Don't know what to do with my life

santacruz_2

Snowqueen I am in exactly the same position. I'm 25, I don't know how old you are, but I feel like I'm past my best now career wise and looking at my CV I just look like I can't stick to jobs but it was all I could get at the time! (temp)

I don't want to go back to studying because I may, again, choose the wrong thing to do and my parents wouldn't allow it as I live with them and have already flitted about enough. So I was also thinking along a training route, going in at entry level.

Such a difficult time right now!

t0rt0ise wrote: »

There are some careers in the public sector that you can start with little and get on.. things like nursing, police, prison service. But what area would you like to work in?

You'll be lucky getting anything in those at this time because of employment freezes. Nursing would be good to get in to though, if you deal with blood etc (I can't and I'd like to be a nurse!)

Gazing_On_Sunsets

snowqueen555 wrote: »

Thanks for the quick replies.

Ideal job would be helping people.

I looked into working anywhere in the Criminal Justice system frojm the prisos, to probation, but they are not rectuiting, or they mainly use internal recruitment

The NHS, as a dietician, or Occupational Therapist etc... but requires 3-4 years study basic

I really want to do something but I don't know what, I feel like I've wasted too much time already.

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I thought my most realistic entry is as an intern/trainee, but these roles do not seem to exist in the NHS or CJS.

I did an art degree. And worked in menial jobs for 5 years. Then I applied to CSV and got placed with a Youth Offending Team; full time voluntary work but they gave me food, accomm and a small allowance. From that I went onto teacher training but others I worked with on CSV went into Social Work. Now I work in a prison part-time. The experience was fantastic as I got lots of relevant training.

Look into becoming an Appropriate Adult. These are volunteer positions where you are present in police interviews with young or vulnerable people if their carers can't be there; you ensure the process conforms to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. It might be a foot in the door - ask your local Youth Offending Team or Social Services team - do a google. Also, be persistent, as your calls might get passed from person to person and then forgotten.

You can also volunteer in prisons in other ways - IMB (independent monitoring board), prison visitors scheme and so on. There are LOADS of partner agencies with prisons - look at the drugs workers, CARATs, counselling, chaplaincy, mother's union, education, healthcare, all sorts... good luck!

Claytone

Couple great books for people in just your situation (which was also me for the better part of the last few years):

Pathfinders
What Color is Your Parachute

Find them in a library, definitely worth a look.

Vivacia

Snowqueen, I know exactly how you feel. I was there four years ago and suffered from a terrible sense of dread everytime I had to go to work, along with a feeling that I was lost. I worked in customer services (answering emails and phones) but I really didn't enjoy it and it had always been something I did in the hope I'd work out what else I wanted to do but not be poor in the meantime.

I was fortunate; we were a small company then and I knew the MD, and after a chat with him (emphasising how much I loved the company, the mission etc) he kept me in mind and when an opportunity came up he offered it to me. I don't know if you can talk to anyone in your work about how you're feeling, but it's worth thinking about if it's an option. If it is something you try remember to praise the company/service even while you explain why you're just not happy doing what you're doing.

I've never known what I wanted to do. I've never had a plan. I've always just tried something and seen what I think. By complete accident this led me to realise that writing is something I really want to do, so that's what I do in my spare time. It takes up a lot of my free time and it's not a job yet but one day it might be. I don't think I've ever been happier... or as tired.

If you want to help people I'd suggest volunteering and seeing where that leads - you'll be amazed where job offers can come from when you know the right people and the best way to meet them is to do something you enjoy, even if it won't give you monetary rewards up front.

Person_one

NhS degree courses, like nursing, OT, Physio etc. are a lot more like working than like studying for any other degree. You spend 50% of your time on placements doing the same shifts as your qualified mentors. They also attract a high percentage of mature students so you won't feel like the only one who isn't 18!

The funding is up in the air at the moment for 2012, but if you really think that health is something you might want to get into then I would recommend going for jobs as a HCA/support worker on a general medical ward if possible. You'll interact with every member of the MDT and see a good cross section of what they all do. Its a lot easier to get general HCA jobs rather than assistant roles in more specialist areas.

You never know, if you impress your employers as a HCA there may even be secondment funding available, its rare these days but hasn't completely disappeared!