Career wise what would you have done differently?

oreilly2

Anything you didn’t do you regret, or something you did do that you now regret?
To be honest, I figure a hell of a lot of degrees are overated.
If I was starting over again, I’d choose a degree from which you would earn big bucks straight out of college..
Finished up Arts myself, and four years ago I debated whether or not to go the trade/construction root.
When I look around now, and see the money that skilled trades people are making I think why did I chose the academic route..
Ah well, My point is people are too hung up on degrees, if I was to give any advice to current leaving crt exam students I’d say don’t be fooled that the degree root is a licence to print money?
How come guidance counsellors never tell you that Gurads clock it up with mileage and anyone involved in construction is doing very nicely?
Any opinions folks?

Sleepy

If I was starting all over again, I'd probably go for something in the Arts vain rather than something purely for the purposes of getting a career...

OLDYELLAR

This time last year I regretted my degree in Accounting , but now I have the trainee accountant job and in the middle of sorting my professional exams Im really glad I done it.
Yea its not the most exciting thing in the world but its a profession and will stand to me when Im fully trained and go about setting up my own business so its all good.

My sisters doing the leaving next June and originally I advised her not to go to college , but she really doesnt have a clue what she wants so I said go ahead an do a basic business course because at least yer left with some options then. Its not specialised but its something if ya wanna go into a profession an work yer way up.

Pigman II

oreilly2 wrote:

How come guidance counsellors never tell you.....

If guidance counsellors knew anything they wouldn't be guidance counsellors.

==

WRT topic I think if I was starting again I'd follow my own heart and not be influenced by others to go down that fight club route of 'so what now dad?'. I'd also not care about picking something 'practical' and just go for something that suited my natural tendencies irregardless of the career path or earnings. You're just setting yourself up for a miserable life of swimming against the tide otherwise.

nesf

Pigman II wrote:

I'd also not care about picking something 'practical' and just go for something that suited my natural tendencies irregardless of the career path or earnings. You're just setting yourself up for a miserable life of swimming against the tide otherwise.

Very true.

I've seen many people do a course, like Engineering, Accounting or a similar professional qualification, because they viewed it as a solid route into a job. But they had no real aptitude with respect to the field. They usually end up as quite bitter people stuck in the lower/middle end of the field for most of their life because of it.

If they had concentrated on their strenghts and chose their path accordingly then they would have been far happier imho.

bounty

yea, do whatever your naturally good at

and dont ever think about becoming a teacher... only bitter drunkeness lies down that path

Nightwish

I totally regret the course I chose in college. I'm after bluffing my way through to 4th year. I wouldn't have a clue how to do the job in the field I'm graduating in, if I started one tomorrow. I'm going to do a masters in something that interests me, so hopefully it won't all have been a complete waste of my time.

phoenix2181

I would have choosen to be a professional hitman, I think my conscience would be a lot clearer, hmmmm....suppose it's not too late :rolleyes:

rainbow kirby

I would have taken a year out after the LC and not gone straight to college. I don't think I was mature enough for college when I was 18.

monkeyfudge

bounty wrote:

yea, do whatever your naturally good at

and dont ever think about becoming a teacher... only bitter drunkeness lies down that path

Hey! I'm a teacher... and saying I'm a bitter drunk is a half truth!

But I do wish I'd tried harder to fulfill my dream of being a monkey.

Hugh Hefner

You're a teacher?! Oh god! Please tell me you teach something.... not so teachery.

0utshined

I would have stuck with my first job out of college for another year. The hours were really long but the money was brilliant.

Edit: Actually thinking about it, I really really hated that job so I'm glad I left.

monkeyfudge

Hugh Hefner wrote:

You're a teacher?! Oh god! Please tell me you teach something.... not so teachery.

Oh I teach geography of course!



Just joking... I work for the CDVEC and I train marginalised groups basic IT skills.

mad m

To the OP if you had a choice to go back and pick a trade what would it of been? Well this goes out to others as well.Well I didnt goto college,I done my group cert,inter& leaving cert.

I was meant to go to Art college in Ballyfermot but after I did my leaving I got a job in a warehouse.I got the taste of money while my friend went on to Art college.It took him some time and luck,and has been in and out of numerous jobs,firstly as a Classical Animator then he got into doing animation for the games and is over in UK last 6 years now.

But to my experience, after my warehouse job I tried to get an apprenticeship as an Electrician(which was hard) but happily fell into the Painting trade,so in a way I am an artist .I sometimes think what you said,what if I went to Art college.Im just saying its not all roses on construction sites.In the depths of winter when your feet are frozen and you are working in a house with only some windows its not nice.Construction work can be hard graft.Sometimes its not about money(well in todays climate it can be).What im saying is for the next 40years or so the path you take make sure you like what you are doing I know I am.

Pauly26

I would have stayed in the apprentice trade I started when I was 17 instead of giving into the pressure of my parents about going back to school and going to college, don't get me wrong I like the job I doing now but I always wanted to work with my hands, my advise is always do what YOU want to do.

yossarin

oreilly2 wrote:

If I was starting over again, I’d choose a degree from which you would earn big bucks straight out of college..
...
How come guidance counsellors never tell you that Gurads clock it up with mileage and anyone involved in construction is doing very nicely?

because the situation when you were in school isn't what it'll be like when you leave it.

My GFs brother wanted to be a carpenter, but wasn't allowed 'cos in the 80's that was a duff trade to get into. Carpenters are minting it these days though. You never really know what the jobs situation will be, so you're better off following somthing you like where its possible.

I fell into my college course after getting too few points for my badly thought out original choices. this ended up being the best thing that could have happend.

anyway, its only too late to change when you're dead. Everyone changes direction at least once naturally.

pickarooney

I really enjoyed the course I did, so I probably wouldn't change that. There has only ever been one job opportunity really related to my course in the eight years since I finished it, though, so as regards career opportunities it wasn't the best deal.

Tobias Greeshman

Id be definately going to college because that was one of the best periods of my life, but I think Id probably choose a different path than IT. Maybe Science, Business or Arts.

phoenix2181

also to become the angel of darkness because the time for deliverence is nigh

garypope

i would advise anyone to do something they think they might like, not something career based...

Ann Elk

I would complete my apprenticeship as a sex monk

phoenix2181

"i would advise anyone to do something they think they might like, not something career based..."

hhmmmm.....like take a pick axe to all of the people in my office, now thats a good idea...

sorry Officer the people on boards.ie told me to do it...

lazylad

oreilly2 wrote:

Anything you didn’t do you regret, or something you did do that you now regret?
To be honest, I figure a hell of a lot of degrees are overated.
If I was starting over again, I’d choose a degree from which you would earn big bucks straight out of college..
Finished up Arts myself, and four years ago I debated whether or not to go the trade/construction root.
When I look around now, and see the money that skilled trades people are making I think why did I chose the academic route..
Ah well, My point is people are too hung up on degrees, if I was to give any advice to current leaving crt exam students I’d say don’t be fooled that the degree root is a licence to print money?
How come guidance counsellors never tell you that Gurads clock it up with mileage and anyone involved in construction is doing very nicely?
Any opinions folks?

I wish I knew back then, what I know now about my job. No comment. :rolleyes:

garred

I would have left school at 16 and become a sparkie. Be qualified by 20 (when most are going to college) and on a good wage. Good trade to travel with aswell.

junkyard

I think the only job worth having is a government minister (only thick skinned, brassnecked people need apply!). You can grovel your way up the ranks in a few years and before you know it your a junior minister. Then you lie, cheat and generally baffle people with your use of the English language and hey presto! your a minister. Another couple of years of groveling to your superiors and you get nominated to a few cushy posts here and there. Another couple of years and your retired with three or four pensions and maybe a state car and driver thrown in for good measure...... If only I had a brass neck all those years ago! :rolleyes: