By embracing some sort of education. I'm 30. I'm in stuck in a rut in my job. Unappreciated, undervalued and underpaid. I search day in and day out for new jobs, and there's hardly anything there. What there is, is even lower pay than what I am on now. I honestly don't know how an adult human would be expected to survive on some of the salaries out there. Something needs to give, and as things stand, I don't think there's much scope for me to improve. I need to learn some kind of new skill, and I'm drawn to the idea of trying to learn a new language. It's early days in the thought process, but that interests me. Anybody on here partake in adult education classes? Have any advice? I've been looking at Hull College, Hull University and the Council services online, but very early days for me and there's a hell of a lot of courses out there. I'm still trying to work out which ones I would be eligible for. If anyone can offer help, please do. Ta. I am all good intentions, but yet find the right direction to focus it in.
Find a course you really want to do. Can you afford to give up your job, will the mrs support you etc and do it full time. Or take a part time one on a night with a view to going full time. Do they still do the Access course where it guarantees you a Uni place? But it might be a **** Uni course if you dont do any good? What qualifications you got? It may enable you to get on a Uni course straight away if you've got A levels already. I went to see a bloke called Mick at Connexions, when it was open to older adults. Bloke was brilliant for me, really boosted me confidence and got me going and went to Uni. I owe him a lot. Good luck mate but definitely do it. I was 40 and it was still worth it but wish I'd done it sooner.
Cheers Chazz. I have GCSEs and 3 **** A-Levels. I need a qualification of some sort, or a skill. 12 years of work experience is not getting me ahead anywhere. I forgot about Connexions. I will drop them a line and try to have a conversation with them. At the moment, it would have to be part time. I earn bulk of wages in our household, we have rent to pay and my girlfriend is just a part time barmaid. I was hoping to find a nightclass. Thanks for the advice, I will pursue it.
I sympathise completely. I was stuck in a job where "more for less" and "you're lucky to have a job" were standard answers to complaints about workload, pay, contract changes (which only ever benefited the employer), etc. When I got the chance of a payoff, aged 38, I took it. I spent two months training as a truck driver, and I bloody love it! There are so many different elements to it, day work, night work, overnight etc. Pay is pretty decent, but it takes about six months of agency work before you get anything permanent and decent. Agencies in Goole and Scunthorpe are much betteer than the ones in Hull! I'm now studying transport and logistics courses to try and get into management, but that'll be after a few years driving I dare say. Best decision I ever made. Truck on Brother!!!! PS Don't go with one of them internet truck training companies, go direct to the training school. Oh, and the rules change in September, lots of older truckers are jacking it in. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Good luck in whatever you do. Cavey
there's also the open university, it all depends on costs, night classes at hull college do a variety of courses including languages, the university also does night time courses, there's a vast array of options, do you have anything specific subject wise?
I was thinking a Business Qualification of some kind could be useful to me. But I also thought it might just be much of a muchness. Then I thought that the ability to use another language could be a really valuable skill, and also something I'd enjoy. German, or Spanish or French maybe. I wish I'd tried harder at school (don't we all), so I'm finding my drive and determination now having realised I'm in a dead end job and I can't find it in myself to simply settle for that.
Party you could well be eligible for a student loan which will give you enough to do a degree and live on at the same time. Dunno about that but worth having a look.
First thing: Go for it. If you want to listen to them there'll be plenty of reasons to not do it. Don't ignore them but work round them. Like Chazz said look at what skills/qualifications you already have. Are you part way to where you wanna be? Do you have a particular job/career in mind? If so what further do you need to achieve? Have you considered the Open University? Seek advice from colleges/unis etc. They have experts available to advise. Finally, the best way to learn a foreign language is to go to another country. Friend of my daughter took a six month nothing job in China, learnt the lingo and now is working as a freelance translator.
Party, I did the Access course at Hull college, this led to a Uni place if you passed. So I did my degree which eventually got me job interview where I currently am at. Been there over 13 years. The boss retires in 2 years and they are planning on me taking over. Find something you are interested in and enjoy. If you are just doing something for the money then you may end up just as unhappy. Best of luck.
What sort of things interest you? (important) What type of job do you think you'd love? (just throw some random thoughts out) What skills do you have? (Don't discount what you already do, skills can be more easily transferable to something totally different than you might think) What skills do you want? (anything you really fancy being able to do that you can't now?) Where do you want to see yourself in 5 years time? (again, ignore "facts" and "reality", where would you love to be - Don't be silly though ) Your CV is also massively important if you do decide to go for owt else. I'm also assuming you don't wish to move house and area for a new career/education?
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding I looked at this to start a Psychology degree in Feb, but circumstances meant it had to be put on hold. Try & get your firm to part fund a course, they should be active in promoting some form of CPD. Find a course that could enhance your current role (to encourage finance) but could also assist in the the new direction you decide to take.
But what happens when you've learnt another language? All that means is you still need to find but you know two languages? Serious question! A trade with a language would be the way to go!
I also meant to say go to see that guy called Chris at Hull College, he's disabled. I'm only saying that as I bet loads of people remember him. I first saw him when careers was on the corner of Albion St. A genuinely kind and generous man who will be more than happy to offer advice. Transferable skills as Happy says means you can do anything and being able to blag things as you're a mature student goes along way. I didnt have the proper qualifications to get in to Uni so I lied and Chris backed me up!!! hehe
Some really solid gold advice and help, I'm really grateful. Been working in credit control for 12 years, mainly debt collection. Face to face interaction with customers, office based, quite a bit of experience of Litigation procedures in my previous job. Target driven, etc etc. I have always dealt with finance, yet my Maths qualifications are flakey at best. I think my experience lends me doing something still within that realm, so qualifications in that area would be useful. I should speak to HR to find out how they would recommend I better myself, hopefully with their assistance. I certainly wouldn't mind working/studying somewhere else. However, I do have a girlfriend these days and she may not...that's not something that's been discussed. I need a new experience, and I need some hope of going somewhere. I think greater skills could get me that, but I need to know solidly what is in front of me. And, of course, cost. I've had some very helpful advice and offers, so thanks.
Ye well i also took me kids with me to the interview!! Went big on the sympathy vote, I know you're a big softy at heart I'd have won you over
There's a lot of free stuff online today (mostly more out of interest than qualification but some will let you sit an exam at a verified centre for a fee). https://www.coursera.org/ https://www.edx.org/
