30 with no idea what to do

jimmyjim2013

Im 30, in the same job for the last 5 years that I really dont like (and am not especially good at truth be told) with not great pay. I regret ever taking the job tbh and fully believe my life would be far better now if I had never taken it.

Id love to get a new job but I really dont want to end up in a similar role in a different company. I have no idea what I should do and at this point im panicing as im too old for this and everyone around me seems to be progressing nicely in their chosen jobs/things have worked out for them.

Quite simply, I dont know what direction I should go in. Ive done a few online career interests tests (like the one on the FAS website) but they havent made it much easier. I was considering going to a career guidance coach but id be worried that they would really need some proper starting point or strong interest in order to give me some decent advice.

Has anyone else been in this situation before and come through it? The thing is im a hard worker, did well in school, went on to get a degree and I really feel if I find the right path I could do well but I just dont know what it is. Feels really ridiculous writing this as a 30 year old, this should be something an 18 year old thinks..

Any help greatly appreciated

Fridge

Apparently most people change career several times in their lives, so I wouldn't worry about it. 30 isn't exactly over the hill and it's better to change now than keep at a job you really don't like. It's unhealthy!

I have been wondering the same lately regarding whether I should change career. So I'm looking at jobs.ie and seeing what careers are in demand (I'm not brave enough to go for something not in demand) and what qualifications & training they require from candidates. You might get a better idea from the job descriptions what the day to day tasks entail and whether you'd like a particular career.

It's a bit difficult though to know what you really want if you don't get to try it until you've done years of training, but this is how it works I guess.

boobar

30 is young op, easily another 30 years of work ahead of you, so I wouldn't panic at all. Even if you were 40 I'd still say the same thing.

Now, you should take some time to look at your current skill set, are there skills that you use that you enjoy, are they transferable.

Take the myers Briggs test online... It might give you some idea of a particular career to suit you better.

And look at opportunities within your current company as well.

To be fair, you have the answer but you'll need to spend some time reflecting.

Pac1Man

Agree with the above statements. It also sounds like you are selling yourself short regarding your current position. You wouldn't have lasted five years if you were no good at your job!

prettygurrly

Are you in Dublin OP? Can recommend a good career consultant, PM me.

I was giving a talk to 5th and 6th years and they're all up to high dough about what course they're going to choose and are terrified of choosing the wrong one. I'm nearly 30 and have a good few friends who did things in college and went on to something completely different; maybe went back to college and retrained when they had an idea of what they wanted to do because 18 is really young to be deciding what you'll do for the rest of your life. Also we're going to be working till we're 70 so I would recommend that you really think about what you want to do in life and go for it. Life is too short (even if it's getting longer by the day). If you need extra money to make your goal a reality, move to cheaper renting accommodation (if you're renting obviously) and save what you're saving each month plus a bit more. You haven't said much about your current situ or your job so it's a little difficult to advise you but some professional advice might do the trick.

magicmoves

Hey Jimmy, Did you manage to find a new career?