Advice on what to do
Discussion
Alright, this seems to be slightly different to the other threads on here but I can't think of anywhere else to put it (to be fair I've only skimmed this section)
I'm currently unemployed, have been for a while, I'm going to give you my story and then see if you guys (who have vastly more life experience than me, as I'm only 18) are able to give suggestions:
At school I had high hopes, as did my teachers and I was known as that person who would get into uni. I ended up suffering from some family and friend issues when doing 5 Highers (5th year) so didn't get the best results (3Bs and 2Cs) which didn't get me into uni. 6th year went better so i noe have 7 Highers, an Advanced Higher and 7 National 5s however this didnt make a difference to uni. Yikes, I ended up leaving school with no future, much to everybody's disappointment. Nevermind, after the summer I managed to get an Admin Assistant Apprenticeship (which was great considering I got an A at Higher Admin in 6th year). Sadly the apprenticeship salary was dreadful (£6000 a year) and I worked out I wasn't going to make a profit from all the work after paying my parents dig money and paying for my car. I decided to cut my losses and leave, much to the annoyance of my mum and amazement (but encouragement) of co-workers.
I now had a new plan, volunteer somewhere until I had held my driving license for a year so I could get jobs within the car industry (dealerships). This hasn't worked out, I volunteered until the elusive year of driving and started applying to lots of jobs. I haven't got anything, despite a few interviews and certain dealership managers trying to help as much as they can. I am still volunteering by the way, just less so because I want to get out and work!
Due to this long time I have been applying to jobs of varying degrees of difficulty in starting to think I should just apply to anything and everything and get working, but I really don't want to get stuck in a dead-end, extremely low paying job like my dad is in, I have higher aspirations than being a warehouseman!
So, my options (well, the ones I can think of);
1. Continue as I am, I'll get something eventually
2. Apply to anything and everything, fall into a job I hate but still provides an income
3. Expand my horizons, forget the car industry and apply to places I've got a reasonable amount I interest in.
Bit of background to my finances, I live with my parents so don't have bills etc (parents are kindly not charging dig money when I don't have an income) and I have too much money in the bank to claim job seekers allowance, as inheritance means I have just over £10,000.
Suggestions as to what to do?
Don't give me a lecture on what I should have done in the past! I have many regrets from school and have obscene amounts of regret for leaving the Admin Assistant role! I know what I should have done, but I didn't know that at the time! (I know this last paragraph sounds a bit rude but I know this is Pistonheads and people will criticise rather than help, so I'm clarifying that I know I've made many a mistake regarding my future)
I'm currently unemployed, have been for a while, I'm going to give you my story and then see if you guys (who have vastly more life experience than me, as I'm only 18) are able to give suggestions:
At school I had high hopes, as did my teachers and I was known as that person who would get into uni. I ended up suffering from some family and friend issues when doing 5 Highers (5th year) so didn't get the best results (3Bs and 2Cs) which didn't get me into uni. 6th year went better so i noe have 7 Highers, an Advanced Higher and 7 National 5s however this didnt make a difference to uni. Yikes, I ended up leaving school with no future, much to everybody's disappointment. Nevermind, after the summer I managed to get an Admin Assistant Apprenticeship (which was great considering I got an A at Higher Admin in 6th year). Sadly the apprenticeship salary was dreadful (£6000 a year) and I worked out I wasn't going to make a profit from all the work after paying my parents dig money and paying for my car. I decided to cut my losses and leave, much to the annoyance of my mum and amazement (but encouragement) of co-workers.
I now had a new plan, volunteer somewhere until I had held my driving license for a year so I could get jobs within the car industry (dealerships). This hasn't worked out, I volunteered until the elusive year of driving and started applying to lots of jobs. I haven't got anything, despite a few interviews and certain dealership managers trying to help as much as they can. I am still volunteering by the way, just less so because I want to get out and work!
Due to this long time I have been applying to jobs of varying degrees of difficulty in starting to think I should just apply to anything and everything and get working, but I really don't want to get stuck in a dead-end, extremely low paying job like my dad is in, I have higher aspirations than being a warehouseman!
So, my options (well, the ones I can think of);
1. Continue as I am, I'll get something eventually
2. Apply to anything and everything, fall into a job I hate but still provides an income
3. Expand my horizons, forget the car industry and apply to places I've got a reasonable amount I interest in.
Bit of background to my finances, I live with my parents so don't have bills etc (parents are kindly not charging dig money when I don't have an income) and I have too much money in the bank to claim job seekers allowance, as inheritance means I have just over £10,000.
Suggestions as to what to do?
Don't give me a lecture on what I should have done in the past! I have many regrets from school and have obscene amounts of regret for leaving the Admin Assistant role! I know what I should have done, but I didn't know that at the time! (I know this last paragraph sounds a bit rude but I know this is Pistonheads and people will criticise rather than help, so I'm clarifying that I know I've made many a mistake regarding my future)
Back to School is one option (College?)
the other you do not say what your qualifications are or where you are in the country
but look at blue chip companies intern or apprenticeship program, you would be amazed at how hard some of these companies find to recruit on there apprentice programs mainly down to poor interview skills or lack of enthusiasm at the interview.
Oh and a hand written letter goes a lot further than a word document as you will stand out from the crowd.
by the way you are never too old to go back to college on a positive you are young enough for all of the above options.
the other you do not say what your qualifications are or where you are in the country
but look at blue chip companies intern or apprenticeship program, you would be amazed at how hard some of these companies find to recruit on there apprentice programs mainly down to poor interview skills or lack of enthusiasm at the interview.
Oh and a hand written letter goes a lot further than a word document as you will stand out from the crowd.
by the way you are never too old to go back to college on a positive you are young enough for all of the above options.
A few things....
University is not the be all and end all, I'm 28 and went but within my friendship group the one person that didn't go to university is doing the best off all, helped in part by no student loan debts and having an extra 3 years in the career he chose.
A few things which may help others....and impact advice given.
Where do you live? (Don't be specific but are you near any top 10 UK cities for an easy commute)
Are you a practical person?
If not the latter I'd investigate the "direct from A levels" recruitment process of some of the big firms: KPMG, PWC, most of the log banking groups, Unilever etc.
This is how my friend as above started, they paid for his qualifications as he worked himself up. If this appeals target each organisation and apply properly with an application that properly targets what they are looking for - milkround (grad employment website) etc can help with advice as it's no different. You will expect a high failure rate but need to carry on going, making sure each application is as good as the last, don't lose heart (make sure your key requirements are up to scratch though). You may have to invest some of the cash (only after you have an offer/job) to attend interviews or getting yourself set up in a houseshare as you may need to move.
If practical is then look at doing a practical apprenticeship - electrician, gas, plumbing etc. These trades are already in short supply and brexit hasn't happened yet....there is going to be a real shortage here in a few years and they are likely to continue doing very well.
A half-way-house would be an apprenticeship with somebody like network rail/national grid as an engineer, varied and interesting and again all training covered.
Decide what/where you want to be in 5/10/20 years and what your interested in....look at companies operating in these areas.
If looking to get out sooner the first plan can be expedited: in London even admin work pays £10-12 per hour, invest some savings in a move and do these contracts/jobs whilst living modestly and applying elsewhere. Often if you prove yourself and impress you'll end up with a permanent offer, need to invest up front and back yourself however.
University is not the be all and end all, I'm 28 and went but within my friendship group the one person that didn't go to university is doing the best off all, helped in part by no student loan debts and having an extra 3 years in the career he chose.
A few things which may help others....and impact advice given.
Where do you live? (Don't be specific but are you near any top 10 UK cities for an easy commute)
Are you a practical person?
If not the latter I'd investigate the "direct from A levels" recruitment process of some of the big firms: KPMG, PWC, most of the log banking groups, Unilever etc.
This is how my friend as above started, they paid for his qualifications as he worked himself up. If this appeals target each organisation and apply properly with an application that properly targets what they are looking for - milkround (grad employment website) etc can help with advice as it's no different. You will expect a high failure rate but need to carry on going, making sure each application is as good as the last, don't lose heart (make sure your key requirements are up to scratch though). You may have to invest some of the cash (only after you have an offer/job) to attend interviews or getting yourself set up in a houseshare as you may need to move.
If practical is then look at doing a practical apprenticeship - electrician, gas, plumbing etc. These trades are already in short supply and brexit hasn't happened yet....there is going to be a real shortage here in a few years and they are likely to continue doing very well.
A half-way-house would be an apprenticeship with somebody like network rail/national grid as an engineer, varied and interesting and again all training covered.
Decide what/where you want to be in 5/10/20 years and what your interested in....look at companies operating in these areas.
If looking to get out sooner the first plan can be expedited: in London even admin work pays £10-12 per hour, invest some savings in a move and do these contracts/jobs whilst living modestly and applying elsewhere. Often if you prove yourself and impress you'll end up with a permanent offer, need to invest up front and back yourself however.
My ten penneth,
Use the 10k you have to learn a trade, look in to College courses that give you the qualifications required.
I used to teach people how to do mobile smart repairs, the ones I have kept in contact with are doing really well now.
Electrician, Plumber, Bricklayer, Carpenter, courses are available for all this stuff and their is a shortage of youngsters wanting to do it.
Use the 10k you have to learn a trade, look in to College courses that give you the qualifications required.
I used to teach people how to do mobile smart repairs, the ones I have kept in contact with are doing really well now.
Electrician, Plumber, Bricklayer, Carpenter, courses are available for all this stuff and their is a shortage of youngsters wanting to do it.
jeff666 said:
My ten penneth,
Use the 10k you have to learn a trade, look in to College courses that give you the qualifications required.
I used to teach people how to do mobile smart repairs, the ones I have kept in contact with are doing really well now.
Electrician, Plumber, Bricklayer, Carpenter, courses are available for all this stuff and their is a shortage of youngsters wanting to do it.
This. Out of all the people I grew up with, the ones with multiple houses that they own and rent rent out and have villas in Spain are the ones who learn't a trade and then started up on their own.Use the 10k you have to learn a trade, look in to College courses that give you the qualifications required.
I used to teach people how to do mobile smart repairs, the ones I have kept in contact with are doing really well now.
Electrician, Plumber, Bricklayer, Carpenter, courses are available for all this stuff and their is a shortage of youngsters wanting to do it.
It's not an easy route but there is a lot of money out there if you can do something that the majority of people can't do but are willing to pay for.
Ah, yes, location would have been useful... I'm within commuting distance of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Interesting that a few have said about going into college, I did actually have a "Interview" for a Carpetentry Course at college when back at school (I loved woodwork, second favourite subject after Geography) but was discouraged from going by the teacher who was helping me (it was part of her job, not just something she was being nice with) as she said I was over-qualified. I took her Advice as she had been doing it for years but that seems like it was a bad decision...
My previous apprenticeship was actually with a subsidiary of the college, so may have one foot in the door.
So, I just looked into it, the carpentry course has a Waiting List, I'll still apply but won't hold out too much hope.
Interesting that a few have said about going into college, I did actually have a "Interview" for a Carpetentry Course at college when back at school (I loved woodwork, second favourite subject after Geography) but was discouraged from going by the teacher who was helping me (it was part of her job, not just something she was being nice with) as she said I was over-qualified. I took her Advice as she had been doing it for years but that seems like it was a bad decision...
My previous apprenticeship was actually with a subsidiary of the college, so may have one foot in the door.
So, I just looked into it, the carpentry course has a Waiting List, I'll still apply but won't hold out too much hope.
Are you interested in IT at all?
Have a look at a course called CodeClan. It's a 16 week professional software development course and it's got a very good reputation right now for turning out good software developers. It costs £5k but that's nothing compared to what university would cost you.
It's based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Have a look at a course called CodeClan. It's a 16 week professional software development course and it's got a very good reputation right now for turning out good software developers. It costs £5k but that's nothing compared to what university would cost you.
It's based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Shermanator said:
Ah, yes, location would have been useful... I'm within commuting distance of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Interesting that a few have said about going into college, I did actually have a "Interview" for a Carpetentry Course at college when back at school (I loved woodwork, second favourite subject after Geography) but was discouraged from going by the teacher who was helping me (it was part of her job, not just something she was being nice with) as she said I was over-qualified. I took her Advice as she had been doing it for years but that seems like it was a bad decision...
My previous apprenticeship was actually with a subsidiary of the college, so may have one foot in the door.
So, I just looked into it, the carpentry course has a Waiting List, I'll still apply but won't hold out too much hope.
Over qualified for a Carpentry course ?Interesting that a few have said about going into college, I did actually have a "Interview" for a Carpetentry Course at college when back at school (I loved woodwork, second favourite subject after Geography) but was discouraged from going by the teacher who was helping me (it was part of her job, not just something she was being nice with) as she said I was over-qualified. I took her Advice as she had been doing it for years but that seems like it was a bad decision...
My previous apprenticeship was actually with a subsidiary of the college, so may have one foot in the door.
So, I just looked into it, the carpentry course has a Waiting List, I'll still apply but won't hold out too much hope.
How old would you of been "back at School" ?
nought2sixty said:
Are you interested in IT at all?
Have a look at a course called CodeClan. It's a 16 week professional software development course and it's got a very good reputation right now for turning out good software developers. It costs £5k but that's nothing compared to what university would cost you.
It's based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Not sure about that sort of IT, I'm alright with the Admin side and it's alright to do but I don't really think I want to go into Software Development (even though it is probably a continuously growing sector)Have a look at a course called CodeClan. It's a 16 week professional software development course and it's got a very good reputation right now for turning out good software developers. It costs £5k but that's nothing compared to what university would cost you.
It's based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
A205GTI said:
If you want carpentry contact or go and see any small businesses around you who would be willing to either take you on or teach you a few hours here and there.
alternatively look at Boat builders (Private yachts) they are generally always looking for carpentars
There is quite a successful Carpenter round the corner from by house, might pop round and ask him about it. Only issue is he has a son around the same age as me so I might feel a bit awkward! alternatively look at Boat builders (Private yachts) they are generally always looking for carpentars
jeff666 said:
Over qualified for a Carpentry course ?
How old would you of been "back at School" ?
This was 6th year, I was 17How old would you of been "back at School" ?
At the time I had 5 Highers and 6 National 5s (I've worked out a Higher is roughly equivalent to 75% of an A-Level and a National 5 is the equivalent of a GCSE) and I now have Advanced Higher Geography, 7 Highers (ranging from a C at English to an A at Admin) and 7 Nat 5s.
Her over-qualified comment makes sense, although I don't think it is that important!
Shermanator said:
Doofus said:
What did you intend to do at uni, and what were you going to do afterwards.
Environmental Geography and Professional EducationWanted to be a Geogrpahy teacher (sort of still do, could apply to uni but UCAS is a pig)
WinstonWolf said:
Shermanator said:
Doofus said:
What did you intend to do at uni, and what were you going to do afterwards.
Environmental Geography and Professional EducationWanted to be a Geogrpahy teacher (sort of still do, could apply to uni but UCAS is a pig)
I'm I have a look as to whether I am too late to apply for this year, if I am I'll apply for next year!
Shermanator said:
WinstonWolf said:
Shermanator said:
Doofus said:
What did you intend to do at uni, and what were you going to do afterwards.
Environmental Geography and Professional EducationWanted to be a Geogrpahy teacher (sort of still do, could apply to uni but UCAS is a pig)
I'm I have a look as to whether I am too late to apply for this year, if I am I'll apply for next year!
Shermanator said:
Shermanator said:
WinstonWolf said:
Shermanator said:
Doofus said:
What did you intend to do at uni, and what were you going to do afterwards.
Environmental Geography and Professional EducationWanted to be a Geogrpahy teacher (sort of still do, could apply to uni but UCAS is a pig)
I'm I have a look as to whether I am too late to apply for this year, if I am I'll apply for next year!
Any job is better than no job, and it helps with applications.
Imagine the difference between "it's not my ideal job, but I want to earn and do my bit and prove that I'm capable of holding down a steady job"
Against "I decided the available jobs were beneath me so dossed about at my mum's house"
Not having a go, I hope it all goes well whatever you do. Maybe work in a shop? Stacking shelves or working the tills shows you've got experience dealing with customers and representing your employer. The kind of person you might be happy to send to somebody's house to do carpentry work as an apprentice...
Imagine the difference between "it's not my ideal job, but I want to earn and do my bit and prove that I'm capable of holding down a steady job"
Against "I decided the available jobs were beneath me so dossed about at my mum's house"
Not having a go, I hope it all goes well whatever you do. Maybe work in a shop? Stacking shelves or working the tills shows you've got experience dealing with customers and representing your employer. The kind of person you might be happy to send to somebody's house to do carpentry work as an apprentice...
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