How to make a career change

[jaymdee]

Anyone done this out of choice? (ie not redundancy etc)

 

I've worked in the same industry for the last 8 years and really feel it's time for a change. I ended up working in this area through a mate telling me to get my CV in and now feel that I'm at a point where I need to decide whether it's my chosen career or not. I'm 33 have a B-Eng degree, worked for 2 years on a civil engineering project, and 8 years in defence.

 

I'm really struggling for enthusiasm, and can’t stand the thought of another 35 years , but I’m reasonably well paid and don’t really relish the though of a pay-cut (must be able to continue pay for the Supra & Grale !!)

 

Any tips or thoughts etc from people on here would be most welcome. Maybe I just need to gain a fresh perspective or something??

 

Many thanks

 

J

[Jake]

I'm in a similar boat but through redundancy. I can't decide whether to get another permie job programming, go IT contracting or do something else completely.

I like the idea of starting my own business but I don't have any great ideas what to do.

Tough to decide, isn't it.

[jaymdee]

Sorry about the redundancy there Jake

 

I'm just not sure I can stomach another 30 odd years thinking "there must be something better than doing this". I know that I'm not up for starting a business, sounds too much like hard work. Gonna have a real good think and scour the net for 'hidden gems' which you may not normally think of when looking for jobs.

 

J

[davidd]

Cannot offer suggestions though I am in a similar position at the moment (been thinking about it for a long while to be honest)

 

I am 36. Have a degree in Accountancy and recently did HNC Computing. Work in banking which gives good perks & pay but its all a bit 'same old thing'. Have tried for numerous job in this business without success and as far as development in my own department I have been told there is nothing further for me - strongly put by my gaffer, that I should knock it on the head' any thoughts of progression, thanks a bunch!

 

So have started looking outside the business, done 9 years. Added 'pressure' is that our son is 3 months old and Lizzie does not want to return to work!

 

So like I said no answers but sharing the experience.

[Class One]

Yep I did it. I'd worked for 7 years in freight importing at London Heathrow. It was a good job, but it didn't seem enough. So I jumped ship changed careers completely to my current one.

 

I know its not a fair analogy to make, but I thought if I had something to fall back on it would make the change easier.

 

Now after 13years I've reached another crossroads, because due to a long term chronic illness i've got some choices to make and I won't be in a position to fall back onto what I used to do.

 

At least they can't get rid of me and I don't have to be concerned with redundancy. But it must be very tough out there having to find work in a commercial environment at the mo.

[Kopite]

I've been in my job for only a year, have some good days like today, some shite days like yesterday! Thing i find is everyday's different (which i like most of the time) BUT like whereas today, had 2 friggin gorgeous 18 year olds in (), get so many nobheads in too who just do your head in. Today was ok overall but was very busy because a few people were off sick.

Don't think I'd fancy doin this for more than 10 years, plan is to get enough cash together to get my own branch of Specsavers, then sit back and just run the fooker!

[Jake]

How old were you when you joined the police, Doug? If I was 30 instead of 40 I would seriously consider it. I'd like to do something useful. I know it's a tough job but I still fancy it.

[RedM]

I'm thinking of changing my job. Trouble is I'm not exactly flush with qualifications and I'm worried that, at just 34, I might be regarded as too old to fit in easily.

 

I'm finding it harder and harder to get through each day at work without losing my temper at the sheer pointless drudgery of it. I essentially do school-leaver work for slightly more than school-leaver pay and I'm treated similarly.

 

"Hey Martin, do all this extra work and we'll review your salary" The biggest, emptiest f**king lie EVER.

 

Can one go 'postal' with a stapler?

[suprz_rz]

Handed in my notice for this very reason a few months ago.

 

Its my last week this week, and although I will be going back next week under contract, at least I can leave at any time and go do something else.

 

I just cant get enthusiastic about engineering any more. I used to love it, designing things, making things work etc. but now! cant think of anything about it I like.

 

Really wierd. Suppose I got my 7 year itch and now I want to do something different

[jaymdee]

I'm finding it harder and harder to get through each day at work without losing my temper at the sheer pointless drudgery of it

 

LOL!! Yeah I know what you mean there. I've got qualifications but think I need to retrain as I've never really used them and got to where I am through 'on the job' style learning, progression, promotion etc. I'm concerned that I don't have any pieces of paper which I can take elsewhere... I got myself down for some training etc, but nothings come of it (as per usual)

 

At least the only 'dependencies' I've got are the cars

[peter richards]

ive been a pipe fabricator , heavy industry , since i was 17 .

had a serious spine injury in february and has taken till now to recover.

so i decided to start my own business as a mobile car valeter, got a grand to help me get up and going , first time any of the services has given me anything.

going back to fabricating was not an issue as i didnt want the injury to reacur, so i may as well try this , at least i wont have arseholes of bosses to try to keep happy all the time.

im not afraid of hard work , god ive busted my nuts for years , keep my fingers crossed it all works out

[black cat]

i have been designing exhibition stands for the past 7 years and was made reduntant 4 months ago, i did a small amount of interior design aswell but not that much, i decided not to go into exhibition design and chose to do interiors instead, its not a total change but has new possibilitys. i found that your salary may take a side step or even a backwards step, so be carfull. If you enjoy your job it makes it less stressfull , look around at wish list jobs, you may be supprised......... i did and start on monday.

good luk on the job hunting, dont just jump in at the first thing.

 

tt steve.

[jaymdee]

so i decided to start my own business as a mobile car valeter,

 

Good on ya mate. Hope it all goes well fella

 

J

[peter richards]

thanks mate , nothing ventured nothing gained , ive always been up for a challenge .

[RedM]

Anyone seen the film Office Space? Great film. this is my favourite quote from it;

 

Bob Porter: Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately.

Peter Gibbons: Well, I wouldn't exactly say I've been 'missing' it, Bob.

 

Sums me up to a tee.

[Jake]

Anyone seen the film Office Space? Great film.

Yeah, one of my fave movies too.

I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, it doesn't get any better than when he sings When a Man Loves a Woman.

[RedM]

Samir: No one in this country can ever pronounce my name right. It's not that hard: Samir Na-gheen-an-a-jar. Nagheenanajar.

Michael Bolton: Yeah, well at least your name isn't Michael Bolton.

Samir: You know there's nothing wrong with that name.

Michael Bolton: There was nothing wrong with it... until I was about 12 years old and that no-talent ass clown became famous and started winning Grammys.

Samir: Hmm... well why don't you just go by Mike instead of Michael?

Michael Bolton: No way. Why should I change? He's the one who sucks.