Managed a debt recovery department for a law firm, quit that, went to uni, now I teach English in China. Absolutely love it out here, it's not a long term thing though, sadly.
@Smudge. Sat Nav won't, for example, tell you Moor Lane is closed off around Barbican. It won't tell you that Pancras road has just reopened after a long closure and it will tell you when travelling north on Charing Cross Road that you can drive forward in to Tottenham Court Rd. Problem with that is that you'll end up down a very deep hole due to Crossrail. If you wanted to drop someone at Bermomdsey Station, Sat Nav will take you all the way to Culling Circus by Rotherhithe Tunnel because there's a central reservation on Jamaica Rd and have to bring you all the way back. I however would say you east bound on Jamaica you can turn R St James Rd, L Webster, L Storks, R Collet, L Keetons and drop you right by the station. The number of minicabs I see turning in to 1way street the wrong way or doing illegal turn cos they've missed a turning is unreal. Stuck in traffic? My knowledge of 10,000+ roads will get me out if it sharpish. Sat Nav will happily let you sit there. There have been tests done between Black Cabbies and Sat Navs on The Gadget Show. Guess who won hands down?!
I'm also 24. Spent over 2 years working minimum wage in a pub. Worked up to bar manager and was about to get my license. Jacked it in to go back to uni. Now in my third year and loving it. I finally found something I love, I'm good at and will give me a career once I'm done.
@p_air well done positive outlook will get you thru knowledge mate. I was same used to Go out at 4 am do runs/pointing go work Home revise call over with my knowledge partner its so intense but late I've been out 3 years now ficking love it. Old saying is People don't fail the knowledge they just give up Keep up the hard work mate an don't let any D's get to you
@carlyburn money's alright mate pays the mortgage lol
I wish I had a job where I didn't get taxed at source and could effectively "choose" what I wanted to pay the taxman at the end of the year.
As I'm a mug I'd probably still pay the "right" amount, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people are skimming off the top. We know people who are cabbies, plumbers and builders who are ALL at it.
Might go into my employer on Monday and tell them I will only be employed via a company in future, just like Red Ken.
Graduated from Uni in 96 with a 2:1 but found it tough to get on the professional career ladder. Probably didn't help that i didn't have any idea what career I wanted but also had real trouble getting 'blue chip' companies to send me an application form. I ended up working at the Uni whilst gaining a postgraduate qualification and gradually worked my way up into a decent job with an average wage. I became comfortable and stayed ten years.
Towards the end of that time my dad died (after a long fight against cancer) and I began to question life. To be honest i was running on empty and emotionally shattered. My personal life had not developed and the career had hit a brick wall. I had to do something and decided to stop dreaming and try to make something happen. I thought I was being logical and planned to set up an online business directory (had the idea before a million and one of them appeared on the scene). Hired developers (friends) to write the code, bought the data and quit my job when I felt we were nearly ready.
Now here are the mistakes I made:
I worked round the clock to get the data in a state that could be used. My strength was hard work and administration but this was also my weakness. I concentrated on the administration and the grunt work but lost sight of the bigger picture.
The web developers were friends but after giving me 99% the fixes needed were taking longer and longer to come through. That missing 1% meant the site didn't do what it needed to do and the developers went AWOL despite promises. Despite being self employed I was still in the same position as an employee. I was entirely dependent on others.
I considered myself mentally tough but during this time I pushed myself to the limit and collapsed on more than one occasion. Twice I had spells laying on the floor where with eyes wide open I couldn't see. This temporary blindness was caused by stress.
Eventually I learned how to use and set up sites with joomla cms, again getting lost in editing the data for this software and launched the sites properly three years after quitting my job. But my heart wasn't in it any more. I began to realize that the whole idea was not me creating a dream job that would fulfill me but a sensible fantasy and supposed valid reason for leaving employment.
I think I had a form of breakdown connected to the loss of my dad and I'd made insane decisions. My personality and skill set did not match the task I had given myself and I had failed to adapt to my new environment.
The minute I'd left my job I was still dreaming and in the coming years I failed to confront myself about what it really takes to be a self employed independent person. I had jumped off a cliff with a beaming smile on my face. I look back now and wince.
I blame no one else and I wouldn't change anything. During this period of time I had gradually found myself. If you are going to do something then it should come from your soul. Who are you? Not who do you think you are? Sometimes it takes a drastic move to find your true identity.
It sounds crazy but I love poetry. Not in a pretentious elitist form but as a gritty reality that real people can connect with. I gradually began to write more and using my new found joomla skills set up a site for like minded people. This is what I spend most of my free working time on now. Performing the poetry live has also helped with my confidence.
The funny thing is as my 'career' had gone downhill my personal life had followed the opposite direction. I reconnected with a previous girlfriend and we got hitched. Our daughter was born nearly three years ago and is a constant joy. Due to the job climate and the fact my wife can earn more than me (We want one of us to raise Suzie) I have effectively become a house husband. My youngest sister survived a struggle against leukemia and I helped by donating stem cells (that situation helped confront issues I had with my dads passing).
I do feel unemployable to a certain extent and when the time comes to get a real job then I have concern about where I will fit in. (I guess a lot of full time mothers will know what that feels like) I spend my time educating Suzie (potty training!), modernizing the house (with DIY skills i never knew i had) and still work on worthwhile community website ventures (with the joomla tech skills I've picked up). I don't know what the future holds but I feel a more fulfilled person now. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!
If you're thinking of a career change I would say go for it but be aware of the risks involved and look at yourself to see if you are adaptable and ready for the challenge ahead.
Following on from Johnny73's post above it might be worth reading something like this to get a grasp on what your skills and talents are and how they might transfer into another job.
I'm not sure how to respond to Johnny's post without running the risk of misunderstanding or misrepresentation so I will just commend his courage in making it and articulating emotions many of us may well have shared.
I'm not sure how to respond to Johnny's post without running the risk of misunderstanding or misrepresentation so I will just commend his courage in making it and articulating emotions many of us may well have shared.
Thanks. Probably used the thread as an opportunity to offload - normally keep relatively quiet on here. Hope the post came across as I intended.
I'm not sure how to respond to Johnny's post without running the risk of misunderstanding or misrepresentation so I will just commend his courage in making it and articulating emotions many of us may well have shared.
Thanks. Probably used the thread as an opportunity to offload - normally keep relatively quiet on here. Hope the post came across as I intended.
If you feel you want to post a link to your poetry....
Following on from Johnny73's post above it might be worth reading something like this to get a grasp on what your skills and talents are and how they might transfer into another job.
I like the sound of the second book. Gets good reviews as well.
Thanks everyone for there interesting and detailed posts its much appreciated.
Does anyone do shift work? If so how do they find it with there home life etc...
I don't do shifts as such but work from 4.30am 'til about 10 then 3pm 'til about 6, and i hate it, just sitting about during the day waiting to go back to work. The moneys good though.
Wow, some real interesting stories on here. Almost heart-rendering. A couple of inputs from me, i did shift work a long time ago, and it was the best job i ever had, but did stuff up my body after a while - could never get used to finishing at 7am on a saturday, and having to start at 7 on Monday , but could accept finishing at 3 on Friday pm and starting at 11 on Mnday night ! In terms of starting a new career - people have different circumstances, and sometimes its a lot easier than others - however, if you hate what you are doing now then it will make your choice a lot easier. I have done what i do for the last 25 years, and i hate it.However, after 2 divorces, and 4 kids later, unfortunately circumstances have dictated for me! Go with your gut instinct, and, as most people on here have said, you probably wont regret it, however, you might have to go backwards to go forwards.! Good luck.
Been doing 12 hour shifts ( 7 nights) and (7days) 14 shifts a month for the last 4 years. Night shifts total head f***. 20 years in previous job ,loved it.ill advised move to west coast of Ireland Co, Mayo never worked out.Night work not for every one ,Makes me grumpy.....Great wages tho......
I worked in accounts depts / admin jobs from school till i was 30. Then i made the big change to become an electrician. I went to college 2 nights a week for 3 years(which was hard to do at that age) got qualified and haven't looked back. In fact for the last 5 years i have been a foreman running jobs with up to 40 sparks on. It has worked out for me but it was a big effort to get here, i just wish i'd put that effort in when i was younger, but that's life i suppose.
Without sounding too business-wanky, think about transferable skills. What good things can you do in your present job or life that can come in useful in a new trade? I career-changed six years ago amd realised that there were plenty (TV sound engineer to political consultant) and it was things like flexibility and adaptability, having to deal with different types of people in different working environments, making fairly quick assessments of situations. The ' How to Get a Job You Love book is good.
Many many jobs aren't advertised and it's no harm to write or email suggesting yourself. When you do, make every email targetted to the person you are writing to. Develop a hard shell for the rejections (or, more likely, the lack of replies) and don't be frightened to volunteer if that's appropriate (but don't get ripped off on unpaid work).
Switched from various salesy jobs to accountancy about 2 1/2 yrs ago. Now close to fully qualified ACCA and am much happier with the direction im going in. F*ck load of work, time and effort needed to get here though
I spent 27 years in the insurance business. I was well-paid but the pure management job I was doinng towards the end was just not for me. So, I got the department closed down, saving a cost-centre for the company, all the staff were deployed elsewhere, and as manager of a non-existent department the company had to offer me a redundancy, which I took and made my way to Thailand.
I failed to get a job in the insurance business having made myself too specialist in a very limited field (others may wish to note this) and though I had a good all-round knowledge, and helped out a little in an insurance broker's office, I had to do something else.
I now run a successful guesthouse in Karon, Phuket, and far from being a specialist, I'm a company manager, reservations clerk, PR executive, marketing manager, accountant, graphic designer, IT support person, web designer, tour guide, plumber, odd-job man, translator, driver, occasional cleaner, barman, cashier, stock control co-irdinator and possibly much more. And I don't take a penny in salary!
Comments
so I'd say if you have a dream don't give up on it
Jacked it in to go back to uni. Now in my third year and loving it. I finally found something I love, I'm good at and will give me a career once I'm done.
Go out at 4 am do runs/pointing go work
Home revise call over with my knowledge partner its so intense but late I've been out 3 years now ficking love it.
Old saying is
People don't fail the knowledge they just give up
Keep up the hard work mate an don't let any D's get to you
@carlyburn money's alright mate pays the mortgage lol
As I'm a mug I'd probably still pay the "right" amount, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people are skimming off the top. We know people who are cabbies, plumbers and builders who are ALL at it.
Might go into my employer on Monday and tell them I will only be employed via a company in future, just like Red Ken.
Towards the end of that time my dad died (after a long fight against cancer) and I began to question life. To be honest i was running on empty and emotionally shattered. My personal life had not developed and the career had hit a brick wall. I had to do something and decided to stop dreaming and try to make something happen. I thought I was being logical and planned to set up an online business directory (had the idea before a million and one of them appeared on the scene). Hired developers (friends) to write the code, bought the data and quit my job when I felt we were nearly ready.
Now here are the mistakes I made:
I worked round the clock to get the data in a state that could be used. My strength was hard work and administration but this was also my weakness. I concentrated on the administration and the grunt work but lost sight of the bigger picture.
The web developers were friends but after giving me 99% the fixes needed were taking longer and longer to come through. That missing 1% meant the site didn't do what it needed to do and the developers went AWOL despite promises. Despite being self employed I was still in the same position as an employee. I was entirely dependent on others.
I considered myself mentally tough but during this time I pushed myself to the limit and collapsed on more than one occasion. Twice I had spells laying on the floor where with eyes wide open I couldn't see. This temporary blindness was caused by stress.
Eventually I learned how to use and set up sites with joomla cms, again getting lost in editing the data for this software and launched the sites properly three years after quitting my job. But my heart wasn't in it any more. I began to realize that the whole idea was not me creating a dream job that would fulfill me but a sensible fantasy and supposed valid reason for leaving employment.
I think I had a form of breakdown connected to the loss of my dad and I'd made insane decisions. My personality and skill set did not match the task I had given myself and I had failed to adapt to my new environment.
The minute I'd left my job I was still dreaming and in the coming years I failed to confront myself about what it really takes to be a self employed independent person. I had jumped off a cliff with a beaming smile on my face. I look back now and wince.
I blame no one else and I wouldn't change anything. During this period of time I had gradually found myself. If you are going to do something then it should come from your soul. Who are you? Not who do you think you are? Sometimes it takes a drastic move to find your true identity.
It sounds crazy but I love poetry. Not in a pretentious elitist form but as a gritty reality that real people can connect with. I gradually began to write more and using my new found joomla skills set up a site for like minded people. This is what I spend most of my free working time on now. Performing the poetry live has also helped with my confidence.
The funny thing is as my 'career' had gone downhill my personal life had followed the opposite direction. I reconnected with a previous girlfriend and we got hitched. Our daughter was born nearly three years ago and is a constant joy. Due to the job climate and the fact my wife can earn more than me (We want one of us to raise Suzie) I have effectively become a house husband. My youngest sister survived a struggle against leukemia and I helped by donating stem cells (that situation helped confront issues I had with my dads passing).
I do feel unemployable to a certain extent and when the time comes to get a real job then I have concern about where I will fit in. (I guess a lot of full time mothers will know what that feels like) I spend my time educating Suzie (potty training!), modernizing the house (with DIY skills i never knew i had) and still work on worthwhile community website ventures (with the joomla tech skills I've picked up). I don't know what the future holds but I feel a more fulfilled person now. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!
If you're thinking of a career change I would say go for it but be aware of the risks involved and look at yourself to see if you are adaptable and ready for the challenge ahead.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2012/dp/1607740109
Or "How to get a job you Love":
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Youll-Love-2011-2012-Edition/dp/0077129938/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Following on from Johnny73's post above it might be worth reading something like this to get a grasp on what your skills and talents are and how they might transfer into another job.
Does anyone do shift work? If so how do they find it with there home life etc...
I like the sound of the second book. Gets good reviews as well.
A couple of inputs from me, i did shift work a long time ago, and it was the best job i ever had, but did stuff up my body after a while - could never get used to finishing at 7am on a saturday, and having to start at 7 on Monday , but could accept finishing at 3 on Friday pm and starting at 11 on Mnday night !
In terms of starting a new career - people have different circumstances, and sometimes its a lot easier than others - however, if you hate what you are doing now then it will make your choice a lot easier.
I have done what i do for the last 25 years, and i hate it.However, after 2 divorces, and 4 kids later, unfortunately circumstances have dictated for me!
Go with your gut instinct, and, as most people on here have said, you probably wont regret it, however, you might have to go backwards to go forwards.!
Good luck.
Maybe even some sort of management for a company.
I currently rent. Looking for a house.
Does anyone have any links into these fields?
Many many jobs aren't advertised and it's no harm to write or email suggesting yourself. When you do, make every email targetted to the person you are writing to. Develop a hard shell for the rejections (or, more likely, the lack of replies) and don't be frightened to volunteer if that's appropriate (but don't get ripped off on unpaid work).
www.bodyguarding.co.uk
I failed to get a job in the insurance business having made myself too specialist in a very limited field (others may wish to note this) and though I had a good all-round knowledge, and helped out a little in an insurance broker's office, I had to do something else.
I now run a successful guesthouse in Karon, Phuket, and far from being a specialist, I'm a company manager, reservations clerk, PR executive, marketing manager, accountant, graphic designer, IT support person, web designer, tour guide, plumber, odd-job man, translator, driver, occasional cleaner, barman, cashier, stock control co-irdinator and possibly much more. And I don't take a penny in salary!