Really Scared

LegacyUser

Hi All,
Apologies if this seems a little rambling but Im just kinda putting it out there as it pops into my head.
Im really scared about my future, every time I think of it it makes me feel panicky and irritated. Ive tried talking to those around me but I think they are just as clueless as me.
I dont know what to do job wise. Im lucky that I dont have kids or a mortgage but what happens to me if I cant get another job? Ive no qualifications but Ive worked since Ive left secondary school. Im thinking I should upskill and get some experience but I havent a clue in what. Its a big risk for me to put everything on hold for 4 years to get a degree in something so I can forge a career for myself, by which stage Ill be in my 30s. Which I havent got the money for.
I have no talents to play on, Im not good at maths. Im pretty much an average scrape by person. Im willing to work hard, do a fas course or something but Im not sure Id get any kind of job I could make a career of out of a fas course.
Im not sure what Ill get from writing this..maybe someones in the same boat and sees light at the end of the tunnel?

seamus

Unregistered wrote: »

Its a big risk for me to put everything on hold for 4 years to get a degree in something so I can forge a career for myself, by which stage Ill be in my 30s.

So?
That's a real question - what is so awful about being in your 30s by the time you're in a career? Plenty of people hit their 50s before they realise, "Oh actually, I want to be a doctor", and they go off and do it. There's no barrier in your 30s, no imaginary line at which you become branded a "loser" or a "winner". A winner in my book is somebody who at whatever age is enjoying themselves and not wanting for a whole lot more. This isn't a speed race, you don't have to cross the line in time, you should just aim to cross it.

I have no talents to play on, Im not good at maths. Im pretty much an average scrape by person. Im willing to work hard, do a fas course or something but Im not sure Id get any kind of job I could make a career of out of a fas course.

Easy enough to fall into that trap. It's usually an indication that you chased money or other people's expectations more than anything. There is nobody who is good at nothing. You have to accept that you probably won't be the best at anything, but then that's being human for you. But you are good at lots of things no doubt.

Your post even seems a bit scattered. You think you should do something, but you aren't presenting any ideas. You go to college, what will you do? Why suffer through 4 years of a college course just for the sake of getting a job you might hate?

My first recommendation is to sit down and list out everything that makes you happy - tv shows, hobbies, objects (such as animals or cars), sports, whatever it is that you would get out of bed at six in the morning with a smile on your face for.
Then come up with lists of relating professions. Google them if you have to. Something will pop out. If nothing pops out, you might even come up with your own idea.

KittyeeTrix

It is easy sometimes for things to get ya down, it happens to us all sometimes but you just have to learn to put some worries to the back of your head.
I have four kids, my husband is out of work at the moment and I am just finishing up the 1st year of a degree,
If I started to worry about where will the money come from next year if things get worse due to the recession or how will my kids go to college if fees are brought back in or how will my exams go, I would be panic attacking every minute of the day.
There are things in life you just can't control so I instead focus on the good things in my life rather that those I can't control such as
My kids and husband and I are all healthy (we had a bone cancer scare with my daughter two years ago and that kind of event really throws everything in your life into perspective)
My husband loves me and I love him
My family are there if I need any support emotionally
There is more to life than a job 'cos as we are seeing now that job can't always be depended on, not like friends and family
Go for a walk today if it's not raining where you are, take a deep breath and try focus on the good things in your life. Always works for me, a quick walk on my own watching the birds and looking the plants along the way has a way of easing my head if it gets full from time to time with worries......
I know it sounds a bit "Disney" movie but for me it works!!!
I'm assuming there are some good things in your life, is there?

tbh

Unregistered wrote: »

Hi All,
Apologies if this seems a little rambling but Im just kinda putting it out there as it pops into my head.
Im really scared about my future, every time I think of it it makes me feel panicky and irritated. Ive tried talking to those around me but I think they are just as clueless as me.
I dont know what to do job wise. Im lucky that I dont have kids or a mortgage but what happens to me if I cant get another job? Ive no qualifications but Ive worked since Ive left secondary school. Im thinking I should upskill and get some experience but I havent a clue in what. Its a big risk for me to put everything on hold for 4 years to get a degree in something so I can forge a career for myself, by which stage Ill be in my 30s. Which I havent got the money for.
I have no talents to play on, Im not good at maths. Im pretty much an average scrape by person. Im willing to work hard, do a fas course or something but Im not sure Id get any kind of job I could make a career of out of a fas course.
Im not sure what Ill get from writing this..maybe someones in the same boat and sees light at the end of the tunnel?

if you're in your mid 20's now, and have no skills or qualifications, you are limited for the rest of your life, lets say you're 25, you retire at 65 years, that's forty years.

If you study and graduate at 31, say, that's 34 - 34 - years you have working in your chosen field.

So, you could either take the hit now, and at 35 you won't even remember having to make the choice, or you could do nothing and ask yourself why you did nothing for the next 40 years.

If you want to go to college, then do it. Don't use age as an excuse, I'm 34 now and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

antiskeptic

Unregistered wrote: »

Im really scared about my future, every time I think of it it makes me feel panicky and irritated. Ive tried talking to those around me but I think they are just as clueless as me.

I wouldn't think it abnormal to be concerned about your future. House prices are still out of reach for many, job security a thing of the past ... and the unskilled will suffer the most on these scores and more.

I dont know what to do job wise. Im lucky that I dont have kids or a mortgage but what happens to me if I cant get another job? Ive no qualifications but Ive worked since Ive left secondary school. Im thinking I should upskill and get some experience but I havent a clue in what. Its a big risk for me to put everything on hold for 4 years to get a degree in something so I can forge a career for myself, by which stage Ill be in my 30s. Which I havent got the money for.

I've no idea if going back to college is the best thing for you but I note the following from my own experience:

- try and blag a talk with a career guidance type (in skools or uni's) who are in a position to analyse you and your talents and interests and suggest possible career directions. Everyone has talants, everyone has interests.

- I finished up college with an engineering degree when I was 29. It took 7 years from resitting the leaving > evening cert course > diploma > degree. There was no fees-paid-by-government and yes, you'll be poor. But it's not a big deal when there's an end goal in mind. Get work in restaurants btw - you'll eat well at least.

- some degrees last for 3 years.

I have no talents to play on, Im not good at maths. Im pretty much an average scrape by person.

I wasn't good at maths before I went to college. I'm still not good at maths - and I'm a mechanical engineer! I was a D/E grade student at school, a D/C grade student at Cert/Diploma level and an A grade student for the final two years simply because I went to a great college which motivated me.

Im not sure what Ill get from writing this..maybe someones in the same boat and sees light at the end of the tunnel?

The thing is not to look towards the end of the tunnel - the thing to do is to take the steps you need to take now and the future will sort itself out for you. One you get things moving in a direction you consider fruitful the worry will slip from your shoulders.

KittyeeTrix

seamus wrote: »

So?
That's a real question - what is so awful about being in your 30s by the time you're in a career? Plenty of people hit their 50s before they realise, "Oh actually, I want to be a doctor", and they go off and do it. There's no barrier in your 30s, no imaginary line at which you become branded a "loser" or a "winner".

I must agree with Seamus, I am 35 and like I said in only my 1st year of college. Not there for a job but out of interest in the subjects and also as a personal challenge to myself.
I don't feel like a loser rather I feel invigorated again in life. I'm learning new skills, meeting new people and that is worth it's weight in gold!!!!
That said, I will be in a better position to land a good job than most when or if we finally get out of this recession as I will be there with the most up to date skills.

I too was not good at maths but am doing maths in my 1st year science and am keeping up so don't let that deter you. Like antiskeptic I would have been a grade d in pass maths.

LegacyUser

OP Here again.

Of course, my life isnt all down in the dumps. I do try to reflect on the things that are good. I have people around me that I love etc

Tbh Take the hit in what? Do a course in something I hate? I did go to college for a year but dropped out as there was no prospects at the end of it. I know life isnt all about a job, work to live not live to work and all that but whats the point in studying hard, funding something and generally giving it my all if I can do nothing with it?

Im not trying to make excuses but I really dont have the money to go to college full time and I amnt eligable for a grant. Resturaunt work isnt that common. Thats why I said maybe a fas course, in IT or something. Ive asked people for opinions on this and the general feedback is that no, you arent going to get a career out of a fas course like you would in a degree.

Ive tried thinking on what I like. Or what interests me but being honest, and after researching there really is no career prospects in it.