Discussion
Now some of you may see that I've posted this on another forum aswell but since this place is huge and the people on it have a vast wealth of experience I thought it'd be prudent to post here so:
Due to personal commitments I've left the band I've been a part of for two years and have decided that I need to get into a full time job and start earning some money and saving.
The problem is, apart from the usual armed forces and sales/call centres, I'm not quite sure what options I have open to me.
I've already applied to go into NATS air traffic control college (stage one test is on April 8th) as it's something that's always interested me and posts from people in the program on forums like PPRuNe make it out to be a very good place to be.
However, I know the the entry rate is only 3% so whilst trying not being a pessimist, assuming that I don't make it, what options does a 19 year old with 5 A-C GCSEs (including english, maths and science) and 2 A levels (in geography and biology) have open to him?
I'm currently scouring various job websites trying to get an idea as to what I'd like to do but not having much luck as of yet.
I thought about higher education i.e. University aswell but the problem I have with that is
1. the rediculous amount of debt
2. The fact that a lot of people with degrees end up doing nothing related to the degree they obtained and get stuck in a standard desk job after Uni and
3. It feels like the UK is being saturated with post grads with degrees so having a degree is standard and does nothing to make you stand out (unless you get a highers or go on to PhD).
Of course though, that option is still open for me, I just don't know what I'd like to do.
I'm not expecting anyone to tell me what to do but a few pointers in the right direction would be appreciated
Due to personal commitments I've left the band I've been a part of for two years and have decided that I need to get into a full time job and start earning some money and saving.
The problem is, apart from the usual armed forces and sales/call centres, I'm not quite sure what options I have open to me.
I've already applied to go into NATS air traffic control college (stage one test is on April 8th) as it's something that's always interested me and posts from people in the program on forums like PPRuNe make it out to be a very good place to be.
However, I know the the entry rate is only 3% so whilst trying not being a pessimist, assuming that I don't make it, what options does a 19 year old with 5 A-C GCSEs (including english, maths and science) and 2 A levels (in geography and biology) have open to him?
I'm currently scouring various job websites trying to get an idea as to what I'd like to do but not having much luck as of yet.
I thought about higher education i.e. University aswell but the problem I have with that is
1. the rediculous amount of debt
2. The fact that a lot of people with degrees end up doing nothing related to the degree they obtained and get stuck in a standard desk job after Uni and
3. It feels like the UK is being saturated with post grads with degrees so having a degree is standard and does nothing to make you stand out (unless you get a highers or go on to PhD).
Of course though, that option is still open for me, I just don't know what I'd like to do.
I'm not expecting anyone to tell me what to do but a few pointers in the right direction would be appreciated
Edited by Slinky1989 on Friday 27th March 17:59
Yeah, the idea of Uni really doesn't appeal to me, plus back in 6th form, I really felt pressured to go and that if I didn't go I was an automatic failure. Really made me lose a bit of faith in the education system.
But yeah I'll give eurocontrol a go aswell, thanks for the suggestion
But yeah I'll give eurocontrol a go aswell, thanks for the suggestion
Edited by Slinky1989 on Friday 27th March 18:16
Hey, my pleasure. HTHSlinky1989 said:
lol Thanks for your input! 
You have no experience so it's your attitude and your contacts that will help you here. Employers will want to hear a good story about how you will work hard and why the role in question is part of your career strategy rather than viewed by you as a job that gives you money. They want well rounded people who have thought through their prospective career and are in control of it.Before you start, consider your contacts. Who do you know that can get you in for a chat with a prospective employer? Maybe your parents have some contacts, maybe a neighbour. You are far more likely to get a meeting if the person you have targeted has had you recommended to him by a friend or contemporary of his / hers. This is what is called the unadvertised jobs market.
The world is your lobster. With a bit of blagging and approaching it in the correct way there's hundreds of different jobs you could do. Maybe deciding what you'd like to do would be the first step? Good luck.
So essentially what you're saying is that in a time like this it's more about who you know?
I do have experience of working as I worked at pc world as a sales assistant and then in the tech centre instore for almost three years till last september so I certainly do know what working hard means.
Thanks for the advice though, I'll take it on board
Also at this moment in time it looks like something aircraft related may be the way for me.
I do have experience of working as I worked at pc world as a sales assistant and then in the tech centre instore for almost three years till last september so I certainly do know what working hard means.
Thanks for the advice though, I'll take it on board
Also at this moment in time it looks like something aircraft related may be the way for me.
if i were you i'd apply for 'career' roles like you are doing and looking into, but if there is nothing around and you find yourself applying for 'filler' jobs then go somewhere other than the UK to do them. get some life experience and a bit of travelling under your belt whilst you're young. you'll have more to talk about in 12mths when the jobs market may be picking up again.
Slinky1989 said:
Also at this moment in time it looks like something aircraft related may be the way for me.
I know you said 'apart from the usual armed forces' but if you really want to work with aircraft, why don't you consider the armed forces? A few years with the Fleet Air Arm, the Army Air Corps or even (God Forbid) the RAF will give you experience, an insight into the aviation world and above all, contacts. Even if its not your long term career plan, I'd suggest you don't rule anything out unless you have very good reasons to. 
d then!2 poss options to consider:
Police Officer - Good career path possibilities and final salary pension
English as a Foreign Language - TEFL course is cheap and it would enable you to travel and be paid until you know what you want to do.
Other option is to look at a trade and go for a skill that is rare/niche and highly paid that would enable you to cash in once trained and some experience e.g. Panel Beaters and Spray Painters in car industry are highly sought....Australian companies are actively headhunting these skills for large sums to emigrate. Jeez even the Canadian Mounties are poaching our Police Officers!
Good luck, you really need to spend time and decide a path to follow and go for it!
Police Officer - Good career path possibilities and final salary pension
English as a Foreign Language - TEFL course is cheap and it would enable you to travel and be paid until you know what you want to do.
Other option is to look at a trade and go for a skill that is rare/niche and highly paid that would enable you to cash in once trained and some experience e.g. Panel Beaters and Spray Painters in car industry are highly sought....Australian companies are actively headhunting these skills for large sums to emigrate. Jeez even the Canadian Mounties are poaching our Police Officers!
Good luck, you really need to spend time and decide a path to follow and go for it!
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