What should I do with my life???

LegacyUser

Hi guys,
I handed in my notice for my job this week. No job satisfaction and had been in the same role far too long.

I am 22, I graduated with a biology degree a year ago and I earned €24K a year in my job with €1500 bonus (about €1000 after tax).

When I leave, after savings, getting paid what I am due (including 2 weeks holiday pay, I hope!) and getting a small bonus I will have approx €7600 (is this much considering I don't pay rent? It's approx 1/3 of what I would have earned for the year?).

Anyway I now find myself at a crossroads.

1. Get a new job. I have been applying for a few already and hope to get called for an interview soon.

2. Go over to Canada for a few months at the least. I have a friend from college over there. He is doing a masters at University of Toronto and having a great time.

What should I do?
I am in two minds.

-I should get a job because the recession could get worse and I would like to start saving for a house.
-I should go travelling to Canada because I am only 22 and there is plenty of time for clawing my way up the career ladder and buying a house in a few years time.

What do you think?

Am I trying to plan too much? Should I just go to Canada and go with the flow?

AngryBadger

aboutagirl wrote: »

Hi guys,
I handed in my notice for my job this week. No job satisfaction and had been in the same role far too long.

OP this seems a little hasty to me, you're only in a job a year and you've packed it in because you felt you were in the one position for too long? Unless I'm missing something huge that's kind of...I won't get into that.

Realistically OP, you had little/no experience when you started whatever job you had, you'll be in a better position after a year, but you can't expect to get a much better job with just one years experience under your belt.

Naos

Go to Canada.

Hopefully I'll be following suit in a few months time

joeperry

I think you should have found another job before quitting the job you had or at least actually have a better idea of what your gona do............but your young so you should just enjoy yourself while you can.

LegacyUser

AngryBadger wrote: »

OP this seems a little hasty to me, you're only in a job a year and you've packed it in because you felt you were in the one position for too long? Unless I'm missing something huge that's kind of...I won't get into that.

Realistically OP, you had little/no experience when you started whatever job you had, you'll be in a better position after a year, but you can't expect to get a much better job with just one years experience under your belt.

It was my first "proper" job and there is not much point in staying- the company has a recruitment freeze on so no moving up.
The people who were in my job before me all left the role within 10-12 months- it is an entry level job that you do to get some experience so you can get a job. A necessary evil!

rathbaner

Go to Canada. Bigger economy more opportunity.

Acoshla

Go to Canada, I went there for a year, returned in June, still looking for a job, and missing my job and my life in Toronto like crazy.

Going there was the best thing I ever did, I was 22 going too and I had the most amazing time and experiences. If you do decide to go let me know and I'll give you some good tips

NoQuarter

canada shmanada, with a biology degree you should look to volunteering with animanls for a year somewhere exotic, thats what i'd so anyways!

if you look hard enought, you might have to pay for your flights but they can cover food etc... and some of the marine reserves will train you as a diver too! worth a thought!

LegacyUser

I just looked at the Usit website- to do the Under 35 programme I have to be in Canada by Dec 31st- thats about 10 weeks away, and they need at least 8 weeks to process the visa and everything!
I will have to decide soon!

Yeah I heard Canada's economy is doing fine. i think I would be mad not to go. I have always wanted to travel. I did a J1 before.
It's such a huge decision to make.

unreggd

Canada is great, but visas & residency are hard to get

so even a year away with USIT would be grand, thats what Im doin in May

Regardless of where you go what you want out of life wont just appear before you

Look into it

what specific job would you like?

Would you like nice weather or does any weather suit you?

Do you get homesick?

Do you have hobbies you'd like to keep up?

Still, GET OUT OF IRELAND. Its a sh!thole, and only gettin worse!

Good luck!

She Devil

OP, i can't believe you handed in your notice without another job lined up. If you have the option i would go to canada, things are all doom and gloom here, i'd love to be out of here!! Good luck

LegacyUser

Yeah Ireland is up the creek right now and I'm dying to get away!

I just looked on the Usit website and to go on their Canada programme I would have to be in Canada by the end of December- also it takes them at least 8 weeks to process your visa and that doesn't include if your put on a waiting list!

Looks like I've left it too late............

Naos

Do you have any family over there?

It might be possible to get in by a family sponsorship. It's something I'll be looking at.

JDLK

Canada

See if you can get on a postgrad in Toronto with your Buddy

Dord

aboutagirl wrote: »

Yeah Ireland is up the creek right now and I'm dying to get away!

The problem isn't only in Ireland.

von Neumann

aboutagirl wrote: »

Hi guys,
I handed in my notice for my job this week. No job satisfaction and had been in the same role far too long.

I am 22, I graduated with a biology degree a year ago and I earned €24K a year in my job with €1500 bonus (about €1000 after tax).

When I leave, after savings, getting paid what I am due (including 2 weeks holiday pay, I hope!) and getting a small bonus I will have approx €7600 (is this much considering I don't pay rent? It's approx 1/3 of what I would have earned for the year?).

Anyway I now find myself at a crossroads.

1. Get a new job. I have been applying for a few already and hope to get called for an interview soon.

2. Go over to Canada for a few months at the least. I have a friend from college over there. He is doing a masters at University of Toronto and having a great time.

What should I do?
I am in two minds.

-I should get a job because the recession could get worse and I would like to start saving for a house.
-I should go travelling to Canada because I am only 22 and there is plenty of time for clawing my way up the career ladder and buying a house in a few years time.

What do you think?

Am I trying to plan too much? Should I just go to Canada and go with the flow?

Do you know why you where so disatified in your current job?
Could you write a list of things you would need to be satified in your job?
Does this ideal job exist and can you get it or do you need to work towards it a little?

But I think you should definitely go to Canada . At 22 your only as spring chicken.
By the time you get back, houses might be half the price.

Good luck on your travels, and with the soul searching.

unreggd

aboutagirl wrote: »

Yeah Ireland is up the creek right now and I'm dying to get away!

I just looked on the Usit website and to go on their Canada programme I would have to be in Canada by the end of December- also it takes them at least 8 weeks to process your visa and that doesn't include if your put on a waiting list!

Looks like I've left it too late............

Thats the 2008 programme. there'll be a new 09 one in January

WellyJ

Have to say this wasn't a good time to be quitting your job,

If you decide not to go to Canada it will be tough to find a new one,

And getting harder every day!

LegacyUser

I'd do a masters in Canada if I was in your position. So I'd work just that bit more, get some nice money and experience accumulated, then party in Canada while learning new stuff. It would be a nice way to ease yourself into another country, going to uni instead of just jumping straight into a job.

tbh

aboutagirl wrote: »

Yeah Ireland is up the creek right now and I'm dying to get away!
.

thats all very well and good, but when you go away, you usually have to come back. Are you planning on staying in Canada for a while - a year or more? Or are you planning on going on an extended holiday, and living off your savings for a while?

A year ago, I would have said in a second that you should have gone to Canada. My feeling now is that the economy is going to get worse before it gets better, if you are only going for a while, you will have to come back and find a job, and it might be difficult. You also won't have the cushion of your savings to fall back on, because you'll have spent them on memories.

I'm saying all this from the point of view of someone who's done the travelling thing and is settled now - If I hadn't been away I might feel differently. wish you the best whatever you decide anyway.

Redpunto

Be aware of where you go in Canada in regards to the level of French spoken. DO you speak French. An awful lot of "regular" jobs require fluent French as the norm and if you cant speak it you might find it hard to get a job.

If you want to travel now is the time to do it though when you have no committments, once the house and OH and kids come along youll be waiting till you retire before you can visit some of the places you wanted to go.

LegacyUser

Well it looks like Canada isn't going to happen- I have been told that it is more than likely too late in the year for this year's program and I should apply next year. The earliest I can go next year is April.

I am completely miserable.

I cannot wait to get the hell out of my job.

I was so excited about Canada and now I can't go for months.
On top of this I never see my friends (they're always too busy).

I have plenty of money to live off for a few months but I am just so upset.

I might go over to visit my friend in Canada on holiday and see if I can apply for a work visa while I am there.