I still don't know what I want to do
Discussion
.... But I know what I don't want to do!
Approaching 30 fast and I thought I'd have it all figured out by now.
I've been lucky so far in that I've earned reasonable money in my 20s, at peak probably £65k, now on 35.
I can't stand my job and I've done the whole progression thing in my industry, and found out that it's just not for me. Also, I am allergic to some of the hazardous stuff used which gives me rhinitis and I've just had enough. Regular expectation of 60 plus hours a week is also no fun.
No qualifications to speak of apart from a handful of GCSEs and no meaningful hobbies or passions! Transferable skills are an eye for detail, use of hand tools, experience dealing with people and customers at all levels, supervisory/management (only 1.5years), can read technical drawings.
I'm quite envious of people who just know exactly what they want from their work life. I have a small list of desirables:
Similar salary once trained with scope to progress
Reasonable working hours
Stable
Nice culture, having come from backstabbing cut throat unsupportive culture with constant and relentless horrible banter
It seems silly to invest in paying for a student loan for the OU for something I don't even know I'd be that interested in or would get me anywhere closer to my goals, ditto with shorter courses. I have considered HGV driving but worry I may get bored.
I'm not overly sure what my point in this post is, and of course in these strange times I am grateful to have work, but it's also got me thinking about what's really important. Does anyone else feel the same, or was this you and you managed to do something about it?
Approaching 30 fast and I thought I'd have it all figured out by now.
I've been lucky so far in that I've earned reasonable money in my 20s, at peak probably £65k, now on 35.
I can't stand my job and I've done the whole progression thing in my industry, and found out that it's just not for me. Also, I am allergic to some of the hazardous stuff used which gives me rhinitis and I've just had enough. Regular expectation of 60 plus hours a week is also no fun.
No qualifications to speak of apart from a handful of GCSEs and no meaningful hobbies or passions! Transferable skills are an eye for detail, use of hand tools, experience dealing with people and customers at all levels, supervisory/management (only 1.5years), can read technical drawings.
I'm quite envious of people who just know exactly what they want from their work life. I have a small list of desirables:
Similar salary once trained with scope to progress
Reasonable working hours
Stable
Nice culture, having come from backstabbing cut throat unsupportive culture with constant and relentless horrible banter
It seems silly to invest in paying for a student loan for the OU for something I don't even know I'd be that interested in or would get me anywhere closer to my goals, ditto with shorter courses. I have considered HGV driving but worry I may get bored.
I'm not overly sure what my point in this post is, and of course in these strange times I am grateful to have work, but it's also got me thinking about what's really important. Does anyone else feel the same, or was this you and you managed to do something about it?
I’d say the world pre covid was already changing so you’d naturally have more than types of career in a typical working life.
Work first and foremost is a means to an end.
Normally working alongside good people makes things far better.
Every job will no doubt have some not done much fun parts.
Another point is the grass can look greener than it really is.
Right now sensible to sit tight in a role - even if you hate it, keep quiet do a good job. Finding work now and possibly for the next 5 years may have hundreds and hundreds battling for the same role - so bird in the hand is better than two in the Bush.
Work first and foremost is a means to an end.
Normally working alongside good people makes things far better.
Every job will no doubt have some not done much fun parts.
Another point is the grass can look greener than it really is.
Right now sensible to sit tight in a role - even if you hate it, keep quiet do a good job. Finding work now and possibly for the next 5 years may have hundreds and hundreds battling for the same role - so bird in the hand is better than two in the Bush.
As above, it's going to be a tricky few years, so may be best to sit tight unless your skills are in very high demand and you can fall back on them if needed
Also, could be an ideal time to study with the OU, while this s
t storm blows over. Perhaps something like teaching could be good, in a subject similar to what you have experience in. Reasonable pay, reasonable hours (I'm sure someone will be angry at that comment!), rewarding, stable, progression....
Or if you can read technical drawings perhaps technical purchasing or something would be good for you.
Hard to say without knowing what you do
Also, could be an ideal time to study with the OU, while this s
t storm blows over. Perhaps something like teaching could be good, in a subject similar to what you have experience in. Reasonable pay, reasonable hours (I'm sure someone will be angry at that comment!), rewarding, stable, progression.... Or if you can read technical drawings perhaps technical purchasing or something would be good for you.
Hard to say without knowing what you do
KnackeredSwede said:
.... But I know what I don't want to do!
Approaching 30 fast and I thought I'd have it all figured out by now.
I've been lucky so far in that I've earned reasonable money in my 20s, at peak probably £65k, now on 35.
I can't stand my job and I've done the whole progression thing in my industry, and found out that it's just not for me. Also, I am allergic to some of the hazardous stuff used which gives me rhinitis and I've just had enough. Regular expectation of 60 plus hours a week is also no fun.
No qualifications to speak of apart from a handful of GCSEs and no meaningful hobbies or passions! Transferable skills are an eye for detail, use of hand tools, experience dealing with people and customers at all levels, supervisory/management (only 1.5years), can read technical drawings.
I'm quite envious of people who just know exactly what they want from their work life. I have a small list of desirables:
Similar salary once trained with scope to progress
Reasonable working hours
Stable
Nice culture, having come from backstabbing cut throat unsupportive culture with constant and relentless horrible banter
It seems silly to invest in paying for a student loan for the OU for something I don't even know I'd be that interested in or would get me anywhere closer to my goals, ditto with shorter courses. I have considered HGV driving but worry I may get bored.
I'm not overly sure what my point in this post is, and of course in these strange times I am grateful to have work, but it's also got me thinking about what's really important. Does anyone else feel the same, or was this you and you managed to do something about it?
What is it you do currently? Are you fit and healthy? Would you be happy working overseas? Approaching 30 fast and I thought I'd have it all figured out by now.
I've been lucky so far in that I've earned reasonable money in my 20s, at peak probably £65k, now on 35.
I can't stand my job and I've done the whole progression thing in my industry, and found out that it's just not for me. Also, I am allergic to some of the hazardous stuff used which gives me rhinitis and I've just had enough. Regular expectation of 60 plus hours a week is also no fun.
No qualifications to speak of apart from a handful of GCSEs and no meaningful hobbies or passions! Transferable skills are an eye for detail, use of hand tools, experience dealing with people and customers at all levels, supervisory/management (only 1.5years), can read technical drawings.
I'm quite envious of people who just know exactly what they want from their work life. I have a small list of desirables:
Similar salary once trained with scope to progress
Reasonable working hours
Stable
Nice culture, having come from backstabbing cut throat unsupportive culture with constant and relentless horrible banter
It seems silly to invest in paying for a student loan for the OU for something I don't even know I'd be that interested in or would get me anywhere closer to my goals, ditto with shorter courses. I have considered HGV driving but worry I may get bored.
I'm not overly sure what my point in this post is, and of course in these strange times I am grateful to have work, but it's also got me thinking about what's really important. Does anyone else feel the same, or was this you and you managed to do something about it?
There are going to be a lot of job losses in the next year or so. You jumping from your current role may not be under your control. If you’re still thinking the same way, at this time next year, then you may have dodged a bullet. For the time being, sit tight, get your head down, and carry on.
Pothole said:
Me neither, 55 years old, 5 years into my 38th job since 1984 - second longest I've stayed anywhere...
Ha 
Beat me to it. 52yo and 11 years into my 5th or 6th job since 1985 (includes evening jobs and holiday jobs). You've done well to tot-up 38 jobs. I just don't have the motivation to move around like that but I've been lucky in that my jobs have all been reasonable and pay decent, so couldn't be arsed to move-on.
But still... I'm not doing anything exciting and open to offers. Maybe something with Jennifer Lawrence, please?
If you're not on LinkedIn - get on it.
(I'll assume you're not for the sake of this post).
When you fill out your profile, you're given an extensive list of skills and experience to choose from. Select as many of these as you can whilst also being honest - can you back them up with demonstrable proof?
Select the option that you're 'Open to recruiters'.
You'll then receive notifications of jobs that match your skills set.
This will at least start to flag up some ideas that you perhaps didn't have previously and what those sorts of roles pay.
(I'll assume you're not for the sake of this post).
When you fill out your profile, you're given an extensive list of skills and experience to choose from. Select as many of these as you can whilst also being honest - can you back them up with demonstrable proof?
Select the option that you're 'Open to recruiters'.
You'll then receive notifications of jobs that match your skills set.
This will at least start to flag up some ideas that you perhaps didn't have previously and what those sorts of roles pay.
A500leroy said:
Well ive been told to stop being pathetic when ive started similar threads.
Awww diddums, OP has asked sensible questions and is trying to help himself. See where you are going wrong? OP, easier said than done but maybe try and find a job that is rewarding, even if it's less money. Ive never been the type to work a job I dislike because of the financial reward and I'm prepared to make the necessary sacrifices. Lots to be said for doing a job you love, ideally making something as it gives you a sense of achievement, IME anyway.
Some people go their whole working lives looking for the 'right' job, but without knowing what that is. As said be others above, many treat work as a means to an end.
People grow and life changes, so it's natural to look for something different.
There are few lifetime jobs now. It's standard enough to see people jump from job to job every few years which would have been seen as "flitty" in decades gone by. The job market is in huge flux at the minute. Some doors are closing but some new ones are opening. If you're adaptable and willing to roll the dice on something that tickles your fancy, you never know where it'll lead you.
People grow and life changes, so it's natural to look for something different.
There are few lifetime jobs now. It's standard enough to see people jump from job to job every few years which would have been seen as "flitty" in decades gone by. The job market is in huge flux at the minute. Some doors are closing but some new ones are opening. If you're adaptable and willing to roll the dice on something that tickles your fancy, you never know where it'll lead you.
I'm 36 and don't know what I want to do. I'm just winging it 
I'm kind of in a similar situation though, no real qualifications but I've worked my way up to a well paying role that I wouldn't be able to walk into elsewhere.
With the world going mad I've decided to sit tight and take advantage of the apprenticeship levy and go for a degree.
I'm kind of in a similar situation though, no real qualifications but I've worked my way up to a well paying role that I wouldn't be able to walk into elsewhere.
With the world going mad I've decided to sit tight and take advantage of the apprenticeship levy and go for a degree.
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