To think this is still a respectable job?

[Lostatlife]

So I’m 26 years old, I’m a bit lost with my career. I used to be an accountant but hated every second of it by the end. I have myself a temporary job to do with covid, but it pays peanuts and it’ll probably come to an end soon.

I’ve been applying for various administration roles but need something with a decent salary. There’s not many things I’m overly passionate about that are coming up. And then problem is I didn’t go to uni, which I regret now as a lot of jobs need a degree.
I wouldn’t mind teaching but can’t afford to get a degree and not work as I’m paying rent.

I quite like the idea of trade work, something like being an electrician. However my girlfriend said she’d wholly support me however she mentioned that I have great a levels and accountancy certificates, and basically said it’d be a shame if I didn’t use my skills with numbers and basically insinuated that I’m too clever for a trade job - it’s often what people with no GCSEs go into.

Is she right? Should I be using my skills more?

My DH was tradie, he earned enough to retire at 50. Your GF is a fool

Do what you would enjoy the most.

And I couldn’t agree with everyone else more, trades make a fortune. I haven’t paid a single tradesman I’ve had in my house recently less than twice what I earn an hour (pre-deductions), and normally significantly more.

And I’m a fucking doctor.

😑

Most people who go into accountancy don't have a passion for some other job. They pick it because they can do numbers and have to pick something. Ask me how I know! Great if you do find something you really want to do.

I would say trades are very well respected jobs!

Retraining as a quantity surveyor would also be a good option - you can start as an apprentice so you’d still be earning (although maybe not very much) whilst training.

There's nothing wrong with a trade and they're always in demand! If you then set yourself up as self-employed or set up your own business, your accountancy background may still come in useful (Even if you get an accountancy firm to do accounts / tax returns for you, you'll still have to provide them with your records, so experience in preparing these records may help).

I’d also say that if you’re organised (which I’m assuming being an accountant you are) that would go along way to making you a very successful tradesperson.
We’ve just done a whole house renovation and the level of disorganisation of all the different trades we needed was astounding.
I don’t mean anything complicated either just writing a half decent quote, turning up to do a job when you say you will and sending over invoices in a timely manner.

Shes totally wrong. But I kind of agree that your certificates would be wasted. Just because you didn't like your previous accounts role doesn't mean you wouldn't like the next one. But I'd fully recommend doing something you're passionate about, it always helps. (Coming from an accountant).

Thanks so much everyone! No she definitely doesn’t want me to go back to accounting as I was so unhappy. But she said there’s other finance related things like analysis. I wouldn’t mind it, but I like the idea of working in a trade. Wouldn’t even know where to start starting my own business!…

Yep my plumber has a bigger house, nicer car and better holidays than me, and I’m a consultant! (We have used him for years, similar taste in music so we chat a lot, he is lovely).

I think it's perfect. Trades because you love it, and it's well paid, and with your accounting background you can do your own books and manage it much better than someone without.

Jokes on her. You’ll earn far more as a sparky than most office jobs.

There are very few jobs that aren't respectable OP. The important thing is that you reach your full potential or are happy or ideally both. Anyone who works hard at their job how ever lowly that job is deemed is deserving of respect.

Electricians make crazy money. And I think it would be fascinating work.

@Lostatlife well, your halfway sorted in running a business as you can do your own books etc etc!! Learn the skills required and qualify to be an electrician and your 99% of the way there. Just need to sprinkle a little advertising dust and job done! (Yes I know, very simplified but you are already more knowledgeable than a lot of small business start ups are - don’t put yourself down!)

Our plumber earns more than my degree educated DH and myself put together. He also seems happier in his job than we do.

Trades can make excellent money and you can even work towards having yoir own business. If you are good at it, you can be hugely successful. Go for it, and good luck 🙂

Electrician is not a zero qualifications job! Along with plumber, there is a need for mathematical skills. Both are high paying jobs.

I know a woman who has an HND in something vaguely engineering related, she's now head of maintenance at a reputed London museum on nearly 6 figures. She started off working in maintenance roles in city offices. Your partner is an idiot. Tradespeople often earn very well and if you're so moved you can move into managerial roles which have more longevity. Not all tradies work in people's houses or on building sites.

Your gf sounds like a dick 😒
Dh is an electrician and has plenty of qualifications which have cost thousands for him to achieve, he works damn hard too. I’ve never understood career judgement, I’d never be embarrassed by my partner’s job - whatever is was.
He’s had many jobs beforehand but retrained as an electrician, he loves it. There are so many paths to take with electrics.

If you want to be an electrician, go for it.

It's not 'the sort of job for people without GCSEs' at all. On the contrary, I know two people who wanted to be electricians but were unable to because they couldn't do the maths required.

If you don't want to run your own business, you could look at working for housebuilders. Generally they get work via agencies, it can be hard getting your first job without experience but once you're in, you'll have loads of work, while the housing boom continues at least.

Also look at the construction industry scheme, CIS which is tax related, plus possibly CSPS or similar, which is health and safety on construction sites.

Or lots of large businesses, NHS etc will employ electricians possibly also offering apprenticeships.

Good luck.

It's a good idea to do what you enjoy and are good at. Also where you can get even better at your strengths. Without this you will continue having career crises.

A. Go easy on yourself. You're a qualified accountant at 26 when most people of that age are still finding their feet

B. Can you pin down what you hate about accountancy? Is it working with spreadsheets, is it sitting at a desk all day, is it month end, is it the people? Depending on your answer, you may also struggle with admin.

C. Sometimes the enjoyment of a role can vary massively based on the company you're doing it for. In-house accountant at a paperclip manufacturer - probably dull. In-house accountant at a tech start up or a charity that helps the environment - possibly OK.

D. A trade is an excellent choice. I fell into a corporate career and HATED IT to start with. I discussed wanting to be a makeup artist, but mum was so snobby about roles which use your hands, and made it clear it was out of the question. Im 38 now and really enjoy my corporate career, so I'm perfectly happy that i stuck with it, but OP, don't allow yourself to be put off by other people. My DH has just retrained - he was in a desk-based boring job for 15 years and is now in an interesting physical trade job which he LOVES!

You should book a consultation with a career guidance specialist. It would be great for you to figure out what you are naturally drawn towards rather than risking making another mistake.

Trade is very respectable and incredibly useful. Like a pp, I will be encouraging my DC towards it. I don't know what your GF is thinking.

Builders tend to get trades in as part of fixed build projects so you could start there once qualified.

Do explore your career choices though. I think it's really important to decide on something once you've explored options.