Totally lost 'career wise' in my life.... Education or job?
Discussion
..... In my 30s and as title says lost... I've completed my first year at university but somehow it's just not grabbing me. Already £10k+ down as a result but anyhow what's done is done.
My other half has a embarked on a career in Law. She graduated a few years ago but is pig sick of it. Graduating in law is only the start- you then need to find what is known as 'training contract'. 5 years on and many applications later she's not getting anywhere and hates the profession anyway.
We're both wanting to get into self employment. To a degree who doesn't- find the right thing and you're your own boss. However self employment has many pitfalls which we're only too aware of.
We're wanting to get into selling food on markets- we're already selling crafts on markets at the weekend and find it very enjoyable however the income earnt from it is pretty dire- we always knew it wouldn't get us very far, it's pocket money really. Food however seems to sell well, we're in a fantastic location bang in the middle of the city centre and people will pay for something different, as long as it's treat money i.e. relatively low cost- £3 for some fancy italian pastry and such like.
I guess my question is- what should we do, or at least what should I do? At least she has a stable income but I've not got much time to make my mind up with regards to uni. If I embark on the 2nd year I should pretty much continue until I graduate- but then it's more debt and I'm not sure it's even the career I want. The 9-5 thing just really doesn't appeal, everyone seems to moan about it profusely and the wages seem to be getting worse!
Has anyone got experience of this type of situation and what did you decide? Or has anyone got any constructive and helpful advice? Or can anyone just tell me what I want to hear and tell me that jacking it all in and starting self employment is the best thing they've ever done
?
My other half has a embarked on a career in Law. She graduated a few years ago but is pig sick of it. Graduating in law is only the start- you then need to find what is known as 'training contract'. 5 years on and many applications later she's not getting anywhere and hates the profession anyway.
We're both wanting to get into self employment. To a degree who doesn't- find the right thing and you're your own boss. However self employment has many pitfalls which we're only too aware of.
We're wanting to get into selling food on markets- we're already selling crafts on markets at the weekend and find it very enjoyable however the income earnt from it is pretty dire- we always knew it wouldn't get us very far, it's pocket money really. Food however seems to sell well, we're in a fantastic location bang in the middle of the city centre and people will pay for something different, as long as it's treat money i.e. relatively low cost- £3 for some fancy italian pastry and such like.
I guess my question is- what should we do, or at least what should I do? At least she has a stable income but I've not got much time to make my mind up with regards to uni. If I embark on the 2nd year I should pretty much continue until I graduate- but then it's more debt and I'm not sure it's even the career I want. The 9-5 thing just really doesn't appeal, everyone seems to moan about it profusely and the wages seem to be getting worse!
Has anyone got experience of this type of situation and what did you decide? Or has anyone got any constructive and helpful advice? Or can anyone just tell me what I want to hear and tell me that jacking it all in and starting self employment is the best thing they've ever done
?Big big question and I'm not sure anyone on here will be able to answer it for you as it's an important life decision. What I would say though is that while going into business can be very rewarding, it also quite high risk. This may not be what you or your OH want to hear but one of you probably has to stick with the normal day job, at least for now as you need to pay the bills.
Decide who has the most earning potential from their career, I'm guessing since your partner already has her law degree it's going to be her, then stick to that. Hopefully this will be a temporary solution though while the other gets the business off the ground and then you can both go all in.
I think it's something like 50% of new small businesses fail. I don't want to seem like I'm putting you on a downer but this is just a way of lowering that risk somewhat. Put it this way, if you both give up your careers and things don't go to plan, what is your plan B?
Decide who has the most earning potential from their career, I'm guessing since your partner already has her law degree it's going to be her, then stick to that. Hopefully this will be a temporary solution though while the other gets the business off the ground and then you can both go all in.
I think it's something like 50% of new small businesses fail. I don't want to seem like I'm putting you on a downer but this is just a way of lowering that risk somewhat. Put it this way, if you both give up your careers and things don't go to plan, what is your plan B?
Edited by Guvernator on Thursday 21st July 16:45
i'd suggest aiming a little higher than a pastry stall in the market... You'll be stunned how much you need to sell to make any sort of a living doing that sort of thing.
What to do is the million dollar question, i started off getting experience in a service 'type' marketplace and set myself up doing the same thing.
You are right though, you'll never be 'rich' working for someone else (or selling pastries in the market, lol)
Best of luck
What to do is the million dollar question, i started off getting experience in a service 'type' marketplace and set myself up doing the same thing.
You are right though, you'll never be 'rich' working for someone else (or selling pastries in the market, lol)
Best of luck
University is the same in whatever you study. At least your partner has studied something worthwhile that is relevant to a career. Most courses only offer an overly expensive opening to education on the job.
Personally I found university a waste of time as apart from keeping a few lecturers and admin staff in a job, it didn't seem to offer much to me. I learned a trade instead and I was far happier studying something that had an end goal.
On the other hand my sister is a speech pathologist and her university course was needed for her career. Another friend used his degree in photography to stack shelves in super drug but still reckons his course was worthwhile
I think people make the mistake of thinking university will give them a job but really you need to decide on the job / career you want first. I definitely made that error as my school was not interested in my progression, only their 'students to university' ratio.
Personally I found university a waste of time as apart from keeping a few lecturers and admin staff in a job, it didn't seem to offer much to me. I learned a trade instead and I was far happier studying something that had an end goal.
On the other hand my sister is a speech pathologist and her university course was needed for her career. Another friend used his degree in photography to stack shelves in super drug but still reckons his course was worthwhile
I think people make the mistake of thinking university will give them a job but really you need to decide on the job / career you want first. I definitely made that error as my school was not interested in my progression, only their 'students to university' ratio.
Leicesterdave said:
The thing that baffles me is that some people on there genuinely seem to be making a decent living. The cheese man behind me (and I hardly thought cheese would be a big seller) seems to end up with about £600 turnover in a day.... I'm baffled!
He probably keeps the white powdered cheese well hidden POORCARDEALER said:
Friend does food at events on weekends and markets during the week...makes decent money doing the events but they are not easy to get onto and can be expensive to stand...markets are a low wage earner only, nothing more.
The thing is what actually does constitute a 'low wage'. Career I was aiming for pays from £15k a year!! 3 year degree to earn peanuts! I'm not saying I'd earn £600 but there does seem to be people doing well on markets!Leicesterdave said:
The thing is what actually does constitute a 'low wage'. Career I was aiming for pays from £15k a year!! 3 year degree to earn peanuts! I'm not saying I'd earn £600 but there does seem to be people doing well on markets!
£600 turnover isn't £600 to spend though (I know you know this!)£600 of which half will be stock, then costs, then tax, then insurance, transport, equipment... £150 a day tops? And he has spent all day doing it, so £15 an hour profit?
Just a thought.
Leicesterdave said:
POORCARDEALER said:
Friend does food at events on weekends and markets during the week...makes decent money doing the events but they are not easy to get onto and can be expensive to stand...markets are a low wage earner only, nothing more.
The thing is what actually does constitute a 'low wage'. Career I was aiming for pays from £15k a year!! 3 year degree to earn peanuts! I'm not saying I'd earn £600 but there does seem to be people doing well on markets!Events....would take a grand on a good day....less 30% food costs, £125 to stand (typical), £50 staff member and a bit for fuel
We run a foodstuff business (ice cream) and we only do events, PM through profile if you need to know more
I can never understand why anyone embarks on a university course with all the debt and expense that entails when they are not sure what they really want to do, it seems crazy.
My youngest lad went to uni, but decided after six weeks it wasn't for him, and pulled out, the university were very understanding, he found someone within two weeks to take over his accommodation, so didn't really cost him much.
Now he's a police sergeant at 29, and absolutely loves the job.
Good luck in whatever you decide OP.
My youngest lad went to uni, but decided after six weeks it wasn't for him, and pulled out, the university were very understanding, he found someone within two weeks to take over his accommodation, so didn't really cost him much.
Now he's a police sergeant at 29, and absolutely loves the job.
Good luck in whatever you decide OP.
I'd add something here.
I don't know what course you are doing at Uni, but in my experience, the people you meet and become friends with during that time will much of the time get into positions of influence which (if they liked you), will be invaluable when getting work in the future. (Poorly put, but you know what I mean)
The only reason I do what I do was because of the network of friends I made whilst at college, who later gave me work/trusted me.
I don't know what course you are doing at Uni, but in my experience, the people you meet and become friends with during that time will much of the time get into positions of influence which (if they liked you), will be invaluable when getting work in the future. (Poorly put, but you know what I mean)
The only reason I do what I do was because of the network of friends I made whilst at college, who later gave me work/trusted me.
GetCarter said:
I'd add something here.
I don't know what course you are doing at Uni, but in my experience, the people you meet and become friends with during that time will much of the time get into positions of influence which (if they liked you), will be invaluable when getting work in the future.
The only reason I do what I do was because of the network of friends I made whilst at college, who later gave me work/trusted me.
That's the other issue- they're total bell ends who mostly never turn up. Yes, they're young- but that's no excuse! I was much better off at college!!I don't know what course you are doing at Uni, but in my experience, the people you meet and become friends with during that time will much of the time get into positions of influence which (if they liked you), will be invaluable when getting work in the future.
The only reason I do what I do was because of the network of friends I made whilst at college, who later gave me work/trusted me.
POORCARDEALER said:
Friend would clear 50-100 a day during week, unless it chucking down then would lose money...fuel to come off those figures.
Events....would take a grand on a good day....less 30% food costs, £125 to stand (typical), £50 staff member and a bit for fuel
We run a foodstuff business (ice cream) and we only do events, PM through profile if you need to know more
Thanks mate- email sent!Events....would take a grand on a good day....less 30% food costs, £125 to stand (typical), £50 staff member and a bit for fuel
We run a foodstuff business (ice cream) and we only do events, PM through profile if you need to know more
Wacky Racer said:
Leicesterdave said:
That's the other issue- they're total bell ends who mostly never turn up.
I could name them, but I'd end up in court.
Most teenagers are bell ends!
GetCarter said:
Wacky Racer said:
Leicesterdave said:
That's the other issue- they're total bell ends who mostly never turn up.
I could name them, but I'd end up in court.
Most teenagers are bell ends!
GetCarter said:
I'm sure I'm not of much use to you here, but I would like to add that some of the bell ends that didn't turn up whilst I was at Uni (and they were serious bell ends) went on to become company directors and multi millionaires.
I could name them, but I'd end up in court.
Most teenagers are bell ends!
Agreed but it doesn't help much having presentations with very few turning up. The experience is pretty dire as they really appear to have no motivation whatsoever... I've not got back into education for that sort of experience. Getting too old for that crap!I could name them, but I'd end up in court.
Most teenagers are bell ends!
Leicesterdave said:
GetCarter said:
I'm sure I'm not of much use to you here, but I would like to add that some of the bell ends that didn't turn up whilst I was at Uni (and they were serious bell ends) went on to become company directors and multi millionaires.
I could name them, but I'd end up in court.
Most teenagers are bell ends!
Agreed but it doesn't help much having presentations with very few turning up. The experience is pretty dire as they really appear to have no motivation whatsoever... I've not got back into education for that sort of experience. Getting too old for that crap!I could name them, but I'd end up in court.
Most teenagers are bell ends!
Good luck which ever way you go.
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