbike mechanic - I love working on my bike and I have some qualifications/theory knowledge.
University? - I can't think of anything I want to study and I don't think I have enough UCAS points.
Apprenticeship in something.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Sorry for the almost biography, I just wanted to explain my situation fully as it might help.
Despite having 7 C's at GCSE they put me on a course that was full of knuckle scrapers and I've since realised that I should've been on the course above, but at the time I had no idea. I got on okay though, had a laugh and completed it with a distinction. I then went on to do a National Certificate in vehicle repair and technology afterwards and passed that.
Halfway through my National Cert I hated it, we were just going over what I did in the first year and there was hardly any practical also no garage would give me any work experience, so I was learning nothing. I became bored and lost confidence in myself when it came to practical tasks. This led me to lose any passion I once had for a career in the motor trade and decided I wanted to join the forces.
I set my sights high and went for a career as a logistics officer in the RAF I lost 3 stone and took evening classes to improve my grades (now have an 'A' in Maths & English) I had my heart set on it and was dedicated. But I failed to gain entry because I didn't have enough UCAS points and vacancies were low. I thought okay fine... It's okay I can join as a regular and make my way up the ranks, not a problem at all.
For over a year now I've been trying to join the army as as aircraft technician whilst juggling crappy dead end jobs, I was made redundant twice since I left college and it has been tough tbh. A few weeks ago I went to ADSC (army developement and selection centre) in Pirbright Surrey, for those that don't know it's a 48 hour long interview basically - Including physical and mental tests and a medical. If you're successful you're offered a job.
I got there after 5 hours on the train, I was there for about 2 hours... Got a medical deferal due to my acne which I have on my shoulders and back. Their excuse was it could become infected or just painful and I wouldn't be able to carry my backpack 'rendering me useless' lols. The point is they're being extremely picky becasue they can afford to be atm.
I was devastated and angry but couldn't argue, I had to bite my lip and take it. Also my colour blindness is too severe for my chosen trades. (Which they couldn't possibly tell me waaay back :rolleyes:). So shattered dreams really because that's all I wanted to do and I can't now due to something I can't help.
So here I am now - 22 years old, living with parents, working as a tyre/exhaust fitter... Which lets face it I could have done since I left school with no qualifications. It doesn't challenge me and there are no prospects. Plus I have to work every saturday! Grr lol. But seriously I am very worried about my future now, becasue I feel I can do better and I don't want to be 30 years old with nothing, stuck there. So here are my options that I can see.
Army - Different job choices (once the acne has been treated/gone)
Navy
RAF
Motorbike mechanic - I love working on my bike and I have some qualifications/theory knowledge.
University? - I can't think of anything I want to study and I don't think I have enough UCAS points.
Apprenticeship in something.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Sorry for the almost biography, I just wanted to explain my situation fully as it might help.