What is your biggest career regret?

TrustedApple

Hi all

I am wondering what has been everyone's most significant regret of there career?.

What you should have done?. What you could have done and so on?.

For me, it was leaving my 1st ever job in IT. I got to travel around different sites in Ireland. Learned loads of separate area of IT (must long since forget as I can't use the skills in my role now) included in loads of projects, work got handed to me, and it is not like now where I spend my day trying to do job for myself or projects. Got on well with co-workers, learned loads about the company and how people were happy to work there and so on. I left my role because it was not very well paid and I am sorry I disappeared for money.

So what is everyone else's regret?

OMM 0000

I have many.

I left many good jobs because I felt bored and wanted a change, but I probably should have just changed department, or even told my manager about it.

I also regret I didn't learn (until I was 30) that being a manager has nothing to do with competence, and is mostly about networking and aggression.

So I guess my biggest regret is I didn't have a mentor who could have guided me on my career.

Wanderer78

Working in a large corporation, truly awful working environment

doolox

I spent 30 years in Electronics at a junior level and hated the last 10 years. I now recognise that I did not have the abstract planning and thinking skills needed to make the transition to an engineering role or a software role and I should have gone into an electrical role instead.

The thing is that I did not take the time out to evaluate my strengths and weaknesses and my personality type early enough in my career path to do anything about the way my work life was going.

If I had my life to live again I would have gone into a trade such as electrical instead of electronics. At least the electrical workers still have a job at junior level in Ireland while all the electronic jobs are gone to the Far East or not exist anymore as most devices have been replaced with software etc running on very cheap tablets or Laptops.

Nearly all the technical jobs now available in Ireland call for a trade qualification or an honours degree....I'd be retirement age before I could finish out a 4 yr degree.

In todays work climate it is vital to have plans laid out for each decade of your work life to avoid be left on the scrap heap.

j4vier

OMM 0000 wrote: »

I have many.

I left many good jobs because I felt bored and wanted a change, but I probably should have just changed department, or even told my manager about it.

I also regret I didn't learn (until I was 30) that being a manager has nothing to do with competence, and is mostly about networking and aggression.

So I guess my biggest regret is I didn't have a mentor who could have guided me on my career.

Can empathize with everything that you said, I feel that having the right mentor can make a world of difference for someone's progression. However, it is extremely difficult to find one

mvl

I don't think it's as much a career regret, but work related regret.
While I was waiting for a role change to happen, a better role came up (more authority) - and I got asked to apply by the guy who needed the replacement.
At the time I thought it would be a sign of inconsistency if I take this *new* role instead of what I was already lined up for, so I politely declined. The role ended up being taken by someone I had to support heavily anyway with ... little credit in return. The guy was technically good - but got himself in a lot of conflict with superiors; due to personal reasons he decided to drop the role after a year or so.
In same timeframe I ended up moving to same role type/but different team - where I stayed 2 years and a half.
Part of me thinks if I'd said yes, there would have been less disruption on the teams we're working with... But hey, change is good for all of us.

wally1990

j4vier wrote: »

Can empathize with everything that you said, I feel that having the right mentor can make a world of difference for someone's progression. However, it is extremely difficult to find one

Out of interest I am a manager of a department ....

What would you have liked in a mentor?

mvl

Mr.S wrote: »

Getting to settled in my early jobs and staying far longer then I should have with little to no progression, looking back I should have changed jobs every 2-3 years.

you mean changing employer or only the role ?

I had only 2 employers in my 20 years experience, but I am changing project/roles every 2 years or so, having in mind a career progression.

that keeps me happy with what I do, even if I would not get spectacular pay rises (the ones ppl get when changing employer).

IAMAMORON

I went straight from my leaving cert and into a college place that I hated. I was young and stupid enough to listen to my parents who insisted I finished my degree. I wasted 4-5 years of my life in college, I could have been out earning money and learning something.

eurokev

Not doing an apprenticeship sooner.
I came out of school with a good 525pts LC I think.
I wasn't really that academic really though, just bright and sharp, and went on to study maths and fail in uni.
Spent the next few years working in the drinks industry.
Was becoming bored and studied an engineering subject by night to keep my skills for maths physics from degrading . Then I said I'll chance an apprenticeship in e&I at 28. Loved it. Qualified a few months ago, completed a cert and ordinary degree by night at the same time, now I have a well paid job as an engineer, that's great and not really like work at all

j4vier

wally1990 wrote: »

Out of interest I am a manager of a department ....

What would you have liked in a mentor?

You have to be genuinely interested in what are the ambitions and goals of the people working under you, establish if the work they are doing points them in that direction or what other skill set they should be focused on acquiring to get there.

In my experience, most of the managers that I have dealt with just wanted someone reliable that did the job they were supposed to do without causing trouble which makes them indeed managers but not mentors.

DoozerT6

My regret is that in my mid-40's, I don't actually have a career at all. Just a job that anyone could do once they were shown the ropes.

This isn't what I wanted for myself at all.

Doing what turned out to be my final year in Third level. A bad year. I fvcked it up. Would have been FAR BETTER leaving that telephone tech support job and looking for another job, not going back to college. Still feel the effects today, 19 years on.

Class of 82

Was offered a role in England in my mid 20s. Talked myself out of taking it. No idea why looking back.

j4vier

DoozerT6 wrote: »

My regret is that in my mid-40's, I don't actually have a career at all. Just a job that anyone could do once they were shown the ropes.

This isn't what I wanted for myself at all.

I often think that this could happen with my job. Is there anything that you wish you had done differently to prevent this from happening?

DoozerT6

j4vier wrote: »

I often think that this could happen with my job. Is there anything that you wish you had done differently to prevent this from happening?

For starters, I should have worked harder in school, gotten a decent LC and got into an actual college/university, not a PLC. I know that this would have taken me down another path with more opportunity.

I should have been a bit (a lot!) more savvy and realised that a person I though was helping me career-wise most certainly did not have my best interests at heart.

Once I realised everything had turned to sh!t, I should have gone back to college.

But to answer your actual question I think complacency, which I am guilty of, is my biggest downfall. Also not getting a decent qualification in.....something. That, and having a mortgage to pay so accepting unhappiness for the money.

Once you have decent qualifications, at least you have more options. Unfortunately I just 'lucked' into the job I have now from a temp position in another area. A school-leaver could do my job after some basic training.

Qualifications. And the drive to improve your station. That's what you need in today's job market, not crappy certificates and complacency, like me.

j4vier

DoozerT6 wrote: »

For starters, I should have worked harder in school, gotten a decent LC and got into an actual college/university, not a PLC. I know that this would have taken me down another path with more opportunity.

I should have been a bit (a lot!) more savvy and realised that a person I though was helping me career-wise most certainly did not have my best interests at heart.

Once I realised everything had turned to sh!t, I should have gone back to college.

But to answer your actual question I think complacency, which I am guilty of, is my biggest downfall. Also not getting a decent qualification in.....something. That, and having a mortgage to pay so accepting unhappiness for the money.

Once you have decent qualifications, at least you have more options. Unfortunately I just 'lucked' into the job I have now from a temp position in another area. A school-leaver could do my job after some basic training.

Qualifications. And the drive to improve your station. That's what you need in today's job market, not crappy certificates and complacency, like me.

I appreciate your feedback, thank you

Irish Musician

As a working musician, my biggest regret is not practicing more and learning to read music. Looking back now I realise that just wanting and being able to play is is fine, but to reach the top level you need to aquire a toolbox of skills and reading is one of them. I am lucky to be working constantly so while it is a regret, I have still a great life because of my ability.

Eoin

No major regrets, but I think I'd have preferred not to stay in a comfort zone for quite long in my 2 previous companies (6.5 years and 7 respectively). The last company wasn't too bad as I had a few different roles, so I learnt a bit. Looking back, the first one was a grim place to spend so long.

OMM 0000 wrote: »

I also regret I didn't learn (until I was 30) that being a manager has nothing to do with competence, and is mostly about networking and aggression.

I've been very lucky then; that has not been my experience.

jos28

Resigning from a civil service job years ago, I'm now 10 years away from retirement age and I'd LOVE the prospect of that pension and lump sum. I also wonder how far up that ladder I would have gone.
Did the right thing at the time though, I had young kids and was offered a well paid job with very flexible hours and that was hard to resist at the time. But I suppose there's no point in looking back, I did what was right for my family at the time.

D3V!L

I turned down a good job in IBM about 20 years ago. It was well paid but working nights so it didn't appeal to me at the time. In hindsight it would have been better for my long term goals.

Kevhog1988

i regret spending so long in the family company for very little reward. Also spending time working overtime on a salary with no additional pay when i should have been spending time with my young son

baby and crumble

I regret 2 things.

1) Not being bothered to access better “guidance counselling” than what was offered by my school. They didn’t really tell us about more unusual careers, instead focusing on the fact you could study the subject you didn’t in school and become a teacher (what I ended up starting to do but eventually moved into other things) or do science/ engineering. It was really poor on their behalf but I just rolled with it.

2) not going with my instincts when I ended up in college doing a degree that was my 2nd choice (geography & philosophy) because I missed my first (geography and sociology) by 10 points. I could have asked for an internal transfer across since they were both in the same college and I could have shaved a hdip and one of my masters degrees off my career progression I reckon.

But in lots of ways, it’s hard to really regret stuff like that because those poor choices help you learn, and get where you are today. I’m very happy with my lot right now and I mightn’t be here if I’d taken a different path anywhere.

killanena

I'm 25, working sense I was 21. After school I did a mix of courses all I.T related but never went to college as I was living with my parents at the time, my dad is self employed so I couldn't get a susi grant, my dad refused to pay and I couldn't get a loan either. I did leaving cert applied so I would have had to done a level 5 before college as well.

My dad wanted me to pick up a trade or join him as a painter / decorator but I've no interest at all.

Started working as a sales assistant in retail at 21, moved out and into a flat with my girlfriend. We had an unexpected pregnancy 6 months later. She had to drop her course half way through in health care assisting as she felt very sick with the smell of the hospital she was in on work experience while pregnant.

I was promoted to supervisor 2 years into my job and assistant manager last year. Pay is manageable in the part of the country I'm in but I don't see myself getting a mortgage while also paying rent. Girlfriend is back in her course for health care assistant and will be finished in may but when she finds work afterwards, with us both doing shift base jobs and a 3 year old, its going to be difficult to maintain.

I want to go college but finding the time and money at this moment in time, it seems impossible.

OMM 0000

Eoin wrote: »

I've been very lucky then; that has not been my experience.

Dude we worked at the same company so I know that's not true :pac:

Begins with S and was in a rough location.

Well I've had sh1tty jobs and I've worked in sh1tty, absolutely toxic work environments (The most toxic ive worked in was for the last twelve weeks up to last Friday as it happens) but I firmly believe that most things happen for a purpose and as we live in a world of imperfect or unavailable information that there is simply no point in having any regrets. Put it down to experience, evaluate if there is any learnings from it and move on to the next adventure.

Steve Jobs once said 'you can never join the dots looking forward' and I think there is a lot of truth in what he said.

malinheader

IAMAMORON wrote: »

I went straight from my leaving cert and into a college place that I hated. I was young and stupid enough to listen to my parents who insisted I finished my degree. I wasted 4-5 years of my life in college, I could have been out earning money and learning something.

I wished I had listened to my parents. Left school after my junior cert. Went to work at 15. Work heavy and long but money very good. Now though the body fukcd with aches and pains and now far to young to retire and to old and sore for heavy or manual work. Wish I had listened.

malinheader

malinheader wrote: »

I wished I had listened to my parents. Left school after my junior cert. Went to work at 15. Work heavy and long but money very good. Now though the body fukcd with aches and pains and now far to young to retire and to old and sore for heavy or manual work. Wish I had listened.

Change your career. Its never too late. Train perhaps as a manual handling instructor? or safe pass instructor? Dont have any regrets. No one has a crystal ball and we all reach different junctures of our lives.

You'll never get that time back and accepting this a big thing in terms of moving forward. Evaluate the positives of what you have achieved and plan where you want to go next.

Pussyhands

Mr.S wrote: »

Getting to settled in my early jobs and staying far longer then I should have with little to no progression, looking back I should have changed jobs every 2-3 years.

Think this may be me.....but changing jobs will mean much worse conditions for commuting..

seamus

Mr.S wrote: »

Both, changing employer's and role. I had it very cushy straight after college (permanent roles, decent pay etc) but very little career development. All fine now, but would have benefited from changing jobs a few more times.

Yeah same here. If I had taken more interest out of college, looked for high-risk, high-experience jobs in start-ups rather than staying where I was comfortable, then I'd probably have a deeper business network and less desire to want to jump all over the place now.

That said, when the recession hit I had a mortgage but a stable job in a big company.

There's a good chance if I'd been six months in a start-up at that stage, I'd have been utterly fvcked.

Eoin

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Dude we worked at the same company so I know that's not true :pac:

Begins with S and was in a rough location.

Fair, but I'd some good managers

GaGa21

Although I have always enjoyed my work to date, I do regret not finishing a college course as a mature student I did 10 years ago. Or not doing any part time courses since to upskill.
I still only earn an average wage after 20 years working. Now with a mortgage, I would love to be able to earn more and cut back on working hours.
So that is my goal for 2019....get as much training as I can to improve my career.

GaGa21

GaGa21 wrote: »

I do regret not finishing a college course as a mature student I did 10 years ago. Or not doing any part time courses since to upskill.
..........................
So that is my goal for 2019....get as much training as I can to improve my career.

Me too tbf.

Class of 82

theemigrant wrote: »

i regret spending so long in the family company for very little reward. Also spending time working overtime on a salary with no additional pay when i should have been spending time with my young son

It's really only in the last couple of months that I have realised that doing this on a regular basis isn't a good idea. That extra hour or two each day becomes expected and normal.

BrokenArrows

Probably that I didn't push for raises and promotions earlier in my career and wasn't ambitious enough.

Kevhog1988

Class of 82 wrote: »

It's really only in the last couple of months that I have realised that doing this on a regular basis isn't a good idea. That extra hour or two each day becomes expected and normal.

i believe in give and take with this to a certain extent but would never do the hours i did before again,, knew id be travelling to the uk tonight so had an extra half hour in the cot this morning.

turdball

Nothing too much with regards career but blew all my money in my 20's on drink, holidays, cars, phones etc.

30 Now and finally started saving for a mortgage by myself. Just happy to be out of Dublin where I can actually afford one.

Daithi101

Look up the springboard courses. If you're in employment most only require you to pay around 10% of the fees. And alot of them can be done online part time. Best of luck

Berserker

Didn't realise how the working world functioned re: promotions and progression for a good few years. Was incredibly naive for the first few years of my working life. Used to get very frustrated when people who could never work late or weekends because of children etc got promoted ahead of me or other people who worked did so. Always thought that ability and application were key to progressing, when networking is the most important factor by a country mile.

Tell me how

Returning from college abroad and accepting a role locally rather than seeking work abroad at that time.

jim-mcdee

Turning down a position as an air traffic controller. Has no idea the salary was so good.

BuboBubo

Daithi101 wrote: »

Look up the springboard courses. If you're in employment most only require you to pay around 10% of the fees. And alot of them can be done online part time. Best of luck

I had a look at those myself once, the seemed to be all geared towards graduates though. My own job is a manual/menial type, but reasonably well paid.

My regret is not going to college, even part-time whilst in my first job. I've been looking at my options for "starting at the beginning" college wise, between time and money it would be very difficult.

That said, I found one in Sligo It which I would love to do. Starts at certificate level, then a few more years to a degree. Yet, part of me thinks it's madness to start now, and be studying up to my 50th birthday.

Distance Learning - maybe I should take the bull by the horns and go for it, nothing to lose only thousands of euro and my sanity

Tell me how

BuboBubo wrote: »

I had a look at those myself once, the seemed to be all geared towards graduates though. My own job is a manual/menial type, but reasonably well paid.

My regret is not going to college, even part-time whilst in my first job. I've been looking at my options for "starting at the beginning" college wise, between time and money it would be very difficult.

That said, I found one in Sligo It which I would love to do. Starts at certificate level, then a few more years to a degree. Yet, part of me thinks it's madness to start now, and be studying up to my 50th birthday.

Distance Learning - maybe I should take the bull by the horns and go for it, nothing to lose only thousands of euro and my sanity

Another posted just posted a Chinese proverb on another thread.

"The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is today".

Go in and talk to the course head, tell them your experience and concerns and I'm sure they will encourage you.

Even if it is too late to have a long career as a result of the new qualification, it would be very rewarding to achieve it and I bet you'd enjoy the experience.

Don't let anyone tell you it is too late to do something you want to do.

Class of 82

theemigrant wrote: »

i believe in give and take with this to a certain extent but would never do the hours i did before again,, knew id be travelling to the uk tonight so had an extra half hour in the cot this morning.

So do I. And if something important needed to be done, I wouldn't be out the door on the dot at 5.30pm. It's just when you come in early, work late every day people take it for granted and don't appreciate you are working 'unpaid over time'.

Simple_Simone

Had a chance of moving to Brussels for three years (and possibility of 3 more) with decent rent, travel and expense allowances thrown in, but my better (??) half and the kids over-ruled me. To this day I regard this as a missed opportunity for the whole family.

The kids (who were then 10 and 7) would have had a great opportunity to pick up French and German (whatever about learning Walloon!) in the international school in Brussels, and the Better (??) Half could have developed his long-running love affair with Belgian Trappist beers and the wines of France, as well as learning how to ski.

But he preferred to remain at home, watching Sky Sports and grumbling about Bertie, Biffo, the Pee Dees, the Greens and the cost of living in Ireland!

dashoonage

Going one level too high. Should have remained technical and not went down the management route.

L1011

Should probably have made some effort to stay in the industry I was working in at 18/19 when the company folded. Didn't.

Ended up back in it and left due to crap money and somehow I'm back again now on enough to live on; but not where I would have been with only 5 rather than 12/13 years solidly at it.

In the interim I worked for a process-obsessed managed services company - I would rather go do The Simple Life and try live off the land than do that again!

Rubberchikken

i have a job not a career. its just worked out . its not a regret in the true sense of the word but a tiny piece of me wishes i knew then what i know now and may be i would have had a career doing something id always dreamed of doing.
but i dont do regrets..life's too short so im happy as i am.

Kevhog1988

Simple_Simone wrote: »

Had a chance of moving to Brussels for three years (and possibility of 3 more) with decent rent, travel and expense allowances thrown in, but my better (??) half and the kids over-ruled me. To this day I regard this as a missed opportunity for the whole family.

The kids (who were then 10 and 7) would have had a great opportunity to pick up French and German (whatever about learning Walloon!) in the international school in Brussels, and the Better (??) Half could have developed his long-running love affair with Belgian Trappist beers and the wines of France, as well as learning how to ski.

But he preferred to remain at home, watching Sky Sports and grumbling about Bertie, Biffo, the Pee Dees, the Greens and the cost of living in Ireland!

no way would mu kid tell me what they were doing

Class of 82

dashoonage wrote: »

Going one level too high. Should have remained technical and not went down the management route.

Out of interest, can I ask why you say that?

Tell me how

Class of 82 wrote: »

Out of interest, can I ask why you say that?

I know you are asking the question of a specific poster but I can give you some reasons which I have heard from 2 people who had a similar experience to being promoted.

Much more responsibility which meant having to work longer hours and because they moved to salary it meant that actual hourly pay was fractionally less than what they had been on previously.

A friend found that when they became a mid-level manager, it alienated them from their colleagues who they previously had been very close with. They said they should have looked for a transfer when taking the promotion rather than ending up managing close friends.