Careers Advice.

[Big Mark]

Anyone out there other than me never really had an idea of their career path? Seems like I have drifted through life (33 now) with interests but no big idea. Even during my Engineering Degree I wasn't sure it was right for me. Now after drifting through various jobs including, design engineer, bouncer, gym manger, property developer I once again find myself out of work (thanks economy) and totally skint.

 

This time I want a career, not just a job!

 

Did a CATIA V5 (3D CAD used mainly in automotive and aerospace) course last October to try and use my degree but automotive industry has gone very pear shaped so am having absolutely no luck getting into that!

 

Quite like the idea of disapearing abroad but wouldn't risk it without a job to go to.

 

So what to do know? Carry on drifting or try to find direction?

[marc_p]

I'm the same(although much younger ) but I really don't know what I want to do, I am yet to find a job that I enjoy.

[monsween]

Ever thought of working offshore?

 

To be fair it'll be difficult getting a job working offshore as the price of oil and economy plays its part.

 

However there are still jobs going in some places.

 

Being a degree educated engineer puts you in a better position than most that work offshore so the moneys better than a "normal" offshore person.

 

PM me if u fancy it and want a list of a few companies and or more information about it.

 

I graduated in 2007 and cant fault it. I didnt know my career path until i started on it!

[Big Mark]

Thanks monswen, PM sent.

[Ace]

I graduated in 2007 and cant fault it. I didnt know my career path until i started on it!

 

That must be true of a lot of people.

 

Agreed that I am younger (28 this year), but I've been in the freight forwarding industry for almost 10 years now; I only fell into it as an office junior, fresh faced and wet behind the ears as a school leaver.

 

I'm now a service manager looking after exports for three of the biggest European shipping markets - Holland, Germany and Poland.

 

However, I never planned on working in shipping, and after so long in it, I've discovered that it is really quite difficult to change career paths. The worsening state of the economy makes it harder to switch professions too; particularly with London being a hotbed of redundancy - it was where I'd planned to begin my next profession. Ho hum.

 

It really depends on whether you can continue drifting through as you are, content with your lot, or whether you want to find the drive and determination to find your niche in the working world. Better to regret something you did than something you didn't.

 

My tuppence worth.

 

L

[Gazboy]

Australia are absolutley desperate for skilled workers and some firms will help you relocate.

 

Other than that, become an insolvency practitioner.

[Animal]

I would try and go down the Catia route if I were you. It's the main package used at Aerospace and I remember a few years back, they were crying out for Catia users as half the staff they trained buggered off to Germany for better money. Don't know what the market is like now though, I'm an AutoCAD draughtsman and there is a reasonable amount of work out there if you are willing to move around for it. There seem to be quite a few Design Engineer job vacancies in the Middle East and Australia if that takes your fancy. Unfortunately I'm not an engineer so I shit out on them.

 

Best of luck in getting something.

[Dozymare]

Obvious I know, but tried BAe? Usually loads of engineering jobs going.

[Carl_S]

I know where you are coming from on this Mark, and rest assured it is completely normal...

 

I too am a drifter, and have found only very recently and at the same age as you, a career in which I could feel at home. However, I am open to new challenges, and so as it sounds like are you.

 

Get a blank bit bit of paper and write down your dreams for you life, jobs, ideas. Then look at them. Now you might find one that you really want to make real, or you might want to do the lot. Look to see what's realistic, and get professional career advice if you need to. (Great for CV, tips, interview /presentation skills etc and to meet some fit birds) Look to see how realistic these ideas are, and what you need to do to achieve them. Look through papers, see what jobs take your fancy, or what training takes your fancy. If you have a strong enough passion for it you can get through it, not only to a job you enjoy, but in a good company, to decent career progression.

 

Don't discount a goal of becoming self employed. You are in a fantasic position right now to let your mind be free to the possibilities of what you can do. Look at the barriers that may stop you and figure out how you can get around them.

 

Look at your job history, and try to work out why you took the part you did from job to job. So self reflect and look at your strengths and weaknesses.

 

Remember work is only one part of the big picture mate, it may be important, but there are also things equally, or in my opinion, more important than work.

 

1)Sex 2)Family 3)Work 4) Supra 5)Sprituality

 

That's one order. Agree with it or not, we all tend to have priorities.

[Big Mark]

Thanks everyone. I'd like to use my engineering degree (I think) but am finding that in the current economic state companies won't take on anyone unless they have 2-5 years up to date experience, even tho I have the degree and recent CATIA qualification.

 

Actually I should say that the recruitment agencies (all jobs seem to have to go through them these days) won't put me forward due lack of recent experience. Would love to get a job in the Middle East or Australia, especially right now as I've got no ties.