[Closed] New career aged 28 what to do...

I’m not very good at anything and particularly bad with people.

Don't mention this in interviews :).

Get an NHS job doing something or other - they're great for training staff. FWIW I've got bugger all qualis and do ok as a contracting Info Analyst in the NHS - being a massive introvert social skills aren't my thing, but I happen to be good with logic.

What are you doing in the warehouse?

Logistics is a massive field and covers a lot of very interesting (well maybe not) lucrative areas.

I'm spending my time at the moment doing projects to optimise stores, goods in and out etc in a few places - making a business lean and efficient is a fairly rewarding thing and very varied.

It's always easier to get somewhere with what you have but will depend who you work for and what is available from them.

If you can put the time into it further study doesn't have to be a degree but does need to be relevant and something you can get into to demonstrate what you can do - especially IT/programming the competition will be very high.

You're not too old to get on an apprenticeship programme.

Never too old Steely.  As above, apprenticeship program or find a distance learning course with the Open University that tickles your fancy and maybe try get somewhere as a junior?

I've decided to change things up and going through the application process for a Combined STEM degree with the OU, as its a 2nd degree and also falls under the ELQ exception list its fully funded by the government.

Have been trying to get into Data Science for ages and without the right qualifications I'm getting over looked as stated in the feedback received.

Good luck!

You have practical experience of working within an industry. That, despite what you might think is valuable.You can take that experience and suppliment it with some basic and fairly inexpensive qualifications to get you started in a professional discipline within that same industry.

For example you could go on a course to learn about quality assurance and auditing and join a quality team as an inspector/auditor.

You could start to volunteer as a health and safety rep and pick up some IOSH and or NEBOSH training and join a health and safety team.

Ditto for being an in-house trainer, training new starts and doing refresher training etc for existing staff.

Have a look about you and see what jobs other people are doing, look up online the types of qualifications you need to do that and if it stikes you as interesting enough go do it and start applying for entry level jobs within that discipline. The exerience you have in the industry 'on the shop floor' will count for a lot as it's easier and quicker to learn about the above three examples than it is to gather the experience of the environment you want to apply it to.

I'd probably go down the plumbing or electrician route if I were you, maybe add smart home installation stuff to. I figure there will probably be a post-Brexit dip in supply of those trades.

I work in IT and wouldn't really advise getting into it unless your really into programming etc., I work on the infrastructure side and have been bored of it for the last 15 or so years. And now with everything shifting to cloud or hybrid cloud I have to do a lot of retraining.

I'm also in IT, its a constant training cycle to stay current. Its also challenging and competitive, not easy to get into without already having qualifications or experience.

IT pay is decent, but the hours and stress can be significant. Personally its not a career i would recommend to people as generally I don't think its an enjoyable job. Its very service orientated, so the business areas who we "serve" can be very hard work.

As above, I would like at a trade like plumbing. Will always be needed and can't be offshored.

Teacher training, they'll bite your hands off.

I left London at 26 to work as a guide for three years. I travelled and rode my bike for a living in the sun. However, pay is shocking and it's arguable whether it's a 'career' (it can be, but be prepared to think and move laterally).

I always hankered to go full time in the forces and applied twice. However, my body doesn't concur; I've only recently worked out how to potentially fix my running injuries on a more long-term basis.

The police promises interesting and varied work, and they need good people. Being 'good' with people is also an arguable requirement. 😉

Personally the idea of doing a 'trade' bores the pants off me. But then again, I'm not you. 🙂

As per others. For IT you will normally need to spend a fair amount of time keeping your skills up to date. Its also has the disadvantage that you get to compete with people all over the world. So unless you are good you stand a good chance of getting your job offshored/outsourced to somewhere a tad cheaper.

The lack of people skills being a programmer trait is also a bit of a myth. Generally unless you are in bottom tier (hence vulnerable to cheaper replacement) you will end up doing analysis work with the clients to figure out the difference between what they think they want and what they need.

Getting a remote job isnt that easy. Most of the ones easily available are the piecework ones for which you will be competing against cheaper parts of the world.

I like working in IT but it isnt for all and the job market is so so. I would recommend trying a bit of development for fun. See if you like sitting in front of a screen writing code (just remember its a small part of the job). There are plenty of free ways to get started.

For trades it has the same factors. Dont underestimate the academic work needed for some of them eg learning to be a spark requires reasonable math skills.

How about the RAF , loads of options with a trade at the end.

There's was an interesting thread on here recently about a couple of guys going through selection for careers with the distribution network operators (DNOs).

If you fancy a trade, are good with your hands and like being outside, it could suit.

Teacher training, they’ll bite your hands off.

No degree is an issue.

In terms of life happiness I'd go for a trade such as electrician.

I turned 40 3 Months ago, started an OU degree and progressing through 3 x apprenticeship applications

Also, worth mentioning, I'm completing the my PGCE this year at 37 to go into primary teaching.

Back to the bottom of the ladder for me!!

I missed the degree bit, we'll see if that gets revised in a few years! Its a shame as I expect there are a lot of people who could teach well without formal qualifications.

I agree with the trade comments, you get to go your own way and run your business and affairs how you want. I don't personally know any trades men who are unhappy in their work.

I don’t personally know any trades men who are unhappy in their work

Not that you would, but never ever underestimate this.

I've been following Houns's progress. He doesn't know it yet. It's actually a thread he started that inspired me to sign up with the OU. We're similar ages and in similar boats it seems. So, OP at 28 you're young and have loads of options. I'm doing an OU degree in Computing & IT. The thing is I'll be dead before I finish it because, as I'm doing it part time, i.e. 2 modules a year rather than 4, means it'll take 6 years! I'm still looking for a proper job...and doing other courses so I do have my hands full. Full on career change deep dive!

I saved a wedge before I quit my previous role and I've been doing some gardening, which in this weather is the best job, and that brings in some money. My advice is save as much as you can and then invest in some courses. Not any old course though. Think of a career, search for that role on Indeed, the jobsearch site, and see what qualifications you need. That should act as your guide to ensure you don't do meaningless courses. Believe me there's a load of crap out there.

If you're not used to doing academic studies then get into the habit for free, on OpenLearn perhaps. Get used to actively learning by writing notes to help you remember.

But, definitely also look at apprenticeships too. Most big firms have these advertised on their careers page, e.g.

https://www.btplc.com/Careercentre/earlycareers/apprentices/index.htm   or, sign up and have a browse here

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

A dream opportunity came up for me as an apprenticeship role but, because I'd already signed up to my degree, I couldn't apply for it. Shot myself in the foot with that one.

some of the big employers your level of education isn't too much of a hurdle.

I applied for an engineering apprenticeship with a large scale renewable's provider recently after speaking with them beforehand.

Although the end goal was a engineering degree and I already have a degree in a STEM subject - they didn't seem to fussed about that equally they were willing to employ school leavers and even folk with minimal school qualifications and life experience - obviously subject to aptitude tests and interview.

I'm not convinced ill get a look in mind as its a total change in both job and location (to highlands and from O+G to Renewable ) - and given my wife recently changed schools/roles recently i kind of hope i don't get it - but never say never - these things always work out in the end.

* and yes i'm watching all you 40 somethings who are retraining atm..... I'm willing to go down that route but ill be damned if i have any idea where i want to head - the obvious route that most of my peers seem to take is an MBA but I'm really not a bullshit bingo sit behind a desk meetings all day long person which is why i'm struggling to progress from  supervisor in my current field as the next step is sit behind desk all day.

hugo,

I don't understand your reply.  I was referring to those who I know personally as friends.

I was meaning that you shouldn't underestimate how important it is that your friends who work in trades are happy!  Happy is good, but weirdly under rated when it comes to career choices sometimes.

Royal Marines Commando .You are at a great age to join .

Bonsai.

Those little ****ers are worth a fortune.

You’re not too old to get on an apprenticeship programme.

That was my first thought.  Modern apprenticeships are great, IF you get a decent placement.

Most of the comments about trades seem to be about folk who go about in their vans like builders or joiners but there's also maintenance in the likes of power stations or factories so you could add electrician (same but different to a domestic one) mechanical tech or instrument tech.

There is Opito who do oil and gas apprenticeships or at least used to.  You could go somewhere like Clyde marine which sets you up for the merchant navy

Good luck in choosing theres soo many choices!

hugo,

I don’t understand your reply.  I was referring to those who I know personally as friends.

Yeah, that makes sense now, just me being dense on a Friday evening.

Hi all, thanks for the replies, some more food for thought. I'm not entirely sure how to reply to all without making a really long messy post but I shall try.

I'm also introverted and shy and historically do awful in interviews, My last one I received feedback saying 'perceived lack of enthusiasm' I'm trying to improve these though as I have reached my tether and feel its holding me back.

Just general dogs body in warehouses I hate the places, they are just the easiest jobs to get. I don't fancy stepping foot in another again to be honest.

Apprenticeships  - Yes I have started looking at these again, there are many options, I do feel my age is against in somewhat but have nothing to loose.

O U - I have looked at this also, it seems to be the 'easiest' way in to a degree, and something I would be willing to do, if not now but in the future.

I.T - This was one of my worries about that particular route, fierce competition and people from the likes of China and India undercutting.  I have been looking at some free online courses just to give it ago and see how I get on.

Electrician - This seems to come up often in my quest. I like the fact as mentioned there is more than one route to take once qualified. I was also looking at lighting technician roles, the internet tells me you typically need to be a trained electrician, but I need to contact someone in the industry and find out for sure.

Armed forces is not for me, I would however like to do the training, it could be fun.

I Always seem to read about the negative aspects of various jobs, and find myself being put off, which I know is daft.

Travelling and riding my bike in the sun sounds pretty perfect do tell me more!

I think at this point I would make a good careers adviser, I have researched so many!! and I did speak to one a few days and were not helpful at all!

How about forces with a view to learning a trade as an electrician whilst you're there?

Oddly, I did a school visit to a navy minesweeper last week and the boys (and girls) on there seemed to be enjoying it.  Most were in techy/engineering roles with all the marine and sonar gear on there.  Plus, they were all in incredibly good shape as there was a cracking set of weights, benches and power rack on board!

If I were 28 and without a degree it would have been highly tempting!

As to being introverted - being in the forces might be excellent for you as you're put into social circles and situations constantly without really having a choice!

Good luck!

I’m also introverted and shy

So was I after 20 years in flour milling. Getting out and meeting people (feel the fear and do it anyway) is the only way to break it. I did three years as a peripatetic H&S consultant visiting some big sites (TML at St Pancras, Emirates Stadium as two examples) it was a great way of learning to interact with some good people and some absolute ****s. I now sell holidays for a living and people are generally happy to meet me (not necessarily so in H&S).

Good luck