Are you happy about how your career is progressing?

pgj2015 · 26-05-2020 10:03pm

funkypumpkins wrote: »

In short, no. Getting nearer to 30. Finished a languages degree (French and Spanish, can speak them fluently). Have gone from retail, customer service, bouts of unemployment then back to retail, English teaching abroad, got a scholarship and moved abroad to train to become a secondary school teacher in languages. But it was tough and everyday was a battle for 2.5 years and I never fit in. So I moved back to Dublin after a mental breakdown. Making the best of covid to calm and rehabilitate but I get anxious about my employment prospects. Trying to see if my qualifications apply here in Ireland but teaching council won't register me (yet). I do miss teaching just not in UK state schools. With people around me in careers, coupled and doing well, I wish I had a bit of that. But hey, I am lucky for what I had left behind in Ireland. Hopeful I'll work it out by trying.

The bit in bold stood out. be careful about planning for certain events by certain ages. it isn't a good way to live in my opinion.
A lot of people hadn't a penny at 30 but by 35 they were millionaires.

onrail · 26-05-2020 10:08pm

joe40 wrote: »

Interesting point. Accountancy would be a career I would mention to my kids sometimes it seems to me to be well paid job, but at the same time my knowledge of what is exactly involved is lacking.

Any accountants out there, would you recommend the job?

I've a few friends who are accountants, and while it's really tough for the first few years after college, once you get beyond professional exams, it seems great

There's a really lazy narrative out there that accounting means that you're chained to your desk staring at numbers all day. In truth, most jobs you end up doing the same eventually, only with far less pay!

rob316 · 26-05-2020 11:26pm

30s, Director of small family run business. My earning ceiling is endless but for what I make its hard ****ing work but I enjoy the daily challenge. Lose a big client and your year is ****ed. I don't have a 3rd level education so I don't see much else out there for me. I've had some good years but others I'd be better off working in McDonald's (no offence to anyone that does)

I worked as a business development manager 5 years ago (Fancy name for sales rep) in IT and the pressure was relentless I couldn't hack it and the owner was a tosser. I dumped it for a **** warehouse picking job which was a real break but paid crap. Now back in the family business and will stick at it I think.

Uncle Mclovin · 27-05-2020 12:07am

Currently working as an accountant in a multi national. Money is pretty decent in fairness and it's not the horrible job that people think. There are loads of different roles you can do as an accountant in industry. Some are monotonous and boring such as general ledger accountant or management accountant but there are lots of interesting roles as well in the likes of M&A (acquisitions for anyone not in the know), tax, treasury, internal audit, business transformation etc. Then once you build up a bit of experience you can make what you want of your career.

If your interested in becoming an accountant I would personally recommend doing a training contract with Big 4 as it is valued experience and can help with salary. You could easily come out of there after 3 years and move to multi national looking for 50-60k at 23/24 if you started direct from college which lots of people do. Lots of opportunities from there then depending what you want then.

Just my opinion though. Obviously not for everyone.

fits · 27-05-2020 12:11am

mistersifter wrote: »

I left academia because of this.

I know many post-docs who have spent years struggling from short-term lecturing contract, to funded research, to hourly-paid work without any written contract whatsoever.

The gig economy is alive and well in the third-level sector. It's scandalous some of the tactics universities employ to keep employees in insecure conditions.

I would advise anyone thinking about a postgrad course, postdoc or career in academia to make sure you know where it's leading before going down that road.

Yep

I’m doing ok. But I really really want some job security now. Thought I was finally getting close to it pre pandemic but employer is going to take a massive hit in next academic year.

kowloon · 27-05-2020 2:07am

Augeo wrote: »

Mechanical, electrical, process engineering would all be better options.

24 years ago my applied maths teacher said civil engineers were 'two a penny' when a chap in the class mentioned he wanted to go that route.

When I was in college the civil engineering guys had better money prospects than mechanical. The recession sent a lot of them out of the country while the jobs in many of the multi-nationals were (relatively) secure.

27-05-2020 9:19am

kowloon wrote: »

When I was in college the civil engineering guys had better money prospects than mechanical. The recession sent a lot of them out of the country while the jobs in many of the multi-nationals were (relatively) secure.

No doubt, over a 30/40 year career civil isn't the best option IMO unless you really love it and would hate to do any other sort of engineering.

When civil engineering guys had better money prospects than mechanical lads at college you can be sure blocklayers and carpenters had too.

Civil is very boom to bust sort of a gig and in the booms you are worked hard ...... of course in that game if you had some luck and did a spot of development etc you could set yourself up nicely .............

If someone at school was very keen on civil eng and didn't fancy any other discipline then they should be encouraged of course.

smurfjed · 27-05-2020 9:25am

I’m presently entering my 10th week locked down in a 5 star hotel in a lovely suite, all expenses paid. Getting tested for COVID weekly, 9 times so far and all clear. Have actually worked 6 days in the last month. This is where my career has brought me and i have to admit that I wouldn’t change it for anything, the sense of exhilaration every time i get to work is worth every minute of the time locked up in this hotel.

Always dreamt of becoming a pilot, well that dream came through.

nutjobb · 27-05-2020 7:56pm

Now that's a cool job. Care to tell us what routes you fly, age, how long your away from home etc. Sorry to be nosey but never spoke to a pilot before.

CBear1993 · 28-05-2020 12:15am

Came across “remote jobs ireland” tonight and took a look, 160 current positions. I’ve seen this movement gain a lot of traction on twitter in the last year or so, fair play to them.

One thing that stuck out for me though was - this is the recurring trend of jobs I saw :

Software engineer / developer
Data analyst / business analyst
SaaS / Python
Front end developer

For someone with no idea about the above but young and considering going back to college or even try learn these things online first to see if I like them - what is the general entry requirement ? It didn’t say on job spec.

Is a software engineering course suffice? They do them on springboard.

FinTech is something I see pop up a lot

28-05-2020 12:55am

CBear1993 wrote: »

Came across “remote jobs ireland” tonight and took a look, 160 current positions. I’ve seen this movement gain a lot of traction on twitter in the last year or so, fair play to them.

One thing that stuck out for me though was - this is the recurring trend of jobs I saw :

For someone with no idea about the above but young and considering going back to college or even try learn these things online first to see if I like them - what is the general entry requirement ? It didn’t say on job spec.

Is a software engineering course suffice? They do them on springboard.

FinTech is something I see pop up a lot

A lot of companies require you to have either a Hon level degree or HDip before looking at your cv, at least here in Ireland. You may have to do industry specific certification(s) also.

A software engineering course, at least when I did my degree, would cover
Software engineer / developer
Front end developer.

And the latest degrees would most likely have modules as electives in specific areas that would cover the minimum knowledge.

Some third level institutes in Ireland have created specific degrees for web development and for the other three areas on your list.
Data analyst / business analyst
SaaS / Python (Python being the programming language of choice for a lot of areas currently)
FinTech

In relation to FinTech, no interest in it and not looked at any of the courses, but from talking to friends who did they said that they appeared to be a mishmash of modules from other courses designed to capitalize on the latest buzzword. Again just what I have heard, others who have done a course/work in the area may disagree and give you a different opinion.

Plasandrunt · 28-05-2020 1:14am

32 year old, work in a night shift job where there is no scope for progression. Will be on 40k when company wide pay rise comes into play in July.

I'm currently saving for a house, already own a apartment bought with cash from death of a relative so mortgage won't be too big. Hoping in the next year or two to hopefully get a civil service job after new house is bought. Am on the panel for this years CO competition but not too high up in the OOM.

Ubbquittious · 28-05-2020 1:18am

These software jobs are hard to get into. I'd know my way around python fairly well and a few other languages along with a nice bit of industry experience but when I was applying for those jobs about 2 years ago they didn't want to know. The odd small company showed a bit of interest but most of the ones I tried for were a dead end.

A lot were advertised through agencies and without 3+ years of industry experience ticking all the boxes in the job description they'll move on to a safer candidate. Even if you apply direct its not enough knowing how to code they want someone who is familiar with all the frameworks and middleware they happen to use along with being a dyed in the wool Agile scrum ninja guru.

smurfjed · 28-05-2020 4:35am

nutjobb wrote: »

Now that's a cool job. Care to tell us what routes you fly, age, how long your away from home etc. Sorry to be nosey but never spoke to a pilot before.

I fly a midsized corporate jet, so we can take 11 people on 8 hour flights, so no particular route structure but we have ended up in USA, Russia, Asia, Central America, Africa and Europe.

Home where the missus and dog are located is about 80 minutes flight time from here, i will actually be there today but just to smile at them and we land to pick up people

It’s certainly different from a normal airline job

M.T. Cranium · 28-05-2020 4:56am

"Are you happy ..."

Thanks for the laugh, I needed that.

Aisling(",) · 28-05-2020 11:07am

I'm a 28 year old mid level civil servant on just under 50k.I don't mind my job but it wouldn't have been my first choice in life.
Since I joined the service I've been pursuing qualifications in my field and I'm hoping to have my professional exams done by May 2021 (finding them tough though).

At my current grade I max out around 60k,well until we get smacked with austerity measures again.My partner is in a low paying retail job but he's happy and enjoys it.Hoping to buy next year so I'm grateful to be in a secure role and able to save and study during all this covid madness.I wouldn't want to go for promotion right now because I know I don't have enough experience and I'm still settling into my own role.

I have a level 8 in a media field and I had a fantastic four years but I wouldn't have been cut out for the unstable super competitive jobs market had I chosen to pursue it.Even though it is no way connected I wouldn't be able to do my professional exams without the degree as so it's still standing to me now.

Hodors Appletart · 28-05-2020 11:16am

yeah, when the recession hit I was made redundant and went sand found a job in a call centre, then I taught myself some excel and got a side role doing some reports, which changed into a different role. Moved from that job after 2.5 years to a pretty big company and spend 6 years there learning my niche, and becoming the "senior" person but not getting the pay for that, I took a role as a manager in my field last September, and my direct reports have doubled since.

I've gone up in money earned pretty well too, and my work life balance is good and will be better again after lockdown.

I'm in the travel industry currently, but my company got some new investment last week so those investors must see some value for the future.

If it all goes tits up I think I'd be able to get a job elsewere in the same field.

28-05-2020 11:19am

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

yeah, when the recession hit I was made redundant..........

I'm in the travel industry currently, but my company got some new investment last week so those investors must see some value for the future.

If it all goes tits up I think I'd be able to get a job elsewere in the same field.

Well done, good to hear a positive story like that from someone taking control in a challenging situation, quite inspiring to be honest :cool:

antimatterx · 28-05-2020 12:11pm

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

yeah, when the recession hit I was made redundant and went sand found a job in a call centre, then I taught myself some excel and got a side role doing some reports, which changed into a different role. Moved from that job after 2.5 years to a pretty big company and spend 6 years there learning my niche, and becoming the "senior" person but not getting the pay for that, I took a role as a manager in my field last September, and my direct reports have doubled since.

I've gone up in money earned pretty well too, and my work life balance is good and will be better again after lockdown.

I'm in the travel industry currently, but my company got some new investment last week so those investors must see some value for the future.

If it all goes tits up I think I'd be able to get a job elsewere in the same field.

Cartrawler?

moycullen14 · 28-05-2020 1:29pm

onrail wrote: »

The STEM brigade have a lot to answer for imo. Speaking as someone who loved engineering and science in school, certain careers in their industry leave a lot to be desired.

Always been a problem, especially in this country, where we are fixated on the idea that there are 'loads of jobs' in a particular area. The fact that the jobs are poor and the career is non-existent is conveniently ignored.

moycullen14 · 28-05-2020 1:40pm

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

that depends on the type of job. In IT and software development in particular, the covid thing has made companies realise that working from home is quite possible and people might apply for (and succeed getting) jobs in different countries without needing to relocate etc.

Thing is, that cuts both ways. Fancy being replaced by someone in Latvia who is happy to work for half the money you're on?

28-05-2020 1:44pm

moycullen14 wrote: »

Always been a problem, especially in this country, where we are fixated on the idea that there are 'loads of jobs' in a particular area. The fact that the jobs are poor and the career is non-existent is conveniently ignored.

....... plenty of well paid jobs in science, technology, engineering and math. Like anything there's less good ones also.

For every accountant on €100k+ there's a fair few on far less, similar in STEM gigs.

The degree is the entry point......... you can pr1ck about on €30k for your entire career or you can make money, endless options

Snails pace · 28-05-2020 1:53pm

I'm in my mid twenties. I'm now farming full time at home with my parents and changing what we are doing. It's hard work but I really love what I do. I have my good and bad days but I enjoy every minute of the challenge. At the moment the money isn't great but if I put in the work now I'll have a good business in a few years time. I went to college and got a level 8 degree in ag science and I then went travelling, I recently applied to do a masters part time. I want to keep up skilling and I'd like the challenge.

Padraig Mor · 28-05-2020 1:59pm

mistersifter wrote: »

I left academia because of this.

I know many post-docs who have spent years struggling from short-term lecturing contract, to funded research, to hourly-paid work without any written contract whatsoever.

The gig economy is alive and well in the third-level sector. It's scandalous some of the tactics universities employ to keep employees in insecure conditions.

I would advise anyone thinking about a postgrad course, postdoc or career in academia to make sure you know where it's leading before going down that road.

Would echo that. I have quite a number of years involvement in this sector and would generally advise against doing a science qualification, particularly if looking to stay in academia - crap pay, crap conditions, etc. If you must do one, get the degree and get out to industry. If you really want to push it, do a PhD (quickly) and get the hell out (and wish you'd done something else). There's a LOT of mid 30s (and older) people hanging around on short term contracts (and crap money) in the universities - and mostly in the 'hot' areas too.

Most people with a head for figures would be far better off doing Accounting - it's (much?) easier, has solid career opportunities and excellent earning ability, particularly if you're pushy and driven. I know science postdocs in their late 40s doing Accounting courses at night as the penny has finally dropped re academia....

3DataModem · 28-05-2020 2:08pm

Quit a 17 year financial services career to get into the poker / gambling business 12 years ago. Never looked back, despite two redundancies (one while wife was pregnant with twins AND she was also made redundant) and a year working to help get a startup off the ground. Hours are longer, but it has paid off for me in terms of job satisfaction.

moycullen14 · 28-05-2020 3:48pm

onrail wrote: »

Ultimately, career choice is much more significant to earning potential/ceiling than your employer. Sorry to harp on about civil engineering (it's all I know!), but Directors in my place, a multi-national corporation, with over 25 years experience, bring in less than a qualified accountant with 8-9 years experience.

Not at all sure about that. Take IT. In the late 80s when I was graduating the choice was between IBM, DEC and a smallish startup based in Sandyford - Microsoft. The smart ones went with DEC (who?) and IBM (what?). The future millionaires went with microsoft.

28-05-2020 4:17pm

moycullen14 wrote: »

.............The future millionaires went with microsoft.

Surely plenty did well out of IBM also?

28-05-2020 5:02pm

Augeo wrote: »

Surely plenty did well out of IBM also?

Some did, but it's a company that in my opinion made a lot of silly decisions and has been trying reinvent and play catch up for years.

Really bad management from the top down to the line managers, with some small exceptions at least in my experience from working there. It did look good on the C.V and allowed me to move with better money etc however when I decided it was time to go, while others hung on in waiting for the redundancy package.

onrail · 28-05-2020 5:06pm

moycullen14 wrote: »

Not at all sure about that. Take IT. In the late 80s when I was graduating the choice was between IBM, DEC and a smallish startup based in Sandyford - Microsoft. The smart ones went with DEC (who?) and IBM (what?). The future millionaires went with microsoft.

That anecdote doesn’t really prove anything - You’ll have outliers in any industry. Bit like the story of the chef who joined Google in the nineties and was paid stock options....Equivalent of winning the lottery really

Bigmac1euro · 28-05-2020 6:02pm

Just turned 29
Got a promotion yesterday.
I loved my job as it was so I hope too much doesn’t change for me. A little bit nervous of new position but I reckon it will take some time of getting used to.
Earning an extra 1k a month to what I was earning.
New job will require mainly all working from home.
Happy to still just have a job. The promotion is a big plus.
Currently pressing on 60k.

moycullen14 · 28-05-2020 6:03pm

onrail wrote: »

That anecdote doesn’t really prove anything - You’ll have outliers in any industry. Bit like the story of the chef who joined Google in the nineties and was paid stock options....Equivalent of winning the lottery really

Proves my point, no? What was important was who he worked for, not what he did.

Picking a winner in IT is a bit easier than winning the lottery.

28-05-2020 6:17pm

Bigmac1euro wrote: »

Just turned 29
Got a promotion yesterday.
I loved my job as it was so I hope too much doesn’t change for me. A little bit nervous of new position but I reckon it will take some time of getting used to.
Earning an extra 1k a month to what I was earning.
New job will require mainly all working from home.
Happy to still just have a job. The promotion is a big plus.
Currently pressing on 60k.

What type of work?

onrail · 28-05-2020 6:37pm

moycullen14 wrote: »

Proves my point, no? What was important was who he worked for, not what he did.

Picking a winner in IT is a bit easier than winning the lottery.

Yeah, but it’s was a random pick - there was no skill or foresight or merit in his choice.

Plus you’re far, far more likely to hit the bonanza with an IT firm, rather than say an Archaeology consultancy.

28-05-2020 6:40pm

nutjobb wrote: »

How happy are you with your career? Do you regret staying one place too long/too little? Sacrifice too much family time for work? are you planning on going a different direction or simply just happy to have a job in the current climate?

I have put my career on hold for about 10 years now. So I hate my career progression.

But about 10 years ago I hit the perfect work life balance and I have actively resisted career progression ever since. I keep my job by putting my finger in as many pies as I can. So I am 'generally indispensable'.

And I have been so so happy since making that decision.

But its a gamble. A serious one. If I got fired tomorrow I would have literally the worst CV ever. Square one kinda stuff.

But so far it has been the right decision and between me and my girlfriends I am still the middle earner.

28-05-2020 6:43pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

But so far it has been the right decision and between me and my girlfriends I am still the middle earner.

How many girlfriends do you have.

Mars Bar · 28-05-2020 6:50pm

Yep. My job keeps me active and I get to do 90% of it in the sun.

My company is taking this time where we've effectively been shut to discuss how we're going to progress and how we can achieve our goals as a team and individually. I'm invested in how our young players grow and develop and also how I grow along with them.

Kamu · 28-05-2020 6:53pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

How many girlfriends do you have.

He has two; look into his post history, he goes into details of his family life.

shesty · 28-05-2020 6:58pm

Civil engineer.15 years now, career has deviated due to the recession.I am a woman too, and yes, that has had a bearing on my career choices.

I am happy that my current role allows me to live the lifestyle I want and need with a family.Pay is good (for me.Relative to, you know....2010 -2016).Probably not be enough for others, but the commute is short, the hours are 8-4, I enjoy my job and the workplace is very family friendly.

I did 5 years on site.It's a young man's (person's) game and, as someone else said, a sh#tsh&w.It is great craic-I wil say that-but jesus, they work you to the bone and there is only so much you can take of the constant fighting and dogging of trades and contractors.You also get really bloody fed up with being responsible for EVERYTHING.I mean sh%t flows downhill on sites, and the engineer is at the bottom of the heap.Carries heavy responsibility, works the longest hours, rarely sees a cent of overtime, answers to everyone for everything, has no union for any sort of protection....am I selling it?!But it is also an extremely good training period for a graduate because you learn to get on with things, and get over yourself (sorry.generalising a bit).Personally it also taught me that no job or salary is worth hours and hours of my life, and no money can buy work/life balance.

It depends on what you want from life really.But I think a lot of people come out of college wanting to be on 80k in about 5 years because they are in particulr industries and it's a bit of a sharp shock to many that it won't happen - and what the trade-off is, is not worth it.I am 37, there is a lot of years of work left for me.Who knows where it will take me.Once I can live my life comfortably and I am interested in what I am doing, I am happy.

Figel Narage · 28-05-2020 7:03pm

shesty wrote: »

Civil engineer.15 years now, career has deviated due to the recession.I am a woman too, and yes, that has had a bearing on my career choices.

I am happy that my current role allows me to live the lifestyle I want and need with a family.Pay is good (for me.Relative to, you know....2010 -2016).Probably not be enough for others, but the commute is short, the hours are 8-4, I enjoy my job and the workplace is very family friendly.

I did 5 years on site.It's a young man's (person's) game and, as someone else said, a sh#tsh&w.It is great craic-I wil say that-but jesus, they work you to the bone and there is only so much you can take of the constant fighting and dogging of trades and contractors.You also get really bloody fed up with being responsible for EVERYTHING.I mean sh%t flows downhill on sites, and the engineer is at the bottom of the heap.Carries heavy responsibility, works the longest hours, rarely sees a cent of overtime, answers to everyone for everything, has no union for any sort of protection....am I selling it?!But it is also an extremely good training period for a graduate because you learn to get on with things, and get over yourself (sorry.generalising a bit).Personally it also taught me that no job or salary is worth hours and hours of my life, and no money can buy work/life balance.

It depends on what you want from life really.But I think a lot of people come out of college wanting to be on 80k in about 5 years because they are in particulr industries and it's a bit of a sharp shock to many that it won't happen - and what the trade-off is, is not worth it.I am 37, there is a lot of years of work left for me.Who knows where it will take me.Once I can live my life comfortably and I am interested in what I am doing, I am happy.

Yeah that last part is very true. The amount of people I know who are in/just left college and expect to be on 80K or higher very soon and not doing anything really specialized is silly. I try to tell them the reality but they never want to hear it haha.

BattleCorp · 28-05-2020 7:05pm

piplip87 wrote: »

I left a job back in October. It was in a major multinational, very well paid, long hours and a long commute. Left the house at 5 and not back until 7:30

I am now labouring on a site locally, crap money, crap job but no commute. 5 minute walk to work. Leave the house at 7:55 home at 5:10.

I am much happier now and I will stay working locally until I can get a work from home or better job locally.

I felt there was no point in spending 4 hours a day on a bus, to earn money to fund the future, while not enjoying life now, not seeing my kids enough, not spending enough time with family and friends, then feeling guilty for going out with the lads at weekend because i haven't seen the wife or kids enough during the week.

It's nice to have a good job that pays well but it's even nicer to have a job that pays enough to live a good life and actually spend time with those you love.

I am lucky enough as we did manage to inherit a house that was ready to live in a few years ago so no mortgage payment. If it wasn't for that I'd still be commuting

How will the job on the building so when we hit a big recession?

28-05-2020 7:35pm

Deleted User wrote: »

How many girlfriends do you have.

Just the two,

BattleCorp · 28-05-2020 8:02pm

My career has been haphazard at best until about 10ish years ago. I'm 48 now and I'd honestly say I had no career plan until I was heading towards my 40's.

I've been a warehouse operative, forklift driver, office admin worker, sales rep, barman/bar manager, logistics planner, warehouse supervisor and then about 13 years ago I decided to become a health and safety trainer. I qualified as a forklift instructor, manual handling instructor etc. and headed down the health and safety instructor road. I have since upskilled, got my HDip in Occupational Health and Safety and my Level 9 in Environmental Management. This enabled me to move into a health and safety management role.

Happy with my career in general. I would like more money but hey, wouldn't most people. The earning potential in health and safety isn't the same as in the IT industry but you can make a decent living. I'm not finished upskilling either as I'd consider myself to have about 20 years left in the workforce given that retirement for me is now 68. Because my role involves an awful lot of court work, I'm thinking of adding a legal qualification to my portfolio but I'm taking a break from the serious studying this coming year so that will have to wait. This year my goal will be to become a Chartered Member of IOSH and maybe do a few other small but accredited courses that will tie in with my line of work.

Josuke · 28-05-2020 8:03pm

CtevenSrowder wrote: »

What's the PhD in?

Psychology, worried it's all a bit too broad and I will not have sufficient work experience compared to those that did masters and are already ahead in that front. Atm I'm questioning my 19 year old self and why I decided to study it, sometimes I wonder why the LC points are so high.

Definitely not going down the academia route and want to go into industry. Seen enough already to know that it is very difficult to succeed in academia unless you're all in, and even then you're looking at short-term contracts and poor pay for hours worked. I do wish I had known this before I started the programme, but the damage the PhD has done to my personal relationships and self-esteem has proven too much

Aongus Von Bismarck · 28-05-2020 8:12pm

Yes, extremely so far with how things have turned out. I'm in my late 30's (very late!), and am already financially secure for the rest of my life.

I was working in wealth management for a very large and well-known German bank. The salary and bonuses were incredible (>350k per year), but I was starting to get burned out and frazzled with the extremely stressful and competitive nature of the work. It's a young mans game. I also found some British HNW individuals to be very difficult to deal with.

So I took a package, and moved to a boutique investment firm which invests primarily in green, renewable, eco and sustainable start-ups and small companies looking to scale. It's extremely enjoyable, intellectually stimulating, much more relaxed, and the overall financial package is ok. I think an €80k drop in salary is well worth it for how much lighter and happier I feel.

Money isn't everything.

onrail · 28-05-2020 8:29pm

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Yes, extremely so far with how things have turned out. I'm in my late 30's (very late!), and am already financially secure for the rest of my life.

I was working in wealth management for a very large and well-known German bank. The salary and bonuses were incredible (>350k per year), but I was starting to get burned out and frazzled with the extremely stressful and competitive nature of the work. It's a young mans game. I also found some British HNW individuals to be very difficult to deal with.

So I took a package, and moved to a boutique investment firm which invests primarily in green, renewable, eco and sustainable start-ups and small companies looking to scale. It's extremely enjoyable, intellectually stimulating, much more relaxed, and the overall financial package is ok. I think an €80k drop in salary is well worth it for how much lighter and happier I feel.

Money isn't everything.

Based on the first 90% of that post, I don’t think you’re qualified to use that last sentence.

But fair play

Salty · 29-05-2020 12:05am

bitofabind wrote: »

Not thrilled tbh. Moved from a decade long media career to venture into Sales a few years ago, which is dog eat dog even on a good day. Pay is great, company is uniquely positioned to survive Covid-19, WFH is grand but I wake up most mornings with a knot in my stomach. It's a tough old battle. Ignoring my creative instinct and chasing $$$ is really beginning to take its toll, but alas the global pandemic has kinda thwarted all best laid plans at least for the next few months.

What field are you in Sales for? My other half is in car sales and while he is back to work now, I do worry for his future long-term with the fallout of this pandemic. He loves Sales!

AlphabetCards wrote: »

I've really enjoyed reading through this thread. Boards is full of like-minded reprobates who change career at the drop of a hat, like myself.

Anyone considering starting their own business? I have a good idea, but won't have the time 'til the PhD is done and dusted.

I am thinking about it, maybe in two years time. I am a speech and language therapist and the hiring process for HSE jobs is a complete joke. I can't get a job at home for love nor money, and have resorted to moving several hours up the country for a job in a private clinic, just so I can gain experience. I have had to move away from my entire family, all of my friends, and my boyfriend. I will probably spend a sickening amount of money on petrol commuting home most weekends because my mental health won't hold up very well being separated from everyone I love/everyone who loves me for long periods. When I feel confident enough in my skills and have more experience under my belt, I think I will just move home and start my own private business...there is huge demand and I would probably make more money working away myself than I would in a public job.

pgj2015 wrote: »

The bit in bold stood out. be careful about planning for certain events by certain ages. it isn't a good way to live in my opinion.
A lot of people hadn't a penny at 30 but by 35 they were millionaires.

Yes have only recently gotten out of a rut like this myself recently. I will be 28 later this year and have found the last two years really rough mentally because I have been obsessing about what I want to have achieved career and life-wise by the time I am 30. Suffice to say, any family planning has gone out the window for a long time yet. But I have really come to accept it recently and have noticed a significant change in my mood. I am ruminating over these things much less and it has had a freeing affect.

global23214124 · 29-05-2020 12:18am

I've progressed reasonably well. 3 promotions in 6 years. Started in the call centre area but worked my way up into a software analyst. Team lead currently and just over 70k gross. I get on with my team quite well and we are performing well. Getting to dive into our products more and more now and give feedback on how they should be delivered. Is what I want to do ? For now yes. I don't have an end goal in sight of the perfect job of what I want to do but I enjoy what I am doing. Getting the chance to learn more "soft" skills now as opposed to technical skill so hopefully I can graduate into management in a few years. I work for a large european multinational since i graduated from college.

This working from home lark is not great with my setup but with so many people having lost their job then I have to be happy I am still able to be financially independent. Was terrible with saving for most of my life but i have gotten better in the last year and a bit so hopefully can get a mortgage in a few years in my early 30s.

CBear1993 · 29-05-2020 12:22am

global23214124 wrote: »

I've progressed reasonably well. 3 promotions in 6 years. Started in the call centre area but worked my way up into a software analyst. Team lead currently and just over 70k gross. I get on with my team quite well and we are performing well. Getting to dive into our products more and more now and give feedback on how they should be delivered. Is what I want to do ? For now yes. I don't have an end goal in sight of the perfect job of what I want to do but I enjoy what I am doing. Getting the chance to learn more "soft" skills now as opposed to technical skill so hopefully I can graduate into management in a few years. I work for a large european multinational since i graduated from college.

This working from home lark is not great with my setup but with so many people having lost their job then I have to be happy I am still able to be financially independent. Was terrible with saving for most of my life but i have gotten better in the last year and a bit so hopefully can get a mortgage in a few years in my early 30s.

What was your college degree in? Fair play sounds like you’re heading in the right direction.

global23214124 · 29-05-2020 12:32am

CBear1993 wrote: »

What was your college degree in? Fair play sounds like you’re heading in the right direction.

Statistics. It helped get me in the door but I haven't used what I learnt in college although some analytics has probably helped.

dominatinMC · 29-05-2020 12:36am

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Would echo that. I have quite a number of years involvement in this sector and would generally advise against doing a science qualification, particularly if looking to stay in academia - crap pay, crap conditions, etc. If you must do one, get the degree and get out to industry. If you really want to push it, do a PhD (quickly) and get the hell out (and wish you'd done something else). There's a LOT of mid 30s (and older) people hanging around on short term contracts (and crap money) in the universities - and mostly in the 'hot' areas too.

Most people with a head for figures would be far better off doing Accounting - it's (much?) easier, has solid career opportunities and excellent earning ability, particularly if you're pushy and driven. I know science postdocs in their late 40s doing Accounting courses at night as the penny has finally dropped re academia....

Just to present an alternative viewpoint/experience to this.

I'm in academia and I absolutely love it. I know it is a competitive and challenging environment, but I don't think you fairly outlined the potential rewards either. First and foremost is the job satisfaction and, although it may sound sanctimonious, if you really love what you're doing, you'll never truly work a day in your life. Now I know positions are few and far between, but if you are successful in getting tenure, you are essentially your own boss forever, with academic licence/freedom to pursue whatever you like (within reason). There is also the money - I'm 33 and at the lecturer grade, earning 70k - there is no way I would describe that as anything remotely close to "crap pay". This will only get better, topping-out at approx. 150k - depending on promotions, etc. Finally, is the work-life balance. Contrary to popular belief, I don't that academics have more free time than others, but I do think that they have more flexible time. Outside of my lectures, I'm free to do other tasks (research, grant proposals, writing papers, admin work, etc.) when I want, where I want. There is a lot to be said for that - again you are your own boss in a sense.

I hope this post doesn't seem boastful or contrived, as that is not at all my intention. I simply wanted to present an alternative. I realise I have been extremely fortunate in my career, and indeed am familiar with many of the travails you have outlined. But if someone was to ask me for advice, I would recommend it. Chances are slim, but rewards are worth it IMO.

Are you happy about how your career is progressing?

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