Has your career/industry just ceased to exist?

[Lordbenny]

So, I worked in the record industry for the best part of 20 years (When I say record I mean those 7" & 12" round pieces of vinyl with holes in the middle). Nearly 2 years ago its all went tts up & that was it, I-Pods & downloads took over & the rest they say is history, I didnt have an industry/career!

I the meantime I've done a bit of this & that but can't get into anything else & it's not not the best time to be looking for a new carrer!

Any of you out there who have seen their careers end purely because the industry just stopped existing & what have you done about it?

I'm talking TV tube manufacturers, 4 x 4 salesmen, estate agents!

[Mr Heathen]

I'm in pretty much exactly the same boat my friend - music industry related business for a large part of my adult life. Now my business has all but failed, I am 40 & have no other skills or experience relevant to anything that I can reasonably begin to think of... Like you I have done a bit of this & that but TBH it's been a bit of a downward spiral.

I basically have absolutely no fking idea what to do next & have been wracking my brains desperately trying to think of something... Unfortunately, I think the reality is simple, I'm/we're fked. Realistically no employer is going to take on a 40yo 'apprentice' or college grad.

I'm afraid it could well be a case of "do you want fries with that?" ...I can almost hear the Tesco checkout beckoning...

Any suggestions welcome!

[frankhovis]

I'm in the print industry and it's going down the pan rapidly. There are not many web printers left in this country now and my current company have just announced there are going to be big cuts in the workforce

Bag of ste really.

[Lordbenny]

Mr Heathen said:

I'm in pretty much exactly the same boat my friend - music industry related business for a large part of my adult life. Now my business has all but failed, I am 40 & have no other skills or experience relevant to anything that I can reasonably begin to think of... Like you I have done a bit of this & that but TBH it's been a bit of a downward spiral.

I basically have absolutely no fking idea what to do next & have been wracking my brains desperately trying to think of something... Unfortunately, I think the reality is simple, I'm/we're fked. Realistically no employer is going to take on a 40yo 'apprentice' or college grad.

I'm afraid it could well be a case of "do you want fries with that?" ...I can almost hear the Tesco checkout beckoning...

Any suggestions welcome!

Blimey we seem to have lived in a parrallel universe! I'm 43 and was in the business of distributing US, French & UK vinyl.(I introduced ALOT of very well known tunes and labels into the West End Shops).

So what next? Well, my other half is the MD of a VERY well known car related business, (I can say no more!) but it only employs me for about 2 or 3 months of the year & thats mainly payment in kind. My savings will last me until the end of the Summer then I'll be trying to find a paddle to get me up st creek!

[Mr Heathen]

frankhovis said:

I'm in the print industry and it's going down the pan rapidly. There are not many web printers left in this country now and my current company have just announced there are going to be big cuts in the workforce

Bag of ste really.

You can say that again pal! Hope the cuts pass you by... Keep your head down!

Lordbenny said:

Blimey we seem to have lived in a parrallel universe! I'm 43 and was in the business of distributing US, French & UK vinyl.(I introduced ALOT of very well known tunes and labels into the West End Shops).

So what next? Well, my other half is the MD of a VERY well known car related business, (I can say no more!) but it only employs me for about 2 or 3 months of the year & thats mainly payment in kind. My savings will last me until the end of the Summer then I'll be trying to find a paddle to get me up st creek!

We do seem to have had a very similar experience, though it appears you were perhaps a little higher up the food chain than myself.

We had a small label, record pressing service & distributed in UK, Japan & SE Asia. We still have an events organisation side of things run by my business partner, which is now propping me up & we've just about managed to keep going. We've completely forgone the UK & Europe after some whopping (for us anyway) losses in 2008, but we still hold regular events in Japan where the entertainment market seems to be a little more buoyant with people still actually being able to afford to go out/being arsed to turn up. TBH though, we are barely managing to keep our heads above water.

You are lucky to have a partner in full time employment! I'm afraid I have no such comfort to help me right now. Like yourself though, my small amount of savings are dwindling FAST. Very soon I fear the car will have to go - something I have been putting off as a very last resort as it was the realisation of a 20 year dream & I know, I will probably never be able to afford anything like it again... Still, it's insured, serviced, taxed & MOT'd until next year so at least I'll have the summer to enjoy it.

Now, lets just cross all our fingers & toes & repeat like a mantra... "Something will turn up, everything's going to be just fine..."

Edited by Mr Heathen on Monday 23 March 14:13

[nigel79]

hi
im in the performance aftermarket car parts market (i make alloy and steel parts for performance cars) although business is well at the moment, i am getting consernced about the future, as most car makers are scrapping their performance models, or bringing things like the gtr out that are to hi tec to be highly moddified. or all going green. i do wonder what the market will be like in 5-10 years time. so i did start looking at changing. it reminded me of the horse and cart just as cars were coming in. although theres always motorsport to turn to. i think with the recession, and environment we are going to see a big change with motor cars.
hope you both find something soon. i used to want to set up my own record shop when i was at school (13years ago) dont think it would be around now if i had with all the internet.
nigel.