No Idea What to do for A Career

[Negative Creep]

I've just returned from spending 11 months travelling in New Zealand after graduating. Now I'm back in the UK and need to find a decent job and career but this is where I'm coming up against a brick wall. Put simply, I have no idea what I want to do. I know you should have some sort of aim but I really don't as I'm not sure what I'd be good at. Was hoping to figure that out whilst abroad but no joy there.

The main thing is that I've just turned 28 so I'm now worried the chance of a career will pass me by and I'll end up stuck in minimum wage hell. I've done plenty of retail, delivery driver and office work but never got anywhere or had any managerial/supervisor role. I'm not "one of the lads" or very outgoing which I think explains the lack of progress to a certain extent. To get a good job I need experience that I don't have but even applying for a crappy job to get some money together isn't working as I've been told I'm over qualified! I want to get out there and find a decent job allowing me my own house (working abroad or night shifts would be fine, no kids or mortgage to hold me back). In academic terms aside from the degree (Ba History) I have 3 A levels and plenty of GCSEs, whatever that may count for these days.

Any suggestions what you'd do in my position? Thanks!

[Doofus]

If you can't think of a job you want to do, think of an industry you'd like to work in, and see what's available there into which you might fit.

It won't be forever, so just try something out.

[Hedders]

Can you not do something with that History degree?

Mcdonalds?
Asda?

[Fatman2]

Don't despair. 28 isn't that old

Did I get that you've done a history degree ? Is there not anything that you fancy that's linked to your degree (like teaching history at school or something).

There are methods/courses for painting some sort of picture to help decide which direction you want to go but these are normally based on you starting in some sort of industry in the first place. The Open University does a course for engineers (T191 or something) that helps you to set out a development plan based on the sort of person you are, how you learn/approach things, what you're good at, strengths, weaknesses etc. Sounds a bit airy fairy but is actually very good.

http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/...

This isn't a funny question or pisstake but do you have any idea what you're actually good at?

[bazking69]

If it helps I am 27 and in the process of doing a degree with the intention of taking a totally different direction and break.

Neither of us is old. Have a serious think about where you want to be and go for it. You'll only regret it if you let yourself get to 48 and are still having the same twinges.

[cymtriks]

Seriously:

• Read "What colour is my parachute". Yes, it is an odd title, but it deals with finding out what you are good at, how to find out if employers want that skill set and various prompts and exercises to help you along.

• Go to an adult careers centre (I don't know the correct title, we have one at the local leisure centre) and have a go with a software package called "Adult Directions". This is a long series of questions about what kind of job you would like. Having answered the questions it searches through a big data base of jobs and suggests ideal ones for you. Don't get fixated on the top one, a small change in your responses could easily change the order of the top few so concentrate on the top twenty or so.

[slipstream 1985]

why did you do a degree in history if you didnt have a job / career in mind that involved it?

[limpsfield]

slipstream 1985 said:

why did you do a degree in history if you didnt have a job / career in mind that involved it?

Maybe he was interested in history...you don't seriously thing that it should be mandatory that people pick their degrees with a definite job in mind?

[slipstream 1985]

limpsfield said:

slipstream 1985 said:

why did you do a degree in history if you didnt have a job / career in mind that involved it?

Maybe he was interested in history...you don't seriously thing that it should be mandatory that people pick their degrees with a definite job in mind?

not mandatory but it would make sense!

[AyBee]

Having recently been in your situation, although not as old, I'd recommend picking a few areas and just applying for anything that takes your fancy. I did the same and got lucky with a role in an investment bank on an internship (possibly look at these as a way of getting a foot through the door). Early days having not been there a week yet but if I find it's not for me, it's all good experience and will hopefully help me in my next step either way!

[bint]

slipstream 1985 said:

limpsfield said:

slipstream 1985 said:

why did you do a degree in history if you didnt have a job / career in mind that involved it?

Maybe he was interested in history...you don't seriously thing that it should be mandatory that people pick theirdegrees with a definite job in mind?

not mandatory but it would makesense!

Not everyone (in fact a lot) knows what they want to do after Uni so the best thing to do is pick a subject you're interested in. I think subjects are narrowed down too early.

[Negative Creep]

cymtriks said:

*Go to an adult careers centre (I don't know the correct title, we have one at the local leisure centre) and have a go with a software package called "Adult Directions". This is a long series of questions about what kind of job you would like. Having answered the questions it searches through a big data base of jobs and suggests ideal ones for you. Don't get fixated on the top one, a small change in your responses could easily change the order of the top few so concentrate on the top twenty or so.

Thanks for the replies. Will be going to the Job Centre tomorrow so they will be able to tell me where I can use that Adult Directions program. I've been going through the vacancies on several sites, uploaded my C.V but still can't find anything I can see myself doing

Fatman2 said:

This isn't a funny question or pisstake but do you have any idea what you're actually good at?

I'd say the one thing I am good at is formal writing, although I've never really had a job that requires it. What I'm definitely not so good at is working under pressure so that excludes a number of careers. Also working in an office cubicle discussing targets for our team is pretty much my idea of hell.

[chopperR]

It's been mentioned earlier...teaching should be a thought. It's not minimum wage and it's not open-plan, watercooler hell. You did mention you weren't very outgoing though; has travelling not got you over that?

I'd say, get yourself out of that shell and onto a PGCE course.

[Gargamel]

Good god man - the world is your oyster.

28, Degree, No ties, plenty to choose from, but you need to narrow the field a little.

Customer facing?
Back office kind of guy
Analytical, numerical, report writing ?
Sales
Outdoorsy
Practical Skills
Mental/challenging

You mention you don't like pressure and you are a bit introverted, perhaps not an ideal combination.

Look at the biggest firms, and look internationally - plenty out there if you are mobile.

[Somewhatfoolish]

Manic Depressive Poet?

[T84]

Try doing the Jung Typology test, It worked out that I was an INTP and it was scarily accurate:

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

[sassthathoopie]

cymtriks said:

Seriously:

• Read "What colour is my parachute". Yes, it is an odd title, but it deals with finding out what you are good at, how to find out if employers want that skill set and various prompts and exercises to help you along.

This is good advice. Then read 'Screw Work Lets Play' by John Williams. His exercises are easier to complete, and more incisive than the flower diagram in parachute.

http://www.screwworkletsplay.com/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Screw-Work-Lets-Play-What/...

[Silver Smudger]

T84 said:

Try doing the Jung Typology test, It worked out that I was an INTP and it was scarily accurate:

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Bugger - I am best suited to the job I am trying to find an alternative to....

[anonymous-user]

How about a job in the demolition industry?

[Negative Creep]

Silver Smudger said:

T84 said:

Try doing the Jung Typology test, It worked out that I was an INTP and it was scarily accurate:

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Bugger - I am best suited to the job I am trying to find an alternative to....

So it's suggested I be a dentist, soldier, car mechanic, sports coach, computer programmer, lawyer or a sports coach. I don't think that's really narrowed it down