Had enough, need a change, but what do I do?
Discussion
This has been prompted by a kick up the arse from a mate I had dinner with at the yesterday. He had just come from picking his kid up from school after a nice round of golf. He works 6am-2pm and has an excellent work life balance.
Sorry for waffling on here, I would just like to see if there’s anything I haven’t thought of. I need a career change badly but I’m at a loss.
I’ve been doing the same job since I was 18, now 27, but for various companies.
I am in a hands on role in the motorsport industry, a technician but not an engineer, and I currently work as an hourly paid contractor. You do not need any qualifications for what I do, which is just as well, because all I have is a handful of gcse’s.
I feel like I’m in such a trap. I’ve been on great money for my age ever since I was about 20, and obviously I’m very grateful, but there are some issues and I just can’t stand it any more.
Getting ‘off the tools’ in a management role doesn’t really pay any more and the hours are crazy in the industry. I’ve gone as far as I can go in my current role and have worked for big F1 teams and have great experience, but the experience is very specific.
The first big issue; the materials I use for work give me rhinitis (permanently runny or blocked nose, gets very sore, bleeds and gets dry with constant blowing). I have meds for this but it only helps a bit, and this won’t go away unless I change my job.
Second issue; the hours & commutes. Since I started out I have done in excess of 45 hours a week, usually loads more, 60+ being expected in the winter months. Now, being hourly paid the money is lovely and I’m grateful but I just can’t strike a good work life balance, no energy for exercise, no time for myself. I want kids sometime soon but I’m scared I’ll never see them. I usually have to travel an hour each way wherever I work and no I don’t want to move. I’m knackered, shouldn’t be at my age, but I’ve been doing these hours for too long.
Third issue; money. I’ve been on a decent wage for so long now that I’m not sure how to adjust. I don’t have mental outgoings by any stretch, but I really need 25k+ With scope to improve, and how can I possibly achieve this having been in such a niche role for a long time? Currently earn anywhere between 600-1100 per week.
Transferable skills... hmm... I can read engineers drawings, I was Production Supervisor for a while, managing a team of 30 technicians, quoting for jobs, dealing with customers, but this was in a disorganised chaotic company and more hassle than it was worth. I’m great on the phone, dealing with people, there are lots of jobs I could do, but half of them don’t pay or have no scope to pay more long term, which I would like.
Current thoughts which I’ve pursued over the last couple of years but got nowhere with:
Technical purchasing; good money, room to progress, tends to be office hours, but struggling to get a shot with no specific buying experpence
Recruitment; I have built up a good relationship with some agents over the years doing contract work, and the earning capability would be good, but again, no sales experience holds me back, and whilst I wouldn’t have a permanently runny nose, work life balance might not be great.
Inspired by another post on this forum, warehouse picker/packer, with a view to getting promoted for more money. Great hours, usually 37.5 per week, but couldn’t live on the money for long, would need to make sure I got that promotion. Perhaps could be a little boring, which I don’t mind too much really.
Trainee machinist; I can read drawings and have engineering experience, roles tend to be apprenticeships or very poor starting wages which I can’t live on.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what I might do, before I work myself in to a breakdown?!
Thanks for reading
Sorry for waffling on here, I would just like to see if there’s anything I haven’t thought of. I need a career change badly but I’m at a loss.
I’ve been doing the same job since I was 18, now 27, but for various companies.
I am in a hands on role in the motorsport industry, a technician but not an engineer, and I currently work as an hourly paid contractor. You do not need any qualifications for what I do, which is just as well, because all I have is a handful of gcse’s.
I feel like I’m in such a trap. I’ve been on great money for my age ever since I was about 20, and obviously I’m very grateful, but there are some issues and I just can’t stand it any more.
Getting ‘off the tools’ in a management role doesn’t really pay any more and the hours are crazy in the industry. I’ve gone as far as I can go in my current role and have worked for big F1 teams and have great experience, but the experience is very specific.
The first big issue; the materials I use for work give me rhinitis (permanently runny or blocked nose, gets very sore, bleeds and gets dry with constant blowing). I have meds for this but it only helps a bit, and this won’t go away unless I change my job.
Second issue; the hours & commutes. Since I started out I have done in excess of 45 hours a week, usually loads more, 60+ being expected in the winter months. Now, being hourly paid the money is lovely and I’m grateful but I just can’t strike a good work life balance, no energy for exercise, no time for myself. I want kids sometime soon but I’m scared I’ll never see them. I usually have to travel an hour each way wherever I work and no I don’t want to move. I’m knackered, shouldn’t be at my age, but I’ve been doing these hours for too long.
Third issue; money. I’ve been on a decent wage for so long now that I’m not sure how to adjust. I don’t have mental outgoings by any stretch, but I really need 25k+ With scope to improve, and how can I possibly achieve this having been in such a niche role for a long time? Currently earn anywhere between 600-1100 per week.
Transferable skills... hmm... I can read engineers drawings, I was Production Supervisor for a while, managing a team of 30 technicians, quoting for jobs, dealing with customers, but this was in a disorganised chaotic company and more hassle than it was worth. I’m great on the phone, dealing with people, there are lots of jobs I could do, but half of them don’t pay or have no scope to pay more long term, which I would like.
Current thoughts which I’ve pursued over the last couple of years but got nowhere with:
Technical purchasing; good money, room to progress, tends to be office hours, but struggling to get a shot with no specific buying experpence
Recruitment; I have built up a good relationship with some agents over the years doing contract work, and the earning capability would be good, but again, no sales experience holds me back, and whilst I wouldn’t have a permanently runny nose, work life balance might not be great.
Inspired by another post on this forum, warehouse picker/packer, with a view to getting promoted for more money. Great hours, usually 37.5 per week, but couldn’t live on the money for long, would need to make sure I got that promotion. Perhaps could be a little boring, which I don’t mind too much really.
Trainee machinist; I can read drawings and have engineering experience, roles tend to be apprenticeships or very poor starting wages which I can’t live on.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what I might do, before I work myself in to a breakdown?!
Thanks for reading
https://jobs.royalmailgroup.com/search/
ignore the contact lengths there's always plenty of overtime to get you up to £600 a week if you want it, but all ot is voluntary.
ignore the contact lengths there's always plenty of overtime to get you up to £600 a week if you want it, but all ot is voluntary.
maybe learn to steer a 3D cad package like solidworks and head down the design/engeering/drafting route?
If you do a college course in CAD drafting you should be able to land a £22k PA job down around the home counties, that would be up to £25k in a year or 2. If you can already read drawings and are technically minded, you're halfway there.
With your experience alone you could also probably blag your way into a sales/supply team in the design/engineering sector.
If you do a college course in CAD drafting you should be able to land a £22k PA job down around the home counties, that would be up to £25k in a year or 2. If you can already read drawings and are technically minded, you're halfway there.
With your experience alone you could also probably blag your way into a sales/supply team in the design/engineering sector.
Edited by designforlife on Tuesday 13th November 17:20
Have you considered going to uni as a mature student? When I was at uni there were plenty of 25+ year olds. With all the work experience you've had, you're probably disciplined enough to go get a good degree... and you'll get to have fun few years whilst getting a qualification under your belt that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life.
A500leroy said:
https://jobs.royalmailgroup.com/search/
ignore the contact lengths there's always plenty of overtime to get you up to £600 a week if you want it, but all ot is voluntary.
600 is my minimum take home after tax etc, if I work 40 hours, I would be happy with this wage but would like some scope to improve it in the future as kids come along etc ignore the contact lengths there's always plenty of overtime to get you up to £600 a week if you want it, but all ot is voluntary.
designforlife said:
maybe learn to steer a 3D cad package like solidworks and head down the design/engeering/drafting route?
If you do a college course in CAD drafting you should be able to land a £22k PA job down around the home counties, that would be up to £25k in a year or 2. If you can already read drawings and are technically minded, you're halfway there.
With your experience alone you could also probably blag your way into a sales/supply team in the design/engineering sector.
Great suggestions.. I haven’t thought much about it because I’m not really in to that sort of thing but I must admit, design engineer is quite a natural step for someone in my job with some learning and training, and the pay is good too. Food for thought but as I say, it’s not something I’ve ever been overly interested in.. If you do a college course in CAD drafting you should be able to land a £22k PA job down around the home counties, that would be up to £25k in a year or 2. If you can already read drawings and are technically minded, you're halfway there.
With your experience alone you could also probably blag your way into a sales/supply team in the design/engineering sector.
Edited by designforlife on Tuesday 13th November 17:20
nitrodave said:
Have you considered going to uni as a mature student? When I was at uni there were plenty of 25+ year olds. With all the work experience you've had, you're probably disciplined enough to go get a good degree... and you'll get to have fun few years whilst getting a qualification under your belt that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life.
Thanks for your reply, I quite like the idea of doing an access course and go in to nursing, but I just can’t afford it, and can’t afford to be studying for years.. great suggestion but I’m at the stage in life now where I’ve just signed for a mortgage and we’re planning to have children.
SAS Tom said:
I wouldn’t go for the warehouse picker/packer job. You’d struggle to get much more than minimum wage to start with and it could take years to progress. It’s usually physically tough and very boring.
This. No variety either, stuck in the same department.
Say, FLT driver should prove easier?
KnackeredSwede said:
Thanks for your reply, I quite like the idea of doing an access course and go in to nursing, but I just can’t afford it, and can’t afford to be studying for years.. great suggestion but I’m at the stage in life now where I’ve just signed for a mortgage and we’re planning to have children.
Hear me this, if you’re 40 hour week is £600 after tax, assuming because you’re a scummy conny you’re paying 25% in tax & accountants fees etc, your hourly rate will be approx £19. 30 hours per week @ £19ph amounts to nearly £28k. You said you’d be happy with a drop to 25 for a bit.
If you could find part time contract work, you could earn enough whilst you do an access to HE course and study nursing, if that’s what you really want. After all, you’ve got another 30-40 years of working left, might as well do something you’re passionate about?
SAS Tom said:
I wouldn’t go for the warehouse picker/packer job. You’d struggle to get much more than minimum wage to start with and it could take years to progress. It’s usually physically tough and very boring.
Anecdotal evidence of course, but my ex Mrs went from a £9 an hour temp, to an 18k perm, 24k team leader, to 32k shift manager at XPO in the space of a year. I think they just appreciated someone switched on who didn’t just view it as a dead end job and run away bang on 2pm like all the others. designforlife said:
I wouldn't recommend nursing if you want to adjust your work/life balance...I have quite a few mates in nursing, and hardly see them...also dated one for a while, didn't work brilliantly.
Sounds accurate. I would have thought though being a public service there would be little they could do if someone needed to work basic hours or flexible working for family etcVEX said:
If you are good at what you do and have a reputation for being good, then can you increase your hourly rate so you can shorten the hours you do it?
If you are contract staff then is the contract renewed, rolling monthly or just hourly.
V.
Hi there, If you are contract staff then is the contract renewed, rolling monthly or just hourly.
V.
Sadly no. The hourly rates are more or less industry standard, I have negotiated myself an extra £1 an hour by going direct with company I work for.
All of the F1 and motorsport teams, and sub contract suppliers all want a million hours per week out of any contractor, I think I’m genuinely just in the wrong industry for any home life balance.
soad said:
SAS Tom said:
I wouldn’t go for the warehouse picker/packer job. You’d struggle to get much more than minimum wage to start with and it could take years to progress. It’s usually physically tough and very boring.
This. No variety either, stuck in the same department.
Say, FLT driver should prove easier?
The money is pretty awful but I’d say with 5 hours per week OT (Still only 42.5 hours per week, loads better than the 55+ I do now) I could get around £20.5k. I could sustain this for 6 months to a year but I’d definitely need to make a team leader position after that as I’d be completely skint.
CX53 said:
KnackeredSwede said:
Thanks for your reply, I quite like the idea of doing an access course and go in to nursing, but I just can’t afford it, and can’t afford to be studying for years.. great suggestion but I’m at the stage in life now where I’ve just signed for a mortgage and we’re planning to have children.
Hear me this, if you’re 40 hour week is £600 after tax, assuming because you’re a scummy conny you’re paying 25% in tax & accountants fees etc, your hourly rate will be approx £19. 30 hours per week @ £19ph amounts to nearly £28k. You said you’d be happy with a drop to 25 for a bit.
If you could find part time contract work, you could earn enough whilst you do an access to HE course and study nursing, if that’s what you really want. After all, you’ve got another 30-40 years of working left, might as well do something you’re passionate about?
CX53 said:
SAS Tom said:
I wouldn’t go for the warehouse picker/packer job. You’d struggle to get much more than minimum wage to start with and it could take years to progress. It’s usually physically tough and very boring.
Anecdotal evidence of course, but my ex Mrs went from a £9 an hour temp, to an 18k perm, 24k team leader, to 32k shift manager at XPO in the space of a year. I think they just appreciated someone switched on who didn’t just view it as a dead end job and run away bang on 2pm like all the others. designforlife said:
I wouldn't recommend nursing if you want to adjust your work/life balance...I have quite a few mates in nursing, and hardly see them...also dated one for a while, didn't work brilliantly.
Sounds accurate. I would have thought though being a public service there would be little they could do if someone needed to work basic hours or flexible working for family etcWhen you think about taking a pay cut, remember, it’s not so much what you earn, but how you spend it.
As salary increases, usually so do direct debits, and general spending goes up to match.
Over the last year I’ve been trying to reduce all DD’s so I can stomach a career change, getting rid of ones I don’t need i.e. bought phone outright with sim only, got rid of unnecessary credit expert subscription, amazon prime which I don’t use, paid loan off early and looking at sending lease car back.
You’ll find you probably won’t have a massively different life being on 18k than 40k, just a slightly bigger house, nicer car and better holiday. When you have more disposable income you’re more likely to pop in Tesco or M&S and spend £30 on more or less nothing a couple of times a week, on top of normal food shopping, whereas on 18k you’ll do your perfectly decent weekly food shop at Tesco or Aldi and do a bit more cooking, which of course you probably have time to do as chances are you work a lot less hours.
It’s all about being smart with what you’ve got, it’s a scary thought taking a pay cut, but I doubt you’ll regret it too much.
As salary increases, usually so do direct debits, and general spending goes up to match.
Over the last year I’ve been trying to reduce all DD’s so I can stomach a career change, getting rid of ones I don’t need i.e. bought phone outright with sim only, got rid of unnecessary credit expert subscription, amazon prime which I don’t use, paid loan off early and looking at sending lease car back.
You’ll find you probably won’t have a massively different life being on 18k than 40k, just a slightly bigger house, nicer car and better holiday. When you have more disposable income you’re more likely to pop in Tesco or M&S and spend £30 on more or less nothing a couple of times a week, on top of normal food shopping, whereas on 18k you’ll do your perfectly decent weekly food shop at Tesco or Aldi and do a bit more cooking, which of course you probably have time to do as chances are you work a lot less hours.
It’s all about being smart with what you’ve got, it’s a scary thought taking a pay cut, but I doubt you’ll regret it too much.
JohnsMCS said:
When you think about taking a pay cut, remember, it’s not so much what you earn, but how you spend it.
As salary increases, usually so do direct debits, and general spending goes up to match.
Over the last year I’ve been trying to reduce all DD’s so I can stomach a career change, getting rid of ones I don’t need i.e. bought phone outright with sim only, got rid of unnecessary credit expert subscription, amazon prime which I don’t use, paid loan off early and looking at sending lease car back.
You’ll find you probably won’t have a massively different life being on 18k than 40k, just a slightly bigger house, nicer car and better holiday. When you have more disposable income you’re more likely to pop in Tesco or M&S and spend £30 on more or less nothing a couple of times a week, on top of normal food shopping, whereas on 18k you’ll do your perfectly decent weekly food shop at Tesco or Aldi and do a bit more cooking, which of course you probably have time to do as chances are you work a lot less hours.
It’s all about being smart with what you’ve got, it’s a scary thought taking a pay cut, but I doubt you’ll regret it too much.
This x100As salary increases, usually so do direct debits, and general spending goes up to match.
Over the last year I’ve been trying to reduce all DD’s so I can stomach a career change, getting rid of ones I don’t need i.e. bought phone outright with sim only, got rid of unnecessary credit expert subscription, amazon prime which I don’t use, paid loan off early and looking at sending lease car back.
You’ll find you probably won’t have a massively different life being on 18k than 40k, just a slightly bigger house, nicer car and better holiday. When you have more disposable income you’re more likely to pop in Tesco or M&S and spend £30 on more or less nothing a couple of times a week, on top of normal food shopping, whereas on 18k you’ll do your perfectly decent weekly food shop at Tesco or Aldi and do a bit more cooking, which of course you probably have time to do as chances are you work a lot less hours.
It’s all about being smart with what you’ve got, it’s a scary thought taking a pay cut, but I doubt you’ll regret it too much.
designforlife said:
This x100
Also perhaps just setting a finite goal to end what you are doing will be enough to get you through the current rough patch, you can then commit to the above advice for a time while also still earning well. This serves to prove 100% it's not just a phase (I don't think it is) but will also build some more savings and also allow you to take further advice from any where you can, research things yourself, perhaps even ask others who have left or know others that left to see what they did.Try and identify the main issues, which seem to be time and location? ie if you could do what you do with the people you do it but locally and for a fixed number of hours you'd be happy? If so changing work type completely might not be the thing? Step away and think about it, hell it's all getting a bit self help guru but why not write down your realistic dream job and see if that's achievable to any degree.
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