Career Advice

[Jayatron]

Really need some ideas on what to do career wise. I'm at a real loose end in what to do and need some subjective and non-bias opinions on what to do.

I'm 26, got a young family and a first class degree in history. Please don't say teacher. If you can't think of anything please just tell me your current employment, hopes for future employment or just your dream job. Just for inspiration.

 

[munstermuffin]

Well where you based man and what are employment sectors where you are?
Also would you relocate or what are your interests/attributes

 

[nickdnz]

If you've got a first class degree in history, as unhelpful as this may sound - there are likely further opportunities after post grad. If you'd be willing to continue on further (obviously with a young family - the pay may be quite difficult to deal with at first as tutoring/researching doesn't tend to pay very much at first..) - but eventually there is good money is academia...Unfortunately between academia and teaching, those are your main qualifications (there is bound to be plenty of office jobs around, but it may not be to your interests).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Have you looked into graduate schemes?
There are graduate schemes in pretty much every company, and the majority of them just want a good (minimim 2;1) degree in any subject.
For example, my brother (physics) trained to be a web developer in a graduate scheme, and one I went through a lot of the application process for was the HMRC one to work in the tax sector (if you're in any way "interested" in that, then it's a very good one, imo, and pays very very well).

But really the schemes are so varied it's almost like picking a companies name out of a hat, checking the website to see if they have one, and going from there - from supermarkets, to the post office, to McDonalds (apparently their graduate scheme is one of the best out there!) etc.

 

[Jayatron]

I live in South Wales just outside Cardiff. Wouldn't be interested in the 3rd sector but enjoy the idea of the public sector. Currently a Cover Supervisor in high school but I was thinking perhaps the police? Generally described as a confident outgoing kind of person but there is so little jobs at the moment, career wise.

Academia is something I would love to continue with. Haven't done many things right but my degree was one. I was accepted for my Masters but they are looking 4k to do it, which of course is pretty crazy. But I would love to, just no funding, no jobs and little prospect of that changing in this economic climate and right wing government.

Post grads I've heard of but its always so general, like you have said - just pick a name and see, but its just what gets me going? I could get a random job I suppose and see how it goes but I really want to start a career. You work in the tax sector? Would you recommend it? What is your normal working day/week like?

I suppose for me the leading ones are, Police, Gunner in the Royal Artillery or keep chasing the teaching farce (which isn't what you think it is!) The problem with the first two is that I could go on tour for 6 months away from the family, and when I visit my family in Northern Ireland I would legitimate target for the IRA.

Don't mind asking what everyone does?

And thanks for the post guys, really is brilliant to get chatting about this. Really is appreciated!!!

 

[lucky number 7]

I live in South Wales just outside Cardiff. Wouldn't be interested in the 3rd sector but enjoy the idea of the public sector. Currently a Cover Supervisor in high school but I was thinking perhaps the police? Generally described as a confident outgoing kind of person but there is so little jobs at the moment, career wise.

Academia is something I would love to continue with. Haven't done many things right but my degree was one. I was accepted for my Masters but they are looking 4k to do it, which of course is pretty crazy. But I would love to, just no funding, no jobs and little prospect of that changing in this economic climate and right wing government.

Post grads I've heard of but its always so general, like you have said - just pick a name and see, but its just what gets me going? I could get a random job I suppose and see how it goes but I really want to start a career. You work in the tax sector? Would you recommend it? What is your normal working day/week like?

I suppose for me the leading ones are, Police, Gunner in the Royal Artillery or keep chasing the teaching farce (which isn't what you think it is!) The problem with the first two is that I could go on tour for 6 months away from the family, and when I visit my family in Northern Ireland I would legitimate target for the IRA.

Don't mind asking what everyone does?

And thanks for the post guys, really is brilliant to get chatting about this. Really is appreciated!!!

If you're looking at serving in the forces don't worry so much about the IRA thousands of young lads up there serve in the British army and in recent years there's been a decent decrease in violence towards them , or so I've heard , indeed I've a mate who's going to Sandhurst when he finishes college , and despite harbouring a reasonable amount of republican ideology he sees no qualm in serving the queen or Great Britain and neither would I , things are changing thank god.. At least I like to think so.

I'm currently studying history too , I however will not have a top class degree , I'm toddling through at the moment spending more time and thought on having a good time and then either doing a post grad in law or serving a few years in the forces before taking over from pops.

If you're any use at writing insightful or creative work have a go at writing for a local paper , journal or magazine and see if you can pick up a few bob from it down the line.

Also of you're still playing rugby have a word with club president and see if they can sort you out with a decent job down here it's common enough practise to have strings pulled for player welfare or even have someone in the know however I'm not sure if that's the case out in Wales.

 

[Amobokoboko]

AS Lucky n°7 said, use your social network and see if there are possibilities.

 

[munstermuffin]

Think Feic nailed it when he said republican stuff has died a good bit and only issue I'd have (based on Irish rates) is forces money has gone down big time. Not sure what pay like in UK but regards serving the British or Queen I'm a proud Irishman but would have no problem with serving and would like to think all them petty issues are done with

 

[Peat]

You say gunner - do you mean to go into the ranks? Or are you thinking officer training?

You'll be on dogshit money as a squaddie.

 

[Jayatron]

Yeah I would try and use my degree to go officer and be in charge of my own gun. Last I looked into the army, which was last year at the end of my degree, the recruitment officer said he would treat Northern Ireland the same way now than he did during the height of the troubles. He said that I would need to request to go home in case of a increased terrorist risk. I know one guy who wants to join the army but because he lives in a republican area he doesn't want to risk it until he knows he can't get into the Irish Army and have two other friends that, from a Protestant background, who still have to do the whole pretend to drop the cars key and while picking them up have quick look under the car for bombs or whatever, which of course is a very serious issue and that the moment, tried killing a police woman in my home town two years back.

Anyway the army is still an option, even during these cuts, but I want to get a feel for other possible careers that doesn't risk my partner raising our child by herself and me being away from home for long periods, like on operational tours.

Again, can I ask what everyone does? Just for inspiration.

 

[Peat]

I do Media Monitoring. Don't do that. As a fellow history graduate with little ideas myself, I'm tracking this thread carefully. Right now my ideas are sorta IT - you can get graduate training - as gods knows that's not going out of fashion anytime soon, or join one of the big 4 accounting firms and become a business consultant - as at least you can turn that to most ends when you find out what you really want to do. Advertising and Brand Management look fun.

However, I was a RA officer cadet at uni, and I very nearly joined up - would have but for an appalling medical record. For one thing, you've got no guarantee of getting into the RA, the Gunners can afford to pick and choose which means you need to do **** well at Sandhurst. You wouldn't be in charge of your own gun either, don't know how much you know about the way the RA operate, but NCOs command individual guns - you'd start off as Command Post Officer, which basically means sitting in a tent, working out co-ordinates and then shouting them. Not quite as glamourous, although god knows the RA get some of the sweetest gigs in the army - although also most dangerous. I can go through quite a lot of the RA stuff if you don't know it already. Long term, you might be better at looking at the engineers or signals, you'll have a job when you get out while there is sadly incredibly little call for manning artillery pieces in the civilians world.

Have you talked to your missus about you joining up? In many ways, it'd impact on her more than you (well, fingers crossed if you did).

 

[munstermuffin]

Peat how easy is it to cross over to be a business consultant etc. I've degrees in physio therapy and Business with IT and that a career that I'd love to try when I eventually get to London. Is there openings in them type of markets to start in accountancy or finance area

 

[dasNdanger]

Well, I'm an office manager in a family business...not really a dream job, but a cushy job. I get to make my own hours and there are a lot of other perks, but it also comes with a lot of worry because I'm closer to my job than most people. Since it's family, their worries become my worries.

My dream job? Always wanted to be an archaeologist. I love old things, old cultures, old - anything. Digging through the dirt for hours to find a shard of pottery actually sounds like great fun to me. Alas, it's not for everyone, and I doubt the pay is very good.

If I really had to think about it, I think my true dream job would be anything, as long as it paid the bills and left a little extra to invest or play with, but also left me with enough time to enjoy my family. The family - that right there is your most important 'career'. Sometimes we work so hard to provide for our family we never actually get to spend time with them, and before long they're just strangers to us.

Another thing to take into consideration is that in today's world there really aren't careers anymore. The job you have in your 20s may be totally different from the one you have in your 30s, 40s, and 50s. The world is changing so fast there's no guarantee that what we train for will actually be what we're doing years later. My suggestion would be to look at those jobs that may still be here in 10 or 15 years. In the US there's three fields that I can think of that seem to guarantee some sort of employment - health care (including home health aides), computers (programming and repair), and service businesses, like electricians and refrigeration mechanics. So maybe the best thing to do is to investigate what sort of job opportunities there are in your part of the world, then do an honest evaluation of yourself to see if you may be suited for any of those jobs.

You also may want to ask yourself if you want to be an employee, or a boss. The latter comes with a lot more stress and headaches, but you also have more control. Also talk with your family, they may be able to see what you're best suited for better than you can yourself.

In the end I would suggest making some lists - it can help you make an honest evaluation of your situation. Firstly, write down the pros and cons of being an employee vs. being a boss. Secondly, make an honest assessment of how much time you want to devote to your family vs. to your job. Thirdly, the sort of jobs you may like or be well-suited for, and those that you know you would hate or be terrible at. Fourthly, the jobs that are available or expanding in your part of the world, and those that seem to be dying out. Fifthly, if it's appropriate in your situation sit down and talk openly and honestly with your wife (or significant other), sometimes getting another viewpoint from someone who really knows you can help.


das

 

[Peat]

Peat how easy is it to cross over to be a business consultant etc. I've degrees in physio therapy and Business with IT and that a career that I'd love to try when I eventually get to London. Is there openings in them type of markets to start in accountancy or finance area

Some of the big 4 firms might still have openings on their graduate schemes - get on that quick though. Google Business Consultant London and I'm sure you'll get a few other ideas, they're not the only game in town. Might have to wait for next year for their graduate intake.

 

[munstermuffin]

But in general it seem handy enough to find admin jobs etc over there and work your way up possibly

 

[Amobokoboko]

I worked in the financial industry for the last 3 years, stock market investment specialist. I loved the job, paid well but hardly any free time, doing overtime every day coming home and falling asleep. Due to re-organisations my contract was not going to be renewed and I got an offer from the public sector. Now I'm doing something below my skills but the pay is good, work guarantee and I actually got free time now. Still have to get used to it. I don't know the market in the UK but if you want to work you will always find a job, maybe try some banks, insurrance companies and go for a clerk position. Normally the pay should be ok and you have you're 9- 5hours.

 

[Milla]

I have my dream job. I love gaming and communicating with/supporting gamers, and that's what I do for a living. I have a BSc, and half a BA, but I don't use them. It feels good to have achieved a full qualification, but I don't regret that my career is unrelated. I was gaming, learning to be a character artist, and studying post-grad' when I started running online games communities for other people. I was working a few high profile communities, had done some contracting to game developers, and was in contact with Sidhe enough that when they needed a CM of their own they suggested I apply, and I got the job. I love it.

Play to your strengths and network.

 

[LittleGuy]

Yeah I would try and use my degree to go officer and be in charge of my own gun. Last I looked into the army, which was last year at the end of my degree, the recruitment officer said he would treat Northern Ireland the same way now than he did during the height of the troubles. He said that I would need to request to go home in case of a increased terrorist risk. I know one guy who wants to join the army but because he lives in a republican area he doesn't want to risk it until he knows he can't get into the Irish Army and have two other friends that, from a Protestant background, who still have to do the whole pretend to drop the cars key and while picking them up have quick look under the car for bombs or whatever, which of course is a very serious issue and that the moment, tried killing a police woman in my home town two years back.

Anyway the army is still an option, even during these cuts, but I want to get a feel for other possible careers that doesn't risk my partner raising our child by herself and me being away from home for long periods, like on operational tours.

Again, can I ask what everyone does? Just for inspiration.

My Uncle was career military in the U.K. was a medical officer due to his colour blindness, he never married nor had a family and the military was his life. When he was diagnosed with lung disease his duties slowly became less and less until he was a patient(and later died) in the same hospital he'd been serving in.

The military and especially being an officer is a big commitment and isn't something I would get into lightly especially if your hesitant. I wouldn't recommend it with a young family(or possibly any family), It's especially hard for young families to survive such long absenses from one of the couple.

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

My Uncle was career military in the U.K. was a medical officer due to his colour blindness, he never married nor had a family and the military was his life. When he was diagnosed with lung disease his duties slowly became less and less until he was a patient(and later died) in the same hospital he'd been serving in. The military and especially being an officer is a big commitment and isn't something I would get into lightly especially if your hesitant. I wouldn't recommend it with a young family(or possibly any family), It's especially hard for young families to survive such long absenses from one of the couple.

If you are thinking about the military I am an Infantry Officer in the Canadian Army and their are a lot of benefits. I have had the pleasure of working with some Brits as well and you get a lot of benefits; however, expect to be gone a lot. In the past three years I have been away for almost a year during that time and I am going to be gone again for probably another deployment very soon. This sort of lifestyle can be very taxing if you have a family. You need to have a very independent wife who can survive without you being around all the time otherwise it quickly turns into a soup sandwich.

Now do you want to go Officer or join the ranks? If you choose the officer route get the idea that you are going to be John Rambo out of your head because after your first Command Position its all staff work. I was a Rifle Platoon Commander for two and a half years but now I spend my days with my ass firmly planted behind a computer, mind you the amount of planning and stuff you do can be interesting and you are given a lot more responsibility then the individual soldier right off the bat but let me state quite clearly you will not be the one kicking in the doors.

I am actually planning on getting out of the Canadian Army in the next year or so and going to France and enlisting in the Foreign Legion just because I like soldiering and hate sitting in an office and in my present situation I am just a glorified paper pusher.

For Artillery mate the gun line is great and all but having worked with the artillery a lot and knowing a couple of artillerymen the real goochie job that everyone wants is to be part of a FOO (Forward Observation Officer) party. These are the guys that move along with the infantry and armour and direct artillery fire, think of them as they eyes and ears of the gun line. They are responsible for de-conflicting and coordinating fire support for the infantry. This is the A-job of the artillery and if you want to be a gunner or an arty officer this is what you should be aiming for.

Any questions about military life feel free to ask me.

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

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