OT: Career change.. advice needed!

[Mensa07]

Hey folks, apologies for the OT, I'm looking into a career change and trying to gather as much as info as possible before making a move. So I'm just wondering if anyone here has ever made a big career change, and got any success / horror stories to pass on?

I imagine this is a common scenario, I'm sure it'll ring true with a couple of you, but in a nutshell I'm tired/bored/f'd off with sitting at a desk all day staring at a monitor like some kind of moron while my back slowly deforms into the shape of a crappy office chair, my eyes sting from a mix of the fluorescent lighting and radiation from my screen and I get a cold every other week from the germ-infested air con system.

My initial thoughts are I'd like to move into something outdoors, I dunno what, cutting bloody trees down or whatever, I don't care really. Or staying in an indoors job but moving into something more rewarding, teaching, something like that.

So yeah I was just wondering if anyone has ever made a move like that, from a job they hated to something less well paid but more rewarding, or in a better environment.

Cheers!

[dondada]

A lot of people go into teaching because they can't think of anything else to do. Unless you have more behind your move than you're p'd off with your present job, don't go into this profession.

It's an all-consuming job, utterly life changing. If you're in a good place, it's one of the best jobs in the world. If you're not, it's one of the worst.

But, fair play to you, life's too short to be miserable - good luck.

[winkveron]

I quit my 2 jobs last summer for the same reasons you mention. Sold my car too. Now I'm a student living off a small amount of money and going to Uni in September to study something I love. Just do whatever makes you happy, that's what getting up in the morning should be about!

[Asterix]

Depending on your responsibilities, you could go abroad and do volunteer work?

[coneye]

Quit go to uni.... do has little has possble get has many shags has you can , smoke some weed , talk about changing the world , get some more shags , and with a bit of luck get a degree and a better job.

Other than that become a laborer on a building site , roast in summer and freeze your balls off in winter ,

[whiskey]

My tip, whilst not as entertaining as the others, is to find a job that includes a company vehicle.

Sales rep jobs are the best, so find a product your familiar with and look who supplies them to your place of work.

Most sales patch job pay 25-40k, plus car and bonus / commission.

[forcefraser]

Mensa07, do whatever you feel is right buddy.

You get one life and if you feel you are wasting it behind the desk at a job you no longer, or even never enjoyed, then the best thing for the soul is to get out sharpish.

I used to know a scientist who worked down in Australia on a marine wildlife research vessel, tagging sharks. He was working with what he loved, in the sun and earning a decent living. I remember thinking how lucky he was. Then it occurred to me that yes, he was lucky, but he had put himself in that position by making the neccessary moves to make it happen.

Enjoying your job is one of the major factors for enjoying your life. Go for it fella. If it doesn`t work out, at least you would have given it a go.

I moved countries 15 years ago. Left a well paid job, family, freinds etc. It`s a tough move, but you have to take chances in life. No risk, no reward.

[m1kee50]

Like the others said... dont just change to whatever, make sure its something you enjoy - and something that if it isnt too well paying now, will serve you well later... no point sacrificing ALL your financial wellbeing...

mate of mine wants to get out of cab work, what he is doing is volunteering at a local nature reserve, as this is a good way to get onto their permanent staff... then he is going to switch over from the cab... if you have to keep working in order to fulfill future plans then do it.

and dont knock indoor work with no heavy lifting lol, theres a lot to be said for it.

[Deserter]

Then it occurred to me that yes, he was lucky, but he had put himself in that position by making the neccessary moves to make it happen.

This is bang on the money. As Gary Player once said: "The harder I work, the luckier I get." It's all about setting it up properly rather than expecting something to land on your doorstep.
I echo everyone else's advice on here - find something you're really passionate about as we've all only got one life and given you spend the majority of your waking hours in work it's crazy not to do something you enjoy.
Once you've decided on that thing, work out the practical steps you can take to make it happen - volunteer, train etc to get your foot in the door and then go from there.

[The_Don1]

Hey folks, apologies for the OT, I'm looking into a career change and trying to gather as much as info as possible before making a move. So I'm just wondering if anyone here has ever made a big career change, and got any success / horror stories to pass on?

I imagine this is a common scenario, I'm sure it'll ring true with a couple of you, but in a nutshell I'm tired/bored/f'd off with sitting at a desk all day staring at a monitor like some kind of moron while my back slowly deforms into the shape of a crappy office chair, my eyes sting from a mix of the fluorescent lighting and radiation from my screen and I get a cold every other week from the germ-infested air con system.

My initial thoughts are I'd like to move into something outdoors, I dunno what, cutting bloody trees down or whatever, I don't care really. Or staying in an indoors job but moving into something more rewarding, teaching, something like that.

So yeah I was just wondering if anyone has ever made a move like that, from a job they hated to something less well paid but more rewarding, or in a better environment.

Cheers!

My advice it to think very carefully about what you want to do before going into it, sounds obvious but I'm guilty of making a huge career eff up recently. I left my old job back of of 2008 for pretty much the same reasons as you, I'd been there 6 years and was fed up with the lack of career progression....the new job I went to was horredous, fortunately my former employers agreed to take me back on within weeks.

In 2009, I then got a bonus for the work I did in 2008 and then I was promoted to management level (at the 6th attempt!). ...but a job I'd applied for (and really wanted) a couple of years ago came up again, so applied for it and got it, I'm in it now. However far from being the dream job I thought it was, its effing boring and I could condense my 5 day week into 2 days there's that little to do, it pays well but is not challenging or rewarding in any way.

I'd advise you to think long and hard about what your doing now, is there any room for progression? What exactly is it that you want to do long term, is your current job really that bad?

Never take a job just to get out of what your doing, I've been incredibly naive with my career moves and I've learned a bloody good lesson from it.

Maybe take a trip over to www.i-resign.com theres some useful info there for people thinking of quitting.

My attempts at career moves have ballsed up big time, but I've learned very good lessons from them and I now feel I know how to approach a move in future - do it for the right reasons and do something that will challenge you and expand your skill set.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

You need a 2:1 degree in a core subject, experience in schools and to be exceptional in the interview. The Universities that I have spoken to offer places to around 10% of those interviewed.

I've got my interview next month so fingers crossed! It was a similiar move for me, can't manage pubs any longer, it's far too much work and poor hours.

Changing careers can be the best thing you'll ever do, but as I have done, have a back up plan - don't be burning bridges because if it goes tits up, you may need to go back.

I don't have a PGCE but have two years of teaching experience in state school in South Korea and now am teaching at a university in China, I want to do the PGCE but don't have the 2:1 in a core subject - I am a good teacher though but a way round it is go to Australia and do their PGCE (GradDip in Education) quite expensive compared to the PGCE back home but all you need is a BA degree not related to education. This will be good to see me teach in places like Abu Dhabi, Brunei, Taiwan and Hong Kong. (Sod working at a comprehensive in England)

PS: I went to university at the age of 31 after a glut of dead end jobs. It has turned my life around completely and I am living my dream of living around the world! Go for it Mensa007!

[Roco]

You need a 2:1 degree in a core subject, experience in schools and to be exceptional in the interview. The Universities that I have spoken to offer places to around 10% of those interviewed.

I've got my interview next month so fingers crossed! It was a similiar move for me, can't manage pubs any longer, it's far too much work and poor hours.

Changing careers can be the best thing you'll ever do, but as I have done, have a back up plan - don't be burning bridges because if it goes tits up, you may need to go back.

I don't have a PGCE but have two years of teaching experience in state school in South Korea and now am teaching at a university in China, I want to do the PGCE but don't have the 2:1 in a core subject - I am a good teacher though but a way round it is go to Australia and do their PGCE (GradDip in Education) quite expensive compared to the PGCE back home but all you need is a BA degree not related to education. This will be good to see me teach in places like Abu Dhabi, Brunei, Taiwan and Hong Kong. (Sod working at a comprehensive in England)

PS: I went to university at the age of 31 after a glut of dead end jobs. It has turned my life around completely and I am living my dream of living around the world! Go for it Mensa007!

Wasn't you a waiter or Ice Cream man at the cinema? I remember seeing that picture of you in your work suit!

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

You need a 2:1 degree in a core subject, experience in schools and to be exceptional in the interview. The Universities that I have spoken to offer places to around 10% of those interviewed.

I've got my interview next month so fingers crossed! It was a similiar move for me, can't manage pubs any longer, it's far too much work and poor hours.

Changing careers can be the best thing you'll ever do, but as I have done, have a back up plan - don't be burning bridges because if it goes tits up, you may need to go back.

I don't have a PGCE but have two years of teaching experience in state school in South Korea and now am teaching at a university in China, I want to do the PGCE but don't have the 2:1 in a core subject - I am a good teacher though but a way round it is go to Australia and do their PGCE (GradDip in Education) quite expensive compared to the PGCE back home but all you need is a BA degree not related to education. This will be good to see me teach in places like Abu Dhabi, Brunei, Taiwan and Hong Kong. (Sod working at a comprehensive in England)

PS: I went to university at the age of 31 after a glut of dead end jobs. It has turned my life around completely and I am living my dream of living around the world! Go for it Mensa007!

Wasn't you a waiter or Ice Cream man at the cinema? I remember seeing that picture of you in your work suit!

My good looks still etched on your mind after all these years? It was a waiter as it happens!

[dondada]

You need a 2:1 degree in a core subject, experience in schools and to be exceptional in the interview. The Universities that I have spoken to offer places to around 10% of those interviewed.

I don't think you need a 2.1 just yet - maybe you do in practice though. Further, I'd be astonished if the acceptance rate was so low...very dependent on institution and course.

[dondada]

You need a 2:1 degree in a core subject, experience in schools and to be exceptional in the interview. The Universities that I have spoken to offer places to around 10% of those interviewed.

I don't think you need a 2.1 just yet - maybe you do in practice though. Further, I'd be astonished if the acceptance rate was so low...very dependent on institution and course.

I meant to write 20% and that was from Leicester, Manhester and Sheffield. Almost everyone is asking for a 2:1, even to teach Primary school 5 year olds.

Those teaching young uns should be just as qualified as those teaching old uns. Not necessarily in a subject specialism, mind. For example, the previous insistence on having a C in Maths to teach five year olds is patently ridiculous.

Well, if you want to do secondary English, give me a shout and I'll see if I can help. I might be able to offer a bit of guidance whatever you're doing.

Regardless, good luck

[jameswilson]

I don't have a PGCE but have two years of teaching experience in state school in South Korea and now am teaching at a university in China, I want to do the PGCE but don't have the 2:1 in a core subject - I am a good teacher though but a way round it is go to Australia and do their PGCE (GradDip in Education) quite expensive compared to the PGCE back home but all you need is a BA degree not related to education. This will be good to see me teach in places like Abu Dhabi, Brunei, Taiwan and Hong Kong. (Sod working at a comprehensive in England)

PS: I went to university at the age of 31 after a glut of dead end jobs. It has turned my life around completely and I am living my dream of living around the world! Go for it Mensa007!

Wasn't you a waiter or Ice Cream man at the cinema? I remember seeing that picture of you in your work suit!

My good looks still etched on your mind after all these years? It was a waiter as it happens!

A waiter with a somewhat strange obsession with Purple Aki and a character from Coronation Street I seem to remember.

Ah the doghouse days.

[forcefraser]

Wasn't you a waiter or Ice Cream man at the cinema? I remember seeing that picture of you in your work suit!

My good looks still etched on your mind after all these years? It was a waiter as it happens!

A waiter with a somewhat strange obsession with Purple Aki and a character from Coronation Street I seem to remember.

Ah the doghouse days.

Purple Aki??? I used to know a scouse lad who worked on a boat and drank in a pub in Bergen, Norway. He was there only for a few weeks with the rest of his crew mates.

He used to talk about a guy in Liverpool called Purple Aki. Surely there can only be only one Purple Aki? Who is this guy?

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

My good looks still etched on your mind after all these years? It was a waiter as it happens!

A waiter with a somewhat strange obsession with Purple Aki and a character from Coronation Street I seem to remember.

Ah the doghouse days.

Purple Aki??? I used to know a scouse lad who worked on a boat and drank in a pub in Bergen, Norway. He was there only for a few weeks with the rest of his crew mates.

He used to talk about a guy in Liverpool called Purple Aki. Surely there can only be only one Purple Aki? Who is this guy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akinwale_Arobieke

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/engl ... 087922.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/engl ... 023559.stm

Looks a spit of this guy from the film 'The Blind Side'



Or the lead role in the 'Cass' Film



Stalked the Wigan rugby team when they were world champions and scared the shit out of them.

[jameswilson]

I used to be in hysterics when you wound the Yanks up by logging into your Purple Aki account and said 'Shut it or Ill make you do some Aki squats.'

[dondada]

[

Where do you teach?

If you want to chat, email me at [email protected]

I can't be doing with this PM malarkey.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

I used to be in hysterics when you wound the Yanks up by logging into your Purple Aki account and said 'Shut it or Ill make you do some Aki squats.'

I can't take full credit for that I am afraid James - that has to go to Li'l Maris - he had me in stitches also!

[Matt W]

Like a number of people have said it depends on your age and commitments. Having said that life is too short to do something you hate for years if you have other options available to you.

I worked in a bank when I left college and I hated it. I know on my second day that it was the wrong job for e so I left after a year to do my degree. I now have pretty much my perfect job and quitting my job to go to Uni is the best thing I ever did. Having said that I was young at the time, had no commitments and there were no tuition fees then so I didn't have to sacrifice a great deal to do it (well, except for the wrath of my parents but they know I was right now!).

[Mensa07]

lol how do you all know about Purple Aki? We used to run from him when we kids, talking late 80's here. And I know a few people who he's made do various, weird things.

How old are you, Mensa07?

Im 30 mate.

mate of mine wants to get out of cab work, what he is doing is volunteering at a local nature reserve, as this is a good way to get onto their permanent staff... then he is going to switch over from the cab... if you have to keep working in order to fulfill future plans then do it.

Something I'm very close to signing up to also, I know delamere forest takes volunteers I've been looking at it today.

Teaching.. yeah I think I 'like' the idea of it, the reward side of it all, but am I 110% committed to the long hours, and the negative sides of the job? Probably not.

I do some volunteer work already with a disabled group, as I was thinking about some kind of care role. But sadly it hasn't really 'clicked', and I don't think its something I could see myself doing for a job.

I'm gonna pursue the nature reserve thing I think, try some volunteer work and see how it goes. Much rather be rebuilding dry stone walls out in the fresh air than listening to some d!ck rattle on about 'blue sky thinking' and offering to 'touch base' (!).

Another option would be to return to education:

I quit my 2 jobs last summer for the same reasons you mention. Sold my car too. Now I'm a student living off a small amount of money and going to Uni in September to study something I love. Just do whatever makes you happy, that's what getting up in the morning should be about!

good for you mate, sounds brilliant. I'm also looking at access courses to Uni as one of my options.

Thanks all for the replies!