Having a quarter life crisis?
Discussion
Ok this could be long. Best make a cup of tea and get comfy...
Background info:
30 year old, still living at home with parents (saving for mortgage). Started an engineering apprenticeship in the water industry at the age of 23, mechanical and electrical. Been out of my time for a couple of years. Have 2 NVQ's and a couple of BTECs.
A year ago I got moved to a new site because I wasn't getting on with my manager. Problems followed me from the previous site. Eventually got fed up and went off work for stress for 3 months. Enjoyed myself while also thinking about what to do next. I really wanted to change career but there was either nothing that appealed to me or I wasn't qualified enough (i.e. degree). Ideally wanted to stay within an engineering role as that's what I know and what i'm good at.
Time came to decide and I was told about an employer offering good money for an electricians role. The work was 12 hours shifts with a somewhat unconventional shift pattern. It was also over an hour away (mostly m25). Ideally this is not what I wanted, but the money was too alluring. I thought i'd give it a go and make my mind up come the end of probation (3 months).
Fast forward 3 months and i'm hating the role. The only thing keeping me there is the money. There were literally no positives for me. I wasn't liking the shift work,the commute was terrible (once it took me 4 hours to get there), I had constant back pain from driving, I was doing 90% mechanical work and getting absolutely covered in grease (I was employed as an electrician), the other guys would just stand around while making me as the newbie do the s
t jobs, and there was no career progression. The company noticed my lack of enthusiasm for the role and extended my probation for another month,eventually I handed in my notice to leave. It was a massive relief.
So here I am trying to sort my life out but i'm in the same position as I was 9 months ago. All I know is that I definitely want to get off the tools, or find something where I'm 50/50 between the office and on the tools. I like the sound of project management but again, i'm not qualified for the role. I need a career that I can get stuck into and actually enjoy doing. I don't want to be flitting about trying to find something for the rest of my life or I just won't get anywhere.
Things that interest me: cars, engineering, technology, science.
I've also been looking into studying further. But can't help wondering how i'd manage it now. I'd prefer to stay off work and just study, but this isn't viable as I need money. Also taking 7 years to complete an OU degree part time doesn't sound great.
So I'm asking for some help from someone, anyone. Help me figure my life out!
Background info:
30 year old, still living at home with parents (saving for mortgage). Started an engineering apprenticeship in the water industry at the age of 23, mechanical and electrical. Been out of my time for a couple of years. Have 2 NVQ's and a couple of BTECs.
A year ago I got moved to a new site because I wasn't getting on with my manager. Problems followed me from the previous site. Eventually got fed up and went off work for stress for 3 months. Enjoyed myself while also thinking about what to do next. I really wanted to change career but there was either nothing that appealed to me or I wasn't qualified enough (i.e. degree). Ideally wanted to stay within an engineering role as that's what I know and what i'm good at.
Time came to decide and I was told about an employer offering good money for an electricians role. The work was 12 hours shifts with a somewhat unconventional shift pattern. It was also over an hour away (mostly m25). Ideally this is not what I wanted, but the money was too alluring. I thought i'd give it a go and make my mind up come the end of probation (3 months).
Fast forward 3 months and i'm hating the role. The only thing keeping me there is the money. There were literally no positives for me. I wasn't liking the shift work,the commute was terrible (once it took me 4 hours to get there), I had constant back pain from driving, I was doing 90% mechanical work and getting absolutely covered in grease (I was employed as an electrician), the other guys would just stand around while making me as the newbie do the s
t jobs, and there was no career progression. The company noticed my lack of enthusiasm for the role and extended my probation for another month,eventually I handed in my notice to leave. It was a massive relief.So here I am trying to sort my life out but i'm in the same position as I was 9 months ago. All I know is that I definitely want to get off the tools, or find something where I'm 50/50 between the office and on the tools. I like the sound of project management but again, i'm not qualified for the role. I need a career that I can get stuck into and actually enjoy doing. I don't want to be flitting about trying to find something for the rest of my life or I just won't get anywhere.
Things that interest me: cars, engineering, technology, science.
I've also been looking into studying further. But can't help wondering how i'd manage it now. I'd prefer to stay off work and just study, but this isn't viable as I need money. Also taking 7 years to complete an OU degree part time doesn't sound great.
So I'm asking for some help from someone, anyone. Help me figure my life out!
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