Career Change Ideas Please

[sandeep2504]

Hello all

 

I've been working in my current role for just over two and half years.

 

I've been involved with IT since college (AVCE ICT), studied it at University (Business Information Technology) and took a placement year as a ICT Technician.

 

I am seriously considering a change of enviroment/role but i have no idea to what sort of role to apply for?

 

Money is a part of the reason for a change of career and i understand education isn't the best paid sector for IT Techs.

 

Although my manager is great and the tasks/jobs i do are great and vary, i do find the social side depressing sometimes in my current role.

 

In my previous jobs i have made very good friends and there has always been a social aspect to the job e.g. going out for drinks etc.

 

We dont talk too much in our department 9 two techs and one NM (we are busy sometimes with jobs etc which i understand) and the only people i really "have a laugh" with are the office staff.

 

I dont get the chance to socialise with teachers, i work 9-5 and havent had a chance to build up friendships and a lot of the people at my workplace are at a different stage in their life compared to me.

 

I would really like to work somewhere where there is a lively atmosphere, lots of teamwork and im open to a non IT role.

 

I was going to apply for a student paramedic role but unfortunately all the places on their course were full up.

 

I dont have any real responsibilities and would also consider working abroad.

 

I would really appreciate some advice/ideas/feedback.

[KWestos]

I Guess you are in your early twenties. If I were you, I would go to Camp America (or equivalent - I forget the one in Europe). It won't pay much, but the social side is second to none, and you learn valuable 'life' skills etc, that many employers are looking for - not just 'techy' experience.

 

That's where I would be looking, best of luck!

[cookie_monster]

I Guess you are in your early twenties. If I were you, I would go to Camp America (or equivalent - I forget the one in Europe). It won't pay much, but the social side is second to none, and you learn valuable 'life' skills etc, that many employers are looking for - not just 'techy' experience.

 

I have a friend who worked in IT and has just done this he's having the time of his life at the moment. He started with an outdoor company who paid for him to take all of his outdoor instruction badges, he was only paid £100 per week for this part but it was only a few months and the rent and food is free. Now he's off teaching kayaking, archery, climbing and other stuff in Dubai getting the same deal but approx £300 per week.

 

It won't make you rich but it'll certainly make you happy for a few years

[timzim]

You say you tried for student paramedic and you want good social life. If you're not too fussed about pay why don't you look into nursing? I trained as an RGN and worked in nursing for 7 years. Pay was rubbish but the job was excellent (hard graft though!), I learnt a huge amount, and the social life was second to none, plus you can use your qualification all over the world.

[sandeep2504]

You say you tried for student paramedic and you want good social life. If you're not too fussed about pay why don't you look into nursing? I trained as an RGN and worked in nursing for 7 years. Pay was rubbish but the job was excellent (hard graft though!), I learnt a huge amount, and the social life was second to none, plus you can use your qualification all over the world.

 

Sounds intriguing and i like the idea of having a qualification that could be used worldwide.

 

What does RGN stand for?

 

What i liked about the student paramedic role was it was a mixture of learning in a classroom and on the job training plus you get paid while doing this.

 

Do you know what the entry routes into a nursing career are?

 

Is it possible to learn on the job?

 

What is the pay like?

 

I currently earn about 18.5k a year.

[cookie_monster]

What does RGN stand for?

 

Registered General Nurse

 

@ timzim I thought pay for an RGN was 'ok' these days £20k + is that not the case?

[KWestos]

What about teaching????? That qualification can be transported also!

[rad]

I have a sailing/powerboating qualification and can always fall back on that.

 

I too have questioned it, I am not sure what I want to do though.

[timzim]

Registered General Nurse

 

@ timzim I thought pay for an RGN was 'ok' these days £20k + is that not the case?

 

Some people might consider 20k a good wage - I certainly don't and I couldn't live on it now.

 

@Sandeep2504, RGN stands for Registered General Nurse (used to be State Registered Nurse).

 

I know they've changed the way training works - in my day the training was on the job whereas now you have to do a nursing degree/diploma. The course is split 50/50 with practical experience so you may well get paid for your time on the wards (don't bet on it though!). There's more info here.

[penfold]

I dont think it's all the job that you do, but maybe the place your working in? I know that I've worked on my own mostly (as the only IT tech) over the last 5/6 years, but due to staff evenings out and getting invlolved in activities I have managed to make some good friends who are teachers/office staff/ LSA etc.

 

Maybe just a change of scene would help?

[sandeep2504]

I dont think it's all the job that you do, but maybe the place your working in? I know that I've worked on my own mostly (as the only IT tech) over the last 5/6 years, but due to staff evenings out and getting invlolved in activities I have managed to make some good friends who are teachers/office staff/ LSA etc.

 

Maybe just a change of scene would help?

 

Definitely agree that a change of scene would help but it wont be to another educational establishment.

[cookie_monster]

Some people might consider 20k a good wage - I certainly don't and I couldn't live on it now.

 

That's why I said 'ok' wage

[timzim]

That's why I said 'ok' wage

 

As in, "OK, now how the hell am I going to live on that?"....

[cookie_monster]

Well you do live in London I wouldn't want to earn less than £100k down there but up in the glorious North you could scrape by on £20k

[elsiegee40]

If you need a break... consider PGL. I worked for them for a summer season in the South of France when I was a student... excellent social life!

 

Some of those not returning to degree courses ended up in the ski resorts via grape-picking.

[bossman]

@sandeep2504:

 

Why don't you go and get urself a Reps job abroad then you would get all the social life you wanted but remember you have to work hard as well as play hard and you only get out of life what you put in.

 

From my experience socialising is overrated and most young people get fed up of years of drunken and drug fuelled outings mixed with STDs it ain't a pretty site believe me.

 

I would just travel around the world I still think you can get a round the world ticket for £900 and it is open ended so you can come back whenever. Nothing like travel to broaden the mind.

[Jiser]

Hello all

 

I've been working in my current role for just over two and half years.

 

I've been involved with IT since college (AVCE ICT), studied it at University (Business Information Technology) and took a placement year as a ICT Technician.

 

I am seriously considering a change of enviroment/role but i have no idea to what sort of role to apply for?

 

Money is a part of the reason for a change of career and i understand education isn't the best paid sector for IT Techs.

 

Although my manager is great and the tasks/jobs i do are great and vary, i do find the social side depressing sometimes in my current role.

 

In my previous jobs i have made very good friends and there has always been a social aspect to the job e.g. going out for drinks etc.

 

We dont talk too much in our department 9 two techs and one NM (we are busy sometimes with jobs etc which i understand) and the only people i really "have a laugh" with are the office staff.

 

I dont get the chance to socialise with teachers, i work 9-5 and havent had a chance to build up friendships and a lot of the people at my workplace are at a different stage in their life compared to me.

 

I would really like to work somewhere where there is a lively atmosphere, lots of teamwork and im open to a non IT role.

 

I was going to apply for a student paramedic role but unfortunately all the places on their course were full up.

 

I dont have any real responsibilities and would also consider working abroad.

 

I would really appreciate some advice/ideas/feedback.

 

 

Yeh quite alot like me tbh. Same situation, although my colleagues sound a bit more 'fun' than yours.

 

Have you not looked at some sort of graduate scheme? There are plenty out there. Good money, good prospects and I imagine generally a good social life. There are also foreign work you could do such as internships in NYC, Aus, Europe.

 

Working in a school as a techy or even a teacher in alot of places there won't always be chances for good progression/social life. Ideally you want somewhere where there will be people of similar age and experience + opportunities/money - schools, thats not gonna happen.

[torledo]

Hello all

 

I dont get the chance to socialise with teachers.

 

 

Be grateful for small mercies, sandeep.

 

Any advice re upping sticks and travelling sounds like an 'experience' but strikes me as a bit of a hand to mouth existence. Something you'd probably want to do and get out of your system before starting on a career proper. Could consider it if your expecting an inheritance within the next 20 years, otherwise you have to think about what to do with yourself and what relevant skills you have for an increasingly competitive jobs market when you return.

 

migrating or working abroad for a few years in a professional capacity is definitely an option for you.

But i don't know what kind of experience and skillset you'd need to really make it worth while.

 

You could stick with the IT side of things, there are areas which can lead to good renumeration, plus you get challenged more in more serious roles and no doubt the social side of things can only be an improvement on what's available in your school ie nothing at the moment.

 

In an ideal world, my ideal job would probably be to work for a bank in an offshore tax haven. Doing IT obviously. But for you obviously the priority seems to be change of scene first and foremost. But for your next role my advise is to think hard about how to get a challenging role where you can progress and make half decent money. End of the day it's more important than making drinking buddies out of people who are thrown together isn't it ?

[torledo]

@sandeep2504:

 

Why don't you go and get urself a Reps job abroad then you would get all the social life you wanted but remember you have to work hard as well as play hard and you only get out of life what you put in.

 

 

Yep. Just curtail the 2 and a half years of IT experience built up, and go and be a club rep.

 

I can see the benefits of people broadening their horizons [and taking in the occasional club] in some far flung land for a couple of years before returning to the grindstone, they could even have a road to damascus moment while on their 'travels' that inspires them to start a business or initiative or doing something else worthwhile.

 

But is that going to happen spending a few months as a club rep ?

[GrumbleDook]

You could always look at voluntary work as an aside to alleviate the monotony.

 

I started off with Vitalise: short breaks & respite care for disabled people, visually impaired people, & carers (when it was the Winged Fellowship Trust) as well as special needs playschemes ... also got involved in coaching too.

 

Some organisations will take you on as a full time volunteer so you get state benefits but actually 'work'. Some might consider this sort of thing as an alternative to National Service style joining the Army to gain experience.

 

And there is always the Army (or other services ..) a bit scary to do at the minute but they do have a *wide* range of jobs there.

[mb2k01]

Reading this thread has made me remember a crazy idea that almost came off a few years ago - might be worth considering if you like your IT job but the venue is getting you down a bit...

 

While I was holidaying in Lanzarote a few years back I also arranged to visit a school out there (it was a personal holiday but one of the sweetners of taking it term-time was that I did a favour for some global link project!).

To cut a long story short, the person in charge of IT desperately wanted to come to England and asked if I thought my employer would be interested in the idea of a fixed-term swap, with him taking on my position in England and me taking his in Lanzarote!

 

It progressed reasonably well until his wife got cold feet about a move so far away, but it was something that could have worked well for all concerned at the time. I'd definately consider it again in the right circumstances. Might be worth exploring something similar if you have contacts elsewhere?

[sandeep2504]

Thanks everyone for your ideas so far.

 

Very helpful!

 

A little more info:

 

If im being honest another thing is i lack confidence applying for IT jobs.

 

I sent a copy of my CV to witch to get some feedback.

 

I am keeping my options open at the moment and will make a decision in the new year.

 

I'm looking into IT roles in different sectors e.g. MI5, Police, NHS, Banking etc.

 

Outside of work i take part in social activities to prevent the boredom at work (dance classes last year, football every sat and i took up rugby for a year in 2008)

 

Before my current role i was at university, ending up passing my degree (lack of motivation/interest) but i had a job as a sales assistant at Primark and i suppose i miss the social aspect of that job as everyone was the same stage in life.

 

After uni it took me a year to find a job; i applied for IT roles as well as non IT roles such as croupier and BT engineer.

[jcollings]

I would also add that if you feel there isn't a social life at school try and start one. There may be lots of staff all privately thinking the same thing.

 

Stick a few notices up - try and get something moving - sports, quiz night, karaoke - anything really.

 

We have a few people here who organise stuff and it usually goes down well. A bunch of us play 5 a side in the sports hall on Friday and sometimes go for a curry/beer. It all makes work a bit more fun.

[sandeep2504]

I would also add that if you feel there isn't a social life at school try and start one. There may be lots of staff all privately thinking the same thing.

 

Stick a few notices up - try and get something moving - sports, quiz night, karaoke - anything really.

 

We have a few people here who organise stuff and it usually goes down well. A bunch of us play 5 a side in the sports hall on Friday and sometimes go for a curry/beer. It all makes work a bit more fun.

 

I got this going as soon i arrived and we had it going for a number of months but numbers dwindled after a while.

 

Most of the time i can't take part in school based activties amyway as im working most days till 5pm and of course teachers are done by 3pm!

[penfold]

But if you can overlap the activities then maybe you could finish a little earlier? I know we did something similar to jcollings in that we had 5-a-side on a friday. Now although the teachers finished earlier, by the time everyone had finished on the yard ensuring kids were going home safely etc, I was able to finish a little early and join in. If you suggested that you came in early/shorter lunch etc, could you do something similar? If it was only 1 day a week you might be able to do it?