Your career/ job, how did you pick it/ fall into it?
Discussion
Mods please leave here this isn’t job related just the idea of careers.
I was having a conversation with my OH about jobs and careers, and came up with the questions:
How did you end up in your current job/career?
If you could do any job, what would it be?
What did you want do do?
I fell into my job and career and now feel trapped, the money is good and I fear changing careers would be a massive pay cut.
I never had any ambition for what I wanted to do, maybe a mechanic but never acted on it.
What job would I do? I said I wanted to run a coffee shop, maybe not the most lucrative and very hard work but enjoyable
I was having a conversation with my OH about jobs and careers, and came up with the questions:
How did you end up in your current job/career?
If you could do any job, what would it be?
What did you want do do?
I fell into my job and career and now feel trapped, the money is good and I fear changing careers would be a massive pay cut.
I never had any ambition for what I wanted to do, maybe a mechanic but never acted on it.
What job would I do? I said I wanted to run a coffee shop, maybe not the most lucrative and very hard work but enjoyable
Going to keep it a bit vague
When I was 15-16 I knew where I wanted to work. I had a dream. I had the aptitude.
I chose my further education based on that. Although I had Uni options, we couldn't afford for me to go. So every job I took after that was, to give me experience that I hoped would get me to my dream role.
I must have written 100 letters over the years to the various companies listing my very relevant experience and how I REALLY wanted to get to my dream position.
I got close, some colleagues actually ended up there for a few short years before they moved to crap jobs that don't interest me. But I got to 30 years old, realised it was a waste of time and settled into the drudgery for the rest of my life!
So the moral of the story is "life isn't fair and don't f
king dream"
Just settle into something you can do reasonably well, get paid above average wage for doing, and learn to endure the 50 st managers over your lifetime and focus on things outside your career!
When I was 15-16 I knew where I wanted to work. I had a dream. I had the aptitude.
I chose my further education based on that. Although I had Uni options, we couldn't afford for me to go. So every job I took after that was, to give me experience that I hoped would get me to my dream role.
I must have written 100 letters over the years to the various companies listing my very relevant experience and how I REALLY wanted to get to my dream position.
I got close, some colleagues actually ended up there for a few short years before they moved to crap jobs that don't interest me. But I got to 30 years old, realised it was a waste of time and settled into the drudgery for the rest of my life!
So the moral of the story is "life isn't fair and don't f
king dream" Just settle into something you can do reasonably well, get paid above average wage for doing, and learn to endure the 50 s
t managers over your lifetime and focus on things outside your career!Two weeks ago my last dog was put to sleep. Work wise I've been sweeping chimneys for the last five years, enjoyable and lucrative, but not very full time.
Tomorrow I start a new job. 12 hour night shift, four nights a week at a sawmill cleaning the machinery, outside in all weathers. No experience or references, just said I wanted to graft. I'm 54 and cannot wait to get stuck in.
Tomorrow I start a new job. 12 hour night shift, four nights a week at a sawmill cleaning the machinery, outside in all weathers. No experience or references, just said I wanted to graft. I'm 54 and cannot wait to get stuck in.
I guess by the definition, I fell into it.
I wanted to be a pilot but graduated in the fallout of 9/11 and stopped pursuing the military option once I’d realised (through experience, I was in the RNR several years) that I have a problem with rules and authority. I was diagnosed with ADHD late in life which was a ‘yeah, no st’ moment.
I think I’d have been bored as an airline pilot fwiw. I know several and whilst a nice gig, is too constrained for me personally.
Since uni I’ve followed interest more then climbing the ladder, meaning lots of sideways moves and blind alleys. What that has given me is a very broad area of knowledge and ability within my field (I’ve never strayed far from pure engineering), and an allergy to corporate structures and office politics.
My current role came completely by chance and seemed to be written for me. I get to do all the interesting things i like doing (learning, creating and problem solving), get paid well, and have sufficient seniority/authority to run things as I want. It’s a multi $bn organization and I report directly to the ceo, albeit in a role that couldn’t be less corporate if it tried.
My ideal job would be this but in a different location (all good things must have a downside) or have Tommy’s job in Landman.
Outside of a ‘job’ I’d like to own and run a project oriented automotive business, the kind of thing retropower do. Only with a coffee shop attached. Deus ex machina, bike shed, Duke of London type set up but with some serious builds going on. I do co-own a working garage so hopefully some scope to develop this in future.
I wanted to be a pilot but graduated in the fallout of 9/11 and stopped pursuing the military option once I’d realised (through experience, I was in the RNR several years) that I have a problem with rules and authority. I was diagnosed with ADHD late in life which was a ‘yeah, no s
t’ moment. I think I’d have been bored as an airline pilot fwiw. I know several and whilst a nice gig, is too constrained for me personally.
Since uni I’ve followed interest more then climbing the ladder, meaning lots of sideways moves and blind alleys. What that has given me is a very broad area of knowledge and ability within my field (I’ve never strayed far from pure engineering), and an allergy to corporate structures and office politics.
My current role came completely by chance and seemed to be written for me. I get to do all the interesting things i like doing (learning, creating and problem solving), get paid well, and have sufficient seniority/authority to run things as I want. It’s a multi $bn organization and I report directly to the ceo, albeit in a role that couldn’t be less corporate if it tried.
My ideal job would be this but in a different location (all good things must have a downside) or have Tommy’s job in Landman.
Outside of a ‘job’ I’d like to own and run a project oriented automotive business, the kind of thing retropower do. Only with a coffee shop attached. Deus ex machina, bike shed, Duke of London type set up but with some serious builds going on. I do co-own a working garage so hopefully some scope to develop this in future.
I missed a plane home once (1997) and, because I had several hours to kill, I went to the nearby exhibition centre. There was a trade expo on, about which I knew nothing. I got talking to the German exhibitors on one stand and asked them why they didn't trade in the UK. They told me it was because there was no market there for what they did.
I disagreed, set up in business to prove them wrong, and five years later, they bought the company. I've been on their board of directors ever since.
Consequently, I fell into building and running businesses. I don't have any specific skills, but I'm good at what I do.
I disagreed, set up in business to prove them wrong, and five years later, they bought the company. I've been on their board of directors ever since.
Consequently, I fell into building and running businesses. I don't have any specific skills, but I'm good at what I do.
Quattr04. said:
How did you end up in your current job/career?
Two things at school I was particularly good at and enjoyed a great deal were Art and Graphical Communications (Technical Drawing). I was about 13 or 14 and watched a programme on BBC2 about the advertising industry. I liked the idea that you could be paid for drawing stuff and so that's what I did.Researched what to do. Found out all the jobs were posted in the back of Campaign magazine so started applying the year I did my O Levels.
Got a job in a design studio in 1983 (before I'd taken the O Levels) and today, am still working in the creative field, albeit within a very specific sector (behaviour change communications) and still getting paid to draw stuff. Only last week I had to conjure up a kangaroo wearing a jumper!
Quattr04. said:
If you could do any job, what would it be?
I'm doing it. Quattr04. said:
What did you want do do
All I knew is that I wanted to do something creative.What else would I have done?
Well, over the past 10 years, I've gotten more heavily involved in film making as part of my creative repertoire to the extent that I can viably say I am a filmmaker (as well as ad man, graphic designer, comms strategist, etc..). Mainly commercials, a few dramatised pieces for clients, etc. This I enjoy greatly and people tell me I'm very good at it. Have always been interested in film and is perhaps the one other profession I'd have a stab at if we get a second run of things.
Police officer in roads policing.
Was at college and working in the petrol station part time. I disliked college due to the second year being all about going to uni which I knew I didn't want to do.
Got talking to a police officer filling the car up. Sounded interesting. Looked into it.
Then the cut backs happened (2009ish) and recruitment stopped. Decided to join as a Special.
Did that whilst working at Tesco and as a carer. Loved it. Was on roads policing from 2014. Loved it.
2019 I finally passed the assessment centre and interview (third attempt at the assessment centre) and joined as a PC.
2022, just under three years in I moved onto roads policing.
Loved response, but traffic was always my end goal. However didn't expect to get in on my first go. I'm st at interviews. Mainly applied for the interview experience.
Coming up to three years on there now. Had a bit of a wobble last year and was looking at leaving the job all together. Still looking but not as active and currently going through the process of joining another department (but a load pre assessments and a five week course to do first). If i fail at any stage, whilst I'd be disappointed I'd be content on traffic still.
Got my advanced car, TPAC, advanced bike courses (main reason I got my bike licence). Will hopefully have my VIP course soon.
I don't enjoy it as much as I used to, but it pays reasonably well considering I just have a diploma in Media Studies (July I go up to £48,000). Overtime when I want at the moment. Downside is the impact on home life with being late off etc. But it's secure and fun most the time.
Was at college and working in the petrol station part time. I disliked college due to the second year being all about going to uni which I knew I didn't want to do.
Got talking to a police officer filling the car up. Sounded interesting. Looked into it.
Then the cut backs happened (2009ish) and recruitment stopped. Decided to join as a Special.
Did that whilst working at Tesco and as a carer. Loved it. Was on roads policing from 2014. Loved it.
2019 I finally passed the assessment centre and interview (third attempt at the assessment centre) and joined as a PC.
2022, just under three years in I moved onto roads policing.
Loved response, but traffic was always my end goal. However didn't expect to get in on my first go. I'm s
t at interviews. Mainly applied for the interview experience. Coming up to three years on there now. Had a bit of a wobble last year and was looking at leaving the job all together. Still looking but not as active and currently going through the process of joining another department (but a load pre assessments and a five week course to do first). If i fail at any stage, whilst I'd be disappointed I'd be content on traffic still.
Got my advanced car, TPAC, advanced bike courses (main reason I got my bike licence). Will hopefully have my VIP course soon.
I don't enjoy it as much as I used to, but it pays reasonably well considering I just have a diploma in Media Studies (July I go up to £48,000). Overtime when I want at the moment. Downside is the impact on home life with being late off etc. But it's secure and fun most the time.
Loved doing PE at school so headed off to do a 4 year PE Degree and be a PE teacher. Picked up a few injuries so ended up seeing a lot of the campus physio and quickly realised doing PE and teaching PE weren't similar and I hated teaching so dropped out after a year. Sporty physio stuff seemed like a good lark tho so went off to do a degree in that.
Unfortunately NHS physio seemed like proper work and didn't appeal so went back to uni to do a masters degree in a related subject then a PhD to procrastinate even more. Ended up very qualified for nothing very much but fell into working full time in professional sport in a fairly lucrative environment having originally offered to work for nothing to get the experience. Did that for about 15 years then did the work/life balance thing and ditched full time work for 8hrs/week consultancy and have done that for the last 20 odd years.
Unfortunately NHS physio seemed like proper work and didn't appeal so went back to uni to do a masters degree in a related subject then a PhD to procrastinate even more. Ended up very qualified for nothing very much but fell into working full time in professional sport in a fairly lucrative environment having originally offered to work for nothing to get the experience. Did that for about 15 years then did the work/life balance thing and ditched full time work for 8hrs/week consultancy and have done that for the last 20 odd years.
renmure said:
Loved doing PE at school so headed off to do a 4 year PE Degree and be a PE teacher. Picked up a few injuries so ended up seeing a lot of the campus physio and quickly realised doing PE and teaching PE weren't similar and I hated teaching so dropped out after a year. Sporty physio stuff seemed like a good lark tho so went off to do a degree in that.
Unfortunately NHS physio seemed like proper work and didn't appeal so went back to uni to do a masters degree in a related subject then a PhD to procrastinate even more. Ended up very qualified for nothing very much but fell into working full time in professional sport in a fairly lucrative environment having originally offered to work for nothing to get the experience. Did that for about 15 years then did the work/life balance thing and ditched full time work for 8hrs/week consultancy and have done that for the last 20 odd years.
My wife did her physio training with Eddie Irvine's sister. Best I've got in claims to fame.Unfortunately NHS physio seemed like proper work and didn't appeal so went back to uni to do a masters degree in a related subject then a PhD to procrastinate even more. Ended up very qualified for nothing very much but fell into working full time in professional sport in a fairly lucrative environment having originally offered to work for nothing to get the experience. Did that for about 15 years then did the work/life balance thing and ditched full time work for 8hrs/week consultancy and have done that for the last 20 odd years.
Anyway at the age of 15 I decided I wanted to be a Tech Drawing Teacher.
Not a bad choice as I only passed two O levels first time around and one of them was Tech Drawing.
However after a couple of interviews with Architects, I ended up on a construction site with Tarmac. (What happened to the teacher bit?)
Then a couple of local authorities, then Consultancy. Took a break, after being on a bus on the Isle of Mull and seeing a Golden Eagle at the side of the road I decided I wanted to be a bus driver. Started the training but the Company was s
te so I became a Postman, then a Gardener, then worked for a Consultancy again. Retired now, never made the Teacher job and Tech Drawing is no longer taught in schools.Always loved anything that had an engine when I was growing up, steam, petrol, diesel, jet, rocket... all good with me. It was inevitable even as an early teenager I was going to do an Engineering degree. I had a healthy side interest in computer technology too, having had a PC at home since [very early] (1991 or so, when I was about 8). Did my A-Levels and a degree in Manufacturing Engineering and Management. Didn't know quite where to go, so best mate and I decided to job hunt for each other. He found some grad schemes the thought would suit me, I found some I thought would suit him.
18 years later, I'm at the same company I started with as a grad back in 2006. I've moved around between Manufacturing Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering and latterly IT. Now I put my engineering background to good use designing IT solutions for engineers that are cleverer than me to use. I guess I combined all my early interests to become what I'm good at today.
18 years later, I'm at the same company I started with as a grad back in 2006. I've moved around between Manufacturing Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering and latterly IT. Now I put my engineering background to good use designing IT solutions for engineers that are cleverer than me to use. I guess I combined all my early interests to become what I'm good at today.
was a young child in the 80's so grew up with microcomputers and from the age of 7 knew that was for me.
worked in North America in the r&d lab of one of the biggest (at the time) tech companies as a gap year, then software engineering and maths at uni in the UK which was extremely boring (maths) or ridiculously basic (software engineering) so packed it in partway through to create a startup tech company in a specific industry that could really benefit from advanced tech. have worked several startups through the late 90s in Silicon Valley and several global scale tech companies all in that part of the industry. last couple roles have been as cto (or fractional cto) for a couple startups and a large tech services provider. The uk gov considers my current co as unique and critical to national infrastructure.
I never wanted to do anything else, so think I have been very lucky both with timing (80's microcomputer boom meant I learnt how to program properly - various assemblers on z80,6502,68k then c etc from a young age) and being in the right place at the right time.
not sure I will stay in the uk in the short term as it is becoming tedious and increasingly hostile in terms of tax and being successful.
worked in North America in the r&d lab of one of the biggest (at the time) tech companies as a gap year, then software engineering and maths at uni in the UK which was extremely boring (maths) or ridiculously basic (software engineering) so packed it in partway through to create a startup tech company in a specific industry that could really benefit from advanced tech. have worked several startups through the late 90s in Silicon Valley and several global scale tech companies all in that part of the industry. last couple roles have been as cto (or fractional cto) for a couple startups and a large tech services provider. The uk gov considers my current co as unique and critical to national infrastructure.
I never wanted to do anything else, so think I have been very lucky both with timing (80's microcomputer boom meant I learnt how to program properly - various assemblers on z80,6502,68k then c etc from a young age) and being in the right place at the right time.
not sure I will stay in the uk in the short term as it is becoming tedious and increasingly hostile in terms of tax and being successful.
Edited by Zaichik on Monday 20th January 00:25
Finished university with a degree in Mechanical Engineering after realizing halfway through that I wasn't interested in the engineering part, only the mechanical part and technology.
First tech job offered was in Caterham for a company making a voicemail system. They got bought out by the telephone company they integrated with, the day I joined. I later moved to the main company office and ended up being one of 2 employees who stayed after the local office was closed.
As one of the few single guys in the company, I ended up doing beta testing, training and trialing in the US for a couple of years on and off as no-one else wanted to be gone for any length of time, then came back to the UK for a while before being offered a role in the US on an L1B visa. I took it, went LPR, got that, got made redundant a few years later, used my experience with the product to find another role supporting the resale of the same product, got made redundant a few years later when the entire product was canned (thankfully, was sick of it by then), used my then 20+ years of US/UK telco experience to find another role building a cell phone network.
On the whole, I'm quite glad of the path I fell into; I wouldn't have enjoyed a formal engineering role, and I realized after a year or two of training courses that I'd have hated going the MS training route, which was the other option open to me and being actively pushed. As it is, I'm in a niche technical role that I enjoy.
My manager told me on Thursday (before I took Friday off to throw up a lot) that I was his designated replacement, having previously expressed interest in this - I'd been thrown in at the deep end to this in my previous role, and hated it, as it was without training, experience, or guidance (the company owner was a big talker and a great salesman, but a bloody awful manager). More courses ahead. I'd quite like another crack at it with some proper preparation.
First tech job offered was in Caterham for a company making a voicemail system. They got bought out by the telephone company they integrated with, the day I joined. I later moved to the main company office and ended up being one of 2 employees who stayed after the local office was closed.
As one of the few single guys in the company, I ended up doing beta testing, training and trialing in the US for a couple of years on and off as no-one else wanted to be gone for any length of time, then came back to the UK for a while before being offered a role in the US on an L1B visa. I took it, went LPR, got that, got made redundant a few years later, used my experience with the product to find another role supporting the resale of the same product, got made redundant a few years later when the entire product was canned (thankfully, was sick of it by then), used my then 20+ years of US/UK telco experience to find another role building a cell phone network.
On the whole, I'm quite glad of the path I fell into; I wouldn't have enjoyed a formal engineering role, and I realized after a year or two of training courses that I'd have hated going the MS training route, which was the other option open to me and being actively pushed. As it is, I'm in a niche technical role that I enjoy.
My manager told me on Thursday (before I took Friday off to throw up a lot) that I was his designated replacement, having previously expressed interest in this - I'd been thrown in at the deep end to this in my previous role, and hated it, as it was without training, experience, or guidance (the company owner was a big talker and a great salesman, but a bloody awful manager). More courses ahead. I'd quite like another crack at it with some proper preparation.
A chance conversation with a lad who was few years older than me led to an apprenticeship as an Air Conditioning engineer. I’d started a one year electrical installation YTS course but it was rubbish and I knew I would have to effectively repeat the year anyway.
I fell into it at just the right time, worked for a company who did everything from window rattlers to massive factory chillers and the combination of knowledge gained in electrical/mechanical/plumbing/controls stood me in good stead for running large M&E maintenance operations which I still do now
I fell into it at just the right time, worked for a company who did everything from window rattlers to massive factory chillers and the combination of knowledge gained in electrical/mechanical/plumbing/controls stood me in good stead for running large M&E maintenance operations which I still do now
Left school and only wanted to be a mechanic , anyway position secured and the workshop manager said go and have your holiday and we’ll see you back in a few weeks,workshop manager only went and died in between this and no record of myself starting and the new guy was having none of it.
Ended up helping out a local joiner(essentially holding the stupid end) that led to an apprenticeship in joinery at another firm.
Ended up years later going back to college to get off the tools so to speak and now in emergency blue light facilities management,well paid but no desire for it at all and have never found it fulfilling.
Seems most people I speak to feel the same , if I had my time again I would 100% do something that I enjoyed ,still think that would have been a mechanic but maybe not after speaking to many…!!
Do what you love and never work a day in your life…
Ended up helping out a local joiner(essentially holding the stupid end) that led to an apprenticeship in joinery at another firm.
Ended up years later going back to college to get off the tools so to speak and now in emergency blue light facilities management,well paid but no desire for it at all and have never found it fulfilling.
Seems most people I speak to feel the same , if I had my time again I would 100% do something that I enjoyed ,still think that would have been a mechanic but maybe not after speaking to many…!!
Do what you love and never work a day in your life…
Graduated from an engineering degree, but an internship had convinced me not to be one (thanks GEC - shower of st).
Did management consulting for the want of any imagination and it paid well. Joined a conglomerate after a couple of years, expecting to be in industrial division. Last minute they assigned me instead to an airline, which I loved. Been in aviation for 30 years now.
t). Did management consulting for the want of any imagination and it paid well. Joined a conglomerate after a couple of years, expecting to be in industrial division. Last minute they assigned me instead to an airline, which I loved. Been in aviation for 30 years now.
"How did you end up in your current job/career?"
My father was at sea, working in the middle east on Tankers. I was materialistic / lazy enough to look at the 4 bedroom house in a nice place, with a Jaguar XJ-S on the drive and say that'll do me. So I started my career in the Merchant Navy, as a Deck Officer Cadet in 1995, worked my way up until I was promoted to Master in 2012.
I did leave the sea, to become a Pilot at Southampton but as Mrs. didn't want to move I went back to sea.
"If you could do any job, what would it be?"
In hindsight I wish I had worked a bit harder at school and fixed my sights on becoming an Airline Pilot.
"What did you want do do?"
Growing up I desperately wanted to become a Sea King pilot in the Royal Navy.
I did all the thigs you should do, with the aim of tailoring a CV to that goal.
Used to see the RN Liaison Officer who did the rounds of the Public Schools, made a point of doing what they asked.
The end of the Cold War and the defence cuts of the early 1990's raised the bar and the Liaison Officer's advice was to do m y A-Levels and then apply to join as a Warfare Branch Officer and try to re-role once in service.
I was impatient & young and figured if I was going to be at sea I may as well go Merchant Navy as (at the time) the pay was better. Though the pension is not!
I earned just over £100k gross last year, have a nice life and a some nice cars. So I think it all worked out well in the end.
My father was at sea, working in the middle east on Tankers. I was materialistic / lazy enough to look at the 4 bedroom house in a nice place, with a Jaguar XJ-S on the drive and say that'll do me. So I started my career in the Merchant Navy, as a Deck Officer Cadet in 1995, worked my way up until I was promoted to Master in 2012.
I did leave the sea, to become a Pilot at Southampton but as Mrs. didn't want to move I went back to sea.
"If you could do any job, what would it be?"
In hindsight I wish I had worked a bit harder at school and fixed my sights on becoming an Airline Pilot.
"What did you want do do?"
Growing up I desperately wanted to become a Sea King pilot in the Royal Navy.
I did all the thigs you should do, with the aim of tailoring a CV to that goal.
Used to see the RN Liaison Officer who did the rounds of the Public Schools, made a point of doing what they asked.
The end of the Cold War and the defence cuts of the early 1990's raised the bar and the Liaison Officer's advice was to do m y A-Levels and then apply to join as a Warfare Branch Officer and try to re-role once in service.
I was impatient & young and figured if I was going to be at sea I may as well go Merchant Navy as (at the time) the pay was better. Though the pension is not!
I earned just over £100k gross last year, have a nice life and a some nice cars. So I think it all worked out well in the end.
I wanted to be a pilot, gave up with that and joined the army, I hated that so left after a year. My mate was doing civil engineering at uni, I applied for the same course but my A level grades weren’t good enough so was offered a place on Construction Management. After uni I worked as a setting out engineer which I was good at and the money was decent working freelance.
I’m the same as the OP, I’d love a career change but the money I’m earning now is good and I’d need to take a big drop to change. I’m thinking more of how soon can I retire, I’m 50 now and my youngest child will be in education for another 5 years, hopefully I can finish when they get a job.
I’m the same as the OP, I’d love a career change but the money I’m earning now is good and I’d need to take a big drop to change. I’m thinking more of how soon can I retire, I’m 50 now and my youngest child will be in education for another 5 years, hopefully I can finish when they get a job.
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