A little bit stuck in life....
Discussion
So, I've been a little reluctant to post this under my 'known' name on here. But I what the hell, here it goes;
At the moment I feel generally 'stuck' with my employment. I'll give you a little bit of a background, i'm a 22 year old single(-ish
) bloke, who is very driven, aspirational, confident and genuinely hard working but doesn't quite know where to go or what to do with my career, or even how to kick it off!
I did OK at school. I say OK as I became quite bored in my last year and all my grades slipped. The same can be said for college. It just didn't turn me on - I was disinterested - when I did try really hard (nearly every lunch with the tutor), it just didn't pay off in the exams, even though the mocks were actually alright.
Fast forward 3 or 4 years and I'm where I am now; working in a care home with young people with Autism.
I've done some big and brilliant things with the company I work for, and i'm proud of the quite large achievements i've had there. I was given a lot of responsibility within a few months of being employed, so hopefully this shows whoever is reading this that I at least have half a brain
Work is OK for the moment. I have an awesome staff team - manager included - around me, and the 4 lads who live in the house are also brilliant too. The money. Well, I'm having to do quite a few overtime hours to give me a 'normal' standard of living. I'm 3 years into a mortgage, desperate to have more money left over at the end of the month to pay it off sooner rather than later, or get another deposit for another property. When I want something, I get it. I'm completely driven in that respect (I know, driven and working in a care don't seem to go together do they
).
I really don't know what I'm looking for, but I am asking for any ideas/questions/openings that you may have.
Apologies if the above is badly written, i'm a bit pushed for time and just had to note my thoughts etc.
I'll try to add some qualities of mine to this at a later point, but have to dash.
Thanks in advance for any questions/ideas etc.
At the moment I feel generally 'stuck' with my employment. I'll give you a little bit of a background, i'm a 22 year old single(-ish
) bloke, who is very driven, aspirational, confident and genuinely hard working but doesn't quite know where to go or what to do with my career, or even how to kick it off!I did OK at school. I say OK as I became quite bored in my last year and all my grades slipped. The same can be said for college. It just didn't turn me on - I was disinterested - when I did try really hard (nearly every lunch with the tutor), it just didn't pay off in the exams, even though the mocks were actually alright.
Fast forward 3 or 4 years and I'm where I am now; working in a care home with young people with Autism.
I've done some big and brilliant things with the company I work for, and i'm proud of the quite large achievements i've had there. I was given a lot of responsibility within a few months of being employed, so hopefully this shows whoever is reading this that I at least have half a brain
Work is OK for the moment. I have an awesome staff team - manager included - around me, and the 4 lads who live in the house are also brilliant too. The money. Well, I'm having to do quite a few overtime hours to give me a 'normal' standard of living. I'm 3 years into a mortgage, desperate to have more money left over at the end of the month to pay it off sooner rather than later, or get another deposit for another property. When I want something, I get it. I'm completely driven in that respect (I know, driven and working in a care don't seem to go together do they
).I really don't know what I'm looking for, but I am asking for any ideas/questions/openings that you may have.
Apologies if the above is badly written, i'm a bit pushed for time and just had to note my thoughts etc.
I'll try to add some qualities of mine to this at a later point, but have to dash.
Thanks in advance for any questions/ideas etc.
Stedman said:
When I want something, I get it. I'm completely driven in that respect (I know, driven and working in a care don't seem to go together do they ).
I really don't know what I'm looking for, but I am asking for any ideas/questions/openings that you may have.
That first sentence is correct. I think if ambition/money is your number one thing then working in the caring professions may not be the right place, but I have never worked there.).I really don't know what I'm looking for, but I am asking for any ideas/questions/openings that you may have.
What would you like to do? You are still very young so have plenty of opportunity. I have been working for 20+ years and have changed career three times at least, so you shouldn't be concerned with leaving this all behind and doing something new.
More info required.
Eric Mc said:
Everybody thinks they are brilliant thse days - even if they've given up on exams and qualifications. It must make life so difficult for employers these days having such a choice of fantastic individuals.
Life's a bit harder when you're asking for help or advice and you get responses like that But thank you anyway.Eric Mc said:
Everybody thinks they are brilliant thse days - even if they've given up on exams and qualifications. It must make life so difficult for employers these days having such a choice of fantastic individuals.
I dropped out of my degree and still think I am brilliant. Exams and qualifications are not everything. Even less so today where everyone has A stars. In fact I think we are blighted with a bunch of degree clutching youngsters who feel that's all they need
Attitude is more important.
limpsfield said:
Eric Mc said:
Everybody thinks they are brilliant thse days - even if they've given up on exams and qualifications. It must make life so difficult for employers these days having such a choice of fantastic individuals.
I dropped out of my degree and still think I am brilliant. Exams and qualifications are not everything. Even less so today where everyone has A stars. In fact I think we are blighted with a bunch of degree clutching youngsters who feel that's all they need
Attitude is more important.
I've met a lot of youngsters straight out of uni. Their attitude was rubbish, they had no idea about responsibility and were unaware of how unemployable they were! I don't want to tar everyone with the same brush though, as on the other hand, I have quite a few friends who have done 'good' degrees and have excellent jobs lined up.
I will get back to all the sensible responses in due course.
Thank you.
1.chasing the money and money alone will not make you happy. It'll trap you in a job and become a irrelevant. Better to do something you love and the wealth will come.
2.Your opening line is full of generic strength words - driven etc. then you proceed with the details of not doing so well at school and that doesn't look driven. Now that's fine, we don't all do well at school but until you have really tried for something hard to achieve, and won, it's hard to be labelled as driven and motivated. Perhaps have a look at what sort of person you really are and that might help with what to do. I say this not to bag out your self confidence but rather to pin down further the path you will take. Your opening line sounds like a salesman but your current role doesn't so just wondering if you want that path. FYI sales is a great way to earn good money if youre lacking in qualifications but it ain't much fun sometimes...
2.Your opening line is full of generic strength words - driven etc. then you proceed with the details of not doing so well at school and that doesn't look driven. Now that's fine, we don't all do well at school but until you have really tried for something hard to achieve, and won, it's hard to be labelled as driven and motivated. Perhaps have a look at what sort of person you really are and that might help with what to do. I say this not to bag out your self confidence but rather to pin down further the path you will take. Your opening line sounds like a salesman but your current role doesn't so just wondering if you want that path. FYI sales is a great way to earn good money if youre lacking in qualifications but it ain't much fun sometimes...
Precisely - words mean nothing unless they are backed up with facts and evidence. Atitude is, of course, absolutely vital. But that atitude needs something other than words to prove that it is realy in evidence.
I agree that qualifications are not everything - but they certainly help. And of course, the nature of qualifications vary hugely - so having the RIGHT qualifications is also important.
From what I have seen of countless CVs that have passed in front of me over the past ten years or so, is that youngsters are taught how to puff themselves up in their CVs and applications. Whether the pufferey is just a string of buzz words are rooted in reality is what matters.
I agree that qualifications are not everything - but they certainly help. And of course, the nature of qualifications vary hugely - so having the RIGHT qualifications is also important.
From what I have seen of countless CVs that have passed in front of me over the past ten years or so, is that youngsters are taught how to puff themselves up in their CVs and applications. Whether the pufferey is just a string of buzz words are rooted in reality is what matters.
Eric Mc said:
Precisely - words mean nothing unless they are backed up with facts and evidence. Atitude is, of course, absolutely vital. But that atitude needs something other than words to prove that it is realy in evidence.
I agree that qualifications are not everything - but they certainly help. And of course, the nature of qualifications vary hugely - so having the RIGHT qualifications is also important.
From what I have seen of countless CVs that have passed in front of me over the past ten years or so, is that youngsters are taught how to puff themselves up in their CVs and applications. Whether the pufferey is just a string of buzz words are rooted in reality is what matters.
Bang on. I get to the point of wanting to shoot a fluffy animal, after viewing a hundred CVs with all the horsesI agree that qualifications are not everything - but they certainly help. And of course, the nature of qualifications vary hugely - so having the RIGHT qualifications is also important.
From what I have seen of countless CVs that have passed in front of me over the past ten years or so, is that youngsters are taught how to puff themselves up in their CVs and applications. Whether the pufferey is just a string of buzz words are rooted in reality is what matters.
t buzz words in them, and a load of acronyms and quals which may or may not be relevant. I look for things like voluntary work, or other endevours, outside of acedemia, to get my shortlists down.Eric Mc said:
Everybody thinks they are brilliant thse days - even if they've given up on exams and qualifications. It must make life so difficult for employers these days having such a choice of fantastic individuals.
Agreed. I read the description above and thought it's pretty generic. There are probably hundreds of thousands of people in a similar situation and, with respect, it's what you do about it that makes you stand out from the rest.So Stedman – do you want to remain working in the care industry or do you want a clean break and try something new ?
My guess is the type of work you do requires a passion / commitment / enthusiasm ?
If you want to stay in the care field is there scope for advancement / promotion in the company you work for ?
My guess is the type of work you do requires a passion / commitment / enthusiasm ?
If you want to stay in the care field is there scope for advancement / promotion in the company you work for ?
doogz said:
limpsfield said:
I dropped out of my degree and still think I am brilliant.
Exams and qualifications are not everything. Even less so today where everyone has A stars. In fact I think we are blighted with a bunch of degree clutching youngsters who feel that's all they need
Attitude is more important.
Attitude is important. It's not more important.Exams and qualifications are not everything. Even less so today where everyone has A stars. In fact I think we are blighted with a bunch of degree clutching youngsters who feel that's all they need
Attitude is more important.
You may well have a better work ethic and attitude than I do. It wouldn't surprise me. But without a degree in engineering, you're not going to be able to do my job.
OP, you need to have at least a vague idea of what you actually want to do, if you want some useful replies, instead of "I'm 22, tell me what to do with my life"
But I don't think that is what the OP wants - he wants something more fulfilling by the sounds of it.
On reflection though, after reading his original post, noting the vagueness mentioned by others and the lack of follow up so far maybe he does just want it to land in his lap.
Your post seems all at odds (not going to bother with the driven/no quals as it's already been done) but you seem to be saying you love your job but you want more money in order to invest in property. Why did you go in to the care sector if you are driven/want money. Did you research it first?
As has been said, having both is a remarkably rare situation. You either have a fulfilling, valuable job paying fk all or you sell your soul to a corporation in return for toys. Sadly, I went for the latter and, now I've realised it's not for me, I'm in too deep to extricate myself quickly.
Anyway - having a personal interest - I'd say working with Autistic kids is a wonderful thing for you to do and I, for one, congratulate you for doing it thus far. Whether you continue to do so or not.
As has been said, having both is a remarkably rare situation. You either have a fulfilling, valuable job paying f
k all or you sell your soul to a corporation in return for toys. Sadly, I went for the latter and, now I've realised it's not for me, I'm in too deep to extricate myself quickly.Anyway - having a personal interest - I'd say working with Autistic kids is a wonderful thing for you to do and I, for one, congratulate you for doing it thus far. Whether you continue to do so or not.
Your scenario was quite similar to mine back when I was 22 (average to poor A-levels and GCSEs, not knowing where I really wanted to go in life) - although I thankfully didn't have a mortgage, only a car on finance.
However, I was interested in manufactuing AND the management of people - but the only way to get a job in something like supply chain management or Human Resource Management was with a degree. So paying off my debts ASAP, I returned back to education at the tender age of 23 to study for a degree in Business and Management. I graduated this July aged 25 and although I currently don't have a job, I've been able to apply for jobs that would have previously been off limits - which is quite a liberating feeling.
So I would normally suggest that a return to education might be worth a thought as it isn't too late. At your age you would be classed as a mature student and your previous grades wouldn't count against you. As well as this, employers like mature students who have work experience behind them, even if it isn't relevant work experience.
However,I appreciate you have a house and a mortgage (and bloody good going - were you just 19 when you secured it?!) which must be a massive weight around your neck financially.
However, I was interested in manufactuing AND the management of people - but the only way to get a job in something like supply chain management or Human Resource Management was with a degree. So paying off my debts ASAP, I returned back to education at the tender age of 23 to study for a degree in Business and Management. I graduated this July aged 25 and although I currently don't have a job, I've been able to apply for jobs that would have previously been off limits - which is quite a liberating feeling.
So I would normally suggest that a return to education might be worth a thought as it isn't too late. At your age you would be classed as a mature student and your previous grades wouldn't count against you. As well as this, employers like mature students who have work experience behind them, even if it isn't relevant work experience.
However,I appreciate you have a house and a mortgage (and bloody good going - were you just 19 when you secured it?!) which must be a massive weight around your neck financially.
BoRED S2upid said:
Gargamel said:
open your own care home
Or...Become assistant manager then manager then manager of chain of care homes etc... Then when your 30 think about something else. You need to set yourself some goals. Achieve them and set more goals.
I know the stress involved. Surrey CC/Social Services etc nearly killed our company as they wanted a rebate larger than 20% of they money they give us. Etc etc etc. We only stayed afloat as we're a medium/large business and all were very careful with money etc etc. The risk/reward simply would not be worth it for me I feel.
I am aware my employers have wanted me to run a house for quite a while, which is positive. At the very least it would look good on my CV.
Coneyhurst Blue said:
So Stedman – do you want to remain working in the care industry or do you want a clean break and try something new ?
My guess is the type of work you do requires a passion / commitment / enthusiasm ?
If you want to stay in the care field is there scope for advancement / promotion in the company you work for ?
No I do not want to remain in the care industry, the money is simply not good enough. I mean this when I say it; if I won a nice amount on the lottery i'd happily stay at my work. It's great! But doesn't pay a great deal, and I have to - and want to - think about the future financially. My guess is the type of work you do requires a passion / commitment / enthusiasm ?
If you want to stay in the care field is there scope for advancement / promotion in the company you work for ?
I like jobs where I can work long hours, go in and do my job and then come home again at the end of a shift. None of this 'bring work home b
ks'. (This obviously wouldn't apply if I had my own business). I did look at becoming a pilot, and still love the idea. However, I really don't fancy saddling myself with another six- or close to six- figure sum of debt. I have applied to become a trainee train driver, and am looking at becoming a conductor with eyes for promotion into driving.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff