Im out of work at the moment but Ive got a few interviews lined up :)
Since leaving school i've worked in accounts and even though the money is good i do find it rather boring at times. Ive often thought about changing careers but i always think if the money would be alot less than what im on now?
Started my working life as a bank clerk - hated it with a passion! fell out with my manager and left to do a course in COBOL (an old computer language, for those that don't know). I then beat about 230 people to a job at the London Borough of Lambeth as a trainee computer programmer. I loved it - I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have found what I wanted to do.
Being ambitious, I bought a suit and became a Systems Analyst with Lambeth. I then left for the bright lights of the City, working for a Stockbroker. I loved that too - it was a partnership with a total staff of about 200 people - low salary, but a yearly bonus of between 20 and 100 percent. Happy days! Then the stockmarket was de-regulated and we became part of a bank. I was nominally given the rank of assistant manager, even though I was not responsible for any staff. Salary went up, we got cheap loans and mortgages, but the bonus maximum was 10% and the atmosphere changed completely - I no longer felt that my efforts made a difference. I left to go freelance.
More happy days - I saw the world freelancing.... well, a bit of Wales, Telford and Southend to be precise. Still enjoyed most of it. Last contract was for TfL - what a strange organisation that is! Project cancelled, contract terminated in June last year. Now over 50, have been to several interviews, some of which I was certain I was the best candidate for, but no job offers.
So, I have set up my own local PC/IT support business for home and small business users. Not making any money yet, but I suppose you have to give it a couple of years.
I wouldn't change much in hindsight. I would just point out though that I should've been a rockstar!
Like a lot of young lads i wanted to be a footballer..but alas i was never any good at the game...left school with a few O levels and no idea of what i wanted to do.
Got my first ever job as an office junior in the Kingsway back in late 1983 which lasted about 6 months..i didn't mind the job but the pay was crap..left there after 6 months to work for an insurance company but that didnt last long there as it was all hard sell and i was pants at it.
Started at Royal Mail in May 85 and stayed there until 2004 when i made the decision to move to Wales with my Girlfriend and her kids and our new born son.Took EVR got a nice payout and bought a nice big house for peanuts in Merthyr Tydfil
Worked in a meat factory in Merthyr which was awful and then in Cardiff for elephant.co.uk which was ok but then my relationship went TU and i moved back to London in 2006 i'm now working in the post room at the UKBA building at London Bridge the job's a doddle the pay is rubbish but it's a job.
Wouldn't change my job unless I won the big one on the lottery.
Its not hard work, no one on my back and the working conditions are good.(36 h/w which is flexible and 33 days plus bank hols) Really suits an average man with no ambition like myself.
That said my manager, although a decent chap, doesn't talk football or any other sport.
Long may it continue but from past jobs I know someone always spoils a good thing.
Good on you Saga lout. I'd wish anyone success who goes out to help others. Have you thought of trying to teach fe or he at your local college? Most people at college want to be there and choose to be on an IT course. Yet my experience and many of my mates at uni was that lecturers at college were generally laughably poor at any programming. We used to take the piss out of most lecturers in machine code, and C. But anyways if you know your stuff and can deal with people, it always looked like an absolute doddle to teach say a BTEC; of course the lecturers usually moaned if they had more than three lectures a week!
Anyways damn good luck to you Saga.
And thanks to everyone who sent good wishes. Bless you all!
[cite]Posted By: ColinTat[/cite]Good on you Saga lout. I'd wish anyone success who goes out to help others. Have you thought of trying to teach fe or he at your local college? Most people at college want to be there and choose to be on an IT course. Yet my experience and many of my mates at uni was that lecturers at college were generally laughably poor at any programming. We used to take the piss out of most lecturers in machine code, and C. But anyways if you know your stuff and can deal with people, it always looked like an absolute doddle to teach say a BTEC; of course the lecturers usually moaned if they had more than three lectures a week!
Anyways damn good luck to you Saga.
Thanks for your comments. Yes I have considered lecturing or training - I need to look into that a bit more.
When I left school I joined the Army, did 3 years and then came out to very little opportunities. Somehow I drifted into Financial Services with good old 'Pru' - I was with them for 13 years and then moved to a couple more companies - I did 21 years in total in that industry earning good money. Then at the time of massive change in the Financial Services market I got out, without a clue what to do. I took a gamble and went into the contact centre industry starting at the bottom as a call centre agent on the then minimum wage (£4.50 per hour), that was in 1998.
I have stayed with that industry working my way up to Senior Manager, building a contact centre from inception and in my last role I worked in Asia, Africa, Middle East and South America. Then sadly I was made redundant in Dec 2009, I've now been for many many interviews for managerial positions, got down to the last 2 on 3 occassions, but not been successful.....so next week I start in a warehouse picking and packing on the 15.45 to 01.00 shift -once again back on minimum wage. Another industry now and at the bottom again, but I intend to make a go of it and see where it can lead, I'm 55 now and dont intend being on the scrapheap. If I had the financial wherwithall I would love to own a small-holding (not just the one I was born with!!) and see if I could make a go of that.
Wouldnt change anything, (well not being made redundant would have been nice), but all I can say is I might be down now.....but I'm not beaten, my wife and family depend on me and they are the most important part of my life. So next Tuesday at 3 o'clock I'll be driving off to a warehouse near where I live....as another chapter of my life opens.
I get very frustrated at times but it is a job and, at my time of life with the ongoing family financial commitments I still have, I am thankful for that.
Life is about dreams, choices and reality and it is reality that pays the bills. In my experience and opinion once you have responsibilities to others your own wishes and desires go out of the window as it is not fair or right to risk the security of your family on a whim. That is a choice I have made.
The reality for me is that other people are considerably better than me at the things I like hence the chances of making a living at them is remote in the extreme.
I shall keep on keeping on and hopefully one or more of my children will be truly fulfilled and I can take pride in that. My oldest two have degrees and postgrad qualifications and the little one has embarked on her second year at university so hopefully it will all pan out ok.
[cite]Posted By: Weegie Addick[/cite]Blimey, Redmidland, that takes some doing - all the very best. And to others on here who are getting on with it - whatever 'it' may be!
Work huh? As has been said, nobody on their deathbed says I wish I'd spent more time at work. I say if work was enjoyable it'd be called play. My upbringing signalled to me that one has to work/endure work to get in the money to live. There is an aspect of working life that has hardly been alluded to, and that is doing a job you're very good at, but you don't like....I have very often felt like that, even though it is arrogant to claim for myself that I'm good at my job, but it pays and I survive. Personally I would love to be able to make this same living making tea (which I am told I am also very good at, and I enjoy), and I also toy with the idea of becoming some kind of tour guide, which I would love to do, but casual research suggests it is a full time course, or a part time course on Saturdays (!!!) which would clash with Charlton. If anybody knows how i can become a tour guide please tell me. I have become quite fed up with my work in recent years (a bit burnt out I suppose), but I have gone down to three days a week, and taken some of my pension to help me to survive....I am conscious that I still have to get my son through University.
I quit my well paid City job a couple of years ago and sold my house. Thinking was to go travelling for a bit and enjoy myself before I had any real responsibilities. The housing market going belly up just after I'd made the decision sort of put that off but I eventually sold the house and tucked away the little bit of money I'd made and now rent a small flat. I do temp/contract work in the public sector for 50% less than I used to earn. Very little responsiblity, lovely team of people and an easy commute means I'm much happier than I used to be. Still working in the same field of records management but dream of one day owning a little cafe by the seaside :-) Until that comes along, I'm enjoying a fairly stress-free life.
Yes it was nice to be earning big bucks and being able to buy what I wanted when I wanted, but the stresses and office politics got me down so much I hated having to go to work. Would much rather earn less and be happy!
on the 17th of Sept 1973 i started work. Retired at 30ish only to lose the lot maybe the plot and start again. Reinvented what i do and the work path several times. I am now a "specialist--generalist" in Facilities Management , seen it, done it, wrote the proceses and done the audits. It more than pays the bills---but jesus 37 years of dealing with other peoples problems ---------i think its enough !
for you oldies out there if you really want to depress yourself ----take a few moments and work out over your working life how much tax you have paid !!!!
If i had my time over again i would turn up at Heathrow and seek asylum with my 8 kids. Moan that iwasnt geting the benfits that i should --demand a larger house and laugh at all the MUGS working and paying tax for 37 years.
[cite]Posted By: Weegie Addick[/cite]Blimey, Redmidland, that takes some doing - all the very best. And to others on here who are getting on with it - whatever 'it' may be!
Seconded. Good on you mate.[/quote
Thanks both of you that is very kind. To be honest I'm a little scared of this move (must be an age thing as I was not scared the last time I did it) and deep down inside I'm hoping for a lottery win or someone in the contact centre industry to want me and offer a role. However as I said I'm not going to end on the scrapheap or take any benefits, I'll drive off next Tuesday into this new 'industry' knowing that I could have done no more to stay in the contact centre arena, and will meet the challenge head on. It wont pay all the bills or the mortgage, Mrs Red is doing all she can to help, but in the end if I lose it all, I can still hold my head up high and know I did my upmost. When I was working in the Philippines I learnt that no matter what your standard of living is - and believe me I saw some poverty out there that makes many of our poor people look decidedly like 'millionaires' - work is the only way to try and improve your situation. If anyone is interested I'll let you know how the first week or so goes. Thanks again
An inspiration Red, wish I had your attitude, get up and go and drive - your family must be incredibly proud of you.
I'm just wallowing in self doubt and negativity!
Comments
Since leaving school i've worked in accounts and even though the money is good i do find it rather boring at times. Ive often thought about changing careers but i always think if the money would be alot less than what im on now?
Being ambitious, I bought a suit and became a Systems Analyst with Lambeth. I then left for the bright lights of the City, working for a Stockbroker. I loved that too - it was a partnership with a total staff of about 200 people - low salary, but a yearly bonus of between 20 and 100 percent. Happy days! Then the stockmarket was de-regulated and we became part of a bank. I was nominally given the rank of assistant manager, even though I was not responsible for any staff. Salary went up, we got cheap loans and mortgages, but the bonus maximum was 10% and the atmosphere changed completely - I no longer felt that my efforts made a difference. I left to go freelance.
More happy days - I saw the world freelancing.... well, a bit of Wales, Telford and Southend to be precise. Still enjoyed most of it. Last contract was for TfL - what a strange organisation that is! Project cancelled, contract terminated in June last year. Now over 50, have been to several interviews, some of which I was certain I was the best candidate for, but no job offers.
So, I have set up my own local PC/IT support business for home and small business users. Not making any money yet, but I suppose you have to give it a couple of years.
I wouldn't change much in hindsight. I would just point out though that I should've been a rockstar!
Got my first ever job as an office junior in the Kingsway back in late 1983 which lasted about 6 months..i didn't mind the job but the pay was crap..left there after 6 months to work for an insurance company but that didnt last long there as it was all hard sell and i was pants at it.
Started at Royal Mail in May 85 and stayed there until 2004 when i made the decision to move to Wales with my Girlfriend and her kids and our new born son.Took EVR got a nice payout and bought a nice big house for peanuts in Merthyr Tydfil
Worked in a meat factory in Merthyr which was awful and then in Cardiff for elephant.co.uk which was ok but then my relationship went TU and i moved back to London in 2006 i'm now working in the post room at the UKBA building at London Bridge the job's a doddle the pay is rubbish but it's a job.
Its not hard work, no one on my back and the working conditions are good.(36 h/w which is flexible and 33 days plus bank hols) Really suits an average man with no ambition like myself.
That said my manager, although a decent chap, doesn't talk football or any other sport.
Long may it continue but from past jobs I know someone always spoils a good thing.
Anyways damn good luck to you Saga.
And thanks to everyone who sent good wishes. Bless you all!
Thanks for your comments. Yes I have considered lecturing or training - I need to look into that a bit more.
I have stayed with that industry working my way up to Senior Manager, building a contact centre from inception and in my last role I worked in Asia, Africa, Middle East and South America. Then sadly I was made redundant in Dec 2009, I've now been for many many interviews for managerial positions, got down to the last 2 on 3 occassions, but not been successful.....so next week I start in a warehouse picking and packing on the 15.45 to 01.00 shift -once again back on minimum wage. Another industry now and at the bottom again, but I intend to make a go of it and see where it can lead, I'm 55 now and dont intend being on the scrapheap. If I had the financial wherwithall I would love to own a small-holding (not just the one I was born with!!) and see if I could make a go of that.
Wouldnt change anything, (well not being made redundant would have been nice), but all I can say is I might be down now.....but I'm not beaten, my wife and family depend on me and they are the most important part of my life. So next Tuesday at 3 o'clock I'll be driving off to a warehouse near where I live....as another chapter of my life opens.
Life is about dreams, choices and reality and it is reality that pays the bills. In my experience and opinion once you have responsibilities to others your own wishes and desires go out of the window as it is not fair or right to risk the security of your family on a whim. That is a choice I have made.
The reality for me is that other people are considerably better than me at the things I like hence the chances of making a living at them is remote in the extreme.
I shall keep on keeping on and hopefully one or more of my children will be truly fulfilled and I can take pride in that. My oldest two have degrees and postgrad qualifications and the little one has embarked on her second year at university so hopefully it will all pan out ok.
Seconded. Good on you mate.
My upbringing signalled to me that one has to work/endure work to get in the money to live.
There is an aspect of working life that has hardly been alluded to, and that is doing a job you're very good at, but you don't like....I have very often felt like that, even though it is arrogant to claim for myself that I'm good at my job, but it pays and I survive.
Personally I would love to be able to make this same living making tea (which I am told I am also very good at, and I enjoy), and I also toy with the idea of becoming some kind of tour guide, which I would love to do, but casual research suggests it is a full time course, or a part time course on Saturdays (!!!) which would clash with Charlton. If anybody knows how i can become a tour guide please tell me.
I have become quite fed up with my work in recent years (a bit burnt out I suppose), but I have gone down to three days a week, and taken some of my pension to help me to survive....I am conscious that I still have to get my son through University.
Yes it was nice to be earning big bucks and being able to buy what I wanted when I wanted, but the stresses and office politics got me down so much I hated having to go to work. Would much rather earn less and be happy!
for you oldies out there if you really want to depress yourself ----take a few moments and work out over your working life how much tax you have paid !!!!
If i had my time over again i would turn up at Heathrow and seek asylum with my 8 kids. Moan that iwasnt geting the benfits that i should --demand a larger house and laugh at all the MUGS working and paying tax for 37 years.
I'm just wallowing in self doubt and negativity!