[Gust Hubb]

NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition, on 12 November 2013 - 12:28 PM, said:

Solidsnape, on 12 November 2013 - 12:20 PM, said:

NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition, on 12 November 2013 - 09:23 AM, said:

This is interesting actually.

I left uni with a 2.1 in history and am currently working as the full time assistant manager in a store. Ive pretty much left uni found a job close to where I live, worked my way up to full time managerial work and been there for 18 months. Im mid twenties and unsure where to go from here. Im thinking of applying for graduate schemes and hopefully with a decent degree from a decent uni with some managerial experience Ill be able to build a career through that.

Any one have any tips on where to go from here? I swear apart from Rodeo you all seem to be accountants or doctors or something.

Hardly mate. I feel like the only fecker here without a Uni Ed.
I cut metal for a living fella. Like a glorified modern day miner!! I'm just good at making it sound interesting.

My dad works in a steel mill funnily enough.

A degree isnt anythin atm for me though. Its just a piece of paper till I put it to good use getting into a proper career.

The more degrees you get the more you see how much BS is behind them. There's nothing magical about medicine. It's just like one endless puzzle that always seems to have more behind it. Frankly, I see degrees just like the tests you take to get them: hurdles and hoops. The rest is on job training, that you pay for.

[Mentalist]

Gust Hub, on 12 November 2013 - 01:35 PM, said:

NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition, on 12 November 2013 - 12:28 PM, said:

Solidsnape, on 12 November 2013 - 12:20 PM, said:

NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition, on 12 November 2013 - 09:23 AM, said:

This is interesting actually.

I left uni with a 2.1 in history and am currently working as the full time assistant manager in a store. Ive pretty much left uni found a job close to where I live, worked my way up to full time managerial work and been there for 18 months. Im mid twenties and unsure where to go from here. Im thinking of applying for graduate schemes and hopefully with a decent degree from a decent uni with some managerial experience Ill be able to build a career through that.

Any one have any tips on where to go from here? I swear apart from Rodeo you all seem to be accountants or doctors or something.

Hardly mate. I feel like the only fecker here without a Uni Ed.
I cut metal for a living fella. Like a glorified modern day miner!! I'm just good at making it sound interesting.

My dad works in a steel mill funnily enough.

A degree isnt anythin atm for me though. Its just a piece of paper till I put it to good use getting into a proper career.

The more degrees you get the more you see how much BS is behind them. There's nothing magical about medicine. It's just like one endless puzzle that always seems to have more behind it. Frankly, I see degrees just like the tests you take to get them: hurdles and hoops. The rest is on job training, that you pay for.

on-job training if you're lucky . You med guys at least get to be round your future place of work while in school as part of the program.

speaking for law (in Canada, at least), purely from getting a law degree a student will have absolutely ZERO clue as to how an actual law office works. A degree provides you with the knowledge, and (most importantly), an analytical framework for how to approach problems. But actual understanding of the industry only comes from work experience (where you start off being bossed around by the lowest-ranked secretary, because by virtue of having worked they know way more than you).

@: NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition: if you're decently satisfied with your job atm, stick with it, and try to do an MBA on the side. if you want to build your career in management, and don't plan on running your own business, that'd be what I'd suggest. MBA is one of those degrees everyone's looking for to get into any kind of corp/business work, and the more actual work experience you have the better. Plus employers love people who could juggle work and school successfully.

[tiam]

Mentalist, on 12 November 2013 - 02:44 PM, said:

Gust Hub, on 12 November 2013 - 01:35 PM, said:

NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition, on 12 November 2013 - 12:28 PM, said:

Solidsnape, on 12 November 2013 - 12:20 PM, said:

NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition, on 12 November 2013 - 09:23 AM, said:

This is interesting actually.

I left uni with a 2.1 in history and am currently working as the full time assistant manager in a store. Ive pretty much left uni found a job close to where I live, worked my way up to full time managerial work and been there for 18 months. Im mid twenties and unsure where to go from here. Im thinking of applying for graduate schemes and hopefully with a decent degree from a decent uni with some managerial experience Ill be able to build a career through that.

Any one have any tips on where to go from here? I swear apart from Rodeo you all seem to be accountants or doctors or something.

Hardly mate. I feel like the only fecker here without a Uni Ed.
I cut metal for a living fella. Like a glorified modern day miner!! I'm just good at making it sound interesting.

My dad works in a steel mill funnily enough.

A degree isnt anythin atm for me though. Its just a piece of paper till I put it to good use getting into a proper career.

The more degrees you get the more you see how much BS is behind them. There's nothing magical about medicine. It's just like one endless puzzle that always seems to have more behind it. Frankly, I see degrees just like the tests you take to get them: hurdles and hoops. The rest is on job training, that you pay for.

on-job training if you're lucky . You med guys at least get to be round your future place of work while in school as part of the program.

speaking for law (in Canada, at least), purely from getting a law degree a student will have absolutely ZERO clue as to how an actual law office works. A degree provides you with the knowledge, and (most importantly), an analytical framework for how to approach problems. But actual understanding of the industry only comes from work experience (where you start off being bossed around by the lowest-ranked secretary, because by virtue of having worked they know way more than you).

@: NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition: if you're decently satisfied with your job atm, stick with it, and try to do an MBA on the side. if you want to build your career in management, and don't plan on running your own business, that'd be what I'd suggest. MBA is one of those degrees everyone's looking for to get into any kind of corp/business work, and the more actual work experience you have the better. Plus employers love people who could juggle work and school successfully.

Whats an MBA? Is it just a masters?

In any case Im not satisfied in my job per se.

This is a question me and my gf ask each other all the time. I dont dread going to work everyday but alot of the time my gf does (she works in a call centre). At the moment we both live together in our 1 bedroom flat that is very nice, lots of space old fashioned but practical. Were both happy here and are going to sign a lease for another year here, I can put a good portion of my wages into my savings every month as can she but thats because we live well within our means.

I suppose what im getting at is a bit of a thread derailer but its this: I have a job that is enough for me right now and I dont dread getting up every morning. How much is that worth or is it worth looking for a new job with better prospects (benefits, wages, bonus structure etc) where there is a chance ill be terrified/dreading going to work everyday?

[Mentalist]

NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition, on 12 November 2013 - 03:06 PM, said:

Mentalist, on 12 November 2013 - 02:44 PM, said:

Gust Hub, on 12 November 2013 - 01:35 PM, said:

NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition, on 12 November 2013 - 12:28 PM, said:

Solidsnape, on 12 November 2013 - 12:20 PM, said:

NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition, on 12 November 2013 - 09:23 AM, said:

This is interesting actually.

I left uni with a 2.1 in history and am currently working as the full time assistant manager in a store. Ive pretty much left uni found a job close to where I live, worked my way up to full time managerial work and been there for 18 months. Im mid twenties and unsure where to go from here. Im thinking of applying for graduate schemes and hopefully with a decent degree from a decent uni with some managerial experience Ill be able to build a career through that.

Any one have any tips on where to go from here? I swear apart from Rodeo you all seem to be accountants or doctors or something.

Hardly mate. I feel like the only fecker here without a Uni Ed.
I cut metal for a living fella. Like a glorified modern day miner!! I'm just good at making it sound interesting.

My dad works in a steel mill funnily enough.

A degree isnt anythin atm for me though. Its just a piece of paper till I put it to good use getting into a proper career.

The more degrees you get the more you see how much BS is behind them. There's nothing magical about medicine. It's just like one endless puzzle that always seems to have more behind it. Frankly, I see degrees just like the tests you take to get them: hurdles and hoops. The rest is on job training, that you pay for.

on-job training if you're lucky . You med guys at least get to be round your future place of work while in school as part of the program.

speaking for law (in Canada, at least), purely from getting a law degree a student will have absolutely ZERO clue as to how an actual law office works. A degree provides you with the knowledge, and (most importantly), an analytical framework for how to approach problems. But actual understanding of the industry only comes from work experience (where you start off being bossed around by the lowest-ranked secretary, because by virtue of having worked they know way more than you).

@: NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition: if you're decently satisfied with your job atm, stick with it, and try to do an MBA on the side. if you want to build your career in management, and don't plan on running your own business, that'd be what I'd suggest. MBA is one of those degrees everyone's looking for to get into any kind of corp/business work, and the more actual work experience you have the better. Plus employers love people who could juggle work and school successfully.

Whats an MBA? Is it just a masters?

In any case Im not satisfied in my job per se.

This is a question me and my gf ask each other all the time. I dont dread going to work everyday but alot of the time my gf does (she works in a call centre). At the moment we both live together in our 1 bedroom flat that is very nice, lots of space old fashioned but practical. Were both happy here and are going to sign a lease for another year here, I can put a good portion of my wages into my savings every month as can she but thats because we live well within our means.

I suppose what im getting at is a bit of a thread derailer but its this: I have a job that is enough for me right now and I dont dread getting up every morning. How much is that worth or is it worth looking for a new job with better prospects (benefits, wages, bonus structure etc) where there is a chance ill be terrified/dreading going to work everyday?

MBA=Master's in Business Administration.
give your GF my condolences about call center job. I know what that's like-unless you make it to supervisor, it's definitely not a fun-filled job. I did that in Uni, but got lucky and got a supervisor position withing 2 months of starting (there were openings, and I had previous related experience). As a supervisor, I loved my job, but as a caller, it was tough.

To answer your specific question-a job you don't dread getting up every day for is a huge plus. But it's important to try looking ahead-do you really see yourself doing the same job say 5 years down the road? It's great if you enjoy (or at least don't hate) your job, but it's also easy to grow complacent in a job like that, even if you realize it's going nowhere. As long as you're ok with what you have, you should be looking for something that's close to what you're doing (same type of duties/responsibilities) but with growth potential. The fact that you have a job you don't hate gives you an opportunity to pick and choose--you're not desperate for a job, so you can look for something you would actually like.

[Khellendros]

Hmmm, a very interesting question. I just got my dream placement - a 3-year well-funded project (which I came up with, so it's all mine) at the university of my choosing. So from that it seems like pretty employable indeed.

However.

This was after almost 8 months of soul-destroying applications for all kinds of academic teaching and research positions, literally whatever was going in my field. From around 60-70 applications, I got a total of one long-listing, and one short-listing and interview. I was applying for anything which came up because it's not the kind of time when you can afford to be picky - academic positions are being closed in general rather than more positions opening up (despite the increase in students here in the UK). I am a very early career researcher, and I was applying to early career positions for which I was competing with people who have 8+ years of experience - because they can't find any jobs either. Add to that the REF (Research Excellence Framework) was/is coming up, for which universities need to submit evidence of their research value (i.e. academic publications) - of which I have precisely one so far, and it's not even out yet.

Ten, fifteen years ago, with my qualifications, I would have got a job easy in my sector. Now, not so much at all, and I've been extremely (unbelievably) fortunate in the end that a funding body has taken a chance on me. As with most things, once you're in, it does seem easier to find jobs, but getting in...damn.

And as for my overall employability, outside of my specific field...well, I could always go for the secondary education teaching qualifications, and teach in schools (something I was beginning to plan for just before this came up), but outside of teaching, I would probably find it very difficult to find something.

This post has been edited by Khellendros: 12 November 2013 - 05:04 PM

[Mezla PigDog]

NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition, on 12 November 2013 - 09:23 AM, said:

Any one have any tips on where to go from here? I swear apart from Rodeo you all seem to be accountants or doctors or something.

It's a good question Tiam. I still can't figure out if I'm doing the right thing and on paper I think I look pretty successful. You are probably already doing the only tips I have (and only think about them if you are definitely feeling professionally unfulfilled). Keep exploring your options, question what else you could be doing (even if that is just looking at post grad prospectuses or sending out CVs with elaborate covering letters) and grab opportunities when they arise even if they might cause short term pain. In the current UK climate, the hardest part is getting that first meaningful job in the field you want and I have no answers on what to do if you aren't one of the "lucky" saps who can afford unpaid internships to get your first real bit of experience - the luck there is being born to the right parents!

My lucky breaks were that my local university was one of the best in the world for the subject that I more or less fell into, the PhD subject I chose on a whim turned out to be good preparation for a huge emerging field in healthcare and my dad could afford my living expenses and fees so I didn't have to worry about anything other than studying. Add in some good old fashioned elbow grease and what followed was about 5 months on the dole before I found my first job - I got it because the experience I had was the perfect fit, I was so dejected when I applied for it that I barely put any effort into it compared to everything I applied for previously. Now that I have a track record in my profession it's pretty easy to find work but again I'm lucky that the technology sector in the UK is protected politically at the moment and every global mega-corp wants a slice of the biotech future so there is still plenty of cash floating around. Sacrifices I've made so far are 4+ years of painfully long distance relationship and working excessive hours to impress the annoying bastards above who are impressed by that sort of thing.

I'm always suspicious of people who claim they had career plans and timetables that they have reached. I can kind of see how it might happen in an established profession where there are defined stages and accomplishments - medicine, law etc, but I don't believe it in other professions. My steps up the ladder are the result of luck, blind ambition and enough elbow grease to help smooth the way. I am driven mostly by financial ambitions rather than a desire to enjoy my job - my only rules are that I don't want to be bored and I want a job that contributes something to society even if it is wrapped in a giant capitalism bow.

Practical advice - if you look into postgrad qualifications then push for the most fancy institute you can get to and take something that offers practical experience if possible. For better or worse, the name of the place you go to means more than the grade (so long as you pass of course). Also the old adage of "It's not what you know...", network like a mother fucker. It might as well still be the 1920's here!

[Mrs Savagely Wishy Washy]

I recently found out how employable I am, much to my delight. I have undergone a career change from researcher in biomedical lifesciences to a Higher Education bureaucRAT.
At last, the hype about transferable skills makes some kind of sense. Having been in research helps with understanding the research side of grants, gigantic excel sheets don't scare me, I like solving problems, talking to people and I am a teamworker. I am useless on my own and I'm not very competitive, hence a career in research where you have to fight all your life for funding wasn't really appealing in the long run.

In the end, changing jobs went quite quickly, but I was lucky that I found this entry-level position into HE administration when I started to look for jobs outside academia. Otherwise I would probably still be culturing worms.

[RodeoRanch]

I have a BA in Canadian History. I finished university and swiftly decided academic careers and the like were not for me. So I veered in horticulture, equipment operation and working outside. It fulfills me on a deep level. I got lucky and landed my dream job with a government job taking care of a 3600 acre provincial park that is also a working cattle ranch.

Certainly lots of well educated folks on this forum!

[Daeg]

RodeoRanch, on 14 November 2013 - 05:17 AM, said:

I have a BA in Canadian History. I finished university and swiftly decided academic careers and the like were not for me. So I veered in horticulture, equipment operation and working outside. It fulfills me on a deep level. I got lucky and landed my dream job with a government job taking care of a 3600 acre provincial park that is also a working cattle ranch.

Certainly lots of well educated folks on this forum!

Ummmm...I have a certificate of accounting...does that count?...I've never used it...I was a staff accountant before I got the certificate...the position required a 4 year degree...luckily I was very handy at reconciliation

It took me a couple of years to decide that I didn't want to be an accountant forever...moved on

[Ukjent]

Half a year left on my bachelor in industrial instrumentation, I at least hope that I will be employable.

[tiam]

I think its like alot of people have already said its that 'first job in the right field' cycle that everyone has of no experience to get a job thus no job as youve got no experience.

Its very good that Mez and Co are honest about how lucky they've been, as well as working extremely hard, and as Mez says people who are 'on schedule' with their life deserve the skepticism theyre met with to some extent.

At the moment im torn. For a bit of context I currently work a 50 hour week minimum, only get paid for 42.5 but as im the assistant manager I do more, though the company gives less than a shit. All this is for slightly more than minimum wage. It was my first job after I finished uni and I started as a xmas temp then kept on as permanent staff then promoted to supervisor then Assistant Manager within about 9 months. I have been in this position for about 14 months now and it gave me the money I needed to move in with my gf, also a graduate and as I said working in a call centre. I was given the job because of my hard work rather than anything else. I enjoy my job because of the people I work with and it is good experience (for retail graduate schemes maybe?) but the company is awful.

I think I just want a higher paid job really, which is a very unique goal , but its a bit depressing knowing if I worked the hours I worked for minimum wage id get more money every month. No bonus structure, sick pay, overtime etc.

I need to put in the hours like Khell and apply everywhere to get on a ladder I want to climb.

It sounds to me like all you guys have your lives sorted to be honest .

[Solidsnape]

NoOneExpectsThetiamishInquisition, on 14 November 2013 - 08:21 PM, said:

I think its like alot of people have already said its that 'first job in the right field' cycle that everyone has of no experience to get a job thus no job as youve got no experience.

Its very good that Mez and Co are honest about how lucky they've been, as well as working extremely hard, and as Mez says people who are 'on schedule' with their life deserve the skepticism theyre met with to some extent.

At the moment im torn. For a bit of context I currently work a 50 hour week minimum, only get paid for 42.5 but as im the assistant manager I do more, though the company gives less than a shit. All this is for slightly more than minimum wage. It was my first job after I finished uni and I started as a xmas temp then kept on as permanent staff then promoted to supervisor then Assistant Manager within about 9 months. I have been in this position for about 14 months now and it gave me the money I needed to move in with my gf, also a graduate and as I said working in a call centre. I was given the job because of my hard work rather than anything else. I enjoy my job because of the people I work with and it is good experience (for retail graduate schemes maybe?) but the company is awful.

I think I just want a higher paid job really, which is a very unique goal , but its a bit depressing knowing if I worked the hours I worked for minimum wage id get more money every month. No bonus structure, sick pay, overtime etc.

I need to put in the hours like Khell and apply everywhere to get on a ladder I want to climb.

It sounds to me like all you guys have your lives sorted to be honest .

It's funny but I was in an equally frustrating position myself a few years back but the reasons were different. I wanted to do an open uni course and get a BA in history or something, then change the field I worked in. Something I could get enthused and passionate about. Let's face it I like engineering because I'm a bloke and a geek to boot, but I'd rather be at home.
It was about money too though.
However, and this is where I admit to the chance element, the sector I work in, engineering and more specifically CNC machining, has in itself become a better paid sector to work in than it was 5 years ago through demand alone, predominantly in oil and gas. In only 3 years I've seen my income increase by around 40% and I haven't really done shit.
Of course I work a weekend shift which pays a hefty premium, but ultimately if I was working a standard dayshift I'd still be about 30% better off than around 3 years ago.
This is all down to external influences of course, but my point is that I no longer feel hungry for a career choice or feel that I'm 'wasted' or 'undervalued.' I don't really care anymore. I feel like I'm the one winning out of the arrangement. So yes more money does make me feel better about going to work, but the time off, Monday to Thursday, is the real clincher.
I realise this is turning into a brag, so I'll finish.
Work less, play more.
Or if you have to work more, make it count. Anyway possible.

This post has been edited by Solidsnape: 14 November 2013 - 09:07 PM

[HiddenOne]

Tiam you're getting the corporate shaft, start looking for an improvement while you still feel somewhat alright with your current spot

[tiam]

HiddenOne, on 14 November 2013 - 11:07 PM, said:

Tiam you're getting the corporate shaft, start looking for an improvement while you still feel somewhat alright with your current spot

Indeed it was enough so me and the gf could move in. Ive been concentrating on that for the past 6 months. But yes your right its better to look now.

[Macros]

Mines is an interesting situation.
due to people I know, my experience and capability in the field I'm extremely unlikely to be out of work. However on paper I should struggle as I never got myself certified. I'm working on trying to break into the oil and gas industry, primarily aiming for offshore, so my lack of paperwork might finally start to tell on my career.

but the fact that I've already spent nearly 4k between my survival and compex courses and 2 weeks off work, not getting offshore would be a bit of a fucking body blow.
But for the day to day in electrical installation I'm incredibly employable, going from electricians mate to senior electrician and charge hand off the back of my standard of work, dependability and work ethic means that I have a host of people that would take me at the drop of a hat if my current company ever ran out of work.