What would you do if you could change direction?
Discussion
It amuses me how many university educated people today speak of wishing they'd just learnt a trade! I kind of trod the opposite path - unreasonably good at certain academic subjects like maths and science (six As at gcse without really trying) but pushed by parents to get a job so became a spark and have felt unfulfilled ever since although have no idea of what to really do about it.
I was listening to podcast with damon hill the other day and he was talking of breaking out of the imprisoning expectations of family roles, and he was so happy his son had a go at driving and decided it wasn't for him, and that struck me as so right - my dad was a plumber - but then again, he's got $millions and a name that opens doors, he has the luxury of being able to indulge a crisis of meaning.
I was listening to podcast with damon hill the other day and he was talking of breaking out of the imprisoning expectations of family roles, and he was so happy his son had a go at driving and decided it wasn't for him, and that struck me as so right - my dad was a plumber - but then again, he's got $millions and a name that opens doors, he has the luxury of being able to indulge a crisis of meaning.
It's something I have been giving a lot of thought to recently. I did a law degree, then had a mad few months in my early 20s and veered off to work on oil rigs in the North Sea. I've built a decent career out of it, but things are coming to a head with the IR35 changes and the fact we are in a declining industry.
I am mid-30s, and I feel like the time to make a change, if ever, is now. It's just trying to find something to jump across to where the skills I have developed so far will let me avoid having to start all over again at the bottom of the tree - I'd like to build on what I have done so far rather than throw it all in the bin and start from scratch.
I am mid-30s, and I feel like the time to make a change, if ever, is now. It's just trying to find something to jump across to where the skills I have developed so far will let me avoid having to start all over again at the bottom of the tree - I'd like to build on what I have done so far rather than throw it all in the bin and start from scratch.
Also early 30s and regret (a little) my career choice as a network engineer.
Its not that i dislike the job because I don't, or because I don't earn good money because I do.
Its because Ill not start my own business and will continue working for the man, not in IT at least. The market is so aggressive.
I very nearly became a plumber, in fact had it not been for the 2008 recession I think i would have gone down that route. I remember the very moment I made the decision to follow IT and not Plumbing. At the time uni seemed like a safe bet. Maybe the plumbing market is saturated and aggressive as well and would be extremely difficult to get set up in
Still, better than being a police officer which I wanted to become at 16
Its not that i dislike the job because I don't, or because I don't earn good money because I do.
Its because Ill not start my own business and will continue working for the man, not in IT at least. The market is so aggressive.
I very nearly became a plumber, in fact had it not been for the 2008 recession I think i would have gone down that route. I remember the very moment I made the decision to follow IT and not Plumbing. At the time uni seemed like a safe bet. Maybe the plumbing market is saturated and aggressive as well and would be extremely difficult to get set up in
Still, better than being a police officer which I wanted to become at 16
I’m 30 and went to an average uni and dropped out after 2 years. The normal route for me and everyone at my school was Sixth Form for A levels then Uni.
I wish, I wish, I wish I had gone to college and started an apprenticeship in a trade like plumbing, carpentry, kitchen/bathroom fitting, garden landscaping at posh houses or whatever. That would have suited my skill set and my practical abilities much more. It’s stupid because college and apprenticeships were usually for the “rougher kids” who didn’t apply themselves at school as much. I think that was so wrong and hope the ideology has since changed.
I work in an office (WFH) job selling global software and earn a decent salary somehow with no degree and bad A levels. My most enjoyable job was actually flogging Sky TV and Broadband in shopping centres.
Too old to get into trades now? I’m curious... always seems to be a huge demand with good ones booked up for months on end.
I wish, I wish, I wish I had gone to college and started an apprenticeship in a trade like plumbing, carpentry, kitchen/bathroom fitting, garden landscaping at posh houses or whatever. That would have suited my skill set and my practical abilities much more. It’s stupid because college and apprenticeships were usually for the “rougher kids” who didn’t apply themselves at school as much. I think that was so wrong and hope the ideology has since changed.
I work in an office (WFH) job selling global software and earn a decent salary somehow with no degree and bad A levels. My most enjoyable job was actually flogging Sky TV and Broadband in shopping centres.
Too old to get into trades now? I’m curious... always seems to be a huge demand with good ones booked up for months on end.
Edited by Prohibiting on Wednesday 3rd March 10:31
People often say stuff like the above and think probably you'd find many of them would give their leg to be in a position that you are.
To me, who does something similar to you, to earn my salary being a plumber would be probably hugely difficult, require I work very hard (physical work some of it too), and likely require working unsociable hours. It sounds f
king horrible, why is it that so many people who earn an easy living have an obsession with the trades? And what could have been...
What most people fail to realise is how transferable skills can be, if you've sold for example, you can probably work your way into almost any industry and eventually pivot entirely, that is something a plumber can do to an extent, but nothing like the same scope.
To me, who does something similar to you, to earn my salary being a plumber would be probably hugely difficult, require I work very hard (physical work some of it too), and likely require working unsociable hours. It sounds f
king horrible, why is it that so many people who earn an easy living have an obsession with the trades? And what could have been... What most people fail to realise is how transferable skills can be, if you've sold for example, you can probably work your way into almost any industry and eventually pivot entirely, that is something a plumber can do to an extent, but nothing like the same scope.
Foliage said:
I dont wanna change direction but i wanna diversify my skills, get into programming, illustration, 3d printing, which are all adjacent to my current skills, but it just seems tough to find the time to sit and put in the effort.
Could you do an hour a week? Just decide on what one thing you will focus on to move forward and do that. Have a clear overall goal of what you want to achieve, though. Just learning random skills that are similar to your current skills is too vague.okgo said:
People often say stuff like the above and think probably you'd find many of them would give their leg to be in a position that you are.
To me, who does something similar to you, to earn my salary being a plumber would be probably hugely difficult, require I work very hard (physical work some of it too), and likely require working unsociable hours. It sounds fking horrible, why is it that so many people who earn an easy living have an obsession with the trades? And what could have been...
What most people fail to realise is how transferable skills can be, if you've sold for example, you can probably work your way into almost any industry and eventually pivot entirely, that is something a plumber can do to an extent, but nothing like the same scope.
I'm a plumber,self employed I drive a Ferrari and have a detached farmhouse in the middle of an acre of land,mortgage free.I'm early 40,s don't kill myself work wise in fact I do morning and afternoon school run so work from 9_3 mon-fri.No silver spoon no inheritance just fTo me, who does something similar to you, to earn my salary being a plumber would be probably hugely difficult, require I work very hard (physical work some of it too), and likely require working unsociable hours. It sounds f
king horrible, why is it that so many people who earn an easy living have an obsession with the trades? And what could have been... What most people fail to realise is how transferable skills can be, if you've sold for example, you can probably work your way into almost any industry and eventually pivot entirely, that is something a plumber can do to an extent, but nothing like the same scope.
king good at my job that I love.Point being there's a very good living to be made in some trades without flogging oneself to death.
I agree with the sentiment that trades provide a good living although when I was in my teens you wouldn’t mention being a mechanic as most looked at you like your a pleb.
Now being the tradesman is certainly the money maker.
Gas engineering here -£450 for 8 hours and more work than you can handle..
I left school with a c in mechanics.
10 years as a council fitted.
One day in industry(shift cover) and they were short so asked for more help.
Pharmaceutical came with good money and I qualified as a spark.
Started buying building a in 2013 bought a 155 k ex hotel which is now 10 flats and a shop .
Not worked for years.
The point being that if you don’t except no as an answer and keep going any trade is open to you.
For those wanting to move over to a trade find Someone to Labour on for free and see how you actually like it.
Back out of the day job.
All done.r
Now being the tradesman is certainly the money maker.
Gas engineering here -£450 for 8 hours and more work than you can handle..
I left school with a c in mechanics.
10 years as a council fitted.
One day in industry(shift cover) and they were short so asked for more help.
Pharmaceutical came with good money and I qualified as a spark.
Started buying building a in 2013 bought a 155 k ex hotel which is now 10 flats and a shop .
Not worked for years.
The point being that if you don’t except no as an answer and keep going any trade is open to you.
For those wanting to move over to a trade find Someone to Labour on for free and see how you actually like it.
Back out of the day job.
All done.r
Edited by robseagul on Friday 5th March 18:23
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff