The future...

M0T

M0T

M0T

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All being well I should finish university this year, however I have got a degree that doesn't offer a clear career path, plus I have no idea what I want to do.

How did you work out what you wanted to do with your life? I just fell into university because I hoped it would give me an idea, but its failed and I am as clueless now as when I started.

My dad offered me a job, and from the sound of it he would appear to be attempting to train me to be his successor. At the moment he is 51 and pulling in at least £200k a year (not including bonuses) and by the time he retires should be on significantly more - so from what I gather in 15 years I would be replacing him and earning a similar amount. But this prospect doesn't really grab me, as I have done similar work before and found it quite dull.

In the absence of other ideas should I accept this job and put up with the fairly heavy daily grind, so I can have a comfortable life? Or should I keep looking for something else to do? My problem is I don't have any particular skills, generally just a mr average so its not like I can make a career out of something I am good at.
 
M0T said:
My dad offered me a job, and from the sound of it he would appear to be attempting to train me to be his successor. At the moment he is 51 and pulling in at least £200k a year (not including bonuses) and by the time he retires should be on significantly more - so from what I gather in 15 years I would be replacing him and earning a similar amount. But this prospect doesn't really grab me, as I have done similar work before and found it quite dull.
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Do it anyway. What is it?
 
[TW]Fox;11538810 said:
Do it anyway. What is it?
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At the moment he is the commercial director of an office refit company, but most of his job involves quantity surveying.

I would be coming in as a trainee commercial manager, starting salary unknown but 'significantly better than £25k' apparently.
 
maybe try it and see if you enjoy it, if you dont, then find something else you do enjoy? but must be worth a try at least
 
[TW]Fox;11538839 said:
Whats wrong with that? It doesn't sound that bad at all.
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I suppose you're right, it just sounds pretty boring but then I imagine there arn't many people in the grand scheme of things who actually enjoy what they are doing.
 
The problem you have of being the bosses son is that it won't make you any friends when you start climbing up the ladder too fast compared to your co-workers. If your office environment is quite close-nit when you take the higher position it could be quite annoying when communicating.

I have the same prospect when I leave uni too, but don't want to take it, purely because it doesn't interest me that much, and that the majority of workers there are 'lifers' and have been working there for 15+ years, and I'd grate on them due to that reason. I think that it may be worth working there for a year, gaining experience, money and a life past university but actively seeking a job away from your father and moving on into the real world of work, it's up to you, but my advice is to take the job for a year.
 
RandomTom said:
I have the same prospect when I leave uni too, but don't want to take it. I think that it may be worth working there for a year, gaining experience, money and a life past university but actively seeking a job away from your father and moving on into the real world of work, it's up to you, but my advice is to take the job for a year.
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I did wonder about that, but I think it might upset my dad if I did that. He seems to be wanting to have some kind of family legacy type thing going on.
 
It sounds like you lack direction to me. I was in a similar situation recently and I know it's pretty uncomfortable. I too fell in to university hoping it would give me direction.

I'd take a while to think about what it is exactly that you want to do. If you still don't know after a good hard think then I'd seriously consider this position your father is offering you, it's pretty rare to have that sort of opportunity served up on a plate! Is the offer only open for a certain period of time? I'd take as long as I could to try to find some direction, without it people just stumble in to things and although many people live successful and satisfying lives some regret it forever.

:edit: I too didn't like the idea of a boring job, that's how I found my direction in the Armed Forces.
 
I'd take it for that amount of money, pretty lucky to have a parent like that and the opportunity to earn up to 200k and start off at mroe than 25k, I mean you're sorted!, veeerrrryyy lucky!
 
Yeh I know what you mean, my dad and his two brothers all own their own companies and all have sons; and it's brought up when we're going to be taking over the family business.

The problem is though, times have changed and I'm not that interested in his line of work, I've worked there in the past as the 'IT' guy and he's said its been a god send having me there but tbh I was on the forums all day. (First time when I was about 15, in Easter 2004 when I lurked here :p, damn that's too long ago...addictive place. :D)

Surely your dad will understand though, if you want some other experience in the world before you take on his business. Say that you don't want to work in the same environment for the next 30 years, and fancy doing your own thing...all up to you though, I'm 2 years behind so I've got more time to think about it lol.
 
Hell, if you don't want the job I'll take it. I'd even give up my exciting life as a Fireman to be a dull Quantity Surveyor (I've got most of the qualifications for that job anyway),
 
Gift, horse and mouth springs to mind.

At least try it for 6 months, I'm sure a taste of the money you could be earning would be enough to give you some direction...

Any path to earning £200K shouldn't be sniffed at in my opinion.
 
My sister did some work there for a brief period but found there was a lot of resentment because she was the bosses daughter and thus got preferential treatment - although I am not sure if this would carry over to me since most of the people in the office are female and they all fancy me.

Edit: Also I am aware of how much my friend hates working with his dad doing something similar. Plus theres an aspect of not really achieving it myself more being handed it on a plate.
 
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M0T said:
My sister did some work there for a brief period but found there was a lot of resentment because she was the bosses daughter and thus got preferential treatment - although I am not sure if this would carry over to me since most of the people in the office are female and they all fancy me.
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They only fancy you for your potential fortunes, the swines! ;)
 
RandomTom said:
They only fancy you for your potential fortunes, the swines! ;)
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Maybe ;)

Nah, for some reason women between the ages of about 28-40 seem to find me extremely attractive. I get absolutely no attention from girls my age (appart from my girlfriend) but older women practically fall over themselves for me.
 
I wouldnt bother taking your Dads job tbh.

What company did you say your Dad works for again? Where are they located?
 
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