Getting good careers advice?
Discussion
In my mid-late teens I suffered a myriad of health issues which left my education pretty damaged. I managed a handful of GCSE's, and, once recovered I went to college aged 20, subsequently completing my A-Levels this summer.
If you ignore age then I'm on the same footing as any 18 year old, perhaps. My issue is that I really lack experience in employment. When I was 19 I had a very brief temp warehouse job... and that's it. I don't even think the agency is still around.
University does not interest me at the moment, I'm not afraid to reconsider in a few years but at the moment I want to see if I can make a career.
The issue is that due to my lack of many GCSE's and lack of job experience I really lack the confidence to approach options.
Naturally my preferred field would be cars - and while I have built up a lot of skills tinkering in the garage (I love paint/resto work) I want to aim as high as possible. Car sales would certainly interest me, journalism too, as I'm not afraid to say I have exceptional writing skills (which probably makes up for perhaps a lack of people skills).
I don't really know where to start. For example I could get a job in the local pub just to tick over, but I'd rather dive straight into something I like and stick with it. Careers websites are alright but there's no substitute for talking to someone.
Has anyone been in a similar situation, or can point me in the right direction?
All advice appreciated.
If you ignore age then I'm on the same footing as any 18 year old, perhaps. My issue is that I really lack experience in employment. When I was 19 I had a very brief temp warehouse job... and that's it. I don't even think the agency is still around.
University does not interest me at the moment, I'm not afraid to reconsider in a few years but at the moment I want to see if I can make a career.
The issue is that due to my lack of many GCSE's and lack of job experience I really lack the confidence to approach options.
Naturally my preferred field would be cars - and while I have built up a lot of skills tinkering in the garage (I love paint/resto work) I want to aim as high as possible. Car sales would certainly interest me, journalism too, as I'm not afraid to say I have exceptional writing skills (which probably makes up for perhaps a lack of people skills).
I don't really know where to start. For example I could get a job in the local pub just to tick over, but I'd rather dive straight into something I like and stick with it. Careers websites are alright but there's no substitute for talking to someone.
Has anyone been in a similar situation, or can point me in the right direction?
All advice appreciated.
My first question would be do you have to be earning money right now? Do you have financial commitments to things or people? Or do you have the luxury of taking your time and exploring your options?
My suggestion would be to find what you think you would like to be doing between the ages of 20-40. Would you like to be a car salesman at that age? A journalist? A bartender?
If you can, go and speak to people who are in positions where you think you would like to be. Maybe ask if you could shadow them each for a week to find out exactly what they do.
In a nutshell, you should be doing everything you can to narrow down your goal as much as possible. Then you can work out the path you need to follow to get there.
If you were my son, from the brief details you have put down, I would be telling you to seriously consider university. Not only can it open a lot of doors, but it is also a great experience in itself. If you genuinely have 'exceptional' journalism skills, then why not develop them? Both academically at university and personally by volunteering for a local newspaper or writing a blog. If you want to combine a love of cars and journalism - consider motoring journalism!
My suggestion would be to find what you think you would like to be doing between the ages of 20-40. Would you like to be a car salesman at that age? A journalist? A bartender?
If you can, go and speak to people who are in positions where you think you would like to be. Maybe ask if you could shadow them each for a week to find out exactly what they do.
In a nutshell, you should be doing everything you can to narrow down your goal as much as possible. Then you can work out the path you need to follow to get there.
If you were my son, from the brief details you have put down, I would be telling you to seriously consider university. Not only can it open a lot of doors, but it is also a great experience in itself. If you genuinely have 'exceptional' journalism skills, then why not develop them? Both academically at university and personally by volunteering for a local newspaper or writing a blog. If you want to combine a love of cars and journalism - consider motoring journalism!
Thanks for the reply.
Finally, it's a bit stupid I know but I'd feel bad if I didn't go somewhere that was really top end - which I don't think I would be able to. My brother is an Oxbridge graduate and that hangs over me a bit.
Cheers.
stevenjhepburn said:
My first question would be do you have to be earning money right now? Do you have financial commitments to things or people? Or do you have the luxury of taking your time and exploring your options?
I have the luxury of time, I have no outstanding commitments and am lucky enough to have pretty reasonable savings. Money isn't my driving force but I would certainly like cash to burn which perhaps says "casual job" while I continue to figure out my path.stevenjhepburn said:
My suggestion would be to find what you think you would like to be doing between the ages of 20-40. Would you like to be a car salesman at that age? A journalist? A bartender?
If you can, go and speak to people who are in positions where you think you would like to be. Maybe ask if you could shadow them each for a week to find out exactly what they do.
This is useful, I'll certainly think about this. Gaining temp experience has always been a sensible option but I lack the confidence to ask. But I know, if you don't ask you don't get!If you can, go and speak to people who are in positions where you think you would like to be. Maybe ask if you could shadow them each for a week to find out exactly what they do.
stevenjhepburn said:
In a nutshell, you should be doing everything you can to narrow down your goal as much as possible. Then you can work out the path you need to follow to get there.
If you were my son, from the brief details you have put down, I would be telling you to seriously consider university. Not only can it open a lot of doors, but it is also a great experience in itself. If you genuinely have 'exceptional' journalism skills, then why not develop them? Both academically at university and personally by volunteering for a local newspaper or writing a blog. If you want to combine a love of cars and journalism - consider motoring journalism!
Thanks. Indeed motoring journalism appeals; I blow hot and cold about university - on one hand I really don't like the debt and would rather avoid it. I have had plenty of "the experience" from visiting peers/my brother over the years during their tenure - I'm starting to grow out of the drinking and debauchery. Alternately like you say it opens doors and it would also get me away from home which I could really do with - although I have a pretty serious relationship to factor in.If you were my son, from the brief details you have put down, I would be telling you to seriously consider university. Not only can it open a lot of doors, but it is also a great experience in itself. If you genuinely have 'exceptional' journalism skills, then why not develop them? Both academically at university and personally by volunteering for a local newspaper or writing a blog. If you want to combine a love of cars and journalism - consider motoring journalism!
Finally, it's a bit stupid I know but I'd feel bad if I didn't go somewhere that was really top end - which I don't think I would be able to. My brother is an Oxbridge graduate and that hangs over me a bit.
Cheers.
storminnorman said:
I have had plenty of "the experience" from visiting peers/my brother over the years during their tenure - I'm starting to grow out of the drinking and debauchery.
When I say "university experience" I don't mean the drinking and messing about. I mean the opportunity for individual learning and development in an environment which is uniquely catered towards it. The experience of broadening your horizons and being exposed to new ways of thinking and doing. Yes, there are other paths that can offer you similar things but university gift wraps it and hands it to you on a plate.However some students can coast through their 3 or 4 years in a drunken haze and completely miss the opportunities they have been given. If all you come out with at the end of university is a degree certificate, I think you have missed the point. Coming out and knowing that you should have taken those opportunities is a step up. Actually seeing them and taking them at the time is where the value is added.
You could study and work in a bar or tinker with and sell cars part time for cash. You could save over the summer and live frugally during term time to limit your debt. You could study abroad - find the right grant and this can be free!
That's what I mean about the university experience. I've been told several times in my life that you get out of something what you put into it. I only understood what it meant with hindsight. I hope you can benefit from my experience.
storminnorman said:
I blow hot and cold about university - on one hand I really don't like the debt and would rather avoid it.
You are starting to pay off ONLY if you start getting above a specified pay level and you have almost 30 years to pay back. If University gives you opportunity to develop even further, the monetary value will be nothing compared to the gain.
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