How did you figure out what / where next?

[nonuts]

I guess I need to start with a bit of background. I was made redundant ~8 years ago and decided I wanted to be a project manager as that was the part of my previous job I enjoyed the most. I've been doing that for the last 8 years for the same company in progressively more senior roles.

I work in a very specific industry however it's basically software as a service development, then deployment to the cloud in a heavily regulated environment. It's quite a repetitive process rather than true here's a problem and solve it kind of project management (which is the bit I really enjoy).

There is little in the way of opportunities I see without people leaving our organisation and I don't really like where the organisation is heading anymore but that's a very long story. So I need to start thinking about what next.

I've had a couple of conversations with head hunters etc. where it comes up what do I want to do next and I don't really have a good answer other than not work for our main competitor doing the same I do today.

So the question is how did you figure out what you wanted to do next / longer term and was it a conscious decision or was it just what happened?

Cheers,
Ben

[Condi]

A mix of both. Roughly knowing where I wanted to be, and taking opportunities as they come up. Lots of little steps moving forward is much better than waiting around for the one big jump to take you to the top.

[rog007]

It may help to try and articulate what you DON'T want to do first then see what's left!

Good luck!

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

I worked my way up to Senior management positions, ending up running print factories and doing very nicely from it. Long hours and lots of commuting and stress, but great remuneration to match the grief.

However, I was getting a little disillusioned with it all by the middle of the last decade - and then the recession came along anyway and kicked my industry's arse, so I suffered 5 redundancies in as many years

I tried some other stuff still related to the industry - heading up some sales teams, and even recruitment. I then started up my own business, which was 'ok' I guess - but only gave me a living, nothing more. I sold the business for a fair profit though.


Anyway - I had a big 'life think' last year, and looked to the only other thing that I was interested in - medicine. At 40 years old, I decided the full Doctor route was too long - I would be as good as 50 by the time I qualify.

So, as of now, I am one year into a 3 year Uni degree with medical placements, that will see me working as a Paramedic in 2015

[nonuts]

As for what I don't want do to, it's pretty simple at the moment a)not do my current job in the same circumstances and b)I'd rather not work for our main competitor doing the same thing somewhere else.

Ray Luxury-Yacht said:

So, as of now, I am one year into a 3 year Uni degree with medical placements, that will see me working as a Paramedic in 2015

Well done you. I'm 32 and have thought about trying to retrain etc. but I really don't know how to figure out 'what' that would be doing.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

nonuts said:

As for what I don't want do to, it's pretty simple at the moment a)not do my current job in the same circumstances and b)I'd rather not work for our main competitor doing the same thing somewhere else.

Ray Luxury-Yacht said:

So, as of now, I am one year into a 3 year Uni degree with medical placements, that will see me working as a Paramedic in 2015

Well done you. I'm 32 and have thought about trying to retrain etc. but I really don't know how to figure out 'what' that would be doing.

Thanks

And yeah, that's half the battle I guess - deciding what floats your boat other than what you're already doing.

I guess there are two distinct pursuits that I have highlighted and made the jump across?

First is working for a company, or even running your own business - which, once you get into any kind of management position, revolves around dedicating yourself to one simple goal, either directly or indirectly - which is to assist in helping the company, and shareholders if there are any, to make as much profit as possible...

It can be enjoyable, sometimes...but also often there is a feeling of futility and of flogging your one and only shot at life to death, for the financial benefit of others, whom probably couldn't care less about you and your health? On the other hand, I guess I used to try and not think about that, and concentrate on the fact that my efforts were also helping to provide employment for all the other staff.


The other pursuit, which I have jumped to - concentrates primarily on helping and assisting people from all walks of life, when they are in a position of need. Whether that's a clinical or trauma-based requirement, or more of a social means of assistance - it all has a primarily humanitarian based goal, well,on the front line at least. Yeah, there are many financial considerations behind the scenes about how the service is run. But as a Paramedic on the road, none of that rubbish will be a concern of mine. What will be a concern is how to best help someone in their time of crisis.

A much better way of spending my time on this planet, I feel.

[GolfGT]

nonuts said:

I guess I need to start with a bit of background. I was made redundant ~8 years ago and decided I wanted to be a project manager as that was the part of my previous job I enjoyed the most. I've been doing that for the last 8 years for the same company in progressively more senior roles.

I work in a very specific industry however it's basically software as a service development, then deployment to the cloud in a heavily regulated environment. It's quite a repetitive process rather than true here's a problem and solve it kind of project management (which is the bit I really enjoy).

There is little in the way of opportunities I see without people leaving our organisation and I don't really like where the organisation is heading anymore but that's a very long story. So I need to start thinking about what next.

I've had a couple of conversations with head hunters etc. where it comes up what do I want to do next and I don't really have a good answer other than not work for our main competitor doing the same I do today.

So the question is how did you figure out what you wanted to do next / longer term and was it a conscious decision or was it just what happened?

Cheers,
Ben

Try Mintec.ltd.uk we have a project management up for grabs expanding by the day.... But all the best and good luck...

Edited by GolfGT on Thursday 15th August 01:56

[craigjm]

What is your gut and instinct telling you? sometimes you have to listen to your heart and not your head but that comes quite often with listening to your head first but not letting it rule. Do a SWOT analysis on yourself in terms of your skills and possibilities and then think about how this links to what you would really like to do with your life. Create a CV that is more generic about skills rather than specific work experience. Get the word out there that you are looking and see what comes along.

What is holding you back without your realising it is what psychologists call a false self. This is all the stuff that has built up from experiences and messages we have received over the years which subconsciously prevents us from being what we really want to be. Think back to being at school for instance and seeing a girl you really liked but you did nothing about it because she was "out of your league" or "not cool and your friends would laugh". This is your false self speaking and we do the same with all facets of our lives. Learn to control it and you can get where you want to go if you are willing to put the work in and earn it.

Good luck.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

craigjm said:

What is your gut and instinct telling you? sometimes you have to listen to your heart and not your head but that comes quite often with listening to your head first but not letting it rule. Do a SWOT analysis on yourself in terms of your skills and possibilities and then think about how this links to what you would really like to do with your life. Create a CV that is more generic about skills rather than specific work experience. Get the word out there that you are looking and see what comes along.

What is holding you back without your realising it is what psychologists call a false self. This is all the stuff that has built up from experiences and messages we have received over the years which subconsciously prevents us from being what we really want to be. Think back to being at school for instance and seeing a girl you really liked but you did nothing about it because she was "out of your league" or "not cool and your friends would laugh". This is your false self speaking and we do the same with all facets of our lives. Learn to control it and you can get where you want to go if you are willing to put the work in and earn it.

Good luck.

Ooh, now that's good advice, is that.

When I was at school, I was a fat little git, and hence never had a girlfriend and didn't hang out with the 'cool kids' (who, looking back, were all a bunch of vain wkers anyway...)

Plus I copped flack for my weight too - although nothing I would construe as proper bullying...it was good natured ribbing really.

However, for someone of that age, as said above, it does lower your self esteem and you certainly don't realise your full potential until you get older and into the real world, where you realise that brainpower, nous, hard work and effort defines who you really are and what you can achieve - devoid of false ideas and images.

[craigjm]

Even when we are older and in the real world our false self still exists and for most people is just as controlling as it was with the school example I used above we just don't realise it. Figure out what your false self says about you and its the first step to self mastery. The next step is learning to diminish its impact. Anyone that tells you they have it completely under control is lying and their false self is speaking louder than ever because it doesn't always have to be preventing you doing things. Sometimes it makes you think you are greater than you are.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

Wow. Reminds me a bit of Freud's Id-Ego-Superego complex