Totally lost 'career wise' in my life.... Education or job?

[Leicesterdave]

..... 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 ?

[Leicesterdave]

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!

[Leicesterdave]

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]

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!!

[Leicesterdave]

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!

[Leicesterdave]

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!

[Leicesterdave]

GetCarter said:

Good luck which ever way you go.

Thanks- appreciate it!

[Leicesterdave]

sparkythecat said:

The OP now in his 30s is only now thinking about making a choice that most of us made in our teens. What have you been doing for the past decade?

I was ill. Not all of us are blessed with perfection.

[Leicesterdave]

The course is social work.