Not sure what to do or what's out there
Discussion
Hi all,
I've been perusing this section of the forums (along with a load of other forums) for quite a while now trying to gain some inspiration about what to do, and which direction to aim career/job wise, but I'm still totally lost.
Given it's new year and having struggled massively with this for a long time, now seems as good a time as any to draw on the experience and knowledge of you kind folk.
I'll try and keep this as concise as possible:
I'm 27 years old, no commitments, no debts, still living at home.
First job out of school was working at an independent garage. Dropped in at the deep end on the spanners and picked it up quickly. Really enjoyed it, but the owner couldn't afford to put me through my quals. Learnt a lot there and still absolutely love working on my own cars.
Did a few A levels and BTEC subjects at college (Environmental science, Geology, Music tech, Theatre tech) and did well.
Went to uni in the hopes of studying Geology, but had some mental health issues which scuppered that. Unfortunately came home after a year. Got back on my feet, but was still totally clueless about what to do.
Found an engineering apprenticeship restoring WW1 and WW2 aircraft at a museum. Applied not thinking I would ever get onto it because there were hundreds of applicants. Somehow got to interview, and miraculously got the position. Three years at college, level 2 fabrication and welding then level 3 BTEC manafacuring engineering. I'll be honest, I really struggled with the college side. While I find engineering interesting, the theory side went straight over my head just like maths did at school. The apprenticeship sounds a lot more impressive on paper than any real hard skills gained from it, so going into modern aviation without serious training would be a no no (doesn't interest me as a career anyway)
The contract ended at the museum and it felt like a good excuse to go travelling (which I naively thought might lead me to a vocation). I travelled for about 14 months on 6k that I'd saved up. Stopping in each place around 2 months doing work exchanges, staying with hosts who offered food and accommodation in exchange for a few hours work per day. The work side of it just further proved to me that I get a real kick out of fixing things, helping people and being outdoors. Great experience, wouldn't change it for the world, but again, still just as lost when I got home.
Did a brief stint working on a factory production line just to get some money together. Whilst there, I got a call from someone who'd seen my CV online. It was a small classic car restoration company.
Interviewed for it, did a weld test and got the job. A couple of weeks in I knew it just wasn't for me, the other guys there were disillusioned with the job, and while I love being on the spanners (there wasn't much of that). Welding rusty old chassis legs and body panels got old very quick.
Tried my hardest to make it work and stuck it out for three months, but in the end me and the owner sat down and knew it wasn't working for either of us, so I gave my notice without a job lined up.
While working there my depression decided to return. I ignored it up until about three months ago, currently going to CBT once a week and slowly getting back to normal.
Spent a month looking for something else. Found a job repairing mobility equipment (scooters, wheelchairs etc...) and that's where I've been for about 18 months. Realised after the first few weeks that I'd gone for the comfortable, boring easy option. The job has a lot of freedom, no one breathing down my neck, and as long as the work gets done you're left well alone. On the downside, compared to other work I've done it's unbelievably simple. The days work is usually done by 11/12 and I have to do my best to find other productive tasks. Working alone has also taken it's toll a bit, as has working in a windowless room 9-5. The main problem is that there's just no scope for advancement, and it's barely above minimum wage.
The money doesn't really bother me. What really bothers me is that I'm not learning or growing. It's the same things every day. I'd honestly work for nothing if it meant picking up new skills in something that has a future.
Couple of options I often come back to is learning a building trade or smart repairs/PDR, but every time I do research or ask people about getting into it, they tell me not to bother because it's so saturated/it ruins your body/there's no stability etc...
The thought of wasting my years away in a dead end job honestly terrifies me, but having been in a rut for so long I feel totally stuck, and the cynical side of me says that work is supposed to suck, just get on with it and try to get fulfilment outside of work.
Anyway, this is already way too long and I totally understand if it's too much reading, but I'd massively appreciate any insights or advice from people here.
I also hope that others reading the forum in a similar situation can also benefit from your replies.
I've been perusing this section of the forums (along with a load of other forums) for quite a while now trying to gain some inspiration about what to do, and which direction to aim career/job wise, but I'm still totally lost.
Given it's new year and having struggled massively with this for a long time, now seems as good a time as any to draw on the experience and knowledge of you kind folk.
I'll try and keep this as concise as possible:
I'm 27 years old, no commitments, no debts, still living at home.
First job out of school was working at an independent garage. Dropped in at the deep end on the spanners and picked it up quickly. Really enjoyed it, but the owner couldn't afford to put me through my quals. Learnt a lot there and still absolutely love working on my own cars.
Did a few A levels and BTEC subjects at college (Environmental science, Geology, Music tech, Theatre tech) and did well.
Went to uni in the hopes of studying Geology, but had some mental health issues which scuppered that. Unfortunately came home after a year. Got back on my feet, but was still totally clueless about what to do.
Found an engineering apprenticeship restoring WW1 and WW2 aircraft at a museum. Applied not thinking I would ever get onto it because there were hundreds of applicants. Somehow got to interview, and miraculously got the position. Three years at college, level 2 fabrication and welding then level 3 BTEC manafacuring engineering. I'll be honest, I really struggled with the college side. While I find engineering interesting, the theory side went straight over my head just like maths did at school. The apprenticeship sounds a lot more impressive on paper than any real hard skills gained from it, so going into modern aviation without serious training would be a no no (doesn't interest me as a career anyway)
The contract ended at the museum and it felt like a good excuse to go travelling (which I naively thought might lead me to a vocation). I travelled for about 14 months on 6k that I'd saved up. Stopping in each place around 2 months doing work exchanges, staying with hosts who offered food and accommodation in exchange for a few hours work per day. The work side of it just further proved to me that I get a real kick out of fixing things, helping people and being outdoors. Great experience, wouldn't change it for the world, but again, still just as lost when I got home.
Did a brief stint working on a factory production line just to get some money together. Whilst there, I got a call from someone who'd seen my CV online. It was a small classic car restoration company.
Interviewed for it, did a weld test and got the job. A couple of weeks in I knew it just wasn't for me, the other guys there were disillusioned with the job, and while I love being on the spanners (there wasn't much of that). Welding rusty old chassis legs and body panels got old very quick.
Tried my hardest to make it work and stuck it out for three months, but in the end me and the owner sat down and knew it wasn't working for either of us, so I gave my notice without a job lined up.
While working there my depression decided to return. I ignored it up until about three months ago, currently going to CBT once a week and slowly getting back to normal.
Spent a month looking for something else. Found a job repairing mobility equipment (scooters, wheelchairs etc...) and that's where I've been for about 18 months. Realised after the first few weeks that I'd gone for the comfortable, boring easy option. The job has a lot of freedom, no one breathing down my neck, and as long as the work gets done you're left well alone. On the downside, compared to other work I've done it's unbelievably simple. The days work is usually done by 11/12 and I have to do my best to find other productive tasks. Working alone has also taken it's toll a bit, as has working in a windowless room 9-5. The main problem is that there's just no scope for advancement, and it's barely above minimum wage.
The money doesn't really bother me. What really bothers me is that I'm not learning or growing. It's the same things every day. I'd honestly work for nothing if it meant picking up new skills in something that has a future.
Couple of options I often come back to is learning a building trade or smart repairs/PDR, but every time I do research or ask people about getting into it, they tell me not to bother because it's so saturated/it ruins your body/there's no stability etc...
The thought of wasting my years away in a dead end job honestly terrifies me, but having been in a rut for so long I feel totally stuck, and the cynical side of me says that work is supposed to suck, just get on with it and try to get fulfilment outside of work.
Anyway, this is already way too long and I totally understand if it's too much reading, but I'd massively appreciate any insights or advice from people here.
I also hope that others reading the forum in a similar situation can also benefit from your replies.
Bit of a left field option but have you considered going travelling for a while?
You are young enough to get a working holiday visa over in Australia or New Zealand and whilst it won't give you a career it'll give you experience with meeting new people and seeing new things. A few of my friends have done this and have no regrets and would do it again in a heartbeat.
A couple of them found their career whilst working in a temporary job out in Auckland (one of them in transport logistics and the other in recruitment but we'll ignore that
)
Might be an option if you need time to decide what you wish to do.
You are young enough to get a working holiday visa over in Australia or New Zealand and whilst it won't give you a career it'll give you experience with meeting new people and seeing new things. A few of my friends have done this and have no regrets and would do it again in a heartbeat.
A couple of them found their career whilst working in a temporary job out in Auckland (one of them in transport logistics and the other in recruitment but we'll ignore that
)Might be an option if you need time to decide what you wish to do.
-crookedtail- said:
Bit of a left field option but have you considered going travelling for a while?
You are young enough to get a working holiday visa over in Australia or New Zealand and whilst it won't give you a career it'll give you experience with meeting new people and seeing new things. A few of my friends have done this and have no regrets and would do it again in a heartbeat.
A couple of them found their career whilst working in a temporary job out in Auckland (one of them in transport logistics and the other in recruitment but we'll ignore that)
Might be an option if you need time to decide what you wish to do.
Thanks for the reply mate, but I've barked up that tree already.You are young enough to get a working holiday visa over in Australia or New Zealand and whilst it won't give you a career it'll give you experience with meeting new people and seeing new things. A few of my friends have done this and have no regrets and would do it again in a heartbeat.
A couple of them found their career whilst working in a temporary job out in Auckland (one of them in transport logistics and the other in recruitment but we'll ignore that
)Might be an option if you need time to decide what you wish to do.
"The contract ended at the museum and it felt like a good excuse to go travelling (which I naively thought might lead me to a vocation). I travelled for about 14 months on 6k that I'd saved up. Stopping in each place around 2 months doing work exchanges, staying with hosts who offered food and accommodation in exchange for a few hours work per day. The work side of it just further proved to me that I get a real kick out of fixing things, helping people and being outdoors. Great experience, wouldn't change it for the world, but again, still just as lost when I got home."
Not to say I wouldn't do it again if I had the money, I bloody loved the freedom and doing something new/meeting new people all the time.
I really thought I'd have an "ah ha!" moment while travelling and lock down something solid to work towards when I got home.
How about electrician? Or alarm systems? Some maths but not onerous. You can add CCTV, etc and maintenance contracts to fill the gaps in work.
Will always be multiple locations, out and about. I don't think it is saturated given the shortage in our area of reliable companies.
Or big stuff? Wind turbines look fun and we are only going to build more of them in the next 20 years.
At your age, I'd go travelling somewhere with a decent climate and work... get a Australia or NZ holiday working visa. With your skills I doubt you would struggle to pick up work.
Will always be multiple locations, out and about. I don't think it is saturated given the shortage in our area of reliable companies.
Or big stuff? Wind turbines look fun and we are only going to build more of them in the next 20 years.
At your age, I'd go travelling somewhere with a decent climate and work... get a Australia or NZ holiday working visa. With your skills I doubt you would struggle to pick up work.
This bit caught my eye: "further proved to me that I get a real kick out of fixing things, helping people and being outdoors"
How about something along the lines of working with groups of youths doing outdoor activities, possibly fixing/building things? I'm afraid I can't be more specific, but similar to YMCA, engineers without borders, forest education etc.
I think at your age you are young enough to engage with youths, but also have a lot of experience (including the mental health issues) to relay. Surely there are local projects you can get involved in.
How about something along the lines of working with groups of youths doing outdoor activities, possibly fixing/building things? I'm afraid I can't be more specific, but similar to YMCA, engineers without borders, forest education etc.
I think at your age you are young enough to engage with youths, but also have a lot of experience (including the mental health issues) to relay. Surely there are local projects you can get involved in.
vaud said:
How about electrician? Or alarm systems? Some maths but not onerous. You can add CCTV, etc and maintenance contracts to fill the gaps in work.
Will always be multiple locations, out and about. I don't think it is saturated given the shortage in our area of reliable companies.
Or big stuff? Wind turbines look fun and we are only going to build more of them in the next 20 years.
At your age, I'd go travelling somewhere with a decent climate and work... get a Australia or NZ holiday working visa. With your skills I doubt you would struggle to pick up work.
Thanks for the reply. Electrician has gone through my mind a few times but I've posted on forums before and asked the question to sparks in the pub about doing it only to be met with people saying it's a race to the bottom and there's not much work about. I think I could probably handle the maths though. Will always be multiple locations, out and about. I don't think it is saturated given the shortage in our area of reliable companies.
Or big stuff? Wind turbines look fun and we are only going to build more of them in the next 20 years.
At your age, I'd go travelling somewhere with a decent climate and work... get a Australia or NZ holiday working visa. With your skills I doubt you would struggle to pick up work.
Working on wind turbines would definitely tick a lot of boxes so I'll have a look at what's needed for that and how people get into it.
I've done the Australian working visa and spent 9 months there, also did NZ for a couple of months. Loved it.
Lord Marylebone said:
You say the money isn't important, but...
Are you wanting to move out of your parents place and get a place of your own?
I get on really well with my parents and although I live there, I have made a real effort to be as independent as possible. Own fridge, own food and do my own laundry, fix stuff around the house etc.... But yes, I'd be looking to move out before 30. Whether that's a house share, renting a flat or whatever I don't know. I definitely won't be able to afford a mortgage though. Are you wanting to move out of your parents place and get a place of your own?
What about automotive paint and bodywork? (full shop stuff rather than chipsaway etc)
Practical and will always be in demand... you can put your welding to use when needed and that will help you get in the door, but you'll also learn the new skills to paint cars... it would also allow you to eventually do a bit on the side for extra money if you ever needed it, lads in the car scene are forever in need of a quick blow over on their track car/drift car/VW polo.
Practical and will always be in demand... you can put your welding to use when needed and that will help you get in the door, but you'll also learn the new skills to paint cars... it would also allow you to eventually do a bit on the side for extra money if you ever needed it, lads in the car scene are forever in need of a quick blow over on their track car/drift car/VW polo.
MX5churbo said:
Electrician has gone through my mind a few times but I've posted on forums before and asked the question to sparks in the pub about doing it only to be met with people saying it's a race to the bottom and there's not much work about.
Ii guess it depends on your area of the country... and I would suggest that the "race to the bottom" may be by someone who isn't very good and that people don't value their work enough to pay his rate.Good, conscientious tradesmen can always get good work.
My comment about alarms/CCTV, etc is also reflecting that the more value you can add (and alarms being a good example as you can provide annual maintenance contracts which can fill in gaps between jobs) the more you can command a premium.
Local market research is key.
Lord.Vader said:
Electrician? Great money and always about, my mate did 3-5 years and went on his own, loves it.
National Forestry Commission, my brother worked there after Uni’ and loved it, always out and about, fixing things, freedom and scope to advance if you want too.
Yeah electrician has come up a few times. I did a good search of this forum and all the posts asking about career change to electrician get quite negative replies from people currently doing it. My work experience in school was with a spark though and really enjoyed it being out and about.National Forestry Commission, my brother worked there after Uni’ and loved it, always out and about, fixing things, freedom and scope to advance if you want too.
Good shout on the forestry jobs, a few of my relatives have suggested that root (sorry about the pun)
What did your brother study at uni?
OP, contrary to your own perception, you seem to have a pretty good handle on what you want and what you don't want. You have ideas and you obviously have some motivation to have tried so many things already at only 27. You have skills, too- some qualifications, some experience, your written communication looks faultless...
I think you'll do just fine
You are correct in that you have some choices to make. However instead of being daunted and pressurised by those choices you must be grateful for them, as they are a product of your own youth and potential.
You need to find work which will enable you to be happy and fulfilled. It doesn't sound like that is where you are now.
P.S. FYI I am a 30 year old HNC qualified 'mechanical engineer' working for a construction contractor for the oil & gas industry. My experience with academia was strikingly similar to yours so I got here via the apprenticeship route. The salary is pretty good for my age and quals but it would also be eminently beatable by a self-employed tradesperson, for example.
I think you'll do just fine
You are correct in that you have some choices to make. However instead of being daunted and pressurised by those choices you must be grateful for them, as they are a product of your own youth and potential.
Baz Luhrmann said:
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.
The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't
This forum is a great resource, however I recommend that you try not to spend too much time reading it. This forum attracts a certain demographic, and within that demographic are a large proportion of high earners- and high earners will often be the most vocal in J&EM. It's a bit of a stereotype but its true- spend too much time on this forum and you'd be forgiven for thinking that the average salary is double or triple what it actually is. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't
You need to find work which will enable you to be happy and fulfilled. It doesn't sound like that is where you are now.
P.S. FYI I am a 30 year old HNC qualified 'mechanical engineer' working for a construction contractor for the oil & gas industry. My experience with academia was strikingly similar to yours so I got here via the apprenticeship route. The salary is pretty good for my age and quals but it would also be eminently beatable by a self-employed tradesperson, for example.
Edited by HustleRussell on Friday 3rd January 13:37
MX5churbo said:
Lord Marylebone said:
You say the money isn't important, but...
Are you wanting to move out of your parents place and get a place of your own?
I get on really well with my parents and although I live there, I have made a real effort to be as independent as possible. Own fridge, own food and do my own laundry, fix stuff around the house etc.... But yes, I'd be looking to move out before 30. Whether that's a house share, renting a flat or whatever I don't know. I definitely won't be able to afford a mortgage though. Are you wanting to move out of your parents place and get a place of your own?
I will echo the point about owning your own bodyshop. Have you thought about something like that? I started my own bodyshop 5 years ago on a tight budget of £20k, and within 12 months that money was paid back and I was turning over £15-20k a month.
Sounds like you save up money fairly quickly so starting your own business will be easier than you think, and certainly within the capability of your skills.
All the other advantages of having your own business will apply: Earn as much as you want depending on how much you want to work, be your own boss, set your own rules.
My brother got his sparky qualifications after his A levels and got into a job fitting out and repairing the electrical systems in petrol stations across the country, he spent about 8-9 years on the tools working his way up and has now moved into management and has really enjoyed it overall, he is more or less running day to day operations in the small company... he has made strong money too.
designforlife said:
What about automotive paint and bodywork? (full shop stuff rather than chipsaway etc)
Practical and will always be in demand... you can put your welding to use when needed and that will help you get in the door, but you'll also learn the new skills to paint cars... it would also allow you to eventually do a bit on the side for extra money if you ever needed it, lads in the car scene are forever in need of a quick blow over on their track car/drift car/VW polo.
Not a bad shout thanks, there was a vacancy near me recently for a trainee prepper/sprayer and I was quite tempted. Practical and will always be in demand... you can put your welding to use when needed and that will help you get in the door, but you'll also learn the new skills to paint cars... it would also allow you to eventually do a bit on the side for extra money if you ever needed it, lads in the car scene are forever in need of a quick blow over on their track car/drift car/VW polo.
I'll look further into it.
vaud said:
Ii guess it depends on your area of the country... and I would suggest that the "race to the bottom" may be by someone who isn't very good and that people don't value their work enough to pay his rate.
Good, conscientious tradesmen can always get good work.
My comment about alarms/CCTV, etc is also reflecting that the more value you can add (and alarms being a good example as you can provide annual maintenance contracts which can fill in gaps between jobs) the more you can command a premium.
Local market research is key.
True. I'm in a fairly rural area but nothing stopping me moving somewhere else for work/training and renting a room or something. Good, conscientious tradesmen can always get good work.
My comment about alarms/CCTV, etc is also reflecting that the more value you can add (and alarms being a good example as you can provide annual maintenance contracts which can fill in gaps between jobs) the more you can command a premium.
Local market research is key.
I'd definitely fall into the latter camp of someone who takes a lot of pride in the work and would rather master something or not bother at all. Quality, customer service and reputation are probably the most important things to have in any trade I'd imagine.
MX5churbo said:
designforlife said:
What about automotive paint and bodywork? (full shop stuff rather than chipsaway etc)
Practical and will always be in demand... you can put your welding to use when needed and that will help you get in the door, but you'll also learn the new skills to paint cars... it would also allow you to eventually do a bit on the side for extra money if you ever needed it, lads in the car scene are forever in need of a quick blow over on their track car/drift car/VW polo.
Not a bad shout thanks, there was a vacancy near me recently for a trainee prepper/sprayer and I was quite tempted. Practical and will always be in demand... you can put your welding to use when needed and that will help you get in the door, but you'll also learn the new skills to paint cars... it would also allow you to eventually do a bit on the side for extra money if you ever needed it, lads in the car scene are forever in need of a quick blow over on their track car/drift car/VW polo.
I'll look further into it.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff