Reflecting over Xmas.. Those with good jobs.. How did you get there?

413x

413x

413x

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I've not been happy with my current job for a long time now. It doesn't pay well nor do I like it. (it doesn't help my partner is on bare minimum and way she is she won't everearn much .. Groan)

I picked molecular cience at uni and I feel that was my biggest mistake. Being naive I did something I liked at the time.

I'm looking to some of you guys who are doing well in life. I need to do a course in something that isn't easy. (my strength lies in raw intelligence)

Subjects and concepts I enjoy
Computers.. But I would need to start fairly basic
Engineering.. I regret not doing this at uni
Finance
Logic
Mathematics.. Done to A level and Ieenjoyed it
Problem solving
Fewer difficult tasks more than many easy tasks
A challenge to keep me occupied

This is inevitably going to require a course while I am working. a full degree may take too llong (i don't mind putting a lot of time into it) a masters would be perfect. But Idoubt long enough to make a life change

So.. Looking for real ideas from real people
 
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jamesaltria said:
Engineering was your best bet. Apprenticeships are a big thing at the moment. I'm on one with BA and having a hell of a good time.
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I guess I should have added my age. 27.

I know. It a massive regret in my life

Molecular science sounds good. But unless you do a PhD its nothing really
 
I work in sales so i enjoy the way my effort and passion is linked to my pay check. The great thing is that your take home is unlimited. You get a base salary then work hard to get commission.

I landed in it after doing computer science at uni, I now sell computer software. Granted, I didnt grow up wanting to be a salesperson lol

It would actually fit the things you mentioned above quite well I think
 
My friend got made redundant at 27 doing a job he always got on with but decided this was the time to try something else, so got into robotic engineering at Plymouth on a entree level course and now doing a masters so it is possible :)


Try It
 
Foxxy said:
I work in sales so i enjoy the way my effort and passion is linked to my pay check. The great thing is that your take home is unlimited. You get a base salary then work hard to get commission.

I landed in it after doing computer science at uni, I now sell computer software. Granted, I didnt grow up wanting to be a salesperson lol

It would actually fit the things you mentioned above quite well I think
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I'm not sure. I don't think I really know enough about anything to be able to sell it. I know scientific sales is big money but again, I would assume you have to be an expert.

leon4112 said:
My friend got made redundant at 27 doing a job he always got on with but decided this was the time to try something else, so got into robotic engineering at Plymouth on a entree level course and now doing a masters so it is possible :)


Try It
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You see this sounds very appealing. How did he achieve it? Did he alreadyhave a degree ? Tell me more!
 
I've been told two different ideologies in life.

The first being, do something that you enjoy and are passionate about, the money will follow.

The second being, do a hard subject/something challenging i.e Maths/science based.

At the end of the day both require hard work and dedication.
 
flibbage0 said:
I've been told two different ideologies in life.

The first being, do something that you enjoy and are passionate about, the money will follow.

The second being, do a hard subject/something challenging i.e Maths/science based.

At the end of the day both require hard work and dedication.
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I thought I was doing a combination of the two. Turns out it was neither. Gfs wage is a big strain. She doesn't want anythingin life , happy on minimum, etc means I have to take the brunt of the bills etc. Probably not a good pairing but a separate issue altogether.

Any higher in what I do now is just paperwork all the time, paperwork that doesn't test you except in your patience, not really for me. Problem with science without a PhD really. I've always found this type of paperwork difficult as I'ma bit of a pperfectionist. I won't leave it until I think it's ready and that means I take to long doing it. What Ido now , perfection isn't a good thing (it seems)
 
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For a lot of computery subjects you can go into a specialty without much foundation and still earn a damn good wage.

There's DBA's I work with that wouldn't know how to get the computer to a point where you can install the database but know everything from then on inside out and happily taking home 35-40k a year (which IS kinda low for DBA but without the foundation bits you wouldn't be amazing).

Plenty of computer based subjects to go at, the materials for learning are generally cheap/free (legit or not). So if you want to keep working it might be something to consider. About 80 hours with decent course material will generally do, maybe double it so you can do a bit of background reading but it's still not exactly a lengthy amount of time.

The industry exams for various topics are around... £30-200ish? You could even do a few, get a decent understanding of a few key subjects, take something junior on 20/25k and build up from there.
 
Do a masters in bioengineering or something.

Nothing worth having in this life comes easy. If you're not satisfied with what you have, go back to school.
 
Mercutio said:
For a lot of computery subjects you can go into a specialty without much foundation and still earn a damn good wage.

There's DBA's I work with that wouldn't know how to get the computer to a point where you can install the database but know everything from then on inside out and happily taking home 35-40k a year (which IS kinda low for DBA but without the foundation bits you wouldn't be amazing).

Plenty of computer based subjects to go at, the materials for learning are generally cheap/free (legit or not). So if you want to keep working it might be something to consider. About 80 hours with decent course material will generally do, maybe double it so you can do a bit of background reading but it's still not exactly a lengthy amount of time.

The industry exams for various topics are around... £30-200ish? You could even do a few, get a decent understanding of a few key subjects, take something junior on 20/25k and build up from there.
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That's very interesting, and certainly a better path as to what Iam on now . Multiple small exams is always useful when you work. Realistically I would probably complete a 100 hours of work in a month using holiday time

tom_nieto said:
Do a masters in bioengineering or something.

Nothing worth having in this life comes easy. If you're not satisfied with what you have, go back to school.
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I would be happy to, what I do not want to do is get it wrong.. Again
 
Bes said:
What do you consider a good job? And based on what metrics?
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Good question
Unfortunately I have to be practical and look at earnings in my situation. I guess a final salary at retirement of 40k+ (this will seem low to many here and high to others) sounds good to me in today's money. I would be disappointed in anything less. Again the gf issue comes up. With a better partner life would be much easier.

I don't want to feel I have reached the top. Without further goals motivation is difficult
One where I don't come home or go to work thinking.. Not again. Obviously no job is going to be fun fun fun everyday. I wouldn't want that.

I obtain enjoyment in completing tasks/projects and solving problems.
I'm happy to move around (i actively like this and would see it as a perk) I don'town a house as jobs for me are easy to get .. As long as you can move

I don't care about changing the world, making the world a better place or having a job that is status driven (i have a friend who said he likes science as it SOUNDS good, this is not me)
 
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al4x said:
That's very interesting, and certainly a better path as to what Iam on now . Multiple small exams is always useful when you work. Realistically I would probably complete a 100 hours of work in a month using holiday time



I would be happy to, what I do not want to do is get it wrong.. Again
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Pick a subject (too many to list but: Windows 8, HP Server, Various backup systems, Oracle DBA, SQL DBA, Cisco networks, HP unix, Linux, various types of programming etc there's plenty to go at) do computers and <insert something sciencey you've already been exposed to> e.g computers and robotics/environment/human interface devices/etc. And have a google around to check what's considered good source material for the subject. Then either hit Amazon for the relevant tombs or the usual sources for the p2p download version as your morals/needs/pocket see fit.
 
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I'd think long and hard before thinking about getting into IT. Yes, you can earn a fantastic wage in the right job, but with the money you tend to get quite a lot of responsibility and headaches. Working in IT can be one of the more stressful occupations IMO, especially when things go belly-up in a mission-critical production environment. :)

I do enjoy my job but I do sometimes wish I did more normal hours, less weekends and so on.

Things I wish I'd done instead:

- Programming
- 3D modelling
- Marine biologist
- Geologist (working for a mining or energy firm)

FWIW I did my work experience at a Chemical firm and had a great time in the labs. I was hoping for a job there when I left school but unfortunately they got bought out and it never materialised. The money wouldn't have been great but it was interesting work.

One person I know is trying to get out of IT to go for a job in Air Traffic Control... quite difficult to pass the tests though, at least first time by the sounds of it! Another friend of mine quit IT years ago to run a sweet shop in Cornwall. :D
 
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Dump your girlfriend. Have more time and money to yourself. Find your career you want and then a girl you can be happy with. Harsh but it's in your mind already from your posts.
 
Started from the bottom and worked my way up; You'll struggle to start anywhere near the top, it takes a lot of hard graft!
 
I wouldn't suggest doing engineering if you're not passionate about it, I love my job and have always known where I was aiming for from the age of about 15/16.

You seem to be in a bad space w.r.t. Everything, maybe look at a shift in geographic location which may change your outlook on life.

Also stop blaming others for issues you are having, if it's that much of an issue do what hedge says above!

KaHn
 
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