Advice on what to do

[Shermanator]

Alright, this seems to be slightly different to the other threads on here but I can't think of anywhere else to put it (to be fair I've only skimmed this section)

I'm currently unemployed, have been for a while, I'm going to give you my story and then see if you guys (who have vastly more life experience than me, as I'm only 18) are able to give suggestions:

At school I had high hopes, as did my teachers and I was known as that person who would get into uni. I ended up suffering from some family and friend issues when doing 5 Highers (5th year) so didn't get the best results (3Bs and 2Cs) which didn't get me into uni. 6th year went better so i noe have 7 Highers, an Advanced Higher and 7 National 5s however this didnt make a difference to uni. Yikes, I ended up leaving school with no future, much to everybody's disappointment. Nevermind, after the summer I managed to get an Admin Assistant Apprenticeship (which was great considering I got an A at Higher Admin in 6th year). Sadly the apprenticeship salary was dreadful (£6000 a year) and I worked out I wasn't going to make a profit from all the work after paying my parents dig money and paying for my car. I decided to cut my losses and leave, much to the annoyance of my mum and amazement (but encouragement) of co-workers.

I now had a new plan, volunteer somewhere until I had held my driving license for a year so I could get jobs within the car industry (dealerships). This hasn't worked out, I volunteered until the elusive year of driving and started applying to lots of jobs. I haven't got anything, despite a few interviews and certain dealership managers trying to help as much as they can. I am still volunteering by the way, just less so because I want to get out and work!

Due to this long time I have been applying to jobs of varying degrees of difficulty in starting to think I should just apply to anything and everything and get working, but I really don't want to get stuck in a dead-end, extremely low paying job like my dad is in, I have higher aspirations than being a warehouseman!

So, my options (well, the ones I can think of);
1. Continue as I am, I'll get something eventually
2. Apply to anything and everything, fall into a job I hate but still provides an income
3. Expand my horizons, forget the car industry and apply to places I've got a reasonable amount I interest in.


Bit of background to my finances, I live with my parents so don't have bills etc (parents are kindly not charging dig money when I don't have an income) and I have too much money in the bank to claim job seekers allowance, as inheritance means I have just over £10,000.

Suggestions as to what to do?

Don't give me a lecture on what I should have done in the past! I have many regrets from school and have obscene amounts of regret for leaving the Admin Assistant role! I know what I should have done, but I didn't know that at the time! (I know this last paragraph sounds a bit rude but I know this is Pistonheads and people will criticise rather than help, so I'm clarifying that I know I've made many a mistake regarding my future)

[Shermanator]

Ah, yes, location would have been useful... I'm within commuting distance of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Interesting that a few have said about going into college, I did actually have a "Interview" for a Carpetentry Course at college when back at school (I loved woodwork, second favourite subject after Geography) but was discouraged from going by the teacher who was helping me (it was part of her job, not just something she was being nice with) as she said I was over-qualified. I took her Advice as she had been doing it for years but that seems like it was a bad decision...
My previous apprenticeship was actually with a subsidiary of the college, so may have one foot in the door.
So, I just looked into it, the carpentry course has a Waiting List, I'll still apply but won't hold out too much hope.

[Shermanator]

Doofus said:

What did you intend to do at uni, and what were you going to do afterwards.

Environmental Geography and Professional Education

Wanted to be a Geogrpahy teacher (sort of still do, could apply to uni but UCAS is a pig)

[Shermanator]

nought2sixty said:

Are you interested in IT at all?

Have a look at a course called CodeClan. It's a 16 week professional software development course and it's got a very good reputation right now for turning out good software developers. It costs £5k but that's nothing compared to what university would cost you.

It's based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Not sure about that sort of IT, I'm alright with the Admin side and it's alright to do but I don't really think I want to go into Software Development (even though it is probably a continuously growing sector)

[Shermanator]

A205GTI said:

If you want carpentry contact or go and see any small businesses around you who would be willing to either take you on or teach you a few hours here and there.

alternatively look at Boat builders (Private yachts) they are generally always looking for carpentars

There is quite a successful Carpenter round the corner from by house, might pop round and ask him about it. Only issue is he has a son around the same age as me so I might feel a bit awkward!

[Shermanator]

jeff666 said:

Over qualified for a Carpentry course ?

How old would you of been "back at School" ?

This was 6th year, I was 17

At the time I had 5 Highers and 6 National 5s (I've worked out a Higher is roughly equivalent to 75% of an A-Level and a National 5 is the equivalent of a GCSE) and I now have Advanced Higher Geography, 7 Highers (ranging from a C at English to an A at Admin) and 7 Nat 5s.

Her over-qualified comment makes sense, although I don't think it is that important!

[Shermanator]

WinstonWolf said:

Shermanator said:

Doofus said:

What did you intend to do at uni, and what were you going to do afterwards.

Environmental Geography and Professional Education

Wanted to be a Geogrpahy teacher (sort of still do, could apply to uni but UCAS is a pig)

So do this, just because something isn't a pig doesn't mean you can't do it. Adapting to challenges is all a part of growing up

Fair point, and it would give me an excuse to go back to my old school! (Which I've been wanting to do for a while, I'm quite sad)
I'm I have a look as to whether I am too late to apply for this year, if I am I'll apply for next year!

[Shermanator]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Nice to hear! Gives a bit of hope!

[Shermanator]

Shermanator said:

WinstonWolf said:

Shermanator said:

Doofus said:

What did you intend to do at uni, and what were you going to do afterwards.

Environmental Geography and Professional Education

Wanted to be a Geogrpahy teacher (sort of still do, could apply to uni but UCAS is a pig)

So do this, just because something isn't a pig doesn't mean you can't do it. Adapting to challenges is all a part of growing up

Fair point, and it would give me an excuse to go back to my old school! (Which I've been wanting to do for a while, I'm quite sad)
I'm I have a look as to whether I am too late to apply for this year, if I am I'll apply for next year!

So I've just had a look and in too late to apply for this year and too early to apply for next year entry. Don't know whether I have the nerve to get a dead-end job the now so I can try and apply next year, even though I may not get in. Although, to be fair it is easier to get a job when you already have a job so maybe this is my best option. (Yes, I just answered my own worries regarding this, and this only)

[Shermanator]

crofty1984 said:

Any job is better than no job, and it helps with applications.
Imagine the difference between "it's not my ideal job, but I want to earn and do my bit and prove that I'm capable of holding down a steady job"
Against "I decided the available jobs were beneath me so dossed about at my mum's house"

Not having a go, I hope it all goes well whatever you do. Maybe work in a shop? Stacking shelves or working the tills shows you've got experience dealing with customers and representing your employer. The kind of person you might be happy to send to somebody's house to do carpentry work as an apprentice...

I get that, makes perfect sense. Will start looking!

[Shermanator]

Antony Moxey said:

Why are you so against getting a 'dead end' job? You do know you're allowed to leave at any time and aren't chained there for life? Plus, it's easier to get a job if you have a job and will look better on your CV than a big blank year or two of nothing.

Mainly I was/am worried about ending up like my dad, which is certainly not something I want to do.
I plan on getting one now, this thread has been quite beneficial!

[Shermanator]

Robert-t6t6s said:

Not a solution, but as a heads up you can claim JSA if you have less that 16k in savings.

Might help you to avoid that dead end job a bit longer if you want to keep the car industry dream alive.

Is it £16k!? My mum was adamant it was much less than that! However, I think I'll leave it the now and go for a general job that might not be perfect but will help in the long run

[Shermanator]

A205GTI said:

Shermanator said:

A205GTI said:

If you want carpentry contact or go and see any small businesses around you who would be willing to either take you on or teach you a few hours here and there.

alternatively look at Boat builders (Private yachts) they are generally always looking for carpenters

There is quite a successful Carpenter round the corner from by house, might pop round and ask him about it. Only issue is he has a son around the same age as me so I might feel a bit awkward!

Go for it, there is no harm IMO, his son might not be interested in that career path or be any good, and if he says no he may put the word out to other carpenters in the area, it would show your keen

Yeah, that sounds like a plan. I'll pop round either on Sunday or Tuesday!

[Shermanator]

jeff666 said:

bhstewie said:

Shermanator said:

I really don't want to get stuck in a dead-end, extremely low paying job like my dad is in, I have higher aspirations than being a warehouseman!

This piece stood out.

I can understand it may not be an aspiration but it's a job which is something your father has and you don't, so I would perhaps stop being so picky and simply look for something/anything that gives you some work experience.

Whilst doing that I'd try and work out what you want to do and possibly explore the apprenticeship route.

My personal view is that University isn't the be-all and end-all.

Above all you're 18, nothing you do now is set in stone and at the risk of sounding patronising, in years to come you'll look back and realise that 6 months or 12 months is fk all in the grand scheme of things.

I can see why the Lad doesn't want to be stuck in a dead end job,

But when a Teacher tells a 17 year old he is over qualified to be a Carpenter maybe it puts visions of Grandeur in to his head ?

Lots of youngsters want to drop in to an ideal job but the reality is that only a few get the gig.

Stewie, you speak some absolute sense! This thread ha sheen more beneficial than I thought it would be when making it!

Jeff, I hardly have illusions of grandeur... I live in my parents council house, drive a 3.5 year old C1 (quite nice, I didn't earn the money for it though) and would be described as a chav by 99% of the people on this page... I was even mistaken for an individual doing community service when I was doing something in the volunteering role!
Your last comment is enormously useful, and schools really need to make that clear to pupils. School makes it out like you get into uni, you pass and you get a good job. I obviously now know that's a load of crap!

[Shermanator]

Chozza said:

Shermanator said:

So I've just had a look and in too late to apply for this year and too early to apply for next year entry. Don't know whether I have the nerve to get a dead-end job the now so I can try and apply next year, even though I may not get in. Although, to be fair it is easier to get a job when you already have a job so maybe this is my best option. (Yes, I just answered my own worries regarding this, and this only)

Too late for normal , but read the missed your deadline bit on the ucas site. And you also have clearing... Apply... You can always turn down any offers

Fair point! Completely forgot about clearing! It's actually how my old Geography teacher got in, so there are success stories!

[Shermanator]

jeff666 said:

Shermanator said:

Stewie, you speak some absolute sense! This thread ha sheen more beneficial than I thought it would be when making it!

Jeff, I hardly have illusions of grandeur... I live in my parents council house, drive a 3.5 year old C1 (quite nice, I didn't earn the money for it though) and would be described as a chav by 99% of the people on this page... I was even mistaken for an individual doing community service when I was doing something in the volunteering role!
Your last comment is enormously useful, and schools really need to make that clear to pupils. School makes it out like you get into uni, you pass and you get a good job. I obviously now know that's a load of crap!

Yes,

I totally agree about Schools pushing kids in to UNI, my Daughter went (cost me a small fortune) it was hammered home that with out a degree she would have no chance of getting a job.

Although she did use her degree to get work she could have been out earning three years earlier and with out the debt.

Good luck with what ever way you go.

Yep, that's the same thing my school did!
I can see the same thing that has happened to your daughter to many many people I know. Some of them don't even enjoy uni!

[Shermanator]

Well that's interesting... A future career thread turned into a property renting/buying thread. Takes some skill! Well Done Pistonheads

Although, with your whole "£10k deposit" thing, I would rather have one higher than that if I can. Plan on saving an excessive amount (and having no life, although I don't have as we speak so that's hardly a difference) so the deposit is disproportionately large. I would like to avoid renting if I can.

Edit to add: I won't be travelling. I went to Cornwall in February and while it was fun it wasn't worth the money it cost. So I have the opinion that holidays are a waste of money (controversial opinion, I know)

Edited by Shermanator on Sunday 10th June 11:05

[Shermanator]

Penelope Stopit said:

Have you considered contacting Jaguar Landrover and others?

Dealerships yes, company as a whole no. I've not got the balls to move down to England right now, and that is where 99.99% of jobs are, if that makes sense?

[Shermanator]

Well, a bit of good news; I have an interview for "Sales Specialist" at Evans Halshaw tomorrow

Any recommendations on how to impress?

[Shermanator]

It's basically the salesman role minus the money part. I'd be the one showing then the car, recommending what car (if they don't know) etc and once they express an interest in actually purchasing it I hand them over to the salesman who talks px value etc. That's obviously a very simplified description but it gives the jist.