Career advice

[Deykari]

Now, I understand that a decision like this is ultimately my own, and that, well, seeking this type of advice on an online public messageboard isn't always the best idea (no offense to anybody here, I didn't mean that I would disregard/brush off any advice), but I'm in a bit of a bind.

I have been thinking a LOT recently about quitting my job. I came out of school with above-average grades, and I was VERY lucky to secure training for a career at a recognised company - for two years, and for the next two years, I have been/will be training towards a pretty good career. Problem is, that I am only marginally interested in the area of work. I can tolerate it, and in places it can be enjoyable/rewarding, moreso than a lot of areas of work that are out there, but it's not the type of thing I would really love doing.

I also came into this job straight out of school - no college inbetween (I do that one day/week on a course relevant to what I'm working with) or time out or anything. There are a lot of things I want to do whilst I'm still young - go do a couple of years working abroad, like a holiday rep for clubbing holidays, and travel a bit. Working here, I will miss out on all that - it's a career that's set me up for life.

So. To quit, or not to quit. Do I quit a good-paying career and go spend a year or two doing things I want to do (I'm still quite young - 18/19 years old), getting them out of my system then go back to college and study a bit later in something I would enjoy more? Or do I think a little more realistically, and realise that the real world doesn't always let you do that? I have no commitments - no girlfriend, I live at home, no financial commitments like loans or credit cards (well, at least those that won't be paid off in a month or two ) so there is nothing stopping me quitting in a month or two.

Any opinions? Forgive my large post.

Dey

[Imoutgoodbye]

I used to be all for what makes you happy, then I learned that without a good, steady income...well, I can't be happy because I can't do what I want to do.

I STRONGLY urge you to weigh out what you're thinking. Make sure this isn't some whim, some pre-mid life crisis. The world outside of the smaller world, bleh...never was much interesting out there. It's almost the same thing wherever you go. Difference being physically larger places offer more if you have the money. But I also recognize you could meet new people. I can be social, but prefer not to.

My suggestion: Hold onto your current job. And keep looking for something that'll make you happy that has some security.

Word to the Wise: Wherever you go, whatever you do, there's always going to be something about the job that will eventually blow and there's ALWAYS at least one co-worker that'll piss you off.

[Deykari]

I used to be all for what makes you happy, then I learned that without a good, steady income...well, I can't be happy because I can't do what I want to do.

I STRONGLY urge you to weigh out what you're thinking. Make sure this isn't some whim, some pre-mid life crisis.

Wise words. If I quit my job and set out to spend a few years travelling, I would be able to provide myself with some income. I was offered a job abroad and although it is an opportunity/job that will only be for 1-2 years, it's definately something I want to do.

Is the immediate offering of this opportunity the reason behind me wanting to quit? Is it a 'whim'? Mmm. I honestly don't know, and I need to give it more thought. But I was certaintly -thinking- about quitting before the opportunity came along, but there wasn't anything there that was pushing me to quit. Now I have this opportunity, I have a solid reason. The downside, obviously, is going to be having no guaranteed income when I return in a year or so, and continuing the last year or two of my education (at least) when I'm a year or two older.

My suggestion: Hold onto your current job. And keep looking for something that'll make you happy that has some security.

Word to the Wise: Wherever you go, whatever you do, there's always going to be something about the job that will eventually blow and there's ALWAYS at least one co-worker that'll piss you off.

What if the thing about this job, is that ultimately, a few years down the line, I might not enjoy it at all?

I'm not posting the responses to your comments as a "My mind is made up on quitting and I'm closing my mind to your advice." as I'm not decided yet. I'm just sort of playing devil's advocate with myself.

Dey

[WarriorCleric]

Ask a-g and he'll tell ya I'm not about just sitting back and coasting, but **** man, youre 19? Have some fun for a while. Goto college, study whatever interests you, and have fun there. Your future's got time enough for a career, but when you do garner some commitments, your freedoms are going to be taxed.

I'm graduating college really soon, and I'm dreading it like hell. For as much as I want to get out there and 'start my life' so to speak, I don't want to give up this lack of responsabilities I have now. And along these lines I've been thinking: Do I want to work to live or live for my work? People who get a job doing something they love tend to live for their work, and those who get jobs to work to support there lives may not enjoy what they are doing to much, but their life is outside work. I don't think either is better than the other in a cosmic scheme, I just need to find out which works for me.

WC

[Grumpy]

If you don't like your job, at that age you really should give college a shot. Don't go traveling to have fun, traveling is seriously overrated and a big waste of time. Plus if you do go to college you'll get plenty of time to travel to your hearts content during the vacations.

[Deykari]

Not so much travelling to have fun with the focus on travelling - the opportunity I have is to become a Rep for a British clubbing holiday company out abroad, catered to 18-30 year olds, from May - October for this year/next year. In between these two holiday seasons, I can get a job to see me through, and after the second season I will be back intime to start College.

It's something I would LOVE to do, and the type of experience that in 10 years time when I'm a little older, would hate to have regretted doing. Much the same with staying here for a while, then regretting it, when I'm older and it'll be much harder to change my life's career. Like I said, I've not been entirely happy at my job for some time and this opportunity has given me a real reason to quit.

What you're all saying makes sense. Thanks a lot.

Dey

[Lailanni]

The responsible parent side of me wants to tell you to stick with what you have, and be happy you have been given such a good opportunity at a young age. Good paying careers with upward mobility are hard to come by. And while you might be sacrificing a lot of fun and games now while you're younger, in the long run you'll have the means to really enjoy life.

Now on the other hand, I was a single mother from a young age, and I know what sacrificing your youth really means. If I had the opportunity and was in a different position in life, I would go for it. I'd travel and have fun and live it up entirely. I'm actually not sure what having no responsibilities feels like, but I bet it's wonderful and you should definitely run with it.

[elfdude]

Stick with the job dude. Its all about the money mang, just like someone else said, you can't have the good quality fun that lots of money brings you.

[Zrothum]

Work is........work. You don't have to LOVE it to need it. Yet, loving your work would make it super great all the way around.

My advice is: Unless you just absolutely hate going to work in the morning...don't quit. Life is never going to be 100% enjoyable. If you have a good paying job that you do quite well and you actually tolerate it....don't throw it away from something that you might think you love right now, but 5 years down the road, you begin to hate it.

[Goomf]

Dude. Get a degree. Go to college. As good the job may be, going to college will almost guarantee a better pay in the long run. Also, the experience of going to college FAR outweighs having a steady income right out of high school.

Besides, I find it hard to believe that you are making a lot of money as a high school grad when you're 18-19 years old. One of the worst things in life is looking at the past and regretting it. As career setting your current job is, getting an education is much much MUCH more important.

Don't go for mediocrity. You really have to love your job in order to be good at it. Not to diss Zrothum, but at your age, there is no such thing as "You don't have to LOVE it to need it" when coming to jobs.

Bottom line: Go to college. DO NOT CELEBRATE MEDIOCRITY.

[Deykari]

I'm not just talking about quitting now, and then going straight to college. I'm talking about quitting work, then taking a year or two out and doing something that won't earn me much money (enough to get by) but I'll really enjoy - holiday rep out in some popular British holiday resort for young adults - the whole party scene, but hardcore. Then on my return, going to college.

The actual money I earn now, although not good by anyone's standards, is good for an 18/19 year old - however, it's the long-term prospects of the career that have had me wondering.

I have a good idea of what I want to do. Thanks again.

Dey

[Zrothum]

-shrug- Just my personal experience. I like my job, I wouldn't say I love it. And I am very good at it, and can make a very, very decent living @ it, with no high school diploma. Decent living being defined as 125K+ a year in addition to stock purchase plans and company matched 18% of your investment in their 401k

[Goomf]

If you look at any statistics, besides those few who somehow got by with a high school diploma and became incredibly successful, 95%+ of "successful" people went to college. I strongly believe that giving up college is a wasted opportunity and I personally would go to end's meat just to convince someone going to college is the right thing to do.

For most people, partying is more of a thing to do during college. In fact, a lot of people take a year or two off after college to earn some money. Chances are, you might want to go to grad school but be already burnt out. Heck, that's my situation. Just graduated and working in a brokerage firm and taking it chill for two years.

As long as you get a good education, it's fine.

[Deykari]

For most people, partying is more of a thing to do during college.

The British college/university scene is a lot different though than it is over in the US. College here is just like school, but with tougher subjects. There isn't any sort of "social scene" that comes with it other than whatever happens with people you meet. I want to do the ultimate party scene, and what better than to do that than to work in party central?

Dey

[Celerity]

I also recommend going to university first.

In this case, the main reason being that you want to be ABLE to change jobs, should you ever need to. Also, you are young enough now that you won't feel toooo stupid in those classes.

Once you graduate, you are able to 'travel' and explore the world, probably with much better pay than what they are offering you now. If nothing else, teach English for awhile.

If you don't really like your job, quit it. Being from the UK, you have the priviledge to be working only to make yourself happy. If you are not happy at work and the money that you make from work doesn't make you happy at home, then the job isn't doing what it is supposed to be doing for you. Doubly true if you aren't married and only need to care for yourself.

Most of these people are talking in terms of financial/material success as the key to your life. Don't waste your youth being unhappy so you can be 'happy' later. THAT choice is what you will regret later, not the lack of loads of money. Money is nice, but enjoying work is a far more economical choice (for being happy) than earning a lot of money.

Going to school not only gives you more options (working at home/abroad; different fields), but also considerably enriches your life (who would want to do that?!) if you take it seriously.

[Dead Voodoo Doll]

DO NOT CELEBRATE MEDIOCRITY.

Amen.

[mya]

You realy dont wish to be working a job you hate.

Take that 2 years break and then try the University.

There is a faster carrear progression for people with studies.

After you finish the Uni and if you still feel the need to adventure more, join the army.

I did 8 years at Uni and Loved most part of it.

My father ended up getting a good traine job for me that i could not refuse ,1 year after i finished Uni, because i was making time to heal from a injury.

He realy ambushed me. Now im trying to get kicked from the uber exelent job i hate without staining my fathers reputation so that i can join the army.

But i think im going to late.

My plans for latter life include getting even higher degree, and going into investigation/teatching. That is the life.

You realy should look at those around you and see if that is the life you wish.

I look at my father that worked from sun up to sun down and never got anything great in life. (Small apartment, and raized 2 kids to Uni.)

My brother is the same thing, works from sun up to sun up almost.

That is not the life for me. I dont mind earning a lot less, but i do wish the free time to do interesting stuff.

Else your life just become stupid.

Wake up, work, get home, eat, see TV,Sleep. Only free time at weekends.

[Evangelion]

I'm one of those people that works a job for six months, gets bored with it, quits, and finds another job.

I've had five jobs since the time I was 14 (almost 18 now), and been offered two or three others.

My advice to you is to stay where you are until you figure out what you enjoy doing. Then go to college and study it, get a degree in it, and find a job in that field. Yes, the odds of this happening vary based on the field you choose. If you like engineering or culinary arts, you'll never be out of work. Music performance, however, is a bit more difficult to make a lasting career in.

Stay where you are right now, and don't make any hasty decisions. You don't have to decide everything right now, and I promise you'll regret it if you try. Get your **** together, come up with a SOLID plan, and run it by a few friends/family members. Then, after every bit of input and subsequent modification of your plan, look it over yourself. Decide whether it sounds like something you'll be HAPPY doing, and could do for the rest of your life. Then do it (or don't, if it doesn't meet the above qualification).

In short: Don't be hasty, hobbits.

[corpsestomp]

I'm just going to say that it's a lot harder to get back into school after taking a break. You sort of...lose...all those good habits you picked up in high school.

[a-guitarist]

I'm just going to say that it's a lot harder to get back into school after taking a break. You sort of...lose...all those good habits you picked up in high school.

I was supposed to pick up good habits in high school?

Well, I learned some good habits in highschool: Don't come home smelling of illicit substances. Don't be a bad liar. And, for God's sake, whatever you do, have fun, and it's no fun unless you make the teacher cry.

a-g

[Deykari]

When I left school and went straight into work, I didn't just go straight into a job - over in the UK (not sure if they have them in US, at least with the same name anyway), we have Apprenticeship schemes - this was an advanced apprenticeship scheme, where I do a part-time college course (inwhich I gain the same qualification that I would as if I did the course full-time) as well as on-the-job training when I am at work, with an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) Level 3. And to top it off, my college course, and degree, should my work require it, will all be paid for by my company. And I get paid too.

I am getting MORE qualifications doing this than I am if I went to college, except I am also getting the actual work experience and a decent salary (For my age) in the field I am in, until I have my qualifications under my belt and get shifted onto the full salary.

What I wanted to do, was quit this, because it leaves me with very little free time apart from late evenings and weekend, and there are things that I want to do whilst I'm young, that I won't be able to do when I'm older. I'm not too interested in the area of work I am in either, although I also found out that my qualification will allow me to move elsewhere.

I spoke with my boss though, and he told me that if I put the work in, I can get all my of qualifications and on-the-job training completed in about 12 months. If I do that, I'll only have my plans delayed by about 8 months or so and I can still go out to work abroad next year, except I'll have the qualifications behind me after quitting and can go straight into the degree on my return. Everyone's a winner.

Thanks a lot for the pearls of wisdom.

Dey

[corpsestomp]

Maybe talk to your boss about taking this extended leave of absence. I think if they would hire you before you had some experience working abroad and being out in the world, they would hire you when you came back.

That is assuming that you want to come back at all.

[Questioner]

Not to be a cynic...

Yeah, take some time to figure out who you are. Come back and decide what interests you so much. Spend another two to four years specializing in college. Get back to your old 'safe' job or another higher paying one. Enjoy your 'steady' income. Get a wife. If you haven't already. Have some mini deykaris. Realize that your expenses increase twentyfold with the tots. Get into debt. Get a second job. Mortgage. Mutual funds. Re-finance. Die.

And so continues the rat race. God speed to you mate!