Which career would you get into now?

[Leicesterdave]

..I'm 31 and no idea where I'm heading. I feel bored with my job and really need a change of direction, I'd go as far as going to university for the right career.

Can anyone inspire me- ideally something more vocational would suit!

[s p a c e m a n]

Pimp.

[driverrob]

There are lots of free online career-choosing quizes available. I'd suggest trying several.

[Fishtigua]

My job is the same as my hobby.

Why not do something you really enjoy. You'll never get rich but why not be happy? We all spend a great deal of our lives at work, so you may as well do something you want to do.

[Leicesterdave]

I'd just really enjoy selling food- in my van. Something 'classy' though, no burger van. I did some training in my native France as a chef.

[Fun Bus]

I'm in a similar position to you OP - 12 years in the logistics/transport industry and considering doing something different. The problem is, I've reached a good salary level and starting something afresh could mean a big step back in earnings due to total lack of experience.

I did seriously consider driving lorries instead of managing them - but I fear it could be a six month romance before I realise it was a bad move.

[H22observer]

Fun Bus said:

I'm in a similar position to you OP - 12 years in the logistics/transport industry and considering doing something different. The problem is, I've reached a good salary level and starting something afresh could mean a big step back in earnings due to total lack of experience.

I did seriously consider driving lorries instead of managing them - but I fear it could be a six month romance before I realise it was a bad move.

I made this move 11 years ago. As a transport clerk, i was on £18500 salary at the time and jacked it in for a £4000 payrise.

My money has gone up and down over the last decade and at times it has been very difficult. My salary (and hours) is just above the national average. There are much worse jobs out there and you can pretty much up sticks and move to another part of the UK whenever you like...

[Captain Muppet]

Leicesterdave said:

Can anyone inspire me- ideally something more vocational would suit!

Vocational jobs are definitely the best.

[Mr Kitten]

Anything I enjoyed rather than doing what I thought was a good idea or expected to make me earn a decent wage.

As I'm getting older (a heady 33, these days!) I'm starting to realise the importance of doing something you really enjoy for a living. However, that could just be because I'm thoroughly bored where I currently work!

[ILoveMondeo]

Leicesterdave said:

I'd just really enjoy selling food- in my van. Something 'classy' though, no burger van. I did some training in my native France as a chef.

There's plenty of "food festivals" all over the country, add to that country fairs, etc.

Lots of events you could peddle "fancy" fast food from (or street food as it now seems to be called??)..

Definitely a market for it, Theres a food fair yearly near me, and this year an ex-masterchef contestant (young lad, came second a few years back... forget his name).. has setup a pulled pork outfit, £3.50 for some pork in a bun, sold out by lunch time and it wasn't even a big thing, and he wasn't the only vendor there (few hundred punters maybe)

Market stall selling home-made Foodie stuff? Sauces, chillis, all that kind of stuff seems popular, no idea if they make any real money, but we regularly visit a chap at a local market for his chilli chorizo and dried chillis.

Why not "gourmet" burgers? seriously popular now too, GBK, Byron, there's another big chain too... (handmade burger co. ?)

Burritos growing in popularity now too, "barburrito" and plenty of other's cropping up all over.

There's a "posh" beer place (the beer seller?) In tunbridge wells where I am now, selling "craft" beers.

Big market for all this "artisan" produce, pop over to the food and drink forum here for ideas??

I want to open a gourmet burger and chilli restaurant. Chilli seems to be gaining a lot of popularity now, there's a growing UK chilli cook off circuit, not seen a "gourmet" or "posh" chilli anywhere yet... not that's any good anyway.

"food" for thought... (pun intended).

Good Luck

Dave

[Fattyfat]

I was in this position a few years ago. Spent much of my 20's in a comfortable office job selling stuff online. Typical 9-5 affair and always chasing a sale. I found it completely thankless and repetitive and my earnings did drop a bit during the recession.

My 1st child came along and needing some job security I ended up taking a driving/sales job, early starts, long hours and absolutely brutal physical work. The only perks were getting out and about as I found working inside soul destroying.

My little boy is 3 now and has a little sister, my employment? I'm now a few months away from qualifying as a Paramedic.

Absolutely not a job for everyone but one thankfully that I seem to be suitable for. The training (which is still ongoing) has pushed me more in 2 years than I thought possible. The work? Everyday is completely different and usually full of learning. I've seen life begin and end, met a few characters and experienced an awful lot that is both right and wrong in society. It can frustrate, sadden and delight in equal measures but..

I fking love it!!

[Mr Trophy]

I honestly would love to join the Police.

However, the money I earn is no where near the starting wage for the Police. I real shame but I can honestly see myself in years to come, "I wish I joined"

[ewenm]

If i could make it financially viable, I'd work in the outdoor adventure/leisure sector. For example, the National Trust have a vacancy at the moment to promote using their properties for sports events.

[Shnozz]

ILoveMondeo said:

Leicesterdave said:

I'd just really enjoy selling food- in my van. Something 'classy' though, no burger van. I did some training in my native France as a chef.

There's plenty of "food festivals" all over the country, add to that country fairs, etc.

Lots of events you could peddle "fancy" fast food from (or street food as it now seems to be called??)..

Definitely a market for it, Theres a food fair yearly near me, and this year an ex-masterchef contestant (young lad, came second a few years back... forget his name).. has setup a pulled pork outfit, £3.50 for some pork in a bun, sold out by lunch time and it wasn't even a big thing, and he wasn't the only vendor there (few hundred punters maybe)

Market stall selling home-made Foodie stuff? Sauces, chillis, all that kind of stuff seems popular, no idea if they make any real money, but we regularly visit a chap at a local market for his chilli chorizo and dried chillis.

Why not "gourmet" burgers? seriously popular now too, GBK, Byron, there's another big chain too... (handmade burger co. ?)

Burritos growing in popularity now too, "barburrito" and plenty of other's cropping up all over.

There's a "posh" beer place (the beer seller?) In tunbridge wells where I am now, selling "craft" beers.

Big market for all this "artisan" produce, pop over to the food and drink forum here for ideas??

I want to open a gourmet burger and chilli restaurant. Chilli seems to be gaining a lot of popularity now, there's a growing UK chilli cook off circuit, not seen a "gourmet" or "posh" chilli anywhere yet... not that's any good anyway.

"food" for thought... (pun intended).

Good Luck

Dave

You don't even need to reinvent the wheel, just add a passion for what you enjoy doing (and the passion is only likely to come from something you do enjoy, try injecting passion into your existing career and it wont happen).

A friend of a friend has not long ago started this http://www.thehiphopchipshop.com/. I got to try it the other week and the food was great. The angle that they are approaching things from is fresh and suits the market in which they are focussing.

[H22observer]

Mr Kitten said:

Anything I enjoyed rather than doing what I thought was a good idea or expected to make me earn a decent wage.

As I'm getting older (a heady 33, these days!) I'm starting to realise the importance of doing something you really enjoy for a living. However, that could just be because I'm thoroughly bored where I currently work!

Define "enjoy".

I wouldn't say i enjoy what i do, but it has it's moments.

I don't get out of bed thinking "i do not want to go in today", whereas previous jobs have made me feel that way.

The idea of doing my current job for another 20 years doesn't stir any negative emotions. The idea of doing it for 30 years does though. Is that good or bad?

[Watchman]

I'd make bicycles and their accessories. I wish I could weld, and weld well enough to make prototypes of all the ideas I have. I've been struggling to get a prototype of a bike trailer made.

[Leicesterdave]

I really love the idea of street food but ideally would like a business partner. Any websites networking people together out there?

[Mr Kitten]

H22observer said:

Define "enjoy".

<snip>

That's an interesting point - maybe I'm being a bit idealistic and terribly hypocritical.

[ILoveMondeo]

Leicesterdave said:

I really love the idea of street food but ideally would like a business partner. Any websites networking people together out there?

It would be seriously hard graft on your lonesome.

However, partnering up with a stranger in business is a recipe for disaster in my book, you'd be better of sticking it out and employing some help as soon as possible.

Just my opinion of course.

[Grumfutock]

Gay porn. The work sucks and is a pain in the arse but the money is good.