Adult Career Guidance-Help

kodirl

I have been thinking of how I will word this post for a while now, so here it goes.

I am a qualified Electrician although I have no experience of working as an Electrician . When I was 2 years into my electrical apprenticeship back in 2010 I left the company I was working with in Ireland as they were starting to let people go, to join an Irish Construction company working on large Oil and Gas type projects in the UK. On the 3rd day of working on site one of the Supervisors asked me if I was "any good at using a pc" and from that moment on I have been office based working in preparing work packages for Construction (drawings, standards, checklists etc). I managed to complete my apprenticeship with this company while never really working as an Electrician. I spent 3 years with this company in different countries on large Oil and Gas Projects before moving to the company I am currently employed by, another Irish Oil and Gas Construction Company.

When I started working for my current company I started off in a similar role to the previous company by preparing work-packages for Quality inspections on projects and managing a team of up to 10 Quality inspectors on each project. I had always wanted to work in the company's main office (in Ireland) as it was close to home and I had no further interest in working on rotation/travelling abroad. Eventually the opportunity arose and I was relocated to the main office. However, once I managed to get my foot in the door in the main office I was put in a more senior role managing overall company quality for projects. While this was fine at the time as I was happy to be at home, I have been suffering since and will admit that I am out of my dept in some areas with no-one to turn to for guidance. This led me onto enrolling on a part time degree.

Two years ago I enrolled on a part-time evening degree (Bachelor of Business Management Honours). The main reason for enrolling on the degree course was because I had become tired of not being able to do the things that were being asked of me and I wanted to change to a career where I can do something I like/want to be doing. I liked business as a subject in school so chose this course as it was being run by a college nearby my home.

Now I am in a predicament. I still have no idea what I want to do, as it is not possible to get experience in any area (well not that I know of while still working full time). Obviously economic circumstances are dire at the moment and I know I am lucky to be earning during these times. I have an interest in cars, but the thoughts of going back to retrain as a Mechanic or work in sales certainly does not appeal to me. I am not sure how if even I could transfer my current skills as I'm not even sure what they are to be honest.

I am currently on a very good salary with zero other benefits from the company I am currently working with. Like most others I have a mortgage term of 20yrs still to go, not to mention creche and other monthly fees so taking time out of work for any reason is a no no.

Essentially I am just looking for ideas/guidance on what to do next. I can't see myself staying working where I am for another 2 years as it is affecting my mental health and mood.

You've got people management and project skills by the sounds of things, that would get you a long way I would have thought? Or do you want to get away from that sort of work?

blindsider

What are the areas in your current job that you can't do?

If you could do them, would it help?

kodirl

Luke Shaggy Tour wrote: »

You've got people management and project skills by the sounds of things, that would get you a long way I would have thought? Or do you want to get away from that sort of work?

Yes, I would have those skills to some degree but it is a transition away from the Construction industry is what I am looking for.

kodirl

blindsider wrote: »

What are the areas in your current job that you can't do?

If you could do them, would it help?

The areas are mainly writing Technical documents for projects which I am having trouble with, certainly it would help if I could do them, but that would involve having an Engineering background or equivalent on site experience working as an Electrician for a long number of years. I'm really looking to move away from the Construction industry and into another area but I'm not sure where to even start.

HC Baker

What about something like an area manager role with Aldi?

kodirl

HC Baker wrote: »

What about something like an area manager role with Aldi?

Thanks for your suggestion. It is something that I had considered before but I have a friend who is an area manager for the Leinster area for Lidl and the work is very demanding with a lot of travelling involved and long hours. My next-door neighbour is also a store manager for Lidl and the hours are very unstructured for him and the job is quite demanding. I am looking for a less stressful role while being able to finish my Degree if possible- I have no problem with stepping back from a managerial role.

HC Baker

kodirl wrote: »

Thanks for your suggestion. It is something that I had considered before but I have a friend who is an area manager for the Leinster area for Lidl and the work is very demanding with a lot of travelling involved and long hours. My next-door neighbour is also a store manager for Lidl and the hours are very unstructured for him and the job is quite demanding. I am looking for a less stressful role while being able to finish my Degree if possible- I have no problem with stepping back from a managerial role.

That's fair enough. Have you completed any formal project management qualifications such as PRINCE 2 etc?

kodirl

HC Baker wrote: »

That's fair enough. Have you completed any formal project management qualifications such as PRINCE 2 etc?

Unfortunately I haven't. In what way would a Prince 2 qualification benefit me?

blindsider

kodirl wrote: »

The areas are mainly writing Technical documents for projects which I am having trouble with, certainly it would help if I could do them, but that would involve having an Engineering background or equivalent on site experience working as an Electrician for a long number of years. I'm really looking to move away from the Construction industry and into another area but I'm not sure where to even start.

It seems to me that you are a Manager and can lead a team to achieve business goals etc.

Your current employer is obviously aware that you don't have a technical/engineering background, so this deficit shouldn't unduly trouble you. (But it does.)

Firstly, be clear about what you can and can't do - do the former very well, and learn to delegate the latter.

Longer term, you could look at e.g. HEO in the Public Service - check other threads here.

How long is left on your degree? 2 yrs? Use the time to research other industries - is the college Careers dept any good?

HC Baker

kodirl wrote: »

Unfortunately I haven't. In what way would a Prince 2 qualification benefit me?

It could open up options to do some PM contract roles & get some experience in other industries.

kodirl

blindsider wrote: »

It seems to me that you are a Manager and can lead a team to achieve business goals etc.

Your current employer is obviously aware that you don't have a technical/engineering background, so this deficit shouldn't unduly trouble you. (But it does.)

Firstly, be clear about what you can and can't do - do the former very well, and learn to delegate the latter.

Longer term, you could look at e.g. HEO in the Public Service - check other threads here.

How long is left on your degree? 2 yrs? Use the time to research other industries - is the college Careers dept any good?

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately Employer does think I am technical hence why I get asked to prepare these documents and there is no-one in the company that I can delegate them to.

The careers department may be a good option but I really can't stay working with the company for another two years as I am getting very stressed over the whole thing and need change.

kodirl

HC Baker wrote: »

It could open up options to do some PM contract roles & get some experience in other industries.

Thanks, I will look into it.

blindsider

Your last option should be resigning. Especially if you don't have an equally good job to go to. Don't compromise on this - it's too important.

What % of the job is causing you this stress? It can't be more than 20% (at a guess) or you literally wouldn't be able to do the job.

Do you have a good HR Department? Do you have an in-company mentor? Or someone you can trust? Are you a member of a professional/industry body? Do they offer a support service? I think you need to have a very honest discussion with someone about the part of the job that is stressing you. If you leave, what will the company do? It will take them 6 months minimum to get back up to speed with your job. It must be worth their while investing something in this issue to resolve it.

If you don't have someone internally, would you consider going to a Career/Executive Coach. You need someone to help you to look at this objectively. What part of the country are you in? Google "Executive Coaching" for your area. (I'm not a Career Coach BTW!) Does your uni offer this qualification? (UCD and IMI do in Dublin and UCC in Cork...not sure about others but suspect they do!) If they do, they might suggest someone?

Patsy167

I wouldn't say a professional career coach or guidance is needed as a first port of call.

If you take 30 mins to go through the below article, I think you will come out with a much better place:

https://www.theschooloflife.com/thebookoflife/career-therapy/

Make It Real

Going right back to the start, kodirl...


- How did you decide to become an electrician in the first place?
I know its probably a long time ago and we become different people over time. But think back on the process. What was important that you then that being an electrician would bring? What did you do to reach a decision?


- Rolling it forward, can you take some of the simplicity of that decision you probably took as a school leaver and apply it now?
Yes, its more complicated now: age, mortgage kids, but put that aside for a bit. I see a lot of people getting bogged down with roles, details etc which makes it very hard to see clearly and choose. Throwing it wider open and thinking what's important in your life, is actually a much better place to start. So, what you enjoy, what you're good at, that kind of thing. Roles, research, reality, how to get there, compromises (if needed) etc can follow later.


I work with a lot of people people wanting to change job or career, as a coach. I can honestly say the conversation needs to start about your life, what's important and what you want. Not about jobs. Once that's clearer - and it generally isn't a major undertaking - it makes looking at career options much easier and quicker.

I actually don't give career guidance (i.e. specific jobs) at all. People can easily do that themselves really once (online, from a book etc) once they know what they really want. What I bring matters before that point.

Hope this helps and let me know if I can do anything more for you!

kodirl

Make It Real wrote: »

Going right back to the start, kodirl...


- How did you decide to become an electrician in the first place?
I know its probably a long time ago and we become different people over time. But think back on the process. What was important that you then that being an electrician would bring? What did you do to reach a decision?


- Rolling it forward, can you take some of the simplicity of that decision you probably took as a school leaver and apply it now?
Yes, its more complicated now: age, mortgage kids, but put that aside for a bit. I see a lot of people getting bogged down with roles, details etc which makes it very hard to see clearly and choose. Throwing it wider open and thinking what's important in your life, is actually a much better place to start. So, what you enjoy, what you're good at, that kind of thing. Roles, research, reality, how to get there, compromises (if needed) etc can follow later.


I work with a lot of people people wanting to change job or career, as a coach. I can honestly say the conversation needs to start about your life, what's important and what you want. Not about jobs. Once that's clearer - and it generally isn't a major undertaking - it makes looking at career options much easier and quicker.

I actually don't give career guidance (i.e. specific jobs) at all. People can easily do that themselves really once (online, from a book etc) once they know what they really want. What I bring matters before that point.

Hope this helps and let me know if I can do anything more for you!

Thanks for your comments PM'd

kodirl

blindsider wrote: »

Your last option should be resigning. Especially if you don't have an equally good job to go to. Don't compromise on this - it's too important.

What % of the job is causing you this stress? It can't be more than 20% (at a guess) or you literally wouldn't be able to do the job.

Do you have a good HR Department? Do you have an in-company mentor? Or someone you can trust? Are you a member of a professional/industry body? Do they offer a support service? I think you need to have a very honest discussion with someone about the part of the job that is stressing you. If you leave, what will the company do? It will take them 6 months minimum to get back up to speed with your job. It must be worth their while investing something in this issue to resolve it.

If you don't have someone internally, would you consider going to a Career/Executive Coach. You need someone to help you to look at this objectively. What part of the country are you in? Google "Executive Coaching" for your area. (I'm not a Career Coach BTW!) Does your uni offer this qualification? (UCD and IMI do in Dublin and UCC in Cork...not sure about others but suspect they do!) If they do, they might suggest someone?

Thanks. Career coach looks like a good option at this stage. I have emailed the college to see what they have to offer.