Changing career
Discussion
I am on my 3rd career, 11 years in and still enjoying the work (mostly). I got into this field in my 30s.
I did have the advantage of not earning very much in previous lines of work, so there was nothing to give up. There was a definite progression in salary, even when going in right at the bottom. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner. I'd got interested in the job about 3 years before I actually took the plunge.
I did have the advantage of not earning very much in previous lines of work, so there was nothing to give up. There was a definite progression in salary, even when going in right at the bottom. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner. I'd got interested in the job about 3 years before I actually took the plunge.
oldbanger said:
I am on my 3rd career, 11 years in and still enjoying the work (mostly). I got into this field in my 30s.
I did have the advantage of not earning very much in previous lines of work, so there was nothing to give up. There was a definite progression in salary, even when going in right at the bottom. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner. I'd got interested in the job about 3 years before I actually took the plunge.
Can I ask what it is you do ? I did have the advantage of not earning very much in previous lines of work, so there was nothing to give up. There was a definite progression in salary, even when going in right at the bottom. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner. I'd got interested in the job about 3 years before I actually took the plunge.
FocusRS3 said:
oldbanger said:
I am on my 3rd career, 11 years in and still enjoying the work (mostly). I got into this field in my 30s.
I did have the advantage of not earning very much in previous lines of work, so there was nothing to give up. There was a definite progression in salary, even when going in right at the bottom. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner. I'd got interested in the job about 3 years before I actually took the plunge.
Can I ask what it is you do ? I did have the advantage of not earning very much in previous lines of work, so there was nothing to give up. There was a definite progression in salary, even when going in right at the bottom. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner. I'd got interested in the job about 3 years before I actually took the plunge.
Monkeylegend said:
FocusRS3 said:
oldbanger said:
I am on my 3rd career, 11 years in and still enjoying the work (mostly). I got into this field in my 30s.
I did have the advantage of not earning very much in previous lines of work, so there was nothing to give up. There was a definite progression in salary, even when going in right at the bottom. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner. I'd got interested in the job about 3 years before I actually took the plunge.
Can I ask what it is you do ? I did have the advantage of not earning very much in previous lines of work, so there was nothing to give up. There was a definite progression in salary, even when going in right at the bottom. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner. I'd got interested in the job about 3 years before I actually took the plunge.
oldbanger said:
FocusRS3 said:
There are tedious issues with all jobs .
Weather you enjoy it or not to me is the real issue
Yes, overall I enjoy it. However I am not always playing to my strengths right now. I'll get there though.Weather you enjoy it or not to me is the real issue
I could live day to day if I either enjoyed it or could see some financial longevity in it .
My thinking now is the car industry with rates set to stay low is a really good place to be for the next ten years
oldbanger said:
Monkeylegend said:
I'd guess at a farmer.
from the profile pic?Actually I started out working in forestry/agricultural conservation research but no one was paying for that in those days and all I got were knackered knees.
Edited by oldbanger on Wednesday 7th December 19:58
I feel sure you are better looking than your profile pic although they are some good looking cattle.
I did it but went from fully beautifully handsomely employed to working for my own company I set up in parallel to my employment.
I was fed up looking after loads of reps and having to go archamps every bloody Friday for sales meetings so starting with a bit of QXL (early eBay) and Yahoo auctions I ended up with a shop and 4 staff whilst still doing my job.
Eventually I left and had a great 10 years entailing until last year when I did it again ........
I was fed up looking after loads of reps and having to go archamps every bloody Friday for sales meetings so starting with a bit of QXL (early eBay) and Yahoo auctions I ended up with a shop and 4 staff whilst still doing my job.
Eventually I left and had a great 10 years entailing until last year when I did it again ........
DSLiverpool said:
I did it but went from fully beautifully handsomely employed to working for my own company I set up in parallel to my employment.
I was fed up looking after loads of reps and having to go archamps every bloody Friday for sales meetings so starting with a bit of QXL (early eBay) and Yahoo auctions I ended up with a shop and 4 staff whilst still doing my job.
Eventually I left and had a great 10 years entailing until last year when I did it again ........
Sounds encouraging for those wanting a change .I was fed up looking after loads of reps and having to go archamps every bloody Friday for sales meetings so starting with a bit of QXL (early eBay) and Yahoo auctions I ended up with a shop and 4 staff whilst still doing my job.
Eventually I left and had a great 10 years entailing until last year when I did it again ........
Personally I think there is lots of opportunity still in the car industry . Was reading today in auto express mag that there is a lack of young people needed in the industry .
That's not me but it's an interesting time and still jobs out there
FocusRS3 said:
...
Personally I think there is lots of opportunity still in the car industry . Was reading today in auto express mag that there is a lack of young people needed in the industry .
That's not me but it's an interesting time and still jobs out there
I'm not sure I buy that. Wages are low. A Tesco delivery driver (google says) earns between £6.88-9.73 per hour. Personally I think there is lots of opportunity still in the car industry . Was reading today in auto express mag that there is a lack of young people needed in the industry .
That's not me but it's an interesting time and still jobs out there
Average Tech wages in the UK? Somewhere between 10-14. Not worth it anymore.
I've done this for a long time. I like to think I'm half decent at it. But I'm honestly sick of it. Cars get ever more complicated and ever more shodily built. They are more unreliable than 15 years ago. Manufacturer times for warranty are forever being cut. There's increasing amounts of paperwork the tech is expected to do. So the various service advisors can avoid doing any actual work. (What is the point in a tech spending an additional 5-10mins per job on paperwork that could easily be done my non productive staff already on site! You are expected to own your own tools (currently guessing at £20K worth)
And realistically I'm at maybe 95% of my earning potential without becoming a Aftersales manager. And IME experienced Techs don't become managers. They tend to be service or parts advisors who get the nod over the techs because "well it's not like you talk to customers" (Actually I am expected to go and deal wth customers when the service advisor cannot understand them) Failed techs become Workshop controllers, who all THINK they are master techs but struggle to diagnose a blown blub
There is a dramatic shortage of decent apprentices coming through as well. The majority seem to fall into it because "you like Top Gear, go and work in a garage" And they just aren't interested in learning it. Its become the default choice for wasters! SO you would think that with a lack of staff, wages would rise. NO. Not all techs are equal. A lot are frankly s
te. But they are cheap. And managers love cheap over expensive. Expensive paradoxically means they don't earn as much for the company. They are doing more complicated jobs that take longer and generate less for the dealer. Even though giving a decent tech £20p/h of that £150+ the customer pays probably wont hurt them and might, just might, make their staff happier...Wouldn't recommend the motor trade to ANYONE!
Edited by Rich_W on Saturday 10th December 22:47
Rich_W said:
FocusRS3 said:
...
Personally I think there is lots of opportunity still in the car industry . Was reading today in auto express mag that there is a lack of young people needed in the industry .
That's not me but it's an interesting time and still jobs out there
I'm not sure I buy that. Wages are low. A Tesco delivery driver (google says) earns between £6.88-9.73 per hour. Personally I think there is lots of opportunity still in the car industry . Was reading today in auto express mag that there is a lack of young people needed in the industry .
That's not me but it's an interesting time and still jobs out there
Average Tech wages in the UK? Somewhere between 10-14. Not worth it anymore.
I've done this for a long time. I like to think I'm half decent at it. But I'm honestly sick of it. Cars get ever more complicated and ever more shodily built. They are more unreliable than 15 years ago. Manufacturer times for warranty are forever being cut. There's increasing amounts of paperwork the tech is expected to do. So the various service advisors can avoid doing any actual work. (What is the point in a tech spending an additional 5-10mins per job on paperwork that could easily be done my non productive staff already on site! You are expected to own your own tools (currently guessing at £20K worth)
And realistically I'm at maybe 95% of my earning potential without becoming a Aftersales manager. And IME experienced Techs don't become managers. They tend to be service or parts advisors who get the nod over the techs because "well it's not like you talk to customers" (Actually I am expected to go and deal wth customers when the service advisor cannot understand them) Failed techs become Workshop controllers, who all THINK they are master techs but struggle to diagnose a blown blub
There is a dramatic shortage of decent apprentices coming through as well. The majority seem to fall into it because "you like Top Gear, go and work in a garage" And they just aren't interested in learning it. Its become the default choice for wasters! SO you would think that with a lack of staff, wages would rise. NO. Not all techs are equal. A lot are frankly s
te. But they are cheap. And managers love cheap over expensive. Expensive paradoxically means they don't earn as much for the company. They are doing more complicated jobs that take longer and generate less for the dealer. Even though giving a decent tech £20p/h of that £150+ the customer pays probably wont hurt them and might, just might, make their staff happier...Wouldn't recommend the motor trade to ANYONE!
Edited by Rich_W on Saturday 10th December 22:47
How about on the sales side for a main dealer though ? I think those guys do ok providing you don't mind working some Sunday's
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