Career Change, but what? Advice and Suggestions Needed
Discussion
I need some advice from the 'collective' on a career change.
I'll give my career history so you don't switch off when seeing what I currently do!
From A-Levels I did an apprenticeship in Cartography. I worked as a cartographic editor for 9 years. I loved it, looking back I never realised how lucky I was. Sadly, satellite navigation and GPS came along, the little company I worked for (we did nearly everything by hand still) couldn't keep up or change quick enough and I was laid off in 2004, having just exchanged contracts on a new house.
I tried so hard for the following year to stay in the industry or something similar, but lots of people lost their jobs in the industry so with a mortgage to maintain, I had to reluctantly switch roles and end up in a career I had friends in. Estate Agency.
I had (and do to this day) the same opinion as most of the industry, earn loads, do sod all, lie, cheat, etc
Well in the two companies I've worked for in the last 12 years, I've seen none of that. I earn less than I ever did as a cartographer, it's a bloody hard, stressful, thankless job where every person you meet thinks they are a property expert and talks down to you. I can see why some agents become the people the public expect them to be.
Anyway, I started on front desk with young oiks (having gone from my own office etc), and within 2 years I was a branch manager. I then ran a couple of offices and subsequently switched companies to where I am now at a country firm. Tbh I really hate the work, getting out and about is nice, but its an awful job to be in. I've now heard the company is being sold (including me) to a new firm who have basically been our competitors for years.
I've always kept my ear out, but my biggest issue is finding a career where my two fields benefit. I can't afford to take much of paycut (circa £27-30k).
I'd apply for lots, if I just new what! I obviously love cars, but I really don't want to be in sales anymore. Just in a complete rut and hating my working life which is severely getting me down. Just thought I'd throw it out there to anyone that has any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
I'll give my career history so you don't switch off when seeing what I currently do!
From A-Levels I did an apprenticeship in Cartography. I worked as a cartographic editor for 9 years. I loved it, looking back I never realised how lucky I was. Sadly, satellite navigation and GPS came along, the little company I worked for (we did nearly everything by hand still) couldn't keep up or change quick enough and I was laid off in 2004, having just exchanged contracts on a new house.
I tried so hard for the following year to stay in the industry or something similar, but lots of people lost their jobs in the industry so with a mortgage to maintain, I had to reluctantly switch roles and end up in a career I had friends in. Estate Agency.
I had (and do to this day) the same opinion as most of the industry, earn loads, do sod all, lie, cheat, etc
Well in the two companies I've worked for in the last 12 years, I've seen none of that. I earn less than I ever did as a cartographer, it's a bloody hard, stressful, thankless job where every person you meet thinks they are a property expert and talks down to you. I can see why some agents become the people the public expect them to be.
Anyway, I started on front desk with young oiks (having gone from my own office etc), and within 2 years I was a branch manager. I then ran a couple of offices and subsequently switched companies to where I am now at a country firm. Tbh I really hate the work, getting out and about is nice, but its an awful job to be in. I've now heard the company is being sold (including me) to a new firm who have basically been our competitors for years.
I've always kept my ear out, but my biggest issue is finding a career where my two fields benefit. I can't afford to take much of paycut (circa £27-30k).
I'd apply for lots, if I just new what! I obviously love cars, but I really don't want to be in sales anymore. Just in a complete rut and hating my working life which is severely getting me down. Just thought I'd throw it out there to anyone that has any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
but neither would suit me sadly.
So what happens when you have worked for the same company for the best part of 16 years and then get made redundant. I found another job pretty quickly working for a contractor as a supervisor, anyways moving on two years or so I was told that they were making the two supervisor roles into one and one position would be made redundant. bingo. I was told that it was the position but as well I wanted to make sure that there was a job for me I started to look around, just incase…. and I was offered a new role, however the current employer has provided sketchy details of the new role and although it looks nice Im kinda thinking the dice was rolled.... Im kinda wondering do I stay or do I decide to try the new role....
Such is life, I wonder if the redundancy thing had not popped up I would have been happy to keep going doing what I was doing but this new role well it just seems like a really good position with some good prospects and a chance to travel and see some more of this wonder full country Scotland.
Such is life, I wonder if the redundancy thing had not popped up I would have been happy to keep going doing what I was doing but this new role well it just seems like a really good position with some good prospects and a chance to travel and see some more of this wonder full country Scotland.
Munter said:
For something left field:
Can you take the time to train as a Paramedic/Nurse?
Customer facing. Should hit your pay requirements pretty quickly by the look of it. Get out and about if you're a Paramedic...
edit: Duh I should have read the 2nd post. Muppet award please. Thanks.
Don’t bother being a Paramedic it’s awful. Plus it’s Degree in your own time only unless you a start at the bottom and work up internally.Can you take the time to train as a Paramedic/Nurse?
Customer facing. Should hit your pay requirements pretty quickly by the look of it. Get out and about if you're a Paramedic...
edit: Duh I should have read the 2nd post. Muppet award please. Thanks.
I see a number of comments that ring a bell with my own career (I'm a commercial property surveyor).
When I graduated (with my surveying degree) I had initially wanted to be a residential surveyor but the market was in a bit of a recession and so there were few jobs. In order to get my foot in the door I got a job with a local estate agent and, like you, started on the front desk. I enjoyed property and thought it would be fun, however the pay was s
t, there was no challenge (I didn't feel any stress) and as you say everyone talked down to you because they all reckoned they knew better and had preconceptions about you being scum.
I stuck at it because it was easy, because my mates were also in crap jobs (call centres etc) and graduate salaries were equally crap so it wasn't immediately noticeable I was being left behind and because I was always promised that a better opportunity may materialise. When this didn't happen I moved on to a commercial role, where everyone was much nicer and friendlier, with no preconceptions. Still in it now 20 years later and don't regret it.
I saw your comments about qualifications and agree it is a slog, especially without a recognised degree, however if you speak to the RICS there are alternate ways into the profession. If you have a good background in residential property you could become a residential valuer doing mortgage reports - there's quite a shortage due to them all being old farts and so the entry qualifications have been amended (it's now AssocRIOCS rather than MRICS).
As others have mentioned, property management work is still in the same area and doesn't require qualifications.
Also, have you looked at becoming an EPC assessor? There's more and more requirements for these.
When I graduated (with my surveying degree) I had initially wanted to be a residential surveyor but the market was in a bit of a recession and so there were few jobs. In order to get my foot in the door I got a job with a local estate agent and, like you, started on the front desk. I enjoyed property and thought it would be fun, however the pay was s
t, there was no challenge (I didn't feel any stress) and as you say everyone talked down to you because they all reckoned they knew better and had preconceptions about you being scum.I stuck at it because it was easy, because my mates were also in crap jobs (call centres etc) and graduate salaries were equally crap so it wasn't immediately noticeable I was being left behind and because I was always promised that a better opportunity may materialise. When this didn't happen I moved on to a commercial role, where everyone was much nicer and friendlier, with no preconceptions. Still in it now 20 years later and don't regret it.
I saw your comments about qualifications and agree it is a slog, especially without a recognised degree, however if you speak to the RICS there are alternate ways into the profession. If you have a good background in residential property you could become a residential valuer doing mortgage reports - there's quite a shortage due to them all being old farts and so the entry qualifications have been amended (it's now AssocRIOCS rather than MRICS).
As others have mentioned, property management work is still in the same area and doesn't require qualifications.
Also, have you looked at becoming an EPC assessor? There's more and more requirements for these.
Quags said:
. I can't afford to take much of paycut (circa £27-30k).
.
The problem of millions of us across the world..
You earn that much because you have put x amount of years into your current career and its not really a transferable skill.
Change of career typically means starting at the bottom again
There are a few careers that seem to pay a fair bit less but are much closer in reality than you might think.
For example a Policeman. To start with it looks crap at around £21k but by the time you've added shift work and overtime to that you are a lot closer.
And the rates increase noticeably for each years service so youd quickly get close and overtake your current salary.
Similar for things like a paramedic (although the degree required now makes that more difficult)
Failing that you change your lifestyle so you don't need £27-30k. It takes balls but anyone I know who has done it are delighted.
soxboy said:
I see a number of comments that ring a bell with my own career (I'm a commercial property surveyor).
When I graduated (with my surveying degree) I had initially wanted to be a residential surveyor but the market was in a bit of a recession and so there were few jobs. In order to get my foot in the door I got a job with a local estate agent and, like you, started on the front desk. I enjoyed property and thought it would be fun, however the pay was st, there was no challenge (I didn't feel any stress) and as you say everyone talked down to you because they all reckoned they knew better and had preconceptions about you being scum.
I stuck at it because it was easy, because my mates were also in crap jobs (call centres etc) and graduate salaries were equally crap so it wasn't immediately noticeable I was being left behind and because I was always promised that a better opportunity may materialise. When this didn't happen I moved on to a commercial role, where everyone was much nicer and friendlier, with no preconceptions. Still in it now 20 years later and don't regret it.
I saw your comments about qualifications and agree it is a slog, especially without a recognised degree, however if you speak to the RICS there are alternate ways into the profession. If you have a good background in residential property you could become a residential valuer doing mortgage reports - there's quite a shortage due to them all being old farts and so the entry qualifications have been amended (it's now AssocRIOCS rather than MRICS).
As others have mentioned, property management work is still in the same area and doesn't require qualifications.
Also, have you looked at becoming an EPC assessor? There's more and more requirements for these.
Some very useful comments there, thank you. I'll investigate RICS more. The EPC assessor we use says he's not 'that' busy currently, but I guess that's just down to the market. When I graduated (with my surveying degree) I had initially wanted to be a residential surveyor but the market was in a bit of a recession and so there were few jobs. In order to get my foot in the door I got a job with a local estate agent and, like you, started on the front desk. I enjoyed property and thought it would be fun, however the pay was s
t, there was no challenge (I didn't feel any stress) and as you say everyone talked down to you because they all reckoned they knew better and had preconceptions about you being scum.I stuck at it because it was easy, because my mates were also in crap jobs (call centres etc) and graduate salaries were equally crap so it wasn't immediately noticeable I was being left behind and because I was always promised that a better opportunity may materialise. When this didn't happen I moved on to a commercial role, where everyone was much nicer and friendlier, with no preconceptions. Still in it now 20 years later and don't regret it.
I saw your comments about qualifications and agree it is a slog, especially without a recognised degree, however if you speak to the RICS there are alternate ways into the profession. If you have a good background in residential property you could become a residential valuer doing mortgage reports - there's quite a shortage due to them all being old farts and so the entry qualifications have been amended (it's now AssocRIOCS rather than MRICS).
As others have mentioned, property management work is still in the same area and doesn't require qualifications.
Also, have you looked at becoming an EPC assessor? There's more and more requirements for these.
It's soul destroying this job, I've suffered from severe depression and anxiety which hasn't helped. You're very lucky in the fact that the stress didn't get to you!
What did you need to do to transition from a residential agent to a commercial surveyor?
I appreciate everyone's help!
blindswelledrat said:
The problem of millions of us across the world.
You earn that much because you have put x amount of years into your current career and its not really a transferable skill.
Change of career typically means starting at the bottom again
There are a few careers that seem to pay a fair bit less but are much closer in reality than you might think.
For example a Policeman. To start with it looks crap at around £21k but by the time you've added shift work and overtime to that you are a lot closer.
And the rates increase noticeably for each years service so youd quickly get close and overtake your current salary.
Similar for things like a paramedic (although the degree required now makes that more difficult)
Failing that you change your lifestyle so you don't need £27-30k. It takes balls but anyone I know who has done it are delighted.
TBH I could probably take a cut as SWMBO is on a good salary. I feel at nearly 42 years old being a policeman or paramedic would be not suitable (plus I have a prolapsed L4/5 disc in my back) and I need to carry some of my skillset over.You earn that much because you have put x amount of years into your current career and its not really a transferable skill.
Change of career typically means starting at the bottom again
There are a few careers that seem to pay a fair bit less but are much closer in reality than you might think.
For example a Policeman. To start with it looks crap at around £21k but by the time you've added shift work and overtime to that you are a lot closer.
And the rates increase noticeably for each years service so youd quickly get close and overtake your current salary.
Similar for things like a paramedic (although the degree required now makes that more difficult)
Failing that you change your lifestyle so you don't need £27-30k. It takes balls but anyone I know who has done it are delighted.
I've actually just been commissioned to do some design/photoshopping work on the side. A small job, but it's nice to feel useful!
Quags said:
Some very useful comments there, thank you. I'll investigate RICS more. The EPC assessor we use says he's not 'that' busy currently, but I guess that's just down to the market.
It's soul destroying this job, I've suffered from severe depression and anxiety which hasn't helped. You're very lucky in the fact that the stress didn't get to you!
What did you need to do to transition from a residential agent to a commercial surveyor?
I appreciate everyone's help!
You're welcome, happy to help.It's soul destroying this job, I've suffered from severe depression and anxiety which hasn't helped. You're very lucky in the fact that the stress didn't get to you!
What did you need to do to transition from a residential agent to a commercial surveyor?
I appreciate everyone's help!
Don't get me wrong, there are still stresses in this job (mostly fee targets) but it's a different mindset of the customer as you are dealing with businesses rather than people's homes.
With regard to transition from residential agent to commercial surveyor, I had a recognised surveying degree so that got me straight in and then on to doing my qualifications. I hadn't set out to be a resi agent, I just did it to get on the path of resi surveying. I could have gone for what appeared to be the more comfortable life and stayed with estate agency but then I felt that my degree was being wasted.
The EPC guys I talk to are pretty busy as there are now MEES regulations where you can't let anything with an F or a G so lots being reassessed. It may help if you do commercial EPCs too.
If I were in your shoes (we are of similar age) the residential surveyor/ valuer route would be my first choice as you have most of the knowledge of the market and the area, plus it still gets you out and about noseying round other houses!
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