23 years old and wondering what to do

23 years old and wondering what to do

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Discussion

Tomm1992

Original Poster:

157 posts

178 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
At the age of 19 I got a trainee cnc engineer job, I left this job to join the armed forces.This didn't work out due to a minor skin condition (it has not dissapeared). I then just got a job to get some money at an electrical manufacturer, it was ok just very low pay. I then got a job as a toolmaker, I absolutely loved this job, but they informed me that they wasn't going to continue my contract.

I am now in a position where I don't know what to do. I have had a bit of engineering experience I just haven't got anything on paper. One half of me is saying apply for the Navy again as its something I've wanted to do for years, and the other half is saying get a job just to pay the bills and go to college and uni and get some decent qualifications? really don't know what to do? anybody been in the same position? is 23 too old to be going to college?

Thanks

Foliage

3,861 posts

121 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
"I then got a job as a toolmaker, I [u]absolutely loved this job[/u]"

Wild stab in the dark, toolmaker.

AdamR

262 posts

153 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
Pick a trade, join Navy, gain great experience and knowledge on kit, leave after 6 years (or you may want to stay in!) to go work in civvy street for more money. Simples smile


LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

195 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
Tomm1992 said:
is 23 too old to be going to college?

Thanks
No.






To expand, I retrained at 25-26 years old (with no prior qualifications). I now own my second business in the field I retrained in.

groundcontrol

1,539 posts

190 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
A lot of ex-forces in the railway, just sayin'.

Tomm1992

Original Poster:

157 posts

178 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
LaurasOtherHalf said:
No.






To expand, I retrained at 25-26 years old (with no prior qualifications). I now own my second business in the field I retrained in.
What trade was that in? Did you use the government grant scheme?

Tomm1992

Original Poster:

157 posts

178 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
groundcontrol said:
A lot of ex-forces in the railway, just sayin'.
Looked at network rail,doesn't seem to be anything in my area

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

195 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
Tomm1992 said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
No.






To expand, I retrained at 25-26 years old (with no prior qualifications). I now own my second business in the field I retrained in.
What trade was that in? Did you use the government grant scheme?
Probably nothing you'd be interested in (I don't mean that in a bad way) but here's my story.....

Trained YTS as a plumber
Enjoyed my trade but got bored.
Moved to Spain to work in bars and enjoy myself.
Moved back to England and became a trainee hairdresser.
Whilst hairdressing worked in bars on a night to supplement the £60 a week I earned as a junior stylist (around 10-15 years ago)
Got pissed a lot while working in bars and lived a very good life (even though I had no real money)
Completed my training then worked my way up.
Started my own business.

Anyone who says you can't do it is a quim.

If you think you can't do it without government grants, outside help, can't afford it etc well keep working a st job you hate, it's all you deserve thumbup

CountZero23

1,288 posts

177 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Tomm1992 said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
No.

To expand, I retrained at 25-26 years old (with no prior qualifications). I now own my second business in the field I retrained in.
What trade was that in? Did you use the government grant scheme?
Probably nothing you'd be interested in (I don't mean that in a bad way) but here's my story.....

Trained YTS as a plumber
Enjoyed my trade but got bored.
Moved to Spain to work in bars and enjoy myself.
Moved back to England and became a trainee hairdresser.
Whilst hairdressing worked in bars on a night to supplement the £60 a week I earned as a junior stylist (around 10-15 years ago)
Got pissed a lot while working in bars and lived a very good life (even though I had no real money)
Completed my training then worked my way up.
Started my own business.

Anyone who says you can't do it is a quim.

If you think you can't do it without government grants, outside help, can't afford it etc well keep working a st job you hate, it's all you deserve thumbup
Sorry, I have to ask. Do you drive an MX-5?


Pebbles167

3,417 posts

151 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
Tomm1992 said:
Looked at network rail,doesn't seem to be anything in my area
Screw Network Rail, there is more to the railway than them as it's still not fully nationalized. You'll need to apply with a contracting company of some sort. I'm ex army myself and got a job on the railway when I left and have been working here 2 years. Depending on what you do will depend on what the job entails. Here are my basic thoughts.

Pros: Good wage, secure job, varied work, sensible amount of hours, good promotion prospects.

Cons: Staying away from home, long travel times, small margin of error, potentially very dangerous, HARD WORK.

To get a job in an area you'd want to work you will generally need a fair amount of experience in some sort of mechanical discipline, but if you're any good, you'll stand a fair chance.

Best of luck.

CzechItOut

2,154 posts

190 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
Tomm1992 said:
I then got a job as a toolmaker, I absolutely loved this job
What part of the job did you love? Was it the actual work or the work environment?

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

195 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
CountZero23 said:
Sorry, I have to ask. Do you drive an MX-5?
Not at present, however my car history is in my profile for all to see & I certainly wouldn't be too embarrassed to have one smile

Tomm1992

Original Poster:

157 posts

178 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
All aspects really, the people I worked with, the work. I'm just thinking of using this time to better myself and do a qualification

groundcontrol

1,539 posts

190 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
Tomm1992 said:
groundcontrol said:
A lot of ex-forces in the railway, just sayin'.
Looked at network rail,doesn't seem to be anything in my area
Should've clarified, I meant a job driving with a private company smile Good job to get into at 23, most drivers will take home 50k+

NorthernSky

981 posts

116 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
CountZero23 said:
Sorry, I have to ask. Do you drive an MX-5?
xD!!!