What shall I do with my life?
Discussion
Chaps,
I'll open by saying that I am probably having a mid-life crisis ...
I'm 30 (just.) And contracting, but have been out of contract for the last nearly 2 months. And consequently I am looking for work.
My background is IT - 2:1 from UCL in Computer Science. Since then I have been moving more into the consultancy field, dealing with FoI and Data Protection type areas, mainly in central and local government. I live in East London, and we are just moving house.
I am getting sincerely fed up with talking to recruitment consultants. (Apologies to any PH'er on here reading this who is a recruitment consultant.) I won't go into the details, but talking to them is a depressing experience. I don't really want to go back to full-time employment, as I have tasted freedom with self-employment and love it. I am coherent, organised and generally take the lead when faced with a problem -organising other people to assist in solving it.
I am practical, and pick up new things easily. I am generally happiest when working on practical hands-on problems - in the last 2 months (since I have been out of contract) I have repaired 5 friend's cars, and serviced another 3. I have fixed 2 plumbing problems, installed a small PA system and built a large set of heavy-duty warehouse shelves, as well as decorated 2 flats and installed a kitchen. I have also fixed a lawnmower and done a stack of gardening. All this for free/alcohol, for friends, who generally know that they can call me with a problem and have it solved quickly and well.
I am wondering what to do with my life. A "Proper" small business appeals, not just contract consultancy (which is pretty flaky, but very well paid when in work), but I don't know where to start. As we are buying a house, I don't have much capital to sink into it, but my wife works so I don't need to earn to live (yet.) I also don't have any great ideas of what sort of business to start, which I think is my problem.
At the moment, the most appealing prospect seems to be getting a plumbing qualification, and setting up shop as a plumber. Failing that, an electrician. However, I know that some (my parents included) would see this as a waste of a very good degree and education.
Given that I have found posting problems on PH to be an extremely good source of wisdom and answers, what would anyone suggest? (I will consider all suggestions carefully, but will not garuntee to follow any of them, for obvious reasons!)
Oli.
I'll open by saying that I am probably having a mid-life crisis ...
I'm 30 (just.) And contracting, but have been out of contract for the last nearly 2 months. And consequently I am looking for work.
My background is IT - 2:1 from UCL in Computer Science. Since then I have been moving more into the consultancy field, dealing with FoI and Data Protection type areas, mainly in central and local government. I live in East London, and we are just moving house.
I am getting sincerely fed up with talking to recruitment consultants. (Apologies to any PH'er on here reading this who is a recruitment consultant.) I won't go into the details, but talking to them is a depressing experience. I don't really want to go back to full-time employment, as I have tasted freedom with self-employment and love it. I am coherent, organised and generally take the lead when faced with a problem -organising other people to assist in solving it.
I am practical, and pick up new things easily. I am generally happiest when working on practical hands-on problems - in the last 2 months (since I have been out of contract) I have repaired 5 friend's cars, and serviced another 3. I have fixed 2 plumbing problems, installed a small PA system and built a large set of heavy-duty warehouse shelves, as well as decorated 2 flats and installed a kitchen. I have also fixed a lawnmower and done a stack of gardening. All this for free/alcohol, for friends, who generally know that they can call me with a problem and have it solved quickly and well.
I am wondering what to do with my life. A "Proper" small business appeals, not just contract consultancy (which is pretty flaky, but very well paid when in work), but I don't know where to start. As we are buying a house, I don't have much capital to sink into it, but my wife works so I don't need to earn to live (yet.) I also don't have any great ideas of what sort of business to start, which I think is my problem.
At the moment, the most appealing prospect seems to be getting a plumbing qualification, and setting up shop as a plumber. Failing that, an electrician. However, I know that some (my parents included) would see this as a waste of a very good degree and education.
Given that I have found posting problems on PH to be an extremely good source of wisdom and answers, what would anyone suggest? (I will consider all suggestions carefully, but will not garuntee to follow any of them, for obvious reasons!)
Oli.
Question - How many poor plumbers/sparkies have you met?
How many IT bods looking for work have you met?
A good degree is a great asset but not even worth roaching material if you can't get a decent rewarding job with it.
Follow your heart - you're in this for a good time, not a long one.
Trust me I'm 29 and have been acting like a 40 year old for the last 6 years. Changes in my life mean that I'm about to start following my heart a little more.
Good luck whatever fella!
John
The time between contracts can lead to questioning your life. Is this a genuine desire to change jobs, or are you feeling 'angsty' because you have no security?
What sort of daily working environment do you want? Office, workshop, outside, indoors? Do you want a job with physical results, or one that challenges you? Do you live to work or work to live? How much income would you want/need? Can you see yourself doing the same job for more than two years? Do you want to grow a business and take on employees? Have you considered growing your consultancy to provide more stability, or developing a product? Must there always be questions?
What sort of daily working environment do you want? Office, workshop, outside, indoors? Do you want a job with physical results, or one that challenges you? Do you live to work or work to live? How much income would you want/need? Can you see yourself doing the same job for more than two years? Do you want to grow a business and take on employees? Have you considered growing your consultancy to provide more stability, or developing a product? Must there always be questions?
Firstly, being self-emolyed could be the best decision you'll make. Equally, it couldm end in tears, it's your call. My penny's worth:
Forget what you're good and ask yourself what is there a market for. For example, do you find certain irritations in your locale. If you experience it, then you can be sure that others will as well. Also, don't do something which is radically different to anything else out there, because you're asking your prospective customers to take a leap of faith by doing something new. Look at sectors which are either under-resourced or are simply doing something badly which a competitor could do better.
A mate of mine is earning a reasonable living by doing "odd-jobs" for families where both partners work. He's now employed a couple of blokes and is doing very well, mainly via word of mouth. What he does is go "above and beyond their expectation". For example, he did some gardening for one couple, following which he gave their patio a really good clean with a high pressure cleaner - something they never asked him to do. The goodwill generated created lots of referrals, and so the ball got rolling.
Another friend of mine, years ago, worked for a large corporate who, he discovered, were having loads of trouble getting reliable cleaners. He offered to do the cleaning for them and did a stonking job, cleaning loos etc, and impressing the socks off the facilities management dep't. He got one or two more clients, again doing a first-class job, and slowly employed some very reliable people - who he really looked after. The company grew and it's now making about £500k pa profit. Did his parents think he was throwing away a degree and a good job? I don't know. But they'll have bought into the idea by now alright!
Forget what you're good and ask yourself what is there a market for. For example, do you find certain irritations in your locale. If you experience it, then you can be sure that others will as well. Also, don't do something which is radically different to anything else out there, because you're asking your prospective customers to take a leap of faith by doing something new. Look at sectors which are either under-resourced or are simply doing something badly which a competitor could do better.
A mate of mine is earning a reasonable living by doing "odd-jobs" for families where both partners work. He's now employed a couple of blokes and is doing very well, mainly via word of mouth. What he does is go "above and beyond their expectation". For example, he did some gardening for one couple, following which he gave their patio a really good clean with a high pressure cleaner - something they never asked him to do. The goodwill generated created lots of referrals, and so the ball got rolling.
Another friend of mine, years ago, worked for a large corporate who, he discovered, were having loads of trouble getting reliable cleaners. He offered to do the cleaning for them and did a stonking job, cleaning loos etc, and impressing the socks off the facilities management dep't. He got one or two more clients, again doing a first-class job, and slowly employed some very reliable people - who he really looked after. The company grew and it's now making about £500k pa profit. Did his parents think he was throwing away a degree and a good job? I don't know. But they'll have bought into the idea by now alright!
The building market is where it's at, at the moment, so if you have skills in that direction, why not try property development? I would suggest starting outside the South East, though, as I imagine it would be crippling to buy into the market, plus it's slowing down anyway.
Or, become a plumber.
Or a sparky.
Or a joiner.
PS If you act on my advice, and it all goes tits up, you ain't seen me, roight?
Or, become a plumber.
Or a sparky.
Or a joiner.
PS If you act on my advice, and it all goes tits up, you ain't seen me, roight?
What's all this 'waste of a good degree' stuff? I knew a chap with a 2.1 in steel bridges or something, he got a job in composites with BAe (many moons ago)
A degree teaches you much more than the core subject, it's how to apply logic to a problem, utilise assets, methodology etc.
Do what you really like doing, you're in an enviable position don't waste it
>> Edited by apache on Monday 23 May 18:26
A degree teaches you much more than the core subject, it's how to apply logic to a problem, utilise assets, methodology etc.
Do what you really like doing, you're in an enviable position don't waste it
>> Edited by apache on Monday 23 May 18:26
rude-boy said:
Question - How many poor plumbers/sparkies have you met?
How many IT bods looking for work have you met?
A good degree is a great asset but not even worth roaching material if you can't get a decent rewarding job with it.
Follow your heart - you're in this for a good time, not a long one.
Trust me I'm 29 and have been acting like a 40 year old for the last 6 years. Changes in my life mean that I'm about to start following my heart a little more.
Good luck whatever fella!
John
Not sure of their source - but in last weeks New Scientist, in their "Graduate Careers Special" they say that the average wage for a plumber is around £18k with most on no more than £30k... nothing near £80k....
zcacogp said:
At the moment, the most appealing prospect seems to be getting a plumbing qualification, and setting up shop as a plumber. Failing that, an electrician. However, I know that some (my parents included) would see this as a waste of a very good degree and education.
If you decide to take this route you might want to tink about whether you want to be in the shop all day or be out in the field.
My local plumbers shop just supplies the equipment, if you want it fitted the they give you the number of a plumber they trust.
Obviously a number of way you can go about this, I understand there are plumbing cources you can go on. I watched a program about this a while ago where a girl with a good office job jacked it in because she wanted to be a plumber. you could join a company and get some hands on experience before branching out on your own, get some funds and buy a shop etc
Good luck whatever you decide
You're a piston head, what about being an automotive technician? Discounts on cars, parts, Etc.
I don't know if you like to work with your hands but the days of the grease monkey are over.
Cars are getting so sophisticated with some having, multiple computers,data bus systems so they can communicate and multi-plex wiring harnesses,so your I.T. background would come in handy.
Wages(in the U.S.) range from $45,000.00 USD to $100,000.00 USD per year, I would think that the U.K would be similar.
I don't know if you like to work with your hands but the days of the grease monkey are over.
Cars are getting so sophisticated with some having, multiple computers,data bus systems so they can communicate and multi-plex wiring harnesses,so your I.T. background would come in handy.
Wages(in the U.S.) range from $45,000.00 USD to $100,000.00 USD per year, I would think that the U.K would be similar.
rude-boy said:
A good degree is a great asset but not even worth roaching material if you can't get a decent rewarding job with it.
Sorry don't agree with that, I've got a degree in engineering and it was printed on quite thick high quality paper, gave it to my mate.......he said it made some damn fine roaches.
D_Mike said:
Not sure of their source - but in last weeks New Scientist, in their "Graduate Careers Special" they say that the average wage for a plumber is around £18k with most on no more than £30k... nothing near £80k....
This is a lot closer the truth than the media would have you believe. The only ones making that sort of money are usually filmed with hidden cameras!
You have IT skills. Good ones - it would appear. Have you considered setting up your own IT business in the field you have expertise in? As srebbe64 says - is there a market for your expertise/products?
In business I have found it vitally important to
a) Stick with what you know.
b) Keep initial costs really, really low.
With respect to (a) there are hundreds every year that start a restaurant "because they like cooking" - bust within six months...they may be great cooks but they aren't restauranteurs/chefs etc etc.
With respect to (b) - no fancy offices - start from home.
Yep: Stick with what you know, and what you know to have a ready market. The next thing to work out is what service or product you can deliver reliably and profitably to that market. Then work out if you can market it in a cost effective manner...easier said than done I can tell you.
Oh - and despite what people may say at the moment the economy is right up shit creek and firms just aren't spending what they used to. My firm is getting by but we are surviving on a customer base built up prior to 9/11. Since then new footprints have been very hard won, I can tell you...and out customers tell us our stuff is great!
>> Edited by Don on Monday 23 May 19:06
In business I have found it vitally important to
a) Stick with what you know.
b) Keep initial costs really, really low.
With respect to (a) there are hundreds every year that start a restaurant "because they like cooking" - bust within six months...they may be great cooks but they aren't restauranteurs/chefs etc etc.
With respect to (b) - no fancy offices - start from home.
Yep: Stick with what you know, and what you know to have a ready market. The next thing to work out is what service or product you can deliver reliably and profitably to that market. Then work out if you can market it in a cost effective manner...easier said than done I can tell you.
Oh - and despite what people may say at the moment the economy is right up shit creek and firms just aren't spending what they used to. My firm is getting by but we are surviving on a customer base built up prior to 9/11. Since then new footprints have been very hard won, I can tell you...and out customers tell us our stuff is great!
>> Edited by Don on Monday 23 May 19:06
rsvmilly said:
Not sure of their source - but in last weeks New Scientist, in their "Graduate Careers Special" they say that the average wage for a plumber is around £18k with most on no more than £30k... nothing near £80k....
This is a lot closer the truth than the media would have you believe. The only ones making that sort of money are usually filmed with hidden cameras!
and judging by one of these programmes I saw, soiling your wife's underwear?
As a hands-on techie type, can I say that the grass is definitely not greener. Cetainly as a plumber you probably wouldn't have to work in some of the sh!tholes I've got to over the years (Saudi included), however there are private houses that make iron foundries look clean. One of my colleagues used to be a TV engineer for DER and he said there were places he dreaded going, you had to wipe your feet when you came out, that type of thing.
I've done plumbing jobs where I had to get behind someone's toilet, the overspill had evidently been collecting for a LONG time... and as for electrics, try rewiring a house that has the old fibreglass loft insulation. Full plastic oversuit, goggles, gloves, face mask... on a hot summer's day. Nice.
Working on cars? My dad used to run his own business doing just that. I well remember my mother yelling at him over another ruined meal, the neighbours complaining about the hammering of yet another rusty suspension component, him being called out in the snow to get another car started (admittedly they're probably better in this respect now), the phone ringing at all hours with people asking for help/ advice/ a tow/ jump start... and most of all the family and 'friends', who all expected it for free.
I've done plumbing jobs where I had to get behind someone's toilet, the overspill had evidently been collecting for a LONG time... and as for electrics, try rewiring a house that has the old fibreglass loft insulation. Full plastic oversuit, goggles, gloves, face mask... on a hot summer's day. Nice.
Working on cars? My dad used to run his own business doing just that. I well remember my mother yelling at him over another ruined meal, the neighbours complaining about the hammering of yet another rusty suspension component, him being called out in the snow to get another car started (admittedly they're probably better in this respect now), the phone ringing at all hours with people asking for help/ advice/ a tow/ jump start... and most of all the family and 'friends', who all expected it for free.
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