I need career advice.

[Orkneyfox]

So much good advice above that I can add little.

 

If you can end up doing something you enjoy that is a great thing.

 

Maybe you could look at one of the online career choice resources. Some are free eg http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/explorer.htm but there are others out there. There is lots of good info on this one https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/tools/Pages/default.aspx

 

They analyse your character and aptitudes and suggest jobs best suited to your nature.

[Guest Bilo]

GCSEs I did fine at, every subject was an A-C. A Levels I did Psychology, IT and Business and Economics. Strange mix I know, hated them all, was so glad to leave by the end. None of them are core subjects per se though.

Will definitely look into it, I fear I'm a bit late this year though. What's the process for applying like anyway, I don't know where to begin. I know there's UCAS, but its all a bit alien to me.

 

Psychology is a good one, lots of primary school teachers enter teaching with a Psychology degree.

 

You usually have till the end of June to apply for courses, so don't panic but step up the urgency a notch if this is what you really want to do.

 

Go on open days, get prospectuses sent to you and research online. Get your personal statement written asap and have somebody who has been to uni take a look at it for you.

[Wymsey]

Why not do an online degree course?

 

 

Apparently this way is getting increasingly popular.

[Wymsey]

P.S. - Try not to get into Accountancy; the work is pretty manic!

[Houdini Logic]

Every report I have read over the last 2 years has said engineers are going to be the most in demand job role. Example here http://www.manpowergroup.us/campaigns/talent-shortage-2013/

 

I think going to night college for a year or two and then working as an apprentice could be a very sensible move

[Vlad the Fox]

I've not had time to read through the thread but have you thought about going back into education? If not what about learning a trade, plumber, electrician? Can be learnt at night school so you can still work until such a time you can take up apprenticeship or get a job.

[Ozwin]

Cheers guys.

 

Teaching is definitely something I'm looking at but I don't want to throw all my eggs in one basket just yet. Need to evaluate my options and all that, not that there is many at this moment in time.

[stevelcfc]

Cheers guys.

 

Teaching is definitely something I'm looking at but I don't want to throw all my eggs in one basket just yet. Need to evaluate my options and all that, not that there is many at this moment in time.

 

If you wanted to see if you like teaching and whether it is what you really want, why don't you try a couple of years as a teaching assistant or 'behaviour support assistant'? You's need patience to put up with some of the kids but others are really nice and would be really rewarding. The actual take home pay for that is £12,798 – £13,824 p.a. I only know that because they are after someone to do that at my school/academy all be it at 14-16 age. Many of the people who take the job to do that, do it for a couple of years and then become teachers themselves. 

[Alf Bentley]

If you wanted to see if you like teaching and whether it is what you really want, why don't you try a couple of years as a teaching assistant or 'behaviour support assistant'? You's need patience to put up with some of the kids but others are really nice and would be really rewarding. The actual take home pay for that is £12,798 – £13,824 p.a. I only know that because they are after someone to do that at my school/academy all be it at 14-16 age. Many of the people who take the job to do that, do it for a couple of years and then become teachers themselves. 

 

This is a decent suggestion - if work with children is something that YOU think you'd enjoy, and not just the "wisdom" of others (I remember all the recommendations that I was perfectly suited to life as a civil servant!).

 

I have a mate who's a teaching assistant. He's chosen to stick with it for 10+ years, but reckons there are constantly vacancies as there is a high turnover (people who move on to teaching, others who find it doesn't suit them).

 

My understanding is that some training is generally required now (DK 100%) but, if so, it is the sort of thing that could be done part-time over a few months, I think, not requiring the 4-year commitment of qualifying as a teacher.

 

You wouldn't get rich on that salary, but it's a potential win-win situation: if you like it, you're well-placed to move on to a teaching degree; if you don't, it's the sort of responsible work that involves transferable skills and would look good on your CV, whatever you decided to move on to.

[Ozwin]

You can get into that without a uni shindig?

[stevelcfc]

You can get into that without a uni shindig?

 

The details of what required at my collage just states:

 

 

A high standard of literacy and numeracy, minimum NVQ Level 2 in English 

and Maths (gcse a*-c)

ï´ A knowledge of Child Protection and Health and Safety regulations

ï´ The ability to work collaboratively, flexibly and independently

ï´ Good communication skills

ï´ The ability to relate to young people in times of stress

 

And obviously the CRB check. So, yeah, to do something like that you don't need uni.

[RowlattsFox]

I work for The National Careers Service, and I can only reinforce what others have said in this thread has there has been lots of good advice. I would recommend you have a look on our website, particularly the job profile sections where you can find lots of information on specific careers regarding entry requirements etc. There is also what is called a Skills Health Check, now the success of this is hit and miss but it could generate ideas based on the answers you give.

 

You mentioned Primary School teaching, have you considered teaching english as a foriegn language? (TEFL) you can get a TEFL qualification pretty easily and there are a number of opportunites across the world where you can travel, build teaching experience and in many instances get paid.

 

http://www.teflengland.co.uk/ have a look at this to get more of an idea.

[Webbo]

If you want to get into primary school teaching have you considered being a classroom assistant? I can't imagine the money would be any worse than what you're on and you won't need to work shifts.

 

Oops already been suggested, sorry.

[Tom17LCFC]

Also, if you can, try and get into contact with your old primary school or one nearby. Last summer becoming a primary school teacher crossed my mind and I looked into it further. E-mailed my old primary school and managed to get 4 weeks work experience during the summer term. Gave me a taste of what it'd be like and has me dead-set on becoming a primary school teacher now.

 

To add to what others have said as well, they're crying out for male primary teachers at the mo.

[Trav Le Bleu]

I know it's fairly topical at the moment, but my mate learnt a trade in the army reserves. Get paid good money and you can take your skills any where. Agree never to late to do something new, the CEO of our company started off in the mailroom and worked his way up. Now he is on an absolute packet.

 

Just don't get killed... though fairly safe in the Australian army.

[Captain...]

Cheers guys.

Teaching is definitely something I'm looking at but I don't want to throw all my eggs in one basket just yet. Need to evaluate my options and all that, not that there is many at this moment in time.

A common mistake about degrees, very few careers require a specific degree, obviously something like a doctor does, but the majority of people I know do something that has no relevance to their degree, look at George Osbourne, just by having a degree of any sort opens many doors a lot of careers have graduate training schemes where the only prerequisite is a 2.1 degree of any sort. So don't think you are limiting your options by the degree you choose because you are doing the opposite.

[Ozwin]

Had a chat with boss man and he's sort of reassured me that he wants me to progress. Wants to teach me new stuff and help me on my way up. Im going to give it a few months, I'm going to seriously look into teaching and say if by Christmas this year I'm not happy I'm going to set the ball rolling for uni. You're right, you only live once, I might even try and see if studying abroad is an option.

This all came about because one of my best friends who I hadn't seen in years met up with me and told me all about her plans for the future and stuff. She seemed so positive and had such a good mindset, put me to shame. She's only a year younger than me and is in school until she's 26, so its not like I'm in a completely different boat.

Cheers again you lot, y'alright when you want to be.

If anyone could help me out with applying for uni that'd be fantastic. Just so I know where I stand if I do decide to go for it.

[FoxesAreBlue]

I don't have any advice for you, mainly because there's so much good advice here anyway. But I will say that it's so refreshing to see somebody who wants to better themselves.

So many people in mine and your age bracket (I'm 25) are very content to sit in a mindless job for years and years on end with absolutely no drive to reach their full potential, my step family are prime examples of this.

The fact that you are actively looking to make shit better for yourself speaks volumes. I wish you the very best of luck.

[MooseBreath]

A common mistake about degrees, very few careers require a specific degree, obviously something like a doctor does, but the majority of people I know do something that has no relevance to their degree, look at George Osbourne, just by having a degree of any sort opens many doors a lot of careers have graduate training schemes where the only prerequisite is a 2.1 degree of any sort. So don't think you are limiting your options by the degree you choose because you are doing the opposite.

Flip side of that is a lot of vague degrees don't really get you anywhere, witness the many graduates winding up doing crap like telesales if they're employed at all. At 23 I'd say it is important to focus on and do something more vocational. You come out of say a history degree at the age of 26 still without any real career in mind and your three year investment isn't going to pay off any time soon.

[Foxhateram]

Worth looking into other ways into teaching such a SKITT or look on this site. http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching Just a tip, it will be the hardest thing you ever do, yo have to be fully committed to the cause, you will have no life away from your career and you will be drained almost 100% of the time. Not being negative just realistic on reflection of what I am doing. On the flip side the reward and job santisfaction is great. It's just about worth sticking at.

University is hard work, it isn't all play and fun like some courses are. Again it's worth it though to get into a career that is rewarding there aren't many of those about. Anything you want to know about the courses or work just ask, happy to detail out what it was like for me.

[Webbo]

Had a chat with boss man and he's sort of reassured me that he wants me to progress. Wants to teach me new stuff and help me on my way up. Im going to give it a few months, I'm going to seriously look into teaching and say if by Christmas this year I'm not happy I'm going to set the ball rolling for uni. You're right, you only live once, I might even try and see if studying abroad is an option.

This all came about because one of my best friends who I hadn't seen in years met up with me and told me all about her plans for the future and stuff. She seemed so positive and had such a good mindset, put me to shame. She's only a year younger than me and is in school until she's 26, so its not like I'm in a completely different boat.

Cheers again you lot, y'alright when you want to be.

If anyone could help me out with applying for uni that'd be fantastic. Just so I know where I stand if I do decide to go for it.

If you're looking to progress to a manager at a supermarket it can take years of doing all the crap hours they ask of you before you get your foot on the ladder and then the money isn't brilliant.

[vandamman]

Ever thought about looking at an 'advanced' apprenticeship? Some companys like the environment agency, network rail etc will pay for you to do a foundation/undergraduate degree whilst working part time, benefit of it is that you get a wage (although pretty basic..) as well as a recognised award. Pretty specialised work and you're probably not interested in that type of work but worth looking into if you're at a crossroads.

 

Apprenticeships aside, I would say stay in your current job, apply for a couple of jobs that interest you and see where that takes you, no harm in testing the market.

[Guest Bilo]

Had a chat with boss man and he's sort of reassured me that he wants me to progress. Wants to teach me new stuff and help me on my way up. Im going to give it a few months, I'm going to seriously look into teaching and say if by Christmas this year I'm not happy I'm going to set the ball rolling for uni. You're right, you only live once, I might even try and see if studying abroad is an option.

This all came about because one of my best friends who I hadn't seen in years met up with me and told me all about her plans for the future and stuff. She seemed so positive and had such a good mindset, put me to shame. She's only a year younger than me and is in school until she's 26, so its not like I'm in a completely different boat.

Cheers again you lot, y'alright when you want to be.

If anyone could help me out with applying for uni that'd be fantastic. Just so I know where I stand if I do decide to go for it.

 

Looking at it realistically, that might be sensible.

 

You now have a good few months to look at potential courses and universities rather than grasping at wherever does a Primary Teaching course in a few weeks, so 2014 entry might be better.

 

Now you have the time, book yourself onto open days. Look at all the available options; whether that's moving away to a new city, living in Leicester and commuting to wherever does your course and keep your job on or indeed changing tack completely. I wouldn't recommend staying at home because you don't get the proper experience of living away from home and you may fall into the trap of thinking Leicester is the be all and end all, university is as much about growing as a person as it as about academia in my humble opinion.

 

You'll also have time to save money. If you put £100 a month into a savings account and have the self-discipline not to touch it, you could be entering uni in September 2014 in a very enviable position indeed. Students with moolah get women. 

[pSinatra]

Flip side of that is a lot of vague degrees don't really get you anywhere, witness the many graduates winding up doing crap like telesales if they're employed at all. At 23 I'd say it is important to focus on and do something more vocational. You come out of say a history degree at the age of 26 still without any real career in mind and your three year investment isn't going to pay off any time soon.

 

 

I've got a history degree...........& now I'm a gardener!!

 

I don't regret a thing & I couldn't be any happier doing anything else.

 

You are right though.  After graduating, I worked in several offices doing some god-awful jobs that were never going to lead anywhere as far as I was concerned.  I was surrounded by graduates with non-vocational degrees.  They used to bitch about what a shit job they had & probably thought they deserved better.  They're probably still at the same companies & still bitching?  It wasn't for me - so I got out.  I'm now self-employed, doing something different every day & enjoying life.  It's not what I saw myself doing when I was young, but as others have said - you never know what is around the corner & what opportunities may arise. 

 

I wish you all the best Ozwin.  You're not sitting around & simply hoping that things might change for you.

[Ozwin]

Looking at it realistically, that might be sensible.

 

You now have a good few months to look at potential courses and universities rather than grasping at wherever does a Primary Teaching course in a few weeks, so 2014 entry might be better.

 

Now you have the time, book yourself onto open days. Look at all the available options; whether that's moving away to a new city, living in Leicester and commuting to wherever does your course and keep your job on or indeed changing tack completely. I wouldn't recommend staying at home because you don't get the proper experience of living away from home and you may fall into the trap of thinking Leicester is the be all and end all, university is as much about growing as a person as it as about academia in my humble opinion.

 

You'll also have time to save money. If you put £100 a month into a savings account and have the self-discipline not to touch it, you could be entering uni in September 2014 in a very enviable position indeed. Students with moolah get women. 

 

Top man.

 

The aim is to one day move to Canada as I said before, yeah it might not happen for a good while but it's an aim and a goal in life and I feel like I need one so I can strive for something. Normally I am the guy who just gets by, I don't kick up fuss or demand anything but I've really had my eyes opened these past few weeks and I feel like it's time to make a practical change in my life. Might sound a bit dramatic but I'm better than a supermarket, I really believe that. It'll do for now but I don't know how long I can stick it.

 

I have savings, I have around 2K in fact, which is probably a lot more than a lot of people my age have but I'm quite pessimistic when it comes to myself so I tend to think of the bad rather than the good sometimes which I'm trying to work on.

 

So yeah, I have a little plan now, I need to pick a course first though!