Career Advice

[CB_NO3]

Is there any career advisors on Hibs.Net?. Am looking for some career advice, or maybe people with similar past time experiences could help me. I am 24 year old and am working in a boring dead end job which requires minimum skills, I have no motivation to do this job anymore and the pay is poor. I need a change before I crack up. The only problem is I dont know what I want to do in life. I would quite like to work abroad at some point in my life. Is anyone else been in this situation?. People tell me to sign up for certain agencies that will find you jobs etc. Also has anyone just got up and left Britain to work somewhere abroad, I have no ties here at all so it would not be hard to do. As I say am 24 and I dont want to be in this situation in 5 years time when am nearly 30.

Any help would be appreciated
Cheers

[ancienthibby]

Is there any career advisors on Hibs.Net?. Am looking for some career advice, or maybe people with similar past time experiences could help me. I am 24 year old and am working in a boring dead end job which requires minimum skills, I have no motivation to do this job anymore and the pay is poor. I need a change before I crack up. The only problem is I dont know what I want to do in life. I would quite like to work abroad at some point in my life. Is anyone else been in this situation?. People tell me to sign up for certain agencies that will find you jobs etc. Also has anyone just got up and left Britain to work somewhere abroad, I have no ties here at all so it would not be hard to do As I say am 24 and I dont want to be in this situation in 5 years time when am nearly 30.


When I was 4 years younger than you, I jumped ship and went to Canada where I stayed for 16 years before coming home.

For me, it was a life transforming experience.

Now, I know resident applications for Canada have tightened very significantly over the years, and you generally need some capital behind you to get in nowadays.

But, I'd explore every opportunity.

It could be the making of you!!:agree::agree::agree:

[Pretty Boy]

If you want to go work abroad for a bit then i have one piece of advice: DO IT.

I'm only 24 now but 3 years ago i was totally sick of my life here, i had left uni, had pretty serious gambling issues and had a fair few problems with depression. I packed up and left for Barcelona for a year. I went accross speaking very basic Spanish so for 3 months i worked in an ex pat bar whilst learning the lingo. I now speak fluent Spanish and Catalans, i got a decent job over there and loved every minute of it.

It just gave me a chance to get my self into a better place, i got away from the same old places and faces. When i came back i felt far more motivated and positive than i felt in years. I went back to uni to finish my degree and now have a job i love. You're only young once and the world is a big place, if you want to go work elsewhere and see new places i would strongly urge you to do it. It's a great experience and if you are a fairly sociable person you will meet a lot of new people and make many new friends.

[Woody1985]

I've often thought of this but I have a steady job, semi-enjoyable job on a good salary so have never got the balls to do it.

I've acquired quite a bit of personal debt through living beyond my means which hinders me from getting any cash behind me. I'm not in a position to have it all paid off and won't for a few years yet.

If, hypothetically of course, if I up and disappeared what would happen to my debt? Would it become time barred after 6 years of living abroad?

I suspect I'd have major problems getting a mortgage or something if/when I returned.

I'll be 25 next month and I'm getting the feeling that there's got to be more to life than being born, brought up, working every day for the same company every working day of my life and then croaking it in Edinburgh.

When I was younger, 17/18, one of my goals was to live in another country by the time I was 25. How I've failed!

[bighairyfaeleith]

Is there any career advisors on Hibs.Net?. Am looking for some career advice, or maybe people with similar past time experiences could help me. I am 24 year old and am working in a boring dead end job which requires minimum skills, I have no motivation to do this job anymore and the pay is poor. I need a change before I crack up. The only problem is I dont know what I want to do in life. I would quite like to work abroad at some point in my life. Is anyone else been in this situation?. People tell me to sign up for certain agencies that will find you jobs etc. Also has anyone just got up and left Britain to work somewhere abroad, I have no ties here at all so it would not be hard to do. As I say am 24 and I dont want to be in this situation in 5 years time when am nearly 30.

Any help would be appreciated
Cheers

Probably need to decide if you want to go abroad into a good job or go abroad and and work in bars etc, have great fun but probably not achieve career satisfaction. Benefits to both and depends what you are up to, I used to work for an ozzie firm and spent a few years working in oz intermittently (month or so at a time) and I loved the travelling, got to see the far east, Australia and some of the middle east. Defo recommend it but I did have to work hard at the same time.

If your not sure what you want to do in your career then some time just travelling and earning a few bucks here and there might be best to help you decide what you want to do.

Problem nowadays as suggested above by ancienthibby is that getting into canada and oz can be tricky if you don't have a certain skill, I would recommend asia though if you fancy something different.

[heretoday]

Teach English. Abroad. Suggest Czech Rep or Poland. Do a course at Stevenson or whatever. The CELTA qualification.

You sound like you can string a sentence together. You should have no problem.

[Twa Cairpets]

If part of the problem is a lack of knowing what it is you want to do, then taking the time out to generally re-enthuse yourself about life in general is a great idea.

Have you considered volunteer work? May be an option to take you out of your rut.

[DH1875]

Firstly I got to ask what's so wrong with being 30.

It's a hard one if I'm honest. Normally I'd say go for it but since the recession it has become hard. People are coming back in their droves because of a lack of work and unless you have family or freinds it could be difficult. Even voluntary work can be difficult to find. A lot of companies now expect you to pay for the privilege and I'm not talking peanuts. Have a look online but be careful not to get ripped off. Not sure about the rest of the world but be careful of casual work in Spain. There is a big problem with people working for a month only to get shown the door with NO PAY. At the end of the day you are in a foreign country, breaking the law so what you going to do.
If you can't get into the US, Canada or Australia then I'd def advice you to try and pick up some basic language skills as it can only help you when you are job hunting.
I know I'm sounding negative but as long as you do some research, be careful and have some cash to burn then go for it and enjoy.

Rem one thing about life, NO REGRETS.




When I was younger, 17/18, one of my goals was to live in another country by the time I was 25. How I've failed!

It's never to late mate, never. Even if it takes me till I'm 100 I'll be back in Spain one day.

[Lucius Apuleius]

I upped and left when I was 15. Coming up for 39 years ago now. If I hadn't I would hate to think where I would have ended up. Someplace not very nice and I don't mean just from a job perspective. The good thing then obviously was there were plenty jobs at sea and things. Merchant navy is virtually dead now but making a wee bit of a comeback. Not a clue where you would apply now though. What skill sets do you have? The oil and gas employment forums always have lots of jobs but most are for experienced people. One of the things about working abroad is I have never had an interview for a job since I joined the Merchant Navy in January 72. Everything is word of mouth. I have also never been unemployed, just moved from one job to the next after a phone call asking me if I want the job.

Not a lot of help I know mate, but for sure something I would recommend if you can find something. Good luck.

[lyonhibs]

I upped and left when I was 15. Coming up for 39 years ago now. If I hadn't I would hate to think where I would have ended up. Someplace not very nice and I don't mean just from a job perspective. The good thing then obviously was there were plenty jobs at sea and things. Merchant navy is virtually dead now but making a wee bit of a comeback. Not a clue where you would apply now though. What skill sets do you have? The oil and gas employment forums always have lots of jobs but most are for experienced people. One of the things about working abroad is I have never had an interview for a job since I joined the Merchant Navy in January 72. Everything is word of mouth. I have also never been unemployed, just moved from one job to the next after a phone call asking me if I want the job.

Not a lot of help I know mate, but for sure something I would recommend if you can find something. Good luck.

You mean you mean you didn't go to University?? I'd never have guessed :greengrin

I've been lucky enough to live abroad for 2 full years, and I'd say it definitely adds to you, both from a CV and personal point of view.

Don't know if that would suit the OP, but I'd thoroughly recommend it :agree:

[Removed]

It would suit woody though. Just think of all that foreign totty ready and waiting.

[Lucius Apuleius]

You mean you mean you didn't go to University?? I'd never have guessed :greengrin

I've been lucky enough to live abroad for 2 full years, and I'd say it definitely adds to you, both from a CV and personal point of view.

Don't know if that would suit the OP, but I'd thoroughly recommend it :agree:

How did you work that one out:greengrin Never finished bloody High School!!
Never did me any harm (he says in his best old man voice)

You do touch on a point though, the CV and experience are the most important things. Forget the degrees etc. unless you are going for a degree specific job. Having said that I was sent a job advert the other day for my position in another country and they were looking for someone degree educated. Thank god I am old!!!

[HibeePaj]

Is there any career advisors on Hibs.Net?. Am looking for some career advice, or maybe people with similar past time experiences could help me. I am 24 year old and am working in a boring dead end job which requires minimum skills, I have no motivation to do this job anymore and the pay is poor. I need a change before I crack up. The only problem is I dont know what I want to do in life. I would quite like to work abroad at some point in my life. Is anyone else been in this situation?. People tell me to sign up for certain agencies that will find you jobs etc. Also has anyone just got up and left Britain to work somewhere abroad, I have no ties here at all so it would not be hard to do. As I say am 24 and I dont want to be in this situation in 5 years time when am nearly 30.

Any help would be appreciated
Cheers

Alright mate,
have you ever thought about going to sea? im in the merchant navy doing a deck cadetship(training to become an officer). It's a 3 and a half year course and in that time 12 months seatime is to be completed. Its completely 'non military-like' and you are paid constantly during your training. Iv one year of the course to go, and iv completed 9 and halfs months sea time over 3 ships (4 months, 4 months, 1 and a half month). Depending on what company you work for , you really do get to see a good bit of the world, iv been ashore in new york, japan, china, jamaica, south korea, india, singapore, hong kong, sri lanka, bermuda, trinidad, los angeles, the list goes on , all places i would never hav the chance to have seen otherwise. its been a great experiance so far, iv worked on 2 container-ships and 1 car carrier.

anyway i reccommend you look into it the average of people on the course is probably 24- 29.

good luck,

Paget

[Lucius Apuleius]

Alright mate,
have you ever thought about going to sea? im in the merchant navy doing a deck cadetship(training to become an officer). It's a 3 and a half year course and in that time 12 months seatime is to be completed. Its completely 'non military-like' and you are paid constantly during your training. Iv one year of the course to go, and iv completed 9 and halfs months sea time over 3 ships (4 months, 4 months, 1 and a half month). Depending on what company you work for , you really do get to see a good bit of the world, iv been ashore in new york, japan, china, jamaica, south korea, india, singapore, hong kong, sri lanka, bermuda, trinidad, los angeles, the list goes on , all places i would never hav the chance to have seen otherwise. its been a great experiance so far, iv worked on 2 container-ships and 1 car carrier.

anyway i reccommend you look into it the average of people on the course is probably 24- 29.

good luck,

Paget

Good Lord. The quality of cadets has not improved over the last 40 years that is for bloody sure. :agree: One hopes your command of the English language, grammatically and spelling wise, improves as you rise in rank.
On a more serious note, obviously the Merchant Navy is the best way to see the world. I have been to hundreds of countries I would never have seen if not for the good old MN. Seen inside many jail cells I would never had seen either. Been to many medical clinics for umbrellas and jags that I would never have seen either because I had been tasting cultures and cultivating friendships that I would never have seen. Happy days indeed.:greengrin

[magpie1892]

Is there any career advisors on Hibs.Net?. Am looking for some career advice, or maybe people with similar past time experiences could help me. I am 24 year old and am working in a boring dead end job which requires minimum skills, I have no motivation to do this job anymore and the pay is poor. I need a change before I crack up. The only problem is I dont know what I want to do in life. I would quite like to work abroad at some point in my life. Is anyone else been in this situation?. People tell me to sign up for certain agencies that will find you jobs etc. Also has anyone just got up and left Britain to work somewhere abroad, I have no ties here at all so it would not be hard to do. As I say am 24 and I dont want to be in this situation in 5 years time when am nearly 30.

Any help would be appreciated
Cheers

Easy to find work in the Middle East. If you're motivated and presentable there are loads of jobs you could do. Some ME countries will take you more seriously (and pay you better) if you're white which is questionable on a number of levels but every cloud, etc.

Pay is generally good and no tax of course.

PM me if you want to try the ME and/or learn more.

[HibeePaj]

Good Lord. The quality of cadets has not improved over the last 40 years that is for bloody sure. :agree: One hopes your command of the English language, grammatically and spelling wise, improves as you rise in rank.
On a more serious note, obviously the Merchant Navy is the best way to see the world. I have been to hundreds of countries I would never have seen if not for the good old MN. Seen inside many jail cells I would never had seen either. Been to many medical clinics for umbrellas and jags that I would never have seen either because I had been tasting cultures and cultivating friendships that I would never have seen. Happy days indeed.:greengrin

Apologies for the poor grammar. hibs.net doesnt merit or need it though i don't think...

So are you still at sea? i can't say that iv seen inside any jail cells yet however jags and tasting cultures, cultivating frinedships, are a given.
So what company is it you work/worked for? rank?

Paget

Glory Glory

[marinello59]

Good Lord. The quality of cadets has not improved over the last 40 years that is for bloody sure. :agree:

That's because he is a Deck Cadet GT. The Engineer Cadets were always of a much higher calibre.:greengrin

Hibeepaj, in my day it was really unusual to get a Cadetship past the age of 18. There were over a hundred of us started at the Nautical College in Glasgow on the same day, the old man of the intake was 19. It's good to see that they have opened things out now.

[HibeePaj]

That's because he is a Deck Cadet GT. The Engineer Cadets were always of a much higher calibre.:greengrin

Hibeepaj, in my day it was really unusual to get a Cadetship past the age of 18. There were over a hundred of us started at the Nautical College in Glasgow on the same day, the old man of the intake was 19. It's good to see that they have opened things out now.

Higher calibre my ....:cool2:

is that right? i was 18 when i started but there is a couple of guys well into thier 30's. I sailed with a 24 year-old cadet from Warsash who says this average in his year is more like 40:confused:

anyway so are you still at sea yourself?

Paget

[HibeeEmma]

I love travelling. The world has so much to offer though so depends on what's your scene:

Do you want to work abroad, or travel? A lot of people do TEFEL - teaching English abroad. But I think if you have a manual skill to offer it can be just as good such as electrician, builder, accountant.

No where is as cheap as it used to be - jobs are scarce in Europe, Africa you are pretty much volunteering your skills unless its long term.

Also depends how long you want to go for and if you want heat all year round.

[Lucius Apuleius]

Apologies for the poor grammar. hibs.net doesnt merit or need it though i don't think...

So are you still at sea? i can't say that iv seen inside any jail cells yet however jags and tasting cultures, cultivating frinedships, are a given.
So what company is it you work/worked for? rank?

Paget

Glory Glory

Shame on you!!!! Hibs net definitely deserves better!!!!

Not still at sea anymore. Natural progression led to where I am now. Started off as a Bell Boy on Union Castle, moven up to galley boy through companies like Ropners, Everards, Blue Star (still working on my 99 year ban), ACT, Dalglish's, Runcimans, the BP for a long time. Got seconded to Shell (STASCO) and finished my sea going career as Catering Superintendent. Not too bad I thought. Seriously, stick at it, there are few jobs as much fun, and none that I can think of!


That's because he is a Deck Cadet GT. The Engineer Cadets were always of a much higher calibre.:greengrin

Hibeepaj, in my day it was really unusual to get a Cadetship past the age of 18. There were over a hundred of us started at the Nautical College in Glasgow on the same day, the old man of the intake was 19. It's good to see that they have opened things out now.

Absolutely true mate. Don't think I ever saw a cadet over 21 and even at that age they would be 3 rd year. Good idea though.

[marinello59]

Higher calibre my ....:cool2:

is that right? i was 18 when i started but there is a couple of guys well into thier 30's. I sailed with a 24 year-old cadet from Warsash who says this average in his year is more like 40:confused:

anyway so are you still at sea yourself?

Paget

No, been ashore for years now. I finished my cadetship just as the major general cargo companies were either contracting or dying. The old Junior Engineer rank was disappearing fast as well. I managed to get some work from the 'pool' but after a couple of years I thought my sea days were over. 'Accidentally' joined the Army (they recruited about 20 ex MN Deck and Engine Officers and promoted us all to the rank of Private!) and worked on their wee ships for a few years. That was different right enough. I then spent six years as Chief on coasters. Best job I ever had. Like GT says, stick at it, once you come ashore you will miss being aboard ship. I still do.