I think my first was in 1972 being told that for the first time apprentices were not guaranteed a job on qualification. Chargehand took everyone for Xmas Eve drinks in town, five pints later I was in the Army recruitment office in Prospect St, five weeks later I was marching! Just 18 years old and new-ish girlfriend, dad at sea, which all made my announcement at Xmas dinner a bit of a lead balloon. Lots of career reincarnation since... Lots of interesting folk on here, young and old, what's been your lot in life... ... idea courtesy of OLM's tv repairman tale
At the age of nineteen, and two years into my joinery apprenticeship, a joiner in his mid twenties appeared on site at The Lawns where we were converting the bike sheds into student accommodation. It turned out he was student teacher and he'd just decided to earn some extra cash during the six week holidays. I was a bit baffled as to why a time served joiner had turned his back on the trade to venture into teaching, so during a tea break I asked him why. He replied ' well Mike, you see old Walt the foreman over there, you see the way he walks all arched over, well I have no intention of ending up in that state when I retire'. That one piece of advice launched me into a career in sales, which I've been doing and loving now for close on forty years. I often wonder if that guy carried on in his teaching career, and, with changing behaviours and values, whether he's enjoyed his career as much as I have.
My parents separated (and later divorced) when I was but a wee mite. I first met my dad when I was sixteen. I decided I was not going to grow up anything like him. Not at all. Not if I could help it.
I played hockey for a local club. For away games we would meet up at the leisure centre and car share. One player who I really did not know very well had a BMW 7 series and I ended up in his car. As he drove towards Portsmouth, mentioned that the truck drivers coming off the ferry must have great jobs. At the time I was a class one HGV driver and I told him it was not all that great and I was looking to get out of it. He asked how and I said I had a meeting with the bank arranged so that they could see my business plan and cash flow forecast. He offered to have a look at it later that week. I went to his office on the next Tuesday and after reading my plan, he invited me to become a Director in his group of companies. Here’s the odd thing. I was a long distance lorry driver on 31 October 1995 the next day I started working for a group of Architects. I had to borrow the money for a business suit and really had a culture shock. I missed out on a chance, really. Going into a completely different environment like I did, was never going to work. I was used to being out and about and sat in an office managing my own time just did not work for me. I wish it had. The plus side of it was that I was able to get my Daughter a massive discount on her first home.
I used to supply the person who had my business before me! I ended up buying it off him and never looked back! Sometimes in life you need a leg up and he gave me mine!
Shortly after getting my first job post-University I got a 6 month assignment to company HQ in Dallas. A week before the end of the assignment, I met the sister of one of my co-workers at a group dinner. It nearly didn't happen: I was supposed to be be playing rugby that day but wimped out as I had a rotten hangover. We got on well and met again before I had to return home. Just before I returned to England invited her over to visit (fully expecting her to say no, as she ws just about to start her postgrad studies). To my surprise and delight she accepted, came over and 2 months later we were married. That was 35 years ago and she still isn't showing any signs of leaving.
Been heavily involved in rubber compound development for winter tyres since '85. Making our roads safer for the non believers.
In reality collapsing at home when I was 18 probably shaped my life in ways I couldn't possibly have imagined. It was recommended that I went to Uni, but I wanted to be out earning money. Collapsing totally threw a spanner in the works - went off to get a degree, the first of my family to do so. Went through clearing to get a place on a course that was of interest. Spent 3 years studying and came out with a decent degree and some great friends and memories. Got involved in FMCG sales which is what I have been involved with since 1996.
Between 18 and 21 I realized a few things. People didn't like me. It was hard getting a job because you have to be chosen. You have to pass the interview and people took one look at me and that was it. I spent 7 years trying to get a job in computers. Didn't get anywhere. I took a job working part time in a shop on a evening just because it was more than my dole money. I got beat up, bullied , tormented for 2 years and then the shop closed. Spent the next 2 years unemployed, playing golf all day. And then I got lucky, sent a spec letter to the same firm I had worked for but a different shop. Got a interview and they gave me the job there and then. That was 20 years ago, still there. I never thought I would end up working in a shop serving customers. But the money is decent and the hours suit me and I do enjoy talking to the customers about Hull City.
When I was 35, I had a job I loved with a California-based subsidiary of a Japanese company. One August Saturday morning I was surprised to see my boss calling me. He informed me that come Monday I no longer had a job, and that nobody had a job because the parent company had come in unannounced late the night before and closed things down. One whole week severance pay - woohoo. I was shocked, crushed, and soon to be broke. But out of the ashes I partnered up with 5 other gents and started a new company, which ultimately became successful and profitable, and which we sold in 2012 for a tidy sum.
British Airways shut down their pilot training college at Hamble in Southampton many moons ago, so my offer of a place was cancelled, all I'd ever wanted to be was an airline pilot, mofos. Applied to the RAF, did Biggin Hill officer selection @ 17 got told had potential but should go and mature a bit (I was small and looked about 13 - caused me problems in pubs at 18). So ended up at Uni studying Accounting & Finance. Did that and then was training as an accountant, got pissed off with the whole thing. Reapplied to the RAF - got through and offered Navigator Cadet Officer. All my mates were in favour of me joining, parents were neutral. Something stopped me as the whole point was I really had always had my mind set on pilot (my parents couldn't afford it the private route). So turned down the RAF - extremely difficult decision. My dad then died and my reaction was to refocus on my professional exams. Got through them and now have my own practice. Going to learn to fly (officially - I know a lot of the basics already) in the next year or so hopefully.
Adversity seems to bring out some positive change for us, some interesting and encouraging stories on here , for a change...
I regret not choosing a career and doing the necessary study / work to aim towards it , I just wanted to earn Money as soon as I could and took the first ok job I could, 20 years later I've done ok ,worked up to supervisor level and have a steady job but never going to be rich from it
