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what should I do with my life?

26 replies

Beansmum · 20/01/2005 15:44

Any ideas?

I have the next year and a bit sorted, just need to finish my degree, but I have no clue what I want to do after that and I'm getting a bit (a lot) stressed about it.

here are some of my ideas
primary teacher
open a second hand bookshop
tax inspector
stay home until ds starts school
do another degree, possibly english lit?
marry a millionaire and have lots of children

I need help. which one of the list would you choose?

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lunavix · 20/01/2005 15:46

I'd go with primary teacher...

I know what you mean, having ds has made me realise I need some direction - at least you will have a degree!

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Beansmum · 20/01/2005 15:51

Nooooooooo you were supposed to say open a book shop! trying to convince myself that it's possible. But I suppose I could be a teacher until I win the lottery and can afford to open my shop.

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miranda2 · 20/01/2005 15:51

primary teacher. decent pay, child-friendly hours, quite fun (several friends are teachers and primary doesn't seem to have any of the discipline hassles etc of secondary).

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charleypops · 20/01/2005 15:55

Millionaire. Definitely

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Beansmum · 20/01/2005 15:55

Ok. where do I find one?

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charleypops · 20/01/2005 16:04

Well I found a couple when I was temping round London. There's race meetings in the summer (best enclosures though), yacht clubs, motor and bike races, polo matches (crawling with 'em),if you live in London do a bit of grocery shopping in Harrods every now and again..... erm.... You have to go to EVERYTHING you are ever invited to, always look your best and be smiley when you step outside the door.....erm....can't think of anything else just at the moment!

I didn't end up with a millionaire, sadly the couple I dated were horrible. Should have gritted my teeth....

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charleypops · 20/01/2005 16:05

If you found one you could have your bookshop

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Avalon · 20/01/2005 16:26

Second hand bookshop - sounds interesting.

Presumably you'd have to do a PGCE (sp) after your degree before you could go into teaching anyway, so that would be another year.

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wild · 20/01/2005 16:28

the first two are great
NOT a tax inspector
you need to do 6 before you can do 4,5
but bet millionaires can be really creepy and pnny-pinching, you want to marry a GENEROUS millionaire

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Smurfgirl · 20/01/2005 16:37

English lit degrees suck. Well thats a lie, but they are really hard and frustrating sometimes. I am in my 3rd year of one, and I do love it, but I am very ready to finish. I miss facts, and exams.

Its hard to get into primary teaching at the moment, so make sure you have loads of experience with school age kids.

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spacedonkey · 20/01/2005 16:47

do whichever one of those you really want to do

it's rotten doing a job you don't like

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bundle · 20/01/2005 16:50

i have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about people who train as teachers and don't plan to stick with it, i knew loads of people at college who did this and obviously weren't cut out for it, so please don't do that

what's your degree in?

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Beansmum · 21/01/2005 09:07

my degree is in maths. why did I choose such a useless subject? It's kind of interesting but I'm never going to use any of it once I graduate.

charleypops - did you actually go looking for millionaires? Haven't met any in Edinburgh and I've dated half the town, well half the students anyway. that must be where I'm going wrong, who ever heard of a rich student.

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charleypops · 21/01/2005 10:33

Hi,

No, I didn't, not consciously anyway. I was at a point in my life where I was desperate for some stability - been living in shared houses and bedsits since 16. Put myself through Uni, discovered a fine art degree was a complete waste of time.

Became a temp, then exectutive temp in media and music in London. Parties, guest lists, shoes, etc, etc. At the time I dated who I thought were "exciting" men involved in these industries mainly turned out to be talentless self-obsessed chancers, I suppose som of those had a million or more, but it's not that much these days, expecially in London so didn't really think about it. All this was lots of fun, but a bit empty, which started to bother me. Eventually I lost interest in the parties, became disillusioned with the whole music/media scene, my lifestyle and lost interest in dating. I discovered I was yearning for some stability, a dog, kids and a nice home. I don't have a supportive family, and no "roots" anywhere, my friends mainly lived in London and there was no way I could afford to buy anywhere to live there.

So to cut a longish story short, when my boss at the time (more of your old-school millionaire I suppose) asked me out, I accepted. He was quite a bit older than me,and not particularly attractive but he seemed nice and had an adorable old dog he'd bring in to work. Went on a few dates, nice restaurants etc, but he got a bit full-on, declared his love and it really scared me off. I was kidding myself, I wasn't remotely attracted to him romantically, ever even snogged him! Had a bit of a problem getting rid of him after that and it turned slighty nasty..

Another one was someone I'd known for years and years. He'd always liked me so when I was going through this "wobbly" stage, I hooked up with him more to see if there could possibly be anything there. Couldn't even snog him either. I like him, but probably only because I've known him for so long. He had a pretty obnoxious personality (typical public schoolboy). If I'd met him as an adult I would hate him but I found bits of him sweet. Sadly he became really ill from meningitis a few years ago and died.

Thank goodness I met my partner when I did! He is so lovely, reminded me of who I was and loved me for it. Poor as a mouse when I met him, but because we work as a team and believe in each other, his career has steadily taken off, I can indulge my arty ways and I have a lovely (small) home and have a bun in the oven!

I know what it's like to feel lost and overwhelmed. It's not easy, but us ladies are strong and usually find our way somewhere worthwhile.

Maths is a fantastic subject in a country where most people graduate in art or media, could you go on to do an academic research post-grad degree? Some professors can be quite interesting....

Edinburgh is a great city so there's going to be lots of potential in all departments. Believe me there are LOTS of rich students. You'll see, a lot of them, once they've left uni will suddenly become TV producers or go straight into great jobs courtesy of their family and will be millionaires within 10 years!

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charleypops · 21/01/2005 10:33

gosh, that was a long one - didn't realise!

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Beansmum · 21/01/2005 12:42

well now I know your life story sounds pretty exciting actually.

I just feel like I'm going to be a single mum stuck at home forever and I need some idea of where I'm going to end up to keep me motivated through the next couple of years. Actually I think I need a boyfriend! I'm meeting someone for coffee next week, nothing remotely interesting, he's just going to talk to me about what it's like being an accountant, and I found myself wondering yesterday what he'll be like and if I might fancy him!

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Gumdrop · 21/01/2005 13:17

Beansmum,

I'm a senior tax manager with a large (big 4 firm), but I'm also discrete enough not to publish my opinions on working for them on a public forum (There are good and bad points).

If you think I can help you with background info etc, please feel free to CAT me, but I'll respond from the home computer.

HTH

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Beansmum · 21/01/2005 13:33

Gumdrop- I just sent you a CAT, thanks so much for your offer. Tell me everything about your job!

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charleypops · 21/01/2005 19:33

Hi Beansmum

Enjoy your coffee! Let us know what you decide to do!

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Beansmum · 28/01/2005 11:14

Okay, I have a plan. Run my own business as a freelance cook/caterer for parties and special events like weddings, or seasonal work in shooting and fishing lodges etc.

Anyone do this? I really really really want to. I have been thinking about it for a few years now and I'm actually going to do something about it.

Ooooh I'm so excited. Would I make any money though?

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marialuisa · 28/01/2005 11:38

As an aside from your more exciting plan , I had DD when I was at Uni and have fallen into University admin (started off doing research/postgrad but moved into project management then admin proper). It really isn't all that bad in terms of flexibility etc. and starting salary (£19,450 outside London)for a very regular 35 hour week and you still have access to subsidised childcare at most unis.

I only graduated in 2001 so not too out of touch.

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Beansmum · 28/01/2005 11:51

subsidised childcare? I wish.

I have just thought of lots of problems with my plan.

I can't drive so wouldn't be able to get to the events. thats fixable though (maybe, I was pretty terrible last time I tried)
I have a small baby to look after, not sure the hunting and fishing lodges would like him around.
I have no money to set up with.

I can just tell I'm going to end up as a very unhappy accountant.

hmmmmm, think I'll go back to looking for millionaires.

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morningpaper · 28/01/2005 11:56

Hmm I have a friend who set up as a caterer two years ago, and is doing well. Specialised in high-quality, organic and local produce. Runs a cafe to pay the 'day-to-day' costs. Started off with a 15k bank loan to start the business.

I don't think you can really do ANYTHING without childcare though!

Don't think there's any money in second-hand books, basing this on the fact that the only second hand book shop I've found in the whole of my county is run by a retired chap who does it as a hobby.

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marialuisa · 28/01/2005 11:57

Just out of curiousity are you sure you'll be able to combine accountancy training with a small child? I'm thinking of friends who have gone into graduate training with KPMG etc. and work ridiculous hours, lots of travel for peanuts.

I'm shocked you don't get a discount for your childcare, it's £90 a week for a f/t place here (staff and students). About £50 a week cheaper than private nurseries.

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Beansmum · 28/01/2005 12:11

my childcare is £150 pw! so annoying

I think I would be able to do accountancy training if that's what I decide to do, I would do it with a smaller local firm though which would hopefully be more flexible. It can't be too much harder than studying stupid maths full time.

I've gone off the idea of a second hand bookshop, unless it's combined with cafe. I don't think there's any money to be made. Although I was thinking of writing a begging letter to JK Rowling asking her to buy a shop for me to rent, I'm a single mum in edinburgh so she might feel generous!

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