What can I do for a career?

SarEl

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

Well, if you want to look into doing something "worthwhile" abroad, may I suggest looking at VSO (Coluntary Services Overseas)? They offer a number of paid placements for those who have the specific skills that they're looking for, and there's a lot of interesting work!

I have to say, I'm the same as you...drifted into a philosophy degree, graduated with a history degree and up until a few months ago, had not a clue about what I wanted to do! I've ended up being accepted to St. Andrews to do a masters in Peace Studies...not something I would have seen myself doing a few years ago, but both my parents work in international development, and I have seen the very real difference they have made in their fields, and that appeals to me. Guess it's just a case of narrowing down what your strengths and weaknesses are!

Can I just say that I totally endorse this view. There is nothing like a dose of "real life" to tell you what you want to do - or what you don't. You are very privileged. Not many people have had the chances you have, no matter how hard you may (or indeed, may not) have worked for them. It may seem like very hard work for few returns - but the actual returns you could get would be beyond money. For you and others.

McGuiver

Thank you, everyone, for all your kind ideas and suggestions. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one that has never had any kind of career plan. PasturesNew, I think your post may be a little ill-informed. There's a lot more to teaching than long holidays. I've found reading the TES very enlightening for understanding exactly what it involves. SarEI, I wouldn't consider myself privileged. I'm working class, have A LOT of student debt to show for my efforts and have always worked extremely hard.
I think that voluntary work may be an interesting and appealing route to take. Thank you to Wolfsong2000 for bringing Voluntary Services Overseas to my attention. I think that's what I need as a career: interesting work. In my case, I live to work and define myself by it. And if I can do that in the company of interesting people with similar goals, doing a job that has a real impact benefiting people, then I think I'll have found my career. I realise that may make me sound like a lefty loony, but that's why I originally trained to be a researcher. Unfortunately, the recent cuts will mean that I'll spend most of my time filling in grant applications.
Thanks again, all.

McGuiver

lfcsja wrote: »

PurpleRose - What job matching software did you use?

Does anyone know of any free career quizzes that can be done online beside the Skills and Interests assessment on Direct.gov/Careers Advice Service?

If you're a graduate or will be one, I can recommend the free job matching section on the Prospects website.

PasturesNew

McGuiver wrote: »

PasturesNew, I think your post may be a little ill-informed. There's a lot more to teaching than long holidays.

OK ... but you still get them

Speaking as somebody who has worked solidly for 30 years, day in, day out, with little (and often no) annual leave, annual leave you can't plan, annual leave you're not allowed to take as somebody else already booked it off.... the thought of all those planned holiday times, always there .... seems like a dream come true

Work sucks, for 99% of people. Having a day booked off seems the only respite from an endless drudgery .... so pick the one with most holidays and get some work/life balance.

Holiday time isn't about jollies, mostly it's used up on simple essentials, like receiving parcels, getting a plumber out for a quote, having a day off as the boiler's being fixed, trying to book the car in for an MoT, getting a hair appointment at short notice, going to the Doctor/dentist. Not being able to pick/choose/plan your own days off, not having enough days off, means you can end up wasting all your holiday time on stupid stuff and have loads of stress over the "when" aspect.

Go on .... go for the long holidays. You know you want to.

purplerose

lfcsja wrote: »

PurpleRose - What job matching software did you use?

Does anyone know of any free career quizzes that can be done online beside the Skills and Interests assessment on Direct.gov/Careers Advice Service?

I mainly used CareersMatch on the Careers Scotland website, it's still useful if you aren't based in Scotland, you just have to register on the site.

If you're a graduate then the Prospects Planner on the Prospects

The PlanITPlus Careerometer is quite good for younger folk too.

WolfSong2000

SarEl wrote: »

Can I just say that I totally endorse this view. There is nothing like a dose of "real life" to tell you what you want to do - or what you don't. You are very privileged. Not many people have had the chances you have, no matter how hard you may (or indeed, may not) have worked for them. It may seem like very hard work for few returns - but the actual returns you could get would be beyond money. For you and others.

It's my parents who have led the interesting lives...they met when my father was in Africa with a colleague and they'd taken time off work to go birdwatching...my father got chased onto a landrover by a warthog. What he didn't know was that my mother and her father were there, and the warthog was actually a pet - anyhow, makes for an interesting "how the parents met" story. lol.

I think because my parents have achieved so much it shows me what's possible, so in that respect I am very lucky, yes. It's highly unlikely I'll ever do as well as my parents, but I have seen what a real and positive difference their efforts have made, and if I can achieve something similar I will be a happy bunny.

Once I have accumulated some relevent skills, I will also be applying to VSO myself. They're a great organisation, and I highly recommend taking a look at what they have to offer.