Career Help

LabLover

Ive reached a point in my job where Im absolutely fed up , I find my job is so mind numbingly boring that I find myself doing my job on auto pilot and as a result I feel constantly tired like Im walking around in a big haze.I think because it isnt taxing my brain anymore Ive switched off and I struggle to concentrate all day because I know I can do my job with my eyes shut.:eek:
Today I felt so fed up I was tempted just to drive right past turn off for work and keep driving ....... However I am here now and just counting the minutes untill lunch time
I really hope someone can help me , as Im thinking about going to college. I love learning and feel Im ready again for a challenge! I left school when I was 15 to go to college to study Psychology , sociology , English , Biology and IT. The idea was to cram it all in one year take a year out and go on to Uni to study Psychology.However I passed all exams at college and took my year out and went to work in an office doing Admin and I im still here today ( Im 21 now ) When I first started the admin department was in a complete mess so I updated systems , re-jigged stuff and basically pulled it out the mire and into the 21st century. I now feel like Ive done all the graft and now all the hard work is done my job is just really boring. I spoke to my boss last year to discuss taking on some new jobs but he looked at me like I had two heads (he was obviously worried I was after a pay rise),So I feel like im letting myself down if i stay here. I know I dont want to go to Uni and Im glad I didnt go when I had the chance then drop out. I just lack direction and feel like I owe it to myself to use the brain I have and stop settling for the easy option.
At the minute Im looking at two courses at college , the 1st is a three year part time course in Counselling which my heart is saying "do it !!!" but the other one is a day release course in business and HR management which my head is saying " do this one you'l make more money" I think Im just so confused as I would love to do counselling but not sure what direction I could in with this ,where as I know if I done the business management I could build on skills I already have . So I guess my head is fighting with my heart on this one. I dont want to waste another 3 years doing a course that doesnt take me any further . Anyhoo this is a massive post I hope someone can help
xxxx

Horace

With a counselling course you could learn mediation and there are people who are mediators who work on a freelance basis to help employers when they have problems with their employees.

How about training to be a life coach - this also has an element of counselling in it (you need to be able to listen and suggest a course of action) plus there is money to made.

Its just a thought - go with what your heart tells you because you will only regret it, I always wanted to work for myself and it has taken me 30 years to take that step and I wish I had done it years ago...with me it was a case of "if I become a PA then I will always have a job" and for the most part I was bored rigid, sure I learnt some skills that I use in the business but there is still that thought about what if I had set up earlier instead of doing my parents' bidding:rolleyes:

You only have one life so live it doing what you want and not according to how much money you will earn if you take business and HR over counselling.

Good luck and hope you think about becoming a life coach (I am not one but am considering it).

Oldernotwiser

Why not have a look at the OU; you could do a degree that combines business and psychology and allows you to follow your developing interests.

As far as counselling is concerned, you could sign up for an introduction to counselling skills course and wait to make a full commitment to it. Many people find that being a counselor isn't what they expect it to be.

LabLover

Thanks for your replies , In answer to the OU I have looked at some of there courses and find them very expensive :eek: I know in the long run that it would be money well spent .
I had heard some people say that about counselling ,the waiting list at my local college is a mile long for the course but alot drop out after a few weeks.
Older not wiser , I like your idea about combining the two , hadnt really thought about that , not sure what that would be tho?
I went onto local career advice site and filled in data about my skills , what job roles I would like and it brings up a list of careers matched to your skills and future learning , it brought up a few admin styled roles but also brought up Occupational Therapist. Maybe should go back on the web site and see what qualifications I would need to get into that . Im glad Im starting to make tracks now and not wonder 20 years from now why I stuck in a boring job but I really wished I had had a bit direction after I left school .

Oldernotwiser

LabLover wrote: »

Thanks for your replies , In answer to the OU I have looked at some of there courses and find them very expensive :eek: .

But do you realise that if you earn less than £18,000 (assuming you're single) you'll get them paid for?

Oldernotwiser

LabLover wrote: »

Older not wiser , I like your idea about combining the two , hadnt really thought about that , not sure what that would be tho?
.

Lots of people use a Psychology qualification to work in business, in fields as diverse as HR and marketing. I'd recommend you to the Prospects website, www.prospects.ac.uk which covers a great deal of ground, including what career fields people use certain degrees in.

LabLover

Im not single , I live with my BF . I think that open learning may be the way to go , that way I can keep working. I will look into costs etc , I think I may have looked at it vaguely a few years and dismissed it right away. Thanks for all youre help :T:T youve given me a lot of new ideas to look into and explore.

nzmegs

I completely understand where you are coming from. As a parent i had to take on part time work which never utilised my degree and my brain (I am not being big headed...)For three years I worked really hard and very nearly walked away from my job due to becoming so bored.
I finally spoke to my manager and explained that I really felt I wasn't being used properly and didn't feel motivated anymore. Within a couple of weeks I had a promotion which I start in a couple of weeks time. I am not saying that this job is perfect for me, but my motivation level are much higher. It may be worth having another word with your manager.
With regards to your study. There is no reason why your degree cannot be a mixture of disciplines. I got a degree in American studies but included, computer studies, business management, law, accounting, greek and roman history and religious studies as sidelines. I saw university as somewhere I could gain knowledge - not just a job. Good luck. Never stop learning and use that precious brain of yours!