Career shift at 27

[RichAUQ]

Good morning all.

So I've been a long time lurker on the PH forums and only recently looked at the Jobs and Employment sub forum (due to reasons I'll elude to shortly). I'm amazed by the wealth and breadth of knowledge on here so have decided to hedge my bets and see if anyone could assist me.

I'm a mechanic/vehicle technician. Been on spanners over 10 years and have been in a VAG main dealer for nearly 4 . Qualified as a service technician with said brand and have done some extra courses i.e hybrid and the performance side of the brand working towards my qualified technician 'award'. I have level 3 nvq in light vehicle maintenance and repair and I'm an MOT tester. I've always messed around with internal combustion and have a basic knowledge of small plant equipment but nothing official.

Basically I would like to get out of spannering. I used to enjoy it but unfortunately the main dealer rat race has killed any spark I had for the job and I'm thinking/looking for a new challenge. Obviously the job I'm in at the moment is fine for the time being, it pays my wages, but I'm definitely at that point where I would like to change.

What could people suggest, or have experience of doing this themselves? Any areas that I can transfer my skills to but also add to them with training?

Many thanks for every reply

Rich

[Woodrow123]

Where are you based Rich?

[louiebaby]

I can't help you with what to change to, you sort of need to work this out for yourself.

I can tell you how I went about doing it, twice.

First time was Pharmacy to Finance, with no dependents.

I absolutely drilled down my costs and outgoings, maximised my savings by living with my parents for a few months, then went back to Uni. I did a course for a year, burning my savings and taking a loan out part way through to finish.. When I finished I went back to Pharmacy to pay down all the debt I'd got in to, whilst I found the right job in Finance.

The second time was Finance to the Energy sector, with dependents and a major relocation.

This time my wife and I moved from London to rural Devon for a better life for our small family. We battened down the finances again, sold up, rented for 6 months then bought when the right place came up. We have one old car between us, my wife doesn't work, we have local holidays only, shop at Aldi, and have a wonderful life. I'm a 9-5er, and am seeing my two boys grow up.

I think the underlying message is to get full control of ALL your outgoings, and make a planned, structured move, rather than a hasty "fkit" decision. You sound like you're already on the right track when you say that the current job isn't what you want, but pays the bills.

Now just work out what you want to do. I'd suggest diving instructor in the Caribbean.

[TooMany2cvs]

RichAUQ said:

Basically I would like to get out of spannering. I used to enjoy it but unfortunately the main dealer rat race has killed any spark I had for the job and I'm thinking/looking for a new challenge.

Why not just get out of the dealer ratrace, and go to an indie?

[LimaDelta]

Any wish to travel? Armed Forces could be an option, or if you want to see slightly nicer parts of the world, Merchant Navy or the Superyacht industry? Good spannering skills always in demand.

[rog007]

Workshop Manager? Could you lead others?

[elanfan]

Can't help with your career suggestions apart from maybe going independent specialist starting your own business.

Would love your take on this thread though:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Sa Calobra]

Another shout for armed forces.

I'm 44 and about to make a massive career change. From deskbound to physical.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Whats the max age limit for armed forces?

Also what kind of salary could you be looking at as an older joiner?

cheers

[ben_h100]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Whats the max age limit for armed forces?

Also what kind of salary could you be looking at as an older joiner?

cheers

At 27 I think you should be okay for most technical roles - best to check each recruitment site for the details.

Salary wise, you would be looking at sub 20k until you finish training (again, timescales depend on trade), but after that you are paid relatively well. Annual increments still exist and add a noticeable boost to your take home.

Plenty of benefits; non contributory pension, free healthcare, free gym, cheap accomodation and food, etc. Opportunities for education and personal development are excellent.

I've been doing it (RAF) for nearly 12 years and don't regret it one bit. I just wish that I had started a degree earlier..!

Another point to note is that currently, aircraft techs are on the best pay out of all the tech trades.

With you being a bit older, depending on your qualms I would seriously consider looking at Eng Officer (Manager) or non commissioned aircrew (start as a Sergeant) - crying out for them and they are great (but vastly different) jobs.

[Nickbrapp]

How about a mobile service engineer, could use your skills in plant etc, pretty cushy, with tools, car etc, loads of freedom and somewhere new every day.

Or maybe a move to something like HVAC engineer

[jdw100]

LimaDelta said:

Any wish to travel? Armed Forces could be an option, or if you want to see slightly nicer parts of the world, Merchant Navy or the Superyacht industry? Good spannering skills always in demand.

Husband of a friend works on a large yacht - does some captaining and also mechanics as required. Quite a lot of hanging about as the owner is away on trips etc. Can often be in one port for a month at a time.

It doesn't even pay that well either. He's away for six months of the year for, I think, about €40,000.

Constantly having to make sure he has the right 'tickets' as well in terms of training and safety.

[LimaDelta]

jdw100 said:

LimaDelta said:

Any wish to travel? Armed Forces could be an option, or if you want to see slightly nicer parts of the world, Merchant Navy or the Superyacht industry? Good spannering skills always in demand.

Husband of a friend works on a large yacht - does some captaining and also mechanics as required. Quite a lot of hanging about as the owner is away on trips etc. Can often be in one port for a month at a time.

It doesn't even pay that well either. He's away for six months of the year for, I think, about €40,000.

Constantly having to make sure he has the right 'tickets' as well in terms of training and safety.

To be fair if he's 'Captaining and also mechanics as required' means it is not a large yacht, but one so small it doesn't even carry an Engineer on the safe manning document. Probably <30m yacht. At this level of the industry the salaries are not exactly spectacular. I pay my Third Engineer more than 40kEURpa.

That said, for many people 40k net isn't a bad wage.