Career fustraition

[Flamin_Squirrel]

I began my career 3 and a half years ago with a small engineering firm. It was a good place to start out with small fairly simple jobs I could get to grips with, but almost a year ago I decided I'd reached a point where I wasn't learning anything new and needed to move on.

Wanting to try something different, I moved to the opposite end of the scale and joined a multinational firm hoping that there would be big design jobs I could get my teeth into.

This is where I've been since, but my expectations havn't really happened. I've had no training, and no big bits of design to do. I spend most of my time dealing with scraps, producing technical documents, tidying/reviewing bits of old design. It's not a bad job, but I'm left feeling almost as bored and unchallenged as when left my old job.

I was quite looking forward to this job after my interview, but I've been disapointed. Is this the way all jobs end up, never fulfilling peoples expectations? Or Should I sit back and try to be more greatful for what I have and try to get over my case of grass is greener syndrome?

[markmoto]

I worked as a motormechanic for quite a few firms over the years and could never get happy with the regular hours and the humdrum of everyday clocking on and off, i packed my job up several years ago and became selfemployed and ive never looked back. I can whole heartedly recommend it to everyone although at times it can be tough etc being in charge of your own destiny with no bosses etc is worth gold!

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Problem is, I'm not sure if there's anything that I could feasibly get into that inspires me. So short of bailing out and moving to another building services engineering firm, I've no idea what else I could, or would want, to do!

[valleyboy]

Ahhh, the world of building services engineers....

stuck at the desk myself at the moment!

[thor]

Have you spoken to your boss?

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Have you spoken to your boss?

No, and I don't know if it would make any difference anyway. I'm doing bitty work really a result of that kind of work that needing to be done right now, rather than it being specifically palmed off on me.

[Fizzy Fish]

personally i'm not a believer in staying in a role which is getting you down. first option is to be proactive about trying to change it into something you would enjoy more, and/or look for training opportunities. You'll probably find that your manager would rather make some changes so that you're happy than lose you, so they may well be more open that you think to suggestions.

Failing that, look for something else. BTW you may be feeling a bit down on the industry you're in, but it's often a halo effect from not liking your current role. IME once you do find a job that you click with it all falls into place again (well that is assuming that you liked the industry you're in at one point anyway!)

good luck!

[SoulKiss]

I began my career 3 and a half years ago with a small engineering firm. It was a good place to start out with small fairly simple jobs I could get to grips with, but almost a year ago I decided I'd reached a point where I wasn't learning anything new and needed to move on.

Wanting to try something different, I moved to the opposite end of the scale and joined a multinational firm hoping that there would be big design jobs I could get my teeth into.

This is where I've been since, but my expectations havn't really happened. I've had no training, and no big bits of design to do. I spend most of my time dealing with scraps, producing technical documents, tidying/reviewing bits of old design. It's not a bad job, but I'm left feeling almost as bored and unchallenged as when left my old job.

I was quite looking forward to this job after my interview, but I've been disapointed. Is this the way all jobs end up, never fulfilling peoples expectations? Or Should I sit back and try to be more greatful for what I have and try to get over my case of grass is greener syndrome?

Have you tried talking to your boss?

When is your next performance review due?

Step up and take charge of your career :)

[Skip]

I jumped last year for a position that seemed like a total bed of roses. One year on I am now in negotiations to go back where I used to work! The grass isnt always greener unfortuately and there will always be something about your job that you dont like - in my case I was told there would be a "small amount of Access database programming" - which in reality meant that is 90% of the job! :(

Its a tough decision - I still dont know if I want to go back, even if the money is better...?

[SoulKiss]

"small amount of Access database programming"

HAHA!!!!

You used Access and Database in the same sentence

ROFL !!!!!

[Skip]

HAHA!!!!

You used Access and Database in the same sentence

ROFL !!!!!
I know, I know! :smt021

[Kinvig]

HAHA!!!!

You used Access and Database in the same sentence

ROFL !!!!!


Don't be such a snob. For small applications it works fine...Quick build turn-around time to delivery, too.

[SoulKiss]

Don't be such a snob. For small applications it works fine...Quick build turn-around time to delivery, too.

Its not snobbery

Its like calling an off the shelf, unmodified Vespa a Supersports bike, just because it has two wheels and can make it round the track,

Access is little more than a flat-file indexing system

Dont mistake it for a database.

I can set up a new database and tables in mySQL possibly as quick as you can in Access.

When used in "anger" ie live apps, its not known as a Haccess solution for nothing.

[instigator]

Christ Flamin_squirrel...you sound just like me. And I'm in the same industry too.

I find building services particularly soul destroying. I joined a large multi-national company earlier this year and so far the training has been "okay" but hasn't quite lived up to the promises or expectations either. To be honest, even if it did, I would still want out. However, the only companies that would give me a look in once I had graduated were the ones that were in building services because thats what I had undergraduate experience in!

Ideally I'd move abroad and do something completely different....something I am trying to pursue right at this moment in time.

[SoulKiss]

Christ Flamin_squirrel...you sound just like me. And I'm in the same industry too.

I find building services particularly soul destroying. I joined a large multi-national company earlier this year and so far the training has been "okay" but hasn't quite lived up to the promises or expectations either. To be honest, even if it did, I would still want out. However, the only companies that would give me a look in once I had graduated were the ones that were in building services because thats what I had undergraduate experience in!

Ideally I'd move abroad and do something completely different....something I am trying to pursue right at this moment in time.

Australia is currently relaxing its Visa requirements for some types of work.

Might be worth a look

Saw it on the news yesterday

[instigator]

I think I meet their requirements as well but Australia doesn't really take my fancy. Think I might have needed a bit more experience though. Beggers can't be choosers I know.

America does take my fancy though...scandanavia does as well as france. :mad:

[SoulKiss]

I think I meet their requirements as well but Australia doesn't really take my fancy. Think I might have needed a bit more experience though. Beggers can't be choosers I know.

America does take my fancy though...scandanavia does as well as france. :mad:

America = scary place !!!!!

Nice bike kit tho

[tigersaw]

I was quite looking forward to this job after my interview, but I've been disapointed. Is this the way all jobs end up, never fulfilling peoples expectations? Or Should I sit back and try to be more greatful for what I have and try to get over my case of grass is greener syndrome?

I think we all think like that at some time. I never intended to go into air traffic control, in fact I often ponder on what things might have been. My first jobs were working in a garden centre and a trainee butcher. I loved the garden centre, so much so I intend to return to that 'career' later in life, once I've paid enough into the pension fund and can take early retirement. Fortunately I've spent almost 30 years working for a very good employer, so I wont be having regrets on that front - my only regret I will have when I'm older and dribbling, is the cripplingly unsocial hours I've had to work most of my life, perhaps then it wont have seemed worth it.

[skint]

The trouble often is with a majority of careers is that most of the work is bread and butter stuff. When the major projects come in they are likely to go to those with the greatest experience etc etc. partly to ensure appropriate experience and insurance needs but also because that is the professional way to run a business of any size) We've all been there, but it is a means to an end. When you reach top dog position so that the majors come to you and the more junior staff get the less challenging. I don't think 3 and half years is that long in a career (and IMHO qualifications are just a door opener to the first rung of a ladder - experience is the necessity ). I've been in mine for thirty years! The first four were very much as you describe, perhaps even more mundane. As the newest and least experienced (i.e. hadn't any at the time) had to make the tea and do some filing! When I got my 'own patch' it was predominently domestic stuff with occasional commercial. Big stuff went to seniors and principals etc but I assisted - perhaps you should be asking your boss for similar roles? Gradually you work you're way up building you're CV on the way.

I don't know your personal circumstances so my comments are not specifically directed at you - I'm making a ton of assumptions!!

[Flamin_Squirrel]

<snip>

Yep that's all pretty accurate I guess.

I'm sure one thing that also compounds my anxiety is the demographic of the industry I work in. There's only a handful of people my age (20s), but most are in their late 40s+. As such, it's almost impossible to look to colleagues and say "that's where I'll be in X years".

A total lack of career path is very irritating. Actually that anoys me quite a bit, and is something I can speak to the boss about.

[Kinvig]

I can set up a new database and tables in mySQL possibly as quick as you can in Access.

When used in "anger" ie live apps, its not known as a Haccess solution for nothing.

Yeah, I know but it does a front end as well with nive forms & drop downs etc....that gives it an edge for the small business requirement user that doesn't want to get bogged down!

[skint]

Yep that's all pretty accurate I guess.

I'm sure one thing that also compounds my anxiety is the demographic of the industry I work in. There's only a handful of people my age (20s), but most are in their late 40s+. As such, it's almost impossible to look to colleagues and say "that's where I'll be in X years".

A total lack of career path is very irritating. Actually that anoys me quite a bit, and is something I can speak to the boss about.

Yes I can see your point there, it is pretty much the same in my profession (also building industry). I didn't see myself at the top but like you looked to be running a meaty project or two. If you enjoy your work stick at it. be patient it will come but you have to be realistic such projects are not the norm and you may suffer disappointments as you go. All jobs big and small are important to someone so start to think at the real contribution you are making - if its a good job done someone is going to be well happy. be careful not to let your general disappointment become obvious or cause you doing the so called easy stuff half heartedly. It will be noticed and can work against you.

Avoid changing jobs and a new emplyer will question this - I would and the answer will have to be why. My response would be but you've only been in it x years what do you expect it won't be much different here until you're ready (in my mind) and proven your ability. I would then be anxious about offering you the position and thinking that after a couple of years you'll be on your toes again?

There is still plenty of my work that I find boring, mundane or I simply don't like; just as I hate getting a shave in the morning.:D

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Avoid changing jobs and a new emplyer will question this - I would and the answer will have to be why. My response would be but you've only been in it x years what do you expect it won't be much different here until you're ready (in my mind) and proven your ability. I would then be anxious about offering you the position and thinking that after a couple of years you'll be on your toes again?

There is still plenty of my work that I find boring, mundane or I simply don't like; just as I hate getting a shave in the morning.:D

This would be the grass is greener bit then, as I suspected!

Guess I'll stay put and hope things improve, or try and improve them if it doesn't pan out.

[skint]

This would be the grass is greener bit then, as I suspected!

Guess I'll stay put and hope things improve, or try and improve them if it doesn't pan out.

To a point. There is nothing wrong in pursuing a career and to do so means moving in many cases. I think the message is to take stock and don't just look at the headlines; as you say the grass is always greener... because no-one tells you the bad bits! :^o

What about a sideways career move - there are many perhaps associated with what you do. Building Control for example covers building projects from domestic extensions to town centre redevelopment, office blocks, industrial estates with an amazing variety of technical innovation. But as I'm an honest chap, ah hem, a lot of it is what we call bread and butter stuff. If approached correctly though, that too can be very rewarding. There are loads of vacancies in this line and the pay can be good (IMHO) how about it? ;) I would think (more assumptions) your qualifications will count a long way towards our usual requirements!! (I'm fully staffed at the present) :D