Realistically what are my career options?

[M4 Driver]

I've always been good academically and useless at anything physical. When I had career advice at school I bluntly said I wanted to use my academic ability to make lots of money, but from an enjoyment perspective I'd rather be something like a builder.

The concept of sitting at a desk in an office all day has always been my idea of hell but I accepted that's what I'd need to do to make lots of money.

At school the subjects I enjoyed were PE, Drama, Music, Design Technology and Food & Nutrition. The ones I did at GCSE were the only subjects I got below a C in. I could tolerate Art, Geography and History. I hated Maths, English, Science and Languages but these were my strongest subjects.

I studied Maths at university because that was my strongest subject and the one that looked most likely to make me lots of money.

One summer I was working in an office in a very boring job but I saw 2 glimmers of hope for a career in an office job being more tolerable. First was having meetings. They get you away from your desk, away from your computer and into a slightly different environment. Second was seeing more senior members of staff were hardly ever in the office. They would spend most of their days driving in between meetings and I enjoyed driving.

The career I chose was a Data Analyst and I've always hated it. I've been doing it for 15 years now and every job I've done has been pointless. There hasn't really been much opportunity for travelling or filling my day with meetings. Every external meeting I've had in my current job has been via video calls and most of my managers have had the philosophy of having a minimal number of meetings to give us more time to do the boring stuff.

Whenever I'm not at work I'm dreading going into work. I can't even drive anymore because of the anxiety my career has given me. My memory has now become like a sieve, I forget even basic concepts I used to be able to recite in my sleep.

Overall I'm angry at the fact I'm good at things that bore me to death but rubbish at the things I enjoy.

 

[HangTime]

I can empathise a little in that I also studied mathematics at university because it was what I thought I was good at rather than what I was really interested in.

Based on what you have written above you could consider moving into consultancy within the Data space. There is huge demand for talented data professionals that can be engaging directly with clients multiple times per day rather than just just sitting in a cupboard crunching numbers. Look into becoming a technical business analyst, BI consultant etc.

 

[dowie]

The career I chose was a Data Analyst and I've always hated it. I've been doing it for 15 years now and every job I've done has been pointless. There hasn't really been much opportunity for travelling or filling my day with meetings.

As above, move to a Data Analyst, Data Scientist role in a consultancy, or maybe some hybrid one like BA/BI type person where there's some emphasis on something else other than the data bit - stakeholder management, writing specs etc.

If you want loads of money then the big three management consultancies would be the place to go, though they're highly competitive and you probs need a good brand name university/employer on your CV already. If you've got that then worth a shot, though also worth reading up about their recruitment process - my friend was considering one of these firms and they actually paired him up with a current employee for some coaching to help prepare for the case studies.

Big US tech firms, again brand name stuff on the CV helps + rather than case studies you need to grind out algorithm questions - if you want to be in meetings all day then join one of them and go down the engineering/data science management track or indeed consider becoming a product manager.

Product manager in general - why not consider that role, you've got 15 years of experience already, can you make a lateral move in your current firm? Look at some good startups (maybe not a great time for those at the moment sadly but perhaps if you're selective). These girls are probably on $150k+ to attend meetings, coordinate & prioritise stuff, chase up developers etc..

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7104742170426641710

If you can't get into a big 3 management consultancy then try a big 4 consultancy firm or Accenture; doesn't pay as well in general nor is as prestigious (these are historically accountancy firms + an accountancy firm spin-off) but it's still a solid career/brand and you can still make money there, some people can still make a lot of money there (though most won't be comparible vs say investments banks, big tech or management consulting).

Also, there are smaller boutique tech consultancy companies out there that could be worth a shot. With firms like these or if you end up in a big 4 accounting/consultancy firm and are not likely to nor desire to climb the ladder then you could pivot into contracting as a consultant data scientist or whatever to earn a decent amount of money - if you're good with ML then £800+ a day is possible.

 

[MissChief]

Sounds like something along the lines of civil engineering might be a good fit. Sure there’s some desk time but just as much on building sites too.

 

[Ev0]

As above, data science consultancy sounds like a good shout. Plenty of places you could do this and earn good money.

I’d also maybe look at product vendors in that space for technical pre sales roles.

 

[delta0]

Sounds like something along the lines of civil engineering might be a good fit. Sure there’s some desk time but just as much on building sites too.

I would have suggested engineering as well but the op would have to retrain and go back to university. Plus it’s probably going to be a huge pay cut.

 

[dowie]

While he might enjoy being a civil engineer, or perhaps even a surveyor, as it involves getting out of the office (albeit doesn't necessarily involve anything too physical) he also specified that he wants to earn lots of money.

Most of those guys are on a fairly modest professional wage, I know one guy who is a surveyor and sort of works in the investment field too (a private investment firm/family office which controls some property investments) but he's probably the exception.

I guess getting involved with your own property development projects is possible too, though that's perhaps more for established guys with a bit of cash... if having to retrain and start from the bottom it probably isn't an option unless you've already accumulated some capital.

 

[M4 Driver]

I've been moving in that direction that's been suggested.

The issues I have are first of all it's all pointless. In theory I'm turning data into actionable insights for stakeholders to help with their decision making. In practice the stakeholder has already made their decision and will demand a dashboard to prove their decision is right before they move onto the next pointless thing.

The other issue is the rise of video calls is making meetings just as bad as sitting at a desk in an office all day because that's essentially what you're doing. There are a number of meetings I've had this year that historically would have involved physically going somewhere but now they're being conducted at my desk over video.

I find travelling from A to B stressful during my own time but enjoyable during working hours but I never do that anymore and never did it enough in the first place.

A driver sounds the logical career choice but the anxiety my career has given me has made me too scared to drive and I used to enjoy it.

This is why I'm asking the question. Once my mortgage is paid off I'm getting out the rat race but I'm not there yet. It's really taking its toll on my mental health though and I'm not sure I can wait that long.

 

[regulus]

Quantity Surveying.

Easy to get into, big demand in UK and certainly abroad.

With about 5-7 years of experience, it's easy to go self employed and demand decent day rates.

 

[Rroff]

Sounds like you'd enjoy the job my cousin does but I'm not sure the title off the top of my head - financial auditing - lots of travelling to client sites, etc., well paid but does have some crunch periods where you have to put in a lot of hours in a concentrated period.

EDIT: Ironically just looking at his Linkedin he has recently moved into the "Data Analyst, Data Scientist role in a consultancy" type position, as a senior manager, as dowie mentioned. (Currently working for Ernst & Young).

 

[katie279]

I'm not sure this has anything to do with your skills, but the way your skills are being used.

Data analysis/science is hugely valuable and highly rewarding (my industry) - I think the challenge is what you're experiencing is a fairly toxic environment where management aren't valuing/using your insights.

I'm fairly sure if you could see your analysis was having a real impact - eg saving lives each day through the cancers you catch, identifying terrorists and saving hundreds from bomb attacks, identifying ways to transform children's education, helping thousands of people improve their lives etc - then your motivation would transform.

Have you just thought about a different firm as the first step?

 

[azazl187]

You could always just start again in something that you actually enjoy. Yes it will be tough at the beginning and you'll most likely take a pay cut but it's all about skill and will.

If you have the will you will gain the skill no matter what. The sooner you start the sooner you can be happy in your daily working life.

 

[Journey]

Once my mortgage is paid off I'm getting out the rat race but I'm not there yet.

How long is that going to be?

It's really taking its toll on my mental health though and I'm not sure I can wait that long.

Directly from the above re: waiting. You could just pick up and go somewhere else, or do you fear getting paid less ( I assume you get paid handsomely)? Taking what you have now, moving into a job that is easy and as stress free as it can be might give you mire of a life. You spend how many of your hours of your life at work hating it, only when not there thinking about having to go back again.

When I say move I also mean move, again you've not said a location, but usually is it south/London and if this is correct why not get away from it all? I figured out sometime ago that you should work in what you like/love and live where you find peaceful and relaxing, and life has been a lot less stressful, even with less money, a smaller house and less frivolous spending on 'stuff'. Whatever you do good luck, but look after your health first and foremost AFAIK you only get one shot at life, why be miserable?

 

[M4 Driver]

@katie279 you may have a point there. I'm not sure where I work now is toxic but there's something that doesn't sit right, but I've definitely worked at toxic places before. What you describe as having an impact is why I picked this over other mathematical professions.

I'm in London and could move to another part of the country and be mortgage free which has crossed my mind. My reservation is that I'd be giving up on life by doing that and also having to rely on a car.

Starting again in something I'd enjoy seems logical but I don't know what that is. As mentioned in my first post the subjects I enjoyed the most at school are the ones I was no good at.

I also struggle to relate to many other data people. It's like a hobby for them, they think nothing of writing a Python script at 2am because they were bored but I can't get out of the office quick enough at home time because I've been bored all day.

I'm at an age now where people have found their niche which they're good at and have an interest in. My 2 best friends at school weren't as academically gifted as me and were adamant I'd really be going places given how clever I was. One of them became a bricklayer and the other became a mechanic. Both now have their own businesses (i.e. a builders company and a car garage) which are successful and they seem happy with life. Fair play to them. I've just ended up in a pointless job I detest.

 

[Russinating]

With what you enjoyed at GCSE it's a shame you didn't go down a creative route. I run a video production company, I'm on a good wage but even freelancers working either broadcast/commercials, day rates are £500-750 for your bog standard average specialist, and obviously upwards from there. A lot of roles aren't even "creative" per se, but are in that industry; grip, sparkies, best boys, etc, and then anything involved in producing.

That boat might have sailed though unless you want to take a huge step back/sideways and work your way up earning far less than that for 5 odd years.

 

[BUDFORCE]

How long is that going to be?



Directly from the above re: waiting. You could just pick up and go somewhere else, or do you fear getting paid less ( I assume you get paid handsomely)? Taking what you have now, moving into a job that is easy and as stress free as it can be might give you mire of a life. You spend how many of your hours of your life at work hating it, only when not there thinking about having to go back again.

When I say move I also mean move, again you've not said a location, but usually is it south/London and if this is correct why not get away from it all? I figured out sometime ago that you should work in what you like/love and live where you find peaceful and relaxing, and life has been a lot less stressful, even with less money, a smaller house and less frivolous spending on 'stuff'. Whatever you do good luck, but look after your health first and foremost AFAIK you only get one shot at life, why be miserable?

Now you're climbin' to the top of the company ladder
Hope it doesn't take too long
Can't cha see there'll come a day when it won't matter
Come a day when you'll be gone
Ohh, ohh
I understand about indecision
But I don't care if I get behind
People livin' in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind

~ Boston

 

[M4 Driver]

With what you enjoyed at GCSE it's a shame you didn't go down a creative route. I run a video production company, I'm on a good wage but even freelancers working either broadcast/commercials, day rates are £500-750 for your bog standard average specialist, and obviously upwards from there. A lot of roles aren't even "creative" per se, but are in that industry; grip, sparkies, best boys, etc, and then anything involved in producing.

That boat might have sailed though unless you want to take a huge step back/sideways and work your way up earning far less than that for 5 odd years.

You're right it is shame. The problem was I wasn't any good at the subjects I enjoyed.

When I started university I was meeting lots of new people who'd never seen me in an academic environment before. I'm talking about people who I lived with and people I met through societies rather than people from my course. Many were surprised I was doing such a dry subject like maths, they thought I'd be studying something more creative.

At work though it was back to the same again. I recall telling an early manager of mine that I considered joining the cadets at university but didn't. She said it wouldn't have suited me, I'm more suited to things that use my brain more. This wasn't even a job, it was something to do in my leisure time.

 

[Russinating]

You're right it is shame. The problem was I wasn't any good at the subjects I enjoyed.

How are you defining "good"? Passion and enthusiasm goes a long way to making up for raw talent; and that's even if you believe there's things that can't be learned.

In fact you could very easily argue that talent + apathism < mediocrity + enthusiasm.

 

[M4 Driver]

How are you defining "good"? Passion and enthusiasm goes a long way to making up for raw talent; and that's even if you believe there's things that can't be learned.

In fact you could very easily argue that talent + apathism < mediocrity + enthusiasm.

My GCSE results, getting a D for ability but A for effort on school report, numerous things really but it is generally based on what others say so maybe I am talking myself out of things.

You have a good point about talent and apathism. My lack of interest has held me back to an extent.

On one hand I just want to go to work, make my money and forget about it. On the other hand I want to achieve something that's the equivalent of my friend having his own car garage.

Even the just going to work and making money isn't really an option though. It's so competitive, a popularity contest, people bad mouthing others for not having superior knowledge of something they've spent every waking hour nerding up on. I know that sort of thing happens everywhere, but I don't have enough enthusiasm about what I do to give a toss.

Also I feel anyone could do my job. Maybe not as well as me, but they could still do it. If I had to get a car fixed for example I would go to a mechanic because I don't have the skills to fix it myself and I know if I attempted it I could do more damage to the car or even myself. If anyone did a shoddy job of what I do though nobody would notice because at the end of the day it doesn't really matter. Makes me question what's the point.

 

[mid_gen]

Lots of data work in the games industry these days, maybe you can combine your data skills with an interesting domain to make it more fulfilling?