I'm in Need of Some Advice
Discussion
Hi guys.
I'm just looking for a bit of advice on a potential career change.
To give a bit of a background to the story, I'm currently serving an apprenticeship as an electrician with the aim of working either offshore or overseas in the future. I started the apprenticeship when I was 16 years old and, now 17, am approaching the end of my first year.
Throughout the initial four or five months, I was consistently getting to go on big jobs such as installing motors and other electrical systems and equipment, maintaining and repairing control panels, working on building management systems, undertaking repairs in various types of environments and carrying out pre - planned maintenace, all of which is the type of experience required to move into offshore and overseas work. However, since a recent change in the way different jobs are handled, all of this larger work is being handed out to contractors, with silly little jobs like changing lamps being left over.
Taking into account the fact that this situation is unlikely to change any time soon, I've been considering a move to another company and, after doing a bit of research, have come across an opportunity to become an apprentice electrical technician with a leading offshore and subsea energy company in Aberdeen. From what it says in the ad, this seems like a fantastic apprenticeship which will allow me to become qualified to an even higher level. The only downside is that, should I get the job, I'll have to stay away from my family throughout the week.
A few questions I'd like a bit of help with are:
Apologies for the mahoosive wall of text that is my post, but I'd really appreciate some help. Also, any other info out with what I've asked in my questions would be much obliged.
Cheers
I'm just looking for a bit of advice on a potential career change.
To give a bit of a background to the story, I'm currently serving an apprenticeship as an electrician with the aim of working either offshore or overseas in the future. I started the apprenticeship when I was 16 years old and, now 17, am approaching the end of my first year.
Throughout the initial four or five months, I was consistently getting to go on big jobs such as installing motors and other electrical systems and equipment, maintaining and repairing control panels, working on building management systems, undertaking repairs in various types of environments and carrying out pre - planned maintenace, all of which is the type of experience required to move into offshore and overseas work. However, since a recent change in the way different jobs are handled, all of this larger work is being handed out to contractors, with silly little jobs like changing lamps being left over.
Taking into account the fact that this situation is unlikely to change any time soon, I've been considering a move to another company and, after doing a bit of research, have come across an opportunity to become an apprentice electrical technician with a leading offshore and subsea energy company in Aberdeen. From what it says in the ad, this seems like a fantastic apprenticeship which will allow me to become qualified to an even higher level. The only downside is that, should I get the job, I'll have to stay away from my family throughout the week.
A few questions I'd like a bit of help with are:
- Do you think this is a good idea?
- What will be the process for leaving my current company as this is something I've never done before?
- Will I have to ask my current supervisor if I can use him as a reference for my CV before applying?
Apologies for the mahoosive wall of text that is my post, but I'd really appreciate some help. Also, any other info out with what I've asked in my questions would be much obliged.
Cheers
Edited by DriverNo1 on Saturday 19th May 15:11
Eric Mc said:
Can I congratulate you on teh quality of your post. I thought it was well written and expressed.
You are an apprentice, not a prisoner. I doubt you have signed "indentures" like old style apprentices had to.
Thanks for the kind words. I guess you're right on the fact that no indentures were signed You are an apprentice, not a prisoner. I doubt you have signed "indentures" like old style apprentices had to.
The only problem is that I get along really well with my boss and my colleagues on a personal level. I know this isn't the case, but I feel that I will be betraying them or letting them down if I leave. Sounds silly, but it's true. They've done a lot for me during my time there. I'm awaiting word back from the company regarding whether they can provide accommodation in Aberdeen or not. I know that many large employers can do this, so fingers crossed.
Edit: Just to add, I haven't actually applied for the job yet. That will depend upon the availability of accommodation.
Edited by DriverNo1 on Saturday 19th May 21:26
It's a funny thing about jobs - no matter how much you like the people you do need to think of yourself. If the accommodation is available I reckon you should go for it - getting your foot in the door is very important, especially since it's at the sort of company you want to work for.
As to the living away from home, you'll need to get used to it if you want to work offshore - you'll be able to get away at the weekends at least!
As to the living away from home, you'll need to get used to it if you want to work offshore - you'll be able to get away at the weekends at least!
Just do it.
Don't make friends with your boss, don't trust anyone you work with. Think of yourself.
I was in the same boat as you, wanted to leave for a long time, but didn't want to upset anybody. Things went from bad to worse and I've handed in my notice after nearly 6 years.
If your boss is a good bloke he'll understand, if not, don't worry, you owe him nothing.
Good luck.
Don't make friends with your boss, don't trust anyone you work with. Think of yourself.
I was in the same boat as you, wanted to leave for a long time, but didn't want to upset anybody. Things went from bad to worse and I've handed in my notice after nearly 6 years.
If your boss is a good bloke he'll understand, if not, don't worry, you owe him nothing.
Good luck.
Thanks for all the advice. It's much appreciated.
Just to clear things up, I currently live with my parents and, if I were to move to Aberdeen, I should be able to travel home at weekends and during holidays. I also know that I have no training that I would be forced to pay fees for if I were to leave.
One thing I'm a bit worried about is that if I were to put my current boss' name on my CV as a reference, he may find out that I'm planning on leaving before anything is confirmed and, should things not work out, I won't be treated the same again. It would be really good if someone can shine some light on whether this will be the case or not. It's the only thing I'm concerned about.
Cheers
Just to clear things up, I currently live with my parents and, if I were to move to Aberdeen, I should be able to travel home at weekends and during holidays. I also know that I have no training that I would be forced to pay fees for if I were to leave.
One thing I'm a bit worried about is that if I were to put my current boss' name on my CV as a reference, he may find out that I'm planning on leaving before anything is confirmed and, should things not work out, I won't be treated the same again. It would be really good if someone can shine some light on whether this will be the case or not. It's the only thing I'm concerned about.
Cheers
DriverNo1 said:
Thanks for all the advice. It's much appreciated.
Just to clear things up, I currently live with my parents and, if I were to move to Aberdeen, I should be able to travel home at weekends and during holidays. I also know that I have no training that I would be forced to pay fees for if I were to leave.
One thing I'm a bit worried about is that if I were to put my current boss' name on my CV as a reference, he may find out that I'm planning on leaving before anything is confirmed and, should things not work out, I won't be treated the same again. It would be really good if someone can shine some light on whether this will be the case or not. It's the only thing I'm concerned about.
Cheers
You don't have to put a reference on and in your situation I wouldn't put your current boss on !Just to clear things up, I currently live with my parents and, if I were to move to Aberdeen, I should be able to travel home at weekends and during holidays. I also know that I have no training that I would be forced to pay fees for if I were to leave.
One thing I'm a bit worried about is that if I were to put my current boss' name on my CV as a reference, he may find out that I'm planning on leaving before anything is confirmed and, should things not work out, I won't be treated the same again. It would be really good if someone can shine some light on whether this will be the case or not. It's the only thing I'm concerned about.
Cheers
DriverNo1 said:
One thing I'm a bit worried about is that if I were to put my current boss' name on my CV as a reference, he may find out that I'm planning on leaving before anything is confirmed and, should things not work out, I won't be treated the same again. It would be really good if someone can shine some light on whether this will be the case or not. It's the only thing I'm concerned about.
Cheers
IMpossible to answer.Cheers
Pretty much all employers assume that employees are temporary. If by "treat differently" you are worried that they will be resentfull, I would doubt it very much unless they were absolute
s, which given that you like them would suggest they aren't.As an employer, when someone hands thier notice in- if I can see that they have a genuinely better opportunity I don't resent them in the slightest and nor would any sane person. Particularly if they do it with obvious regret. I would never take it personally and not would anyone.
COnversely, it is only natural that when someone tries to leave, if they then stayed you would assume that they will still be looking so will leave sooner or later anyway hence whilst you don't resent them at all, you do view them as inevitably temporary. If yours is a job where the work you do vs the pay you get leaves them quids-in then this doesn't matter at all.
If, on the other hand, they have to invest a lot of time/money in you to get you up to standard then it could be a slight issue. If it costs them money to train and they know you will leave then motivation is very low for them.
I'd guess that if your boss is a decent enough bloke to feel like you're "betraying" him (your words, not mine) then he's also a decent enough bloke to realise what a good opportunity this is and to be really pleased for you.
As far as references go, you can put "References available upon request" on your CV. I wouldn't ask a current boss about a reference for a potential future job until I actually had the job. It's expected.
Also, best of luck! You're not "working away from home" from the sounds of it, you're growing up and moving out of your parents' place and getting your own up in Aberdeen (probably shared on an apprentice wage*). You'll be visiting your parents at their house at the weekend.
As far as references go, you can put "References available upon request" on your CV. I wouldn't ask a current boss about a reference for a potential future job until I actually had the job. It's expected.
Also, best of luck! You're not "working away from home" from the sounds of it, you're growing up and moving out of your parents' place and getting your own up in Aberdeen (probably shared on an apprentice wage*). You'll be visiting your parents at their house at the weekend.
- I'd assume a lot of shared accommodation would be for students. As fun as a student house is, you don't want to be woken up at 3 am by your drunk housemates when you have work in the morning [boring sensible head off]
[quote=crofty1984]I'd guess that if your boss is a decent enough bloke to feel like you're "betraying" him (your words, not mine) then he's also a decent enough bloke to realise what a good opportunity this is and to be really pleased for you.quote]
Exactly that.... It would be horrible to think that he would stand in your way.
Exactly that.... It would be horrible to think that he would stand in your way.
I'd be wary of an "apprentice" who wanted to jump ship part way through the term (staying power, etc).
That said, if it was clear that the candidate was outstanding and clearly not being challenged in their current role, I'd be conversely keen to know more.
What education does your present employment provide & what does the prospective employer offer?
It can be very boring carrying out mundane tasks, but being able to stick things out says a lot about a person.
That said, if it was clear that the candidate was outstanding and clearly not being challenged in their current role, I'd be conversely keen to know more.
What education does your present employment provide & what does the prospective employer offer?
It can be very boring carrying out mundane tasks, but being able to stick things out says a lot about a person.
Smiler. said:
I'd be wary of an "apprentice" who wanted to jump ship part way through the term (staying power, etc).
That said, if it was clear that the candidate was outstanding and clearly not being challenged in their current role, I'd be conversely keen to know more.
What education does your present employment provide & what does the prospective employer offer?
It can be very boring carrying out mundane tasks, but being able to stick things out says a lot about a person.
I totally understand the staying power point of view, and in no way am I unhappy in my current apprenticeship. In fact, it's regarded to be one of the best apprenticeships in the area! The opportunity up in Aberdeen is just too good to pass up though. Not that I've already got the job or anything, but i'd be quite stupid not to give it a go.That said, if it was clear that the candidate was outstanding and clearly not being challenged in their current role, I'd be conversely keen to know more.
What education does your present employment provide & what does the prospective employer offer?
It can be very boring carrying out mundane tasks, but being able to stick things out says a lot about a person.
Living and WORKING away from home at 17 is much harder than Living and Studying away from home as an 18 year old student, and if I were interviewing you, I'd want you to explain the down sides you might expect to experience. ie lonelyness, and what you would do about it. ie join the local football league.
New POD said:
Living and WORKING away from home at 17 is much harder than Living and Studying away from home as an 18 year old student, and if I were interviewing you, I'd want you to explain the down sides you might expect to experience. ie lonelyness, and what you would do
about it. ie join the local football league.
Good point. I've already given it some thought though and seeing that I train in MMA and karate and there are some very reputable clubs in the area, I don't think this would be too much of a problem. about it. ie join the local football league.
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