Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Are you frustrated with your job/career? ARGH!!

59 replies

Uwila · 27/03/2006 20:34

I just need a big old whinge!

I am so fed up with my job. I just feel like I work work work and the career progression / salary rises aren't happening. I'm fed up and contemplating looking fro a new job.

So, come on. Misery loves company. Anyone else feel the same way? Do you hate your job? Is your boss neglecting your career progression needs?

I work in the oil and gas industry (moslt we build offshore platforms). I used to be a mechanical engineer. But jumped ship about 7 years ago for IT. I think if I left the company I'd like to do Project Management. Anyone elses work in this business? What credentials do you need. I don't really have any technical IT skills. Will this be an obstacle?

OP posts:
Original poster
Uwila · 27/03/2006 20:53

Oh I knew it. No one is going to feel sorry for me. Sad

OP posts:
Tanzie · 27/03/2006 23:10

Uwila, face it. You are clearly not the sort of person that people feel sorry for. You have to snivel and whine "poor me" a bit more Grin

I have done some project management work, but this was stuff with NGOs in Romania and Moldova mostly, so probably very different from what you had in mind. Mostly "good governance" stuff.

I hate my job too. But I have light at the end of the tunnel as I leave in August. Not sure what I am going to do next though!

Pruni · 27/03/2006 23:15

I didn't work in your field but felt v similar so ditched my career.
A career is only so interesting as the progression one makes within it, imo. Unless you really love the stage you are at and can stay there forever.
I had other reasons too, but also, was not going to get further doing what I did without putting in effort that I did not want to put in, so it made no sense to consider it a career any longer.
IMO change is good if you feel stagnant.

ShaysMummy · 27/03/2006 23:16

yes, mine is total big, huge, grey, y-front pants and i hate it!!

handlemecarefully · 27/03/2006 23:17

Could you quit? - or is that financially unviable?

If you had your time again would you work in the same field?

Original poster
Uwila · 28/03/2006 08:19

I couldn't quit before I ad another job to go to. Though the idea of walking in and telling them good riddance is rather appealing. I like the market I work in. Contrary to popular belief, I think the oil industry does some amazing and beneficial things. And I like bing part of that.

I'd leave the oil industry if an opportunity presented itself, I'm just not sure what I'd do, where I should look, and so on...

BAsically, I'm unhappy because my career is not being nurtured by the company as well as other who have similar qualifications. I wanted some training that was previously agreed and that others have gone on, but was just told sorry you can't have it because budgets have been cut. I'm furious about. And just think it is probably time to see what else is out there. Maybe I won't find anything better. But then maybe I will. I can only find out if I prepare my CV and have a look.

OP posts:
arfissimeau · 28/03/2006 08:43

Uwila. Definitely get out there and see what else is on offer.

I've been working in IT for 18 years (before IT was 'big') and pretty much have moved jobs every 2 years to advance my career. My stance is that if you've outgrown the company you're with then move on if possible. I am never company loyal because they will always screw you if push comes to shove (ie lose your bonus, drop your training, go bankrupt, sell you to another company etc). I was a cute puppy dog employee for a number of years and then wised up! Of course, I never ever let them know I think this.

Now I contract because I can't be arsed to deal with HR departments/training plans/bonus plans/induction periods etc. It's a bit more stressful because you are never sure when you'll be in work but I much prefer to be jetissoned into a company, hit the floor running and bugger off again 6 months later to new and exciting (ahem) challenges.

Plus you get paid more and can be very tax efficient - you won't get training but you can pay for it yourself out of the extra income and offset it against tax for example.

arfissimeau · 28/03/2006 08:44

Guffaw. Not that I've ever paid for training. More like paid for handbags. Snort.

Original poster
Uwila · 28/03/2006 09:13

Do you mind if I ask what you do in IT, and what qualifications you have needed to get there?

OP posts:
arfissimeau · 28/03/2006 10:27

I specialise in Telecomms systems. At the moment I a 3G 'expert'. I get sent to Telcos around the world (like O2, Vodafone, 3 etc) and help them implement the new systems they need to run the 3G networks that everybody is launching.

What are you doing in IT at the moment? I know some IT areas ask for a lot of qualifications. In my case, I've been doing a degree in IT and telecomms for a few years, but that's 'for fun'. I get contracts based on my experience not my qualifications - you can't sit exams in what I do.

I've done quite a lot of recruitment for IT engineers, so might be able to give you some pointers, but as a manager I tend to look for practical rather than theoretical experience. Others are more exam oriented.

expatinscotland · 28/03/2006 10:28

what 'career'?

lol!

that's about 10 years from now i'll maybe have one of those.

till now, all it's about it a pay cheque.

i stopped looking for 'job satisfaction' ages ago and made sure just about every other aspect of my life was satisfying to balance it all out.

Original poster
Uwila · 28/03/2006 10:32

I was actually a mechanical engineer in my former life. Then when the oil business took a dip in the late 90s I jumped ship for the internet boom. Worked there for a couple years, then got married and ran off to Britain. (I'm American), in 2001 I went back to the same company wher I was a mechanical enginne but joined in the IT side. I work in Information Management. This means we look at the the flow and control of data and documents that are generated during the course of designing and constructing offshore platforms, pipelines, barges, etc.

So no formal IT qualifications.

Do you have a view on Prince 2? Is it worthwhile or a waste of money?

OP posts:
Original poster
Uwila · 28/03/2006 10:33

Not me, expat. I couldn't possibly be happy without a career. Mine just needs to advance a bit and the pay needs to go up.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 28/03/2006 10:34

i could make a career out of doing FA quite happily :o.

unfortunately, b/c i'm not indpedently wealthy, it's back to school for moi.

Wink
Original poster
Uwila · 28/03/2006 10:52

Ah, so what are you going to study? (just being nosy)

OP posts:
arfissimeau · 28/03/2006 10:54

I would go for Prince 2. It seems that everybody who is recruiting in project management wants people to have it. I'm sure you can find an online solution that won't cost you thousands.

How do you find being American in the UK marketplace? I found US corporate life quite different to UK attitudes.

Have you looked at the online recruitment websites to see if there is much demand for your skills? The oil industry is big so I guess there must be.

Expat - as a contractor I have no soul. I sell myself to whoever pays me. I was completely baffled by a recruitment consultant asking me what sort of job I liked yesterday. "Just one that pays me fgs!"

expatinscotland · 28/03/2006 10:58

law, uwila. law.

Original poster
Uwila · 28/03/2006 11:01

You go girl. When does that plan go into action?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 28/03/2006 11:01

hopefully in autumn, but i cannot go full time. i have to work. so we're looking at a very long haul here.

c'est la vie!

Original poster
Uwila · 28/03/2006 11:04

I don't find it that different, but then I still work for an American company which is Headquarted in Houston. So the corporate culture is pretty American.

I quite like this 5 weeks of holiday and paid sick leave. That would never happen in the states. But, then, there's a cost of living here that is keeping me in the poor house. I supoose it balances out. I like the UK and if I could just make more money I'd be happy to stay for a long time. (especially cince uni is virtually free here)

OP posts:
blueshoes · 28/03/2006 11:14

uwila, I have dredged up an old thread on \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=6&threadid=135409\project management}, if you are interested.

As for me, I have pretty much stagnated in my career, working pt as I do as a project manager in knowledge management. My job is now just a job. I haven't completed my family, so not looking to slay any dragons. My appraisal is coming up, and it is so funny that I have to say what I want to see happening in my role in a year's, 5 years' time but I so cannot be arsed. I just want to do a reasonable job, not get fired and keep receiving my inflation adjusted increments every year to contribute to the mortgage and childcare/school fees. Might feel differently once my family is complete and children have found their feet a bit more.

pupuce · 28/03/2006 11:23

Uwila - you and I don't always see eye to eye but I do understand your predicament.!
I too worked for the Oil industry (in e-business) - and went to Houston a lot! - then after my 2nd child I thought... I can't be doing this, I was flying to Texas every 6 weeks (or Singapore) and whilst this can be fun it isn't compatible (IMO) to motherhood (or at least the way I see it). I didn't have a career progression problem at all actually and earned a very nice salary but as some older (in terms of many years on the site) will know I asked on Mumsnet some 4 years ago what I could do with my life... and I completely transformed it.... I left the high paid job, the trips etc (which I miss if I miss anything at all) amd re-trained as a doula. i have a fab quality of life, I now own my own business and whilst we had 2 to 3 rough years I am starting to save again and I work part time (mainly when kids are at school)....
So it can be done but you have to do something that you feel passionate about (life's too short for the other kind of work!).
So think out of the box... because from e-business project manager to doula... there is a big gap!

bossykate · 28/03/2006 11:30

pupuce, i know this is so nosey, but how did you manage your mortgage? did you have to move? this is the stumbling block preventing me changing careers...

arfissimeau · 28/03/2006 11:30

I was tempted to work in the US for a bit, but was put off by the 2 weeks leave and felt that to get on you had to be really devoted to your job.

I worked for a US company in the UK though and felt I had the best of everything - got US equivalent pension benefits, share options, health insurance plus the UK holiday benefits & sick leave. I think you're doing the right thing!

You're in Sunbury aren't you? I'm sure I've seen you near the Kingston threads (that's where my house is). Expensive for sure.

Are you a UK citizen now? If not, would you still get free Uni? I'm in Australia and although I'm a full tax payer I don't get child benefit & other things that residents get because I haven't qualified for permanent residency yet.

Out of interest, are you hooked up with the US expat scene in Cobham? There's a huge community there. I used to live there, there's a big American community school and loads of US expats - lots of big US style houses paid for by the companies.

Expat - what a great plan. Will you study Scottish or English Law?

pupuce · 28/03/2006 11:34

Hi Bossy - No the good thing was that my mortgage wasn't very big - we didn't buy a large house and so it has never been an issue and also I have an interest only mortgage.
I have to say that when I was using tax credits they really helped with over £500/month! I can't claim them now but they made a huge difference I am sure we would have been in a more difficult situation without them!