Which path to take - what jobs do you do?
Discussion
I'm relation to this topic, which some of you may have replied to -
http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
3 weeks down the line now...
Not sure whether to start a new topic or bump this one, ah well.
I took onboard a lot of your advice and I've been doing a lot of thinking. Luckily I had a wee camping trip with our lass to take my mind off things.
I've cheered up a whole lot now, and am trying to be pro-active and sort myself out. Its quite an interesting challenge that I kind of look forward to now. Glass half full and all that.
I am due to find out my results this week - whether I can proceed to final year or not. If I cannot, resitting is not an option as I cant afford it, plus I think that it would be a waste of time anyway.
If by some miracle I have passed, I have a more difficult decision. That is for later though.
My thoughts have been turning to what I could actually do in terms of a career.
Engineering was something I always liked the sound of, hence my choice of course. I was always great at technology, building things, and understanding how things work. it was always my original plan as I grew up.
I've always worked and had a variety of jobs since I was 17, which is a plus point in terms of my CV. I've done the usual shop work. I've also done work experience in garages in building Noble M12 engines, and working in various manufacturing plants. I have a years experience as a Design Engineer at a bus manufacturer on my placement year. I have also worked in a Edinburgh Bicycle co-op before, and now since the start of the summer. Its much more involved than most retail work, I am quite an 'expert' and enjoy working in sales with products that are my passion. Its not, however what I want to do forever - seeing as my potential for earning would have already hit its limit!
It is good that I at least have a secure job and steady, if paltry income to tide me over while I work stuff out.
My placment year taught me a lot, and in a way it served to put me off that kind of job more than anything - it involved mainly sitting behing a desk driving a CAD station, I used to relish the chance for an excuse to go down and interact with people and talk things through with the technicians on the floor
I like to be away from a desk, moving about. I am good with people, I enjoying talking about technical aspects of things and explaining how things work. I can diagnose problems and come up with innovative solutions. Obviously, Cars, engines, vehicles, bikes etc are all the kind of things that interest me.
I'm happy to admit faults too - which are mainly that I can be distracted sometimes if I cant get engaged with something. Hence getting bored using the same CAD program all day. I fully appreciate that this is something that many, many people have to put up with everyday! I am also not the most unorganised, although again, its quite telling that while I may have pens and junk all over my desk, floor, my workbench and garage are superb... its much more interesting!
I guess I'm looking for advice from people who can relate to parts of all that. Reading through it all its so obvious now that I'm not the kind of person set up for academic success. My GSCES were great, A-levels not bad, but Uni perhaps a step too far. However I've always been a model employee and highly valued in my various jobs, where I've been able to get stuck in and apply myself.
Any other pointers are welcome too - I think my next steps should be to start looking at whats available, and also to look at my CV and how to get that up to scratch, and how to explain 'failure' as best I can.
Everyones been most helpful so far, so thanks.
S.
http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
3 weeks down the line now...
Not sure whether to start a new topic or bump this one, ah well.
I took onboard a lot of your advice and I've been doing a lot of thinking. Luckily I had a wee camping trip with our lass to take my mind off things.
I've cheered up a whole lot now, and am trying to be pro-active and sort myself out. Its quite an interesting challenge that I kind of look forward to now. Glass half full and all that.
I am due to find out my results this week - whether I can proceed to final year or not. If I cannot, resitting is not an option as I cant afford it, plus I think that it would be a waste of time anyway.
If by some miracle I have passed, I have a more difficult decision. That is for later though.
My thoughts have been turning to what I could actually do in terms of a career.
Engineering was something I always liked the sound of, hence my choice of course. I was always great at technology, building things, and understanding how things work. it was always my original plan as I grew up.
I've always worked and had a variety of jobs since I was 17, which is a plus point in terms of my CV. I've done the usual shop work. I've also done work experience in garages in building Noble M12 engines, and working in various manufacturing plants. I have a years experience as a Design Engineer at a bus manufacturer on my placement year. I have also worked in a Edinburgh Bicycle co-op before, and now since the start of the summer. Its much more involved than most retail work, I am quite an 'expert' and enjoy working in sales with products that are my passion. Its not, however what I want to do forever - seeing as my potential for earning would have already hit its limit!
It is good that I at least have a secure job and steady, if paltry income to tide me over while I work stuff out.
My placment year taught me a lot, and in a way it served to put me off that kind of job more than anything - it involved mainly sitting behing a desk driving a CAD station, I used to relish the chance for an excuse to go down and interact with people and talk things through with the technicians on the floor
I like to be away from a desk, moving about. I am good with people, I enjoying talking about technical aspects of things and explaining how things work. I can diagnose problems and come up with innovative solutions. Obviously, Cars, engines, vehicles, bikes etc are all the kind of things that interest me.
I'm happy to admit faults too - which are mainly that I can be distracted sometimes if I cant get engaged with something. Hence getting bored using the same CAD program all day. I fully appreciate that this is something that many, many people have to put up with everyday! I am also not the most unorganised, although again, its quite telling that while I may have pens and junk all over my desk, floor, my workbench and garage are superb... its much more interesting!
I guess I'm looking for advice from people who can relate to parts of all that. Reading through it all its so obvious now that I'm not the kind of person set up for academic success. My GSCES were great, A-levels not bad, but Uni perhaps a step too far. However I've always been a model employee and highly valued in my various jobs, where I've been able to get stuck in and apply myself.
Any other pointers are welcome too - I think my next steps should be to start looking at whats available, and also to look at my CV and how to get that up to scratch, and how to explain 'failure' as best I can.
Everyones been most helpful so far, so thanks.
S.
Edited by snotrag on Sunday 7th September 22:03
b
ks to uni and all that.
I quit school at 17 to run away and join a circus (a flying one owned by a bloke called HM Queen and Son). And it's been great so bks to uni and all that. If it isn't working for you it isn't working so don't waste any more time on it.
Life......is just too damn short.
That said, don't assume you'll be the CE of BP within a week. Think big....act small at first.
Remember nothing in life is ever a failure. It's a learning experience.
But one thing I gotta ask, (from your original post) how do you live with 18k of debt at 24?!
ks to uni and all that.I quit school at 17 to run away and join a circus (a flying one owned by a bloke called HM Queen and Son). And it's been great so b
ks to uni and all that. If it isn't working for you it isn't working so don't waste any more time on it.Life......is just too damn short.
That said, don't assume you'll be the CE of BP within a week. Think big....act small at first.
Remember nothing in life is ever a failure. It's a learning experience.
But one thing I gotta ask, (from your original post) how do you live with 18k of debt at 24?!
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 7th September 22:23
Crossflow Kid said:
But one thing I gotta ask, (from your original post) how do you live with 18k of debt at 24?!
The same way every other student does - paying back a bit at a time! I was the last year with £1*** tuition fees, I can't imagine how much debt students who started uni after I did will be in - £3*** tuition fees + £3/4*** all on a loan (that's a total of £6/7/8k per year) for 3 or 4 years!!! I think I'll be leaving uni with the high side of £20k in student loans 
To the OP - good on you for doing something about it - IMHO, too many people go into uni (all part of the gov' plan). Uni isn't for everyone, some go and do decent subjects and fail, some do dossy courses and complete them but then have debt and a useless degree when they could do the jobs they want to go into without the degree! Good luck if you pass your second year and decide to stay for the third year, if not, I wish you every success in what you decide to do, just don't get yourself stuck into the easy option of a deadend job!!
Edited by arryb on Sunday 7th September 23:55
I don't have a current career snotrag, but I'm in a similar situation in a way.
Did a degree in aero. engineering - dropped out during my honours year (big mistake looking back!). Since then I've had some temp jobs, joined the RN as a pilot (really!), got binned after passing elementary flying training (a pass isn't always a pass in the RN), transferred to engineering officer, left after becoming very unhappy on waiting for my next course.
I'm currently out of a job and not the happiest of chaps, but I suppose I did give it a shot - I still wince when I see military aircraft though! I've looked at the civvy route, but realistically I don't think I'd be able to get the funds to do the training.
I'm currently looking into merchant navy cadetships - all college fees and accommodation paid, £120-£160 a week under tuition, uniform supplied, balance of college and sea time, practical and theory. It appeals to me, as it's more hands-on than traditional uni engineering courses, I wouldn't incur more debt by going to uni a second time, and the marine industry is crying out for jobs at the moment, and even so, your qualifications will help in any engineering industry.
Hope that's given you something more to think about - stay positive!
Did a degree in aero. engineering - dropped out during my honours year (big mistake looking back!). Since then I've had some temp jobs, joined the RN as a pilot (really!), got binned after passing elementary flying training (a pass isn't always a pass in the RN), transferred to engineering officer, left after becoming very unhappy on waiting for my next course.
I'm currently out of a job and not the happiest of chaps, but I suppose I did give it a shot - I still wince when I see military aircraft though! I've looked at the civvy route, but realistically I don't think I'd be able to get the funds to do the training.
I'm currently looking into merchant navy cadetships - all college fees and accommodation paid, £120-£160 a week under tuition, uniform supplied, balance of college and sea time, practical and theory. It appeals to me, as it's more hands-on than traditional uni engineering courses, I wouldn't incur more debt by going to uni a second time, and the marine industry is crying out for jobs at the moment, and even so, your qualifications will help in any engineering industry.
Hope that's given you something more to think about - stay positive!
andy_s said:
Interesting reading. They require a 5 year commitment, you might want to think twice before signing on the line. Money is in dogs! I went to pick the parents pooch up from the "kennels" new build massive farm with a Bentley Conti, Audi RS4 & Pug parked outside!
Quickly tried to grill the lady, she says, she has always looked after dogs and show's her Spaniels. Hubby looked happy in his "Hunters"
That's going to be my new venture when I get back from globe-trotting
Quickly tried to grill the lady, she says, she has always looked after dogs and show's her Spaniels. Hubby looked happy in his "Hunters"
That's going to be my new venture when I get back from globe-trotting
snotrag said:
They've still not sent me any fecking rssults, so I'm gonna have to chase it up tomorrow.
Getting annoyed now, I'm kind of hanging on it.
Seemed to get a rubbish response to this topic this time aswell
Fingers crossed for your results. Can't help much with the thread as I have always just fallen into the jobs I do. I hope things go well. Please let us know.Getting annoyed now, I'm kind of hanging on it.
Seemed to get a rubbish response to this topic this time aswell
where in Yorshire are you?
to be honest I think your best bet would be to get a job in a manufacturing pplant and work your way up to engineering.
You should be able to shine above most others with your background and experience but it will probably take a few years. With A level you should stand out to most other applicants anyway.
to be honest I think your best bet would be to get a job in a manufacturing pplant and work your way up to engineering.
You should be able to shine above most others with your background and experience but it will probably take a few years. With A level you should stand out to most other applicants anyway.
Edited by Pesty on Sunday 14th September 23:14
Pesty said:
where in Yorshire are you?
to be honest I think your best bet would be to get a job in a manufacturing pplant and work your way up to engineering.
You should be able to shine above most others with your background and experience but it will probably take a few years. With A level you should stand out to most other applicants anyway.
East Leeds ish - I'm prepared to look across the area and would also move back to Sheffield for a job - I'm keen to get out of home and start my life proper anyway.to be honest I think your best bet would be to get a job in a manufacturing pplant and work your way up to engineering.
You should be able to shine above most others with your background and experience but it will probably take a few years. With A level you should stand out to most other applicants anyway.
Edited by Pesty on Sunday 14th September 23:14
It seems that theres jobs available at perhaps a lower lever (School leavers) or a higher lever (graduate/experienced) than I am at - bit awkward. Will keep my eyes opne, and all advice is appreciated!
Cheers Chris - will have a detailed look at that.
snotrag said:
Pesty said:
where in Yorshire are you?
to be honest I think your best bet would be to get a job in a manufacturing pplant and work your way up to engineering.
You should be able to shine above most others with your background and experience but it will probably take a few years. With A level you should stand out to most other applicants anyway.
East Leeds ish - I'm prepared to look across the area and would also move back to Sheffield for a job - I'm keen to get out of home and start my life proper anyway.to be honest I think your best bet would be to get a job in a manufacturing pplant and work your way up to engineering.
You should be able to shine above most others with your background and experience but it will probably take a few years. With A level you should stand out to most other applicants anyway.
Edited by Pesty on Sunday 14th September 23:14
It seems that theres jobs available at perhaps a lower lever (School leavers) or a higher lever (graduate/experienced) than I am at - bit awkward. Will keep my eyes opne, and all advice is appreciated!
Cheers Chris - will have a detailed look at that.
Oh - you work there?
Heres the interesting bit. As I've said up there - I've got experience in CAD, and straight up engineering is what I was studying.
BUT - theres some other jobs there that interest me much more --
These two, specifically.
http://ukcareers.acornstairlifts.com/?action=job&a...
http://ukcareers.acornstairlifts.com/?action=job&a...
Basically - using my technical/engineering skills but combining them with the things I have learnt in jobs so far - customer service, sales, etc etc. Technical sales is something I am interested in finding out a little more about.
Heres the interesting bit. As I've said up there - I've got experience in CAD, and straight up engineering is what I was studying.
BUT - theres some other jobs there that interest me much more --
These two, specifically.
http://ukcareers.acornstairlifts.com/?action=job&a...
http://ukcareers.acornstairlifts.com/?action=job&a...
Basically - using my technical/engineering skills but combining them with the things I have learnt in jobs so far - customer service, sales, etc etc. Technical sales is something I am interested in finding out a little more about.
snotrag said:
Oh - you work there?
Heres the interesting bit. As I've said up there - I've got experience in CAD, and straight up engineering is what I was studying.
BUT - theres some other jobs there that interest me much more --
These two, specifically.
http://ukcareers.acornstairlifts.com/?action=job&a...
http://ukcareers.acornstairlifts.com/?action=job&a...
Basically - using my technical/engineering skills but combining them with the things I have learnt in jobs so far - customer service, sales, etc etc. Technical sales is something I am interested in finding out a little more about.
Installs is more planning out the runs and sorting out install issues.. Its a right laugh in that department!..Heres the interesting bit. As I've said up there - I've got experience in CAD, and straight up engineering is what I was studying.
BUT - theres some other jobs there that interest me much more --
These two, specifically.
http://ukcareers.acornstairlifts.com/?action=job&a...
http://ukcareers.acornstairlifts.com/?action=job&a...
Basically - using my technical/engineering skills but combining them with the things I have learnt in jobs so far - customer service, sales, etc etc. Technical sales is something I am interested in finding out a little more about.
Tech Support is doing on the telephones talking people through the technical side of the lift.. More on how to install them and remedy issues with the lift. Tends to be the americans and dealers that they deal with. Hours can be anything upto around 11 at night!
Edited by ChristianZS on Monday 15th September 00:41
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