where to go from here in my life

Gtiracer

Gtiracer

Gtiracer

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Joined
14 Jan 2010
Posts
2,424
Location
Essex
I have a decent life and I'm happy in most aspects but part of me is always striving for bigger, better and more.

I completed a degree course 4 years ago that i did late in life due to not knowing what i actually wanted to do. I have a pretty low salary really especially for a graduate and no career to speak of but all my bills get paid although we don't always have the extra we would like. But my job is good, I'm happy there decent people and they treat me well.

We live in a lovely 'rented' home with my wife and 3 children.

Point im trying to make is that having been 4 years out of uni i now feel out of touch and not up to scratch with what i trained for and i feel as though it may be too late to start anything decent career wise being 30 now.

Is anybody at a similar place to me in their life?

Oh and before anybody asks there is not really much if any prospect of advancing much in the company I'm in currently bar possibly a few payrises if I'm lucky and stay there
 
Gtiracer said:
I have a decent life and I'm happy in most aspects but part of me is always striving for bigger, better and more.

I completed a degree course 4 years ago that i did late in life due to not knowing what i actually wanted to do. I have a pretty low salary really especially for a graduate and no career to speak of but all my bills get paid although we don't always have the extra we would like. But my job is good, I'm happy there decent people and they treat me well.

We live in a lovely 'rented' home with my wife and 3 children.

Point im trying to make is that having been 4 years out of uni i now feel out of touch and not up to scratch with what i trained for and i feel as though it may be too late to start anything decent career wise being 30 now.

Is anybody at a similar place to me in their life?
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I am in a rut with this at 25, although I am currently doing a course to get where I want to go, well more of a second choice really as my real dream is impossible in to days day and age.

I would say go fo it, get yourself some experience in the career you wanted and you will find that you pick it up in no time due to your extensive knowledge. You should also show your enthusiasm to any interviewers you see for jobs (obvious thing to say but so many dont show off enough as opposed to the few that show off way too much)

if you feel you need to catch up then, read up study a little and look up whats new.

Just out fo curiosity, what did you study in uni?
 
I don't think 30 is too old to change, but with a wife and 3 kids, you'd have to be sure your family is behind you trying something new. May cause a lot of stress for all involved.
 
drakioned said:
I don't think 30 is too old to change, but with a wife and 3 kids, you'd have to be sure your family is behind you trying something new. May cause a lot of stress for all involved.
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This. Age of 30 is by no means too old for a drastic change in career, but having built a lot of responsibilities already, it'll be very, very tough on you and your family.

Can you give some insight into your current job and ballpark salary, what you studied, and what you might want to try?
 
It's never too old, just depends on what you want to do. Some career paths warrant a lot of time served.
I'm about to hit 40 and doing prep studies for an MBA. I'm from a non corporate background, but in the business world.

You should have a good chat with the missus about what your considering.you need her to be on board.
 
Most things worthwhile in life are not easy. With your background it's going to be even harder.

Worth doing though.


For the record, I ****ed up my undergraduate, made the decision to do postgrad and have now got the best job I could have hoped for. As long as you're conscious of your decision, and have something to aim for, you'll pull through.

Have you discussed this with your wife, maybe there is something she wants to do that you could support? :)
 
30 is still young for change, but as others have said, the family may make this more difficult.

What did you study and what are you doing now?
 
I am in freight forwarding and received a Bsc multimedia computing degree. Got a 2:1

Salary is really nothing to shout about but I've never been one to discuss numbers, just the way i was bought up i suppose. But it is low in most peoples opinion, bar the homeless and jobless

Oh and thanks for the advice.

The hardest thing is being able to walk to my current employment means i leave house at about 8:40 and get home by 6 most nights. Maybe I'm a little too comfortable here but it means i get more time with my family
 
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Gtiracer said:
I am in freight forwarding and received a Bsc multimedia computing degree. Got a 2:1

Salary is really nothing to shout about but I've never been one to discuss numbers, just the way i was bought up i suppose. But it is low in most peoples opinion, bar the homeless and jobless

Oh and thanks for the advice.

The hardest thing is being able to walk to my current employment means i leave house at about 8:40 and get home by 6 most nights. Maybe I'm a little too comfortable here but it means i get more time with my family
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Well at least you realise family is important, makes you better than some people I know ;). anyways if you do go for a new job good luck :)
 
You mentioned you want to strive for bigger, better and more - but you didn't actually mention what that may entail.

What are the bigger, better things you want? I don't just mean 'More money, more responsibility' - but normally to figure out how to get those bigger, better things - you have to have an idea of what they are first! Do you have any ideas as to what it is you want, that is bigger and better? That might help us be able to point you in a better direction.
 
That is something to consider, with bigger, better can lead to being fully out of comfort zone. Which can mean less time with your family. Much longer hours.

It's the quality of life your after.
 
Is your career related to your degree? If not, why not?

You say you strive to do better yet are happy in a dead end job? Doesn't sound right if you ask me.

KaHn
 
Far too late. Top yourself.

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I was in a rut at 33 and thought life as I've been living it the past ... well ... 33 years were going to be the same forever. Fast forward to 34 and I live across the planet. Work a job I love and run my own business that will more than likely make me a millionaire at 36-37. Hopefully :)

So, you're only in a rut if you want to be.
 
I graduated when I was 30 as a mature student and started a career in Engineering that was 13 years ago, so it is never too late.
 
Gtiracer said:
...i feel as though it may be too late to start anything decent career wise being 30 now...
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Are you havin' a laugh? 30? Too old? Try doing it at 40, 50, 60? :rolleyes:

Sorry, that was rude. No, 30 is not too old. I'm 41 (also with a wife and 3 children) and getting made redundant soon. I graduated in 1996 so my degree is definitely past its use-by date. (I didn't go into the field.)

I have lots of choices, with so much riding on it, but at the moment I still lack direction and it's worrying. I'd love to be able to turn back the clock 10 years. I could write-off this job for a start.

At the moment I'm thinking 'outside the box' and considering all possibilities. I'll be walking down the street and see someone chopping down a tree and ask myself, 'Could I do that?' Then I'll be driving along road and see a learner driver and ask myself, 'Could I do that?'

My latest consideration is what would it be like mowing lawns for a living. But, like with driving instructor, I have a total mis-trust of companies offering franchises and starting from scratch in a totally new field would be a massive gamble.

It's like being 16 again - 'What do you want to do when you grow up?'

I have a friend that worked in the office equipment field for decades. Big house (no mortgage - which is nice), company car, etc. He was made redundant at 50 and went through the same process. He's now a Teaching Assistant!
 
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