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Original poster

Not knowing what I want to do for a living!

36 replies

Eisenberg · 22/07/2018 11:01

I am currently 33 and work for the NHS in an admin role at band 4. I left school with 10 GCSEs and have been working in the public sector ever since. I know I am lucky to have a job and one that pays above the National Minimum Wage, but I don't want to spend the next 35+ years doing this kind of work.

Unfortunately I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with the rest of my working life.

Has anyone ever been in a similar position that can give me some inspiration?

OP posts:
AjasLipstick · 22/07/2018 12:30

What do you enjoy doing most in life?

Original poster
Eisenberg · 22/07/2018 13:51

The things I enjoy most I don't think I can make a living from such as going to concerts, holidays and football.

OP posts:
AjasLipstick · 22/07/2018 14:30

Well they at least indicate that you enjoy travel, sport and music. What about looking at retraining for a career in media or social media?

There are so many avenues you could take. PR for instance.

Original poster
Eisenberg · 22/07/2018 17:22

That's a good shout. What sort of qualifications would I need to pursue those careers?

OP posts:
Mishappening · 22/07/2018 17:26

See a careers advisor - it will be money well spent.

Racecardriver · 22/07/2018 17:31

Why don't you try your hand at investing/spread betting/currency exchange/loaning our shares (no idea what that is actually called) and a to retire early instead?

Original poster
Eisenberg · 22/07/2018 18:00

Mishappening - What's the best way of identifying a good careers advisor?

OP posts:
Mishappening · 22/07/2018 18:34

TBH when my DD used one we just looked in the Yellow Pages!

One of the careers that was suggested to her was being a careers advisor!!

keletezup · 22/07/2018 18:52

This reply has been deleted

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ThinkingCat · 22/07/2018 21:54

Borrow some careers books from the library.

Original poster
Eisenberg · 23/07/2018 17:25

Racecardriver - Are they something you have done and had success with?

OP posts:
Original poster
Eisenberg · 24/07/2018 19:22

ThinkingCat - Do you have any book recommendations? I have purchased a few in the past, but I didn't find them very helpful.

OP posts:
delphguelph · 24/07/2018 19:34

Same here OP.

I have a degree, work in admin, am trying to get into project management jobs but would rather go to the market, buy a load of veg and then go home and cook.

Sorry, not helpful!

Original poster
Eisenberg · 24/07/2018 20:13

Haha. At least I know I'm not the only one.

OP posts:
Original poster
Eisenberg · 27/07/2018 12:44

Can anyone else help me out with this situation?

OP posts:
Bl00Curtainz · 30/07/2018 11:22

I think that it's easier to decide what you don't want to do !

Original poster
Eisenberg · 30/07/2018 11:41

Absolutely. I could reel off a long list of things I don't want to do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Eisenberg · 13/08/2018 13:08

Has anyone else been in a similar position to myself and found a happy alternative?

OP posts:
LoisWilkerson1 · 13/08/2018 13:12

I've hopped around from job to job, industry to industry and I still don't know where I fit. Asking why you don't want to stay where you are might help. What is it you want that you aren't getting from your job?

Original poster
Eisenberg · 13/08/2018 15:32

LoisWilkerson1 - After working in this role for over three years now I am bored of doing the same thing each day and the continual moneysaving within the NHS, which is impacting on my workload. Ideally I would like a job that is more exciting with better prospects. More annual leave and flexibility with working hours would be appreciated too.

OP posts:
Sarahani · 14/08/2018 23:32

I dont think you'll get more AL or flexibility than you do working in the public sector unless you set something up yourself.

What about a PA type role in a more dynamic industry? Might open up other avenues for you. Do you have any additional qualifications in anything?

stressedoutpa · 16/08/2018 22:15

The NHS has a very generous holiday allowance. You'll be lucky to get more than 25 days elsewhere.

Original poster
Eisenberg · 22/08/2018 13:02

I don't have any additional qualifications other than GCSEs, but I would be willing to learn if something took my interest.

OP posts:
Derpy84 · 27/08/2018 20:53

I failed miserably at school and I quit going in year 10 so never took any GCSEs. At 18 I got a job at my local wetherspoon pub as i had no idea what to do with my life. I spent 10yrs there then floated around retail for a few years. At 31, we moved house to be closer to our DD's school and i ended up working there as a dinner lady as I couldn't get anything else and i was dreading being surrounded by screaming children! I fell in love with the job and the kids almost immediately. I did a night class to get my maths and English GCSEs (which is free for anybody over 19 who doesn't have grade A-C in maths and English!). I then got on a level 3 teacher assistant apprenticeship and am now working as a fully qualified teaching assistant which I love. I'll be taking my biology GCSE course this year and, if i pass, i'll be going on to teacher training next September.
Sometimes your ideal career is something you never saw yourself doign in a million years but you won't know unless you try it?

LifeCoachRuth · 28/08/2018 14:20

Some great tips from everyone here. Getting some help from a careers advisor will give you an idea of what else might be available with your skills. Working with a career coach can help you to figure out what you really want to do and how you could make it happen, or even find ways to get more satisfaction from what you're doing already until you discover exactly what you want. Good luck!

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