Career change...

I left School and trained a chef did theat for a couple of years and retrained as a secretary it doesn't give me the challenge (i thought the part time dancing would do that but it didn't) i need or i wouldn't spend so much time on here but i have no idea what else i want to do

I left school and hadn't a clue what to do. No career guidance and parents that offered little idea's and support at the time. One of the best decisions of my life was to go travelling, move out of the security blanket I was used too, and find there was more to this world than the town I grew up in. 4 years later i decided to go back and study tourism after finding that other young travellers were fun to be around.

Although the money was rubbish at first I only worked for small/medium size companies that were progressive and enjoyable. I was able to move around learning all the areas within the industry and business with the aim of setting up something myself in the future as having my own business was my ultimate goal.

Today I couldn't think of a better job. I work from home, the job is seasonal so lots of time off, I spend a lot of time with the kids and wife, no commuting and get to travel a lot. From a financial aspect we only really started pulling ahead once I was self employed as there was always a ceiling on how much my old employers were ever going to pay.

For me its been about goal setting. But working them out has always been the hardest thing. My best investment for this was on a set of Anthony Robbins CD's - the motivation speaker guru guy - as it takes you through how to make the changes you need. PM me and I'll lend you some copies if you want. It doesnt suit everybody but I know so many people that is has worked for now that would swear by the his words of wisdom. Rictus's comments remind me a lot of his - so I think you get the gist of what its about.

...Ta everyone!

GMonsta...you have a PM.
Seems to be more than just mein this situation. What is everyone else doing? I am seriously looking at other routes. Not sure about qualifications and stuff required yet but am looking at various options and opportunities. An interesting choice was train driver...never really thought about it but it is a long training period. Another option was plumbing but again involves a long training period with very little remuneration during training...

Must be something in the air, I posted a similar thought a few months ago.

While I was at school I had some ideas about joining the army and was encouraged to go for a degree but in what was a bit of a problem not being particularly academic. I finally got onto a 2 year Dip HE course in Environmental Science, back in the early 80's long before it was trendy and anyone actually offered any related jobs in it and then took a final year to do a degree. Unfortunately for pure vanity I wanted a BSc rather than a BA which meant majoring in biology instead of geography, big mistake, crashed and burned scrapping a pass instead of any sort of honours

Also in the meantime I had changed my mind about the army, I spent a few years in London University OTC and those Welbeck types made my fists itch. Spent best part of a year looking for work and finally got into the Inland Revenue before moving or as I though of it at the time escaping, into computer engineering. Shortly after I got married to someone with the fiscal sense of an amoeba and thereafter could not afford to change jobs. Over the years I have become increasingly disillusioned with IT and am convinced that within 10 years people like me won't be needed. So, what to do next...

I have recently remarried and am in a much better financial postion, my wife agrees that now is probably the best time to retrain rather than finding myself redundant in my 50s, we can afford a short career break.

So far I have looked at taking up where I left off with my studies and finding something environmentally related. Surprisingly being a mature student seems to cancel out getting a lousy first degree and I could do a masters in something like GIS. There even seems to be a few openings out there - so long as you don't mind "travelling" and "living in arduous conditions"... Don't think wife would like that (me being away all time that is.) I'm also investigating a paramedic science foundation degree.

Most of my options involve a hefty pay cut (but I'd rather jump than be pushed at a time not of my choosing) and I guess one problem I will have is convincing a prospective employer why I am leaving a comparativley well paid job but looking around, I'm not alone, a lot of people, not just in IT, seem to be looking at retraining.

A few years ago I applied for a job as a faeces siever with HM Customs as was. Spent hours over that bluddy form. It was on of those which had a big section which asked things like "Describe three major projects you have worked on and how your contribution made them a success. Include examples of your skills in leadership, organisation and investigation." (OK, job was actually titled anti smuggling officer but one of the duties was sieving faeces, and they want to know all this info? Lynw, you used to work for that lot if you are looking in, is this normal?) Also had to include copies of all exam certificates, birth certificate, photos etc etc. Final package was like a telephone directory. Posted it and eventually got letter back saying I had missed the deadline (postal strikes at the time...)

it seems like theres a few of us in this boat - watch its not going to sink!

I started out in what i hoped to be my new career last august and thought it was the bees knees. Only in the last 2 months have i found myself thinking if i had made the right decision. The money is good, plenty of time off etc however the paperwork is astronimical, you take on a lot of **** every day and im finding myself becoming apathetic towards the job already. Im only 24 but also have the financial burden of a mortgage/car etc to cover.

Ive got a degree in Geology/Geography but as yet havent really put it to any use. I feel ive got myself into a bit of a rut this early on.

Originally Posted by robchester

...The money is good, plenty of time off etc however the paperwork is astronimical...

So what is it that you do then...?

See, I can deal with the paperwork. Its the **** from other people and the long hours (out of bed at 05h00 then home by 19h30 with 3hrs travel if the roads are clear...M25 included) and having deadlines pushed upon you that are unrealistic.

Originally Posted by robchester

Ive got a degree in Geology/Geography but as yet havent really put it to any use. I feel ive got myself into a bit of a rut this early on.

I didn't know what I wanted to do when I graduated either, so after my batchelors in biochemistry (didn't have the guts for medicine), I realised I was totally fed up with lab work, so I thought about a career in computing. To make this a feasible option, I did a computing masters aimed specifically at non-IT bods. However during my masters, I realised that I wanted to stay in the science arena, and have both computing and lab roles. However, you can't really progress in science/academia without a PhD (the so-called glass ceiling effect), so that's what I'm currently doing, and again, I think I want to branch away from the lab. So next year, once I've added the last 3 letters to the end of my name, I will be heading into the city, I figure I can always go back to science if the city isn't for me, I mean I'm only 26, so I've got plenty of time ...

I have the added benefit of no house... I have all those joys to come

We have someone with a geology/geography degree working at my place and we are looking for graduates! If you want an interview in Peterborough PM me!

Em

I was in the same boat too.
4 years at Uni doing Hospitality Mgt specialising in Licensed Trade.
Medically retired 23 and nowhere to go.

Customer advisor, rental agent, civil servant, neighbourhood warden and projec devlopment officer - don't last long. though I really happy where i am now

What did you have to do as a neighbourhood warden?