What career options do I have?
Discussion
I'm living abroad at the moment, with wife and no kids, and looking to return to the UK with the wife (who just quit her job here so there isn't much reason to stay as I'm not earning enough for us to live in comfort - currently teaching English). Preferably want to work in the south near my family, but that's not essential.
Background:
Was an apprentice electronic engineer (military electronics) and stuck at that for about 5 years then went travelling.
Jobs were quite random for a while after that (about 3 years) mostly to support my travels. Had a brief spell back in the UK selling cameras part time, nothing of note other than that.
Between me and my wife, we have enough money to support the move and get set up but will need some cash coming in quite quickly soon after. Ideally I'd get a job before moving, but I'm aware of what the job market is like and the likelihood of that.
What routes could I take now? I looked at the oil industry thinking my background and degree maybe of use there but am not sure my experience level is going to add up for them.
Before I was an electronic engineer I had a laser target on that job so moved in quickly but am now quite scattered in experience so could do with some advice. I don't particularly want to work directly with electronics again (doesn't seem to be much money in it for the knowledge required) although would suit working in a technical company.
Background:
Was an apprentice electronic engineer (military electronics) and stuck at that for about 5 years then went travelling.
Jobs were quite random for a while after that (about 3 years) mostly to support my travels. Had a brief spell back in the UK selling cameras part time, nothing of note other than that.
Between me and my wife, we have enough money to support the move and get set up but will need some cash coming in quite quickly soon after. Ideally I'd get a job before moving, but I'm aware of what the job market is like and the likelihood of that.
What routes could I take now? I looked at the oil industry thinking my background and degree maybe of use there but am not sure my experience level is going to add up for them.
Before I was an electronic engineer I had a laser target on that job so moved in quickly but am now quite scattered in experience so could do with some advice. I don't particularly want to work directly with electronics again (doesn't seem to be much money in it for the knowledge required) although would suit working in a technical company.
Edited by Xaero on Tuesday 18th October 22:39
So I am assuming you are around 27 or 28 now.
It is always tricky giving advice like this, because you yourself don't seem to have a real drive or passion for a particular subject or field. Indeed you are far clearer about what you don't want.
Inevitable you also want "decent" money - which doesn't come from entry, unskilled roles - it comes from specialism, knowledge and experience.
Write down your core skills and try to think of jobs where that is the KEY requirement - see if there are any overlaps - eg
Writing - Corporate Communications, Travel writer, Journo, PR, Media agent
Negotiation - Buyer, Procurement, Sales person
Tough to give you advice I am afraid, but good luck.
It is always tricky giving advice like this, because you yourself don't seem to have a real drive or passion for a particular subject or field. Indeed you are far clearer about what you don't want.
Inevitable you also want "decent" money - which doesn't come from entry, unskilled roles - it comes from specialism, knowledge and experience.
Write down your core skills and try to think of jobs where that is the KEY requirement - see if there are any overlaps - eg
Writing - Corporate Communications, Travel writer, Journo, PR, Media agent
Negotiation - Buyer, Procurement, Sales person
Tough to give you advice I am afraid, but good luck.
Yes 27 and a half now :-)
You are right that there is no particular field now that I am heavily interested in, hence the thread for suggestions.
Thanks for the ideas. I'll try out the activity and see if something stands out.
I have a friend who is in a similar situation at 29 and she's decided to start law school to get a new career started. Seems quite a dramatic change, not to mention expensive but maybe something I need to consider too.
You are right that there is no particular field now that I am heavily interested in, hence the thread for suggestions.
Thanks for the ideas. I'll try out the activity and see if something stands out.
I have a friend who is in a similar situation at 29 and she's decided to start law school to get a new career started. Seems quite a dramatic change, not to mention expensive but maybe something I need to consider too.
Xaero,
I am in a similar situation to yourself (English teacher abroad)- and like yourself, I had 5 years at a career (advertising sales) and became a manager etc..., after various health issues with my wife and we also became fed up with only seeing eachother for a few hours a night- more like passing ships rather than a happy home life. We decided to move to Austria, here she was raised and her parents are still here- they own a hotel.
As well as working in the hotel we own, I am also a TEFL English teacher. We are expecting out first kid in May.
I have often thought about what I would do if we moved back to the UK as I really, REALLY enjoy teaching. We came up with the following options which may help you:
1- Move close to an area of high non-British, foreign speaking /population/concentration - advertise private English lessons in THEIR mother tongue and try to build up the business again from scratch. There are 7 million people in London, some of them will want English lessons.
2- See if my experience would get me on to a PGCE course (9 months long) and become a "fully fledged" teacher- while this does hold appeal, I like being able to set my own hours
3- Go back to ad sales, work long hours for not much more money then I am earning now (only £500 extra)
4- Go into hotel work proper- sure the hours are long and unsociable (and is the exact opposite of being able to set my own hours), but having worked in the hotel here, I have an idea of what to expect- plus the pay is pretty good once you work your way up (this option, if nothing else, would give you money right away and not put you into a crappy low task job + the option for a career)
ETA- the hotel option, if you take it seriously, would give you and your family the opportunity to travel the world again...
I'm not sure if the above is helpful...
good luck
ET.
I am in a similar situation to yourself (English teacher abroad)- and like yourself, I had 5 years at a career (advertising sales) and became a manager etc..., after various health issues with my wife and we also became fed up with only seeing eachother for a few hours a night- more like passing ships rather than a happy home life. We decided to move to Austria, here she was raised and her parents are still here- they own a hotel.
As well as working in the hotel we own, I am also a TEFL English teacher. We are expecting out first kid in May.
I have often thought about what I would do if we moved back to the UK as I really, REALLY enjoy teaching. We came up with the following options which may help you:
1- Move close to an area of high non-British, foreign speaking /population/concentration - advertise private English lessons in THEIR mother tongue and try to build up the business again from scratch. There are 7 million people in London, some of them will want English lessons.
2- See if my experience would get me on to a PGCE course (9 months long) and become a "fully fledged" teacher- while this does hold appeal, I like being able to set my own hours
3- Go back to ad sales, work long hours for not much more money then I am earning now (only £500 extra)
4- Go into hotel work proper- sure the hours are long and unsociable (and is the exact opposite of being able to set my own hours), but having worked in the hotel here, I have an idea of what to expect- plus the pay is pretty good once you work your way up (this option, if nothing else, would give you money right away and not put you into a crappy low task job + the option for a career)
ETA- the hotel option, if you take it seriously, would give you and your family the opportunity to travel the world again...
I'm not sure if the above is helpful...
good luck
ET.
I wouldn't mind the hotel thing. One of my 'random jobs' was working in one for 7 months anyway, and my wife used to work at the Ritz too, so we have some experience between us there. I'd prefer to do it here (Japan) rather than in the UK though.
What size hotel do you run, and what sort of location is it? (City centre, middle or no-where, etc?). If her parents owned it first, then I guess that takes a lot of the worry off doing it.
I would also feel more comfortable with a hostel due to spending the past few years in them, I'm quite comfortable in the environment and know whats important (good internet!) to backpackers these days.
Teaching although I don't mind it (it largely depends on the students motivation and reliability) I don't think is my forte, so I wouldn't want to do that if returning to the UK.
What size hotel do you run, and what sort of location is it? (City centre, middle or no-where, etc?). If her parents owned it first, then I guess that takes a lot of the worry off doing it.
I would also feel more comfortable with a hostel due to spending the past few years in them, I'm quite comfortable in the environment and know whats important (good internet!) to backpackers these days.
Teaching although I don't mind it (it largely depends on the students motivation and reliability) I don't think is my forte, so I wouldn't want to do that if returning to the UK.
Our hotel is 21 rooms for around 60 people. Its a 3 star in the middle of the Austrian countryside! Yes, her parents own the hotel, but my wife and I pretty much run it.
My advice would be if you and SWMBO should try working in a hotel in Japan- if your Japanese is not fluent, it shouldn't be an issue as there are hotels who want only English speakers, of course you can also taken a hotel-focused intensive japanese course.
RE: English- if you would like "one last stab" at that (I don't know the rate of living, nor the average wage in Japan), I would move close to several tower blocks- businesses and private residence (probably in a city? close to schools too)- and advertise HEAVILY in the native language. The great thing about Japan is only Japanese people speak the language! If they want to move out of the country, go on holiday etc... then they need to speak another language, probably English.
Again it helps if you can speak a little Japanese!
ETA- off the top of my head, I know Disney do not mind if you do not speak the local language- their staff (at reception anyway) have flag-badges on indicating what language(s) you do speak (http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/)
My advice would be if you and SWMBO should try working in a hotel in Japan- if your Japanese is not fluent, it shouldn't be an issue as there are hotels who want only English speakers, of course you can also taken a hotel-focused intensive japanese course.
RE: English- if you would like "one last stab" at that (I don't know the rate of living, nor the average wage in Japan), I would move close to several tower blocks- businesses and private residence (probably in a city? close to schools too)- and advertise HEAVILY in the native language. The great thing about Japan is only Japanese people speak the language! If they want to move out of the country, go on holiday etc... then they need to speak another language, probably English.
Again it helps if you can speak a little Japanese!
ETA- off the top of my head, I know Disney do not mind if you do not speak the local language- their staff (at reception anyway) have flag-badges on indicating what language(s) you do speak (http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/)
extraT said:
My advice would be if you and SWMBO should try working in a hotel in Japan- if your Japanese is not fluent, it shouldn't be an issue as there are hotels who want only English speakers, of course you can also taken a hotel-focused intensive japanese course.
RE: English- if you would like "one last stab" at that (I don't know the rate of living, nor the average wage in Japan), I would move close to several tower blocks- businesses and private residence (probably in a city? close to schools too)- and advertise HEAVILY in the native language. The great thing about Japan is only Japanese people speak the language! If they want to move out of the country, go on holiday etc... then they need to speak another language, probably English.
Again it helps if you can speak a little Japanese!
ETA- off the top of my head, I know Disney do not mind if you do not speak the local language- their staff (at reception anyway) have flag-badges on indicating what language(s) you do speak (http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/)
We've both previously worked in hotels in Japan, indeed my one focused on giving customers a English speaking opportunity. Most hotels want bi-linguals though.RE: English- if you would like "one last stab" at that (I don't know the rate of living, nor the average wage in Japan), I would move close to several tower blocks- businesses and private residence (probably in a city? close to schools too)- and advertise HEAVILY in the native language. The great thing about Japan is only Japanese people speak the language! If they want to move out of the country, go on holiday etc... then they need to speak another language, probably English.
Again it helps if you can speak a little Japanese!
ETA- off the top of my head, I know Disney do not mind if you do not speak the local language- their staff (at reception anyway) have flag-badges on indicating what language(s) you do speak (http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/)
Teaching English, if full time pays a below average wage here, around £1400 a month which doesn't go far after the bills have been paid.
Disney here is not really within commuting distance for me. It mostly seemed to be Americans who transferred from a American park that got the jobs there when I looked before.
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