Career change...

Fart

Hi guys,

So I'm sitting here at my late night call centre job, and for the past few weeks I've been thinking about what a waste my degree is.

I studied for five years in total doing a Sound Technology degree which I just received two months ago (first as a Fetac course for two years then onto a degree level for three years).

I'm 24 now and I knew that if I get this degree that it would be hard to find employment in it, in Ireland at least.

I've always had a strong interest in computing, where I decided to learn HTML when I was 13... but that is all forgotten now. I would love to perhaps do some sort of programming course or something to do with IT. I'm also fairly decent with numbers, so if I could do something in that field I'd be more than happy.

I know I'm not too old to start something new, but with the missus in a good job and wanting to buy a house soon, do you think it's financially secure to perhaps do a new degree?

Are career consulting services good? Also, can college degrees be done part time over here? As I'm only 24, even graduating again at 28 would be no problem... I reckon.

I also want to further my French where I learned a bit in secondary school. I'd suppose it could come useful for other job prospects, but not sure where to go with this.

I suppose I'm stuck in a rut when it comes to choosing a career. Is or has anyone else been in this situation and has actually fulfilled a career change?

Cheers.

Procrastastudy

Currently moving from almost 15 years in retail to Law at the age of 32... 31 when I started. Very easy to do a part time degree here. In your case you would probably be best do do something postgraduate.

My concern though in the short piece you have written is you don't seem to have an ultimate goal. I'd say settling on that will be your first challenge.

Mrs OBumble

Agree with the last poster: work out what you do, then work out if you really need yet another qualification to get it.

And surely you can find something that makes some use of your previous study ... maybe not the dream job, but something??? Hell, even selling gear in an audio retail shop.

starlit

I am in a similar situation. I know what I like to do but every time I apply for something nothing much happens and hit a brick wall so figuring out what I want to the do is an issue for me as might be showing my lack of direction or what ever.

Maybe try a few jobs first to see what interests you or do a few jobbridges maybe? You could do a few courses maybe.

An online course or part-time/night course might be worth looking into if its just programming you want to get into to start you off and then do a postgrad. Give you an idea what career path you want to follow and that programming is really what you want to do, you won't know unless you try it in class/work environment whether you be interested in programming as a long term goal.

Figuring out what goal to pursue is half the battle, narrowing down the search for career areas rather than having it too wide. Have it wide at first but then cast your net in a narrow career field, be a bit easier to show that you have a goal to work towards if it just one career area you want to focus on. Potential employers and interviewers can sense if you don't have enough career direction or a goal to work towards despite having experience/qualifications/personality suited to a job. Are you the person for the role that would be suited to that is what employers are looking for when going for a specific career area in mind.

There are professional career/job coach services available. Maybe go to your college career's officer they might help? You aren't long out of college, give yourself a chance to find an internship/grad programme before going back to college in a rush. Take your time making a decision but if you undecided I recommend going to a professional job coach.

Ya I am sure there are part time courses you could do. Plenty of night courses I am sure that help with your French.

Try not to give up on your area of study in looking for work, maybe find something that has some element of what you have studied and blend it with something else when looking for work that maybe something you could self learn that balance with sound technology, anything in technology be worth looking into or multimedia/engineering/electronics?

StillWaters

You don't need another degree to do programming. If you have an aptitude for it you can teach yourself and sit some accredited exams.

I would also caution that you are only a couple of months out of your course, someone would need to be very very lucky to have landed a job in their field in that time. You are working and bringing in money, that's a huge plus, not to be underestimated. You can take your time to figure out what you really want to do.

Jim2007

Procrastastudy wrote: »

My concern though in the short piece you have written is you don't seem to have an ultimate goal. I'd say settling on that will be your first challenge.

I would not be at all concerned about that, especially from someone that is only 24!

It may surprise you but there are some people, myself included, that never bother setting such a goal, instead we go through life doing things we find interesting - that way work is never boring and it pays well too!

Procrastastudy

Jim2007 wrote: »

I would not be at all concerned about that, especially from someone that is only 24!

It may surprise you but there are some people, myself included, that never bother setting such a goal, instead we go through life doing things we find interesting - that way work is never boring and it pays well too!

I would suggest that interesting work appears to be your goal. Absolutely nothing wrong with that in fact its exactly why I changed career. That said there are few interesting jobs you can do without training or experience. Unless you are very easily amused of course!

Fart

Some great insight in those replies, guys.

I really appreciate it. I guess I'll just have to really think about what I want to do. I'm so happy to be even bringing in money now with this job. Hopefully I can do something to start a career in the industry that I had studied in.

Maybe I'm over eager :P.

Cheers.

Dhoff

Hi All,

I am interested in a career change from Site Engineering into Banking.

My degree is Civil Engineering.

I did enjoy working as an engineer but I have been in and out of work since I graduated in 2007. Now I am 32 and wondering whether or not I should try a different career. I have always had an interest in finance and think it might be a good choice for me with my maths background.

Has anyone any idea of what might be an avenue to pursue this change. I have applied for a few document controller positions as they seem closest to experience I have aquired previously. I would definitely consider studying further part time too.

Please if you have any advice on courses or positions I should aim for please just send me a post.


Thanks

Jim2007

Dhoff wrote: »

Hi All,

I am interested in a career change from Site Engineering into Banking.

My degree is Civil Engineering.

I did enjoy working as an engineer but I have been in and out of work since I graduated in 2007. Now I am 32 and wondering whether or not I should try a different career. I have always had an interest in finance and think it might be a good choice for me with my maths background.

Has anyone any idea of what might be an avenue to pursue this change. I have applied for a few document controller positions as they seem closest to experience I have aquired previously. I would definitely consider studying further part time too.

Please if you have any advice on courses or positions I should aim for please just send me a post.


Thanks

This is a wind up right????

UK hard hit by global jobs axe in beleaguered banking sector

Bank of America Ramps Up Job Cuts

Deutsche Bank to start job cuts in Germany

UBS banking job cuts set to hit London hard

We've lost about 160,000 jobs in the last 12 months alone and the industry may very well shrink by another 30% or more in the coming years.... not really the place of a late bloomer to start trying to make his mark, as there are 1000s of experienced people on the market!

Mrs OBumble

Necro thread, and besides the OP has asked in another forum and that thread has been moved to W& J too.

I will point there to Jim2007's post ... other than that, closed!