Advice please choosing/deciding and very confused, need new takes on it!

Twod

Hi

I'm looking for some advice, here's my story, sorry its long!

I trained at univeristy and got a degree in computer studies. At the end of my degree I couldn't find a job in the field so ended up working for a pub chain full time. Eventually I got a job in an accounts department. Stayed there for 4 years. Last december decided to start AAT so I could move up (boss had said I needed it to move up the ladder). Paid for this with a loan from my parents. Then I lost my job at the end of September. (BTW I have not completed this yet, only done 1/6 exams. no motivation to do it)

I was on Job Seekers until beginning of December when I could takeit no more (hate not working!) so applied at the local pub chain (same one as before) and was hired as a Christmas temp. In March I started my 'dream job' on an IT Support Desk. This was the type of job I had been looking for and was so happy I had finally found it.

3 Months in, they have put me through training courses etc and please with how I am doing, but I don't like the job. I've realised its not for me. I don't like the software I'm 'supporting', I like my mentor. Thats about it. I had to buy a car to get to this job as no public transport goes within 3 miles of it. I was very lucky for my parents to loan me the money for the car (paying them back with interest).

I am still working at the pub on a Friday night, and at the moment it is the highlight of my week. I have thought about leaving my IT job and working back at the pub full time, but I would have to renegotiate payment terms with my parents (which I'd rather not do as they have been so helpful and generous). I have considered going into Pub management, but there's something that doesn't feel right. Maybe I'm scared to make the change?

To add to the confusion I keep dreaming and thinking about teaching in a junior school! I have a degree that I can use for a PGCE or GTP but I don't have the 2 weeks experience in a school that you need when applying. I've though about using up my holiday in my IT job to get this experience, but then what if I don't like it? I'd have used up my holiday for the year, but then I would know if I liked teaching or not.

I just don't know what to do or where to start! I feel at 28years old I should know what I want and be on a career path by now!

So...
I don't like my dream job in IT.
I love my part time job in a pub
I'm dreaming of being a teacher.
I can't afford to be working in the pub full time as a barmaid.
I was ok working in accounts (not brilliant but definately more bearable than the IT job!)


I guess what I'd like is some advice on what I could do. I just don't know!! Fresh pair of eyes and views can sometimes make you see things in a different light.

Thanks in advance and thank you for reading x


P.S. I didn't ask for the loans from my parents, I had a loan lined up at the bank and before I signed on the dotted line, parenst offered me the money with a very low interest rate (£1 a month till paid off). They didn't want to see me in debt to a bank

Hammyman

HAHA - been there, done that.

I'm a qualified electronics engineer, vehicle mechanic and have a MCSE - all, apart from the vehicle mechanics - with years of experience and with all, qualified for decades.

When I left the Army, I ended up driving lorries as I had a HGV licence from them and wanted work quick. It was supposed to be a temporary stop-gap job whilst I found something in electronics/mechanics but it lasted 16 years. I had to give up due to health so went back to IT. Absolutely hate it with a passion even though the money is more. I miss the driving, despite all the downsides of the job - 55+hr working week, start or finish at 4-6am etc. I would quite happily quit the £30/hr I earn now and go back to trucking for £9-10/hr.

My brother used to be a solicitor but he couldn't leave his morals at home. He now teaches. 1/3 the pay but way happier.

Sometimes its not about the money. If you can live on a restricted budget then do the bar work fulltime. If you can't, then why not set up self employed doing book-keeping for small businesses and do part time bar work as well. As for teaching, with the govt cut-backs I think the public sector is the last place I'd be looking for a career at the moment.

Oldernotwiser

It's obviously too late in the day to ask why you didn't get some work experience in a school when you were unemployed but you do seem to have some strange priorities if you aren't prepared to invest less than half your year's leave in getting it now.

I'd suggest that you make an appointment with a Nextstep Careers Adviser to discuss your options, but do try to put some serious thought into it before you have your interview.

https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Sambucus_Nigra

Twod wrote: »

To add to the confusion I keep dreaming and thinking about teaching in a junior school! I have a degree that I can use for a PGCE or GTP but I don't have the 2 weeks experience in a school that you need when applying. I've though about using up my holiday in my IT job to get this experience, but then what if I don't like it? I'd have used up my holiday for the year, but then I would know if I liked teaching or not.

You could book a fortnight's holiday somewhere new and not like it - you seem to flit from career to career thinking you will love something and then not....

How about take 1 day out of your leave to try it, and if you do, then another and then another [you get the picture]....it's not rocket science!

Twod

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

It's obviously too late in the day to ask why you didn't get some work experience in a school when you were unemployed but you do seem to have some strange priorities if you aren't prepared to invest less than half your year's leave in getting it now.

In hindsight I should've gotten school experience when I was unemployed, but at the time I was trying to stay focused on getting a job (IT or accounts) adn studying my AAT.

I'm reluctant to use up my holiday leave this year on it as i will only accrue 17 days this year, 10 would go on school experience, 5 are already going on a Girl Guide camp (if I don't go the Guides can't go) which would leave me 2 days to myself until next January.

Horace

At least the job you hate is giving you some experience and will look better on your CV than having gaps and loads of jobs that you have left after a few months because you decided that you didnt like them.
Some employers won't even consider applications when they receive a CV that has a list of jobs that have been changed every three months or so - by constantly changing jobs it demonstrates that you have no sticking power and they are not willing to train someone if you are going to up and leave after 3 months because you have decided that you didnt like it after all.

I would be inclined to stick the job out for a while longer because you are getting much needed experience and then you can start looking for other jobs because it is far easier to get a job when you are already in one than if you try and get one when you are unemployed.