I'd suggest that you change from working IT full time to working part time or job sharing (that should cover the money side of the equation) and do training/collage/day release for the rest of the time. Ok you might end up working slightly more than 40 hours per week, but it will be worth it if you find that plumbing is the job you like.fredcraft said:
Changing career...
- Thread starter fredcraft
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@ Spamel, have you considered the offshore industry? many companies love taking on ex-military. the money is good, and you get plenty of time off to go bushcrafting.
plus you can live pretty much anywhere in the country.
worth considering.
plus you can live pretty much anywhere in the country.
worth considering.
Jedadiah said:Hey Rich, how old are you?
I'm assuming you have changed career or are you starting off on the long slippery slope?
39 this year, but I work in the building trade for 10 years after I left school then all sorts of jobs after that until now.
fredcraft said:
Hi Fred,
Here in th UK there's loads of work for electricians etc.. at my age its just about getting your foot in the door with some one first. Here where I live the unemployment is very high. Employers do take on young trainees 16/19 years old, but I know that my friends at college are having the same problem finding employment. Even though I've been trying for two years I'm not giving up
next week I start a new course at college, so that will be three nights a week until June 07 (more fees LOL)
You guys just ... :You_Rock_
So many positive and encouraging comments yet many realistic points of view which I also wanted (I dont want to start something like that having pink goggles).
RichUK : Yes I know what you mean, the foot in the door is the hardest part indeed.
You guys just made my day
---
Perhaps I can let you folks know that I'm at the step of getting in contact with a tradesman and see the possibilities in a matter of training and employment as a plumber in my region.
Knowing myself, I now realize that I'm very serious with that project !
To all, have a great day !
So many positive and encouraging comments yet many realistic points of view which I also wanted (I dont want to start something like that having pink goggles).
RichUK : Yes I know what you mean, the foot in the door is the hardest part indeed.
You guys just made my day
---
Perhaps I can let you folks know that I'm at the step of getting in contact with a tradesman and see the possibilities in a matter of training and employment as a plumber in my region.
Knowing myself, I now realize that I'm very serious with that project !
To all, have a great day !
HI,
I'd thought that I may give an alternative viewpoint. I've been working in IT for about 10 years now, from small startups to the big-5 banks.
It does tend to go through peaks and troughs. This is partly the reason why I like IT contracting, I have the choice to stay / go when I need, I get to work when I want and where I choose. It can be really horrible in some places, but at least you can make the money and then go somewhere else.
The ideal lifestyle is to work over winter, then take the summer off. In reality I've only ever seen one guy do this, because the money during the year is really good! I've been swaying with getting out / staying in for about a year now, but I'm at the level where I cannot start again and retrain, because I can't afford to be a trainee. So I'm just stuck trying to pay off my mortgage, then move somewhere nice and cheap and relax for 20 or so years
Whatever you do, most IT streams are quite easy to pick up and drop, so just keep your skills topped up, feet in for a while - you can find it helps to pick up work back in IT if you ever need it.
I'd thought that I may give an alternative viewpoint. I've been working in IT for about 10 years now, from small startups to the big-5 banks.
It does tend to go through peaks and troughs. This is partly the reason why I like IT contracting, I have the choice to stay / go when I need, I get to work when I want and where I choose. It can be really horrible in some places, but at least you can make the money and then go somewhere else.
The ideal lifestyle is to work over winter, then take the summer off. In reality I've only ever seen one guy do this, because the money during the year is really good! I've been swaying with getting out / staying in for about a year now, but I'm at the level where I cannot start again and retrain, because I can't afford to be a trainee. So I'm just stuck trying to pay off my mortgage, then move somewhere nice and cheap and relax for 20 or so years
Whatever you do, most IT streams are quite easy to pick up and drop, so just keep your skills topped up, feet in for a while - you can find it helps to pick up work back in IT if you ever need it.
Pretty much what dave k said. BB (my lass) went independent consulting (in finance rather than IT) a couple of years ago and only work 6-8 months of the year to match her old directors salary. I stuck out the main job whilst BBs business bedded in. My turn soon to break the employed status - then we make the move to truly remote. One 6 month contract each every two years should fund a simple but comfortable lifestyle. I see no reason why you couldn't work a 6 month contract and then spend the other 6 months pursuing your interest (alternative work, lifestyle or hobby)
Red
Red
Thanks Dave K and BR,
The more I talk to people about it the more I find it doable and realistic. Input from fellow ITs on the subject were really valueable to me.
I already see the sign... : "Fred's Plumbing / Heating / Computer repair services"
Ahhh, it's so good to dream, especialy when it can become true in a near future !
I drink my coffee to your health, guys !
The more I talk to people about it the more I find it doable and realistic. Input from fellow ITs on the subject were really valueable to me.
I already see the sign... : "Fred's Plumbing / Heating / Computer repair services"
Ahhh, it's so good to dream, especialy when it can become true in a near future !
I drink my coffee to your health, guys !
And with the advancement of technology, you soon can use your plumbing/heating skills right in the IT field as cpu/gpu water cooling solution specialist
Righeo, my take on things...
Do it. You can always go back to IT if all fails.
I'm in pretty much the same situation. 4 years of Uni has resulted in a series of contracts for government organisations and then 2 years employed as a IT Researcher for a Local IT firm.
I've done commuting. I've done government - central & local. I've worked for ******* companies. I've worked for good companies. I've done jobs for the money and not the happiness. Each looked good from the outside, but all had drawbacks each and everytime.
I basically got completely disenchanted with the whole shbang. But, with the wife doing an MSc, her tied into a lease car scheme, and us trying to build a temporary house (Log Cabin) (plus associated loans!) and save for a mortgage - I couldn't afford to even look elsewhere!
However, the time came when I realised I needed to get out as it was doing my mental state no go! Progressively becoming more depressed and all that it entails, we decided that, perhaps, we could do without the cash for a while!
Within 3 weeks of making the decision, I was offered a post as a Youth Worker. Not an entire career change, since it's something I've been doing on a voluntary basis for the last few years - but it now needs to support us financially! And, from what I've seen and heard, it looks very positive. Fingers crossed - I start a week Monday!
Do it. You can always go back to IT if all fails.
I'm in pretty much the same situation. 4 years of Uni has resulted in a series of contracts for government organisations and then 2 years employed as a IT Researcher for a Local IT firm.
I've done commuting. I've done government - central & local. I've worked for ******* companies. I've worked for good companies. I've done jobs for the money and not the happiness. Each looked good from the outside, but all had drawbacks each and everytime.
I basically got completely disenchanted with the whole shbang. But, with the wife doing an MSc, her tied into a lease car scheme, and us trying to build a temporary house (Log Cabin) (plus associated loans!) and save for a mortgage - I couldn't afford to even look elsewhere!
However, the time came when I realised I needed to get out as it was doing my mental state no go! Progressively becoming more depressed and all that it entails, we decided that, perhaps, we could do without the cash for a while!
Within 3 weeks of making the decision, I was offered a post as a Youth Worker. Not an entire career change, since it's something I've been doing on a voluntary basis for the last few years - but it now needs to support us financially! And, from what I've seen and heard, it looks very positive. Fingers crossed - I start a week Monday!
I wish you luck.
I do odd jobs to survive, its fine but Id like a proper carreer.
Im currently doing a work experience with the local council security. (whether this will lead to a career I dont know. but I hope to get at least a few events to staff out of it.)
IT at least you can work from `anywhere` if your a plumber, you would need to be near your clients.
You mentionioned having a CV, is it a pro designed one? Having a pro CV has got me a lot of job interviews. (shame I dont interview well)
it helps too to look interesting on your CV, even if your nothing else
I do odd jobs to survive, its fine but Id like a proper carreer.
Im currently doing a work experience with the local council security. (whether this will lead to a career I dont know. but I hope to get at least a few events to staff out of it.)
IT at least you can work from `anywhere` if your a plumber, you would need to be near your clients.
You mentionioned having a CV, is it a pro designed one? Having a pro CV has got me a lot of job interviews. (shame I dont interview well)
it helps too to look interesting on your CV, even if your nothing else
Tengu said:
Well, I actualy already have 2 versions of my CV, one more focused on my IT training and one more focused on my manual abilities. I did that second CV while I was looking for a new job last summer...
Funny thing, I sent the wrong CV for an IT job and I still got it
... I was like "OOPS ! He's probably gonna ask me at the interview why would he care if I worked on a farm for that long" 
Batfink : thanks for the testamonial !
Good day
Im also Kindo considering a career change im a welder/fabricatior atm well apprentice and i cant see me doing this until i retire.. so i think im just gonna go for my childhood job and attempt to become a diver in the navy, its nerve racking deciding on wether to leave or not...
Best of luck
Best of luck
H
Heathenpeddler
Guest
too am facing a career change, this one due to illness. I developed a hyperkinetic disorder like tics wich has been with me for over a year now. Some days I'm fine, some days not so fine, and there are some days I just can't do anything. Makes a career job difficult.
So I'm starting a t-shirt printing business. Very early days yet, and it's on a tiny budget (a shoestring budget would be luxury!) but I'm generating a lot of interest. I've worked out I need to avaerage 30-35 tees a week to make a living. We'll see what happens I'm doing this through the jobcentre New Deal business startup scheme so I will get 6 months test trading while still claiming benefits (you get any profits released to you at the end of the 6 months)
So I'm starting a t-shirt printing business. Very early days yet, and it's on a tiny budget (a shoestring budget would be luxury!) but I'm generating a lot of interest. I've worked out I need to avaerage 30-35 tees a week to make a living. We'll see what happens
I'm doing this through the jobcentre New Deal business startup scheme so I will get 6 months test trading while still claiming benefits (you get any profits released to you at the end of the 6 months)
Good luck with your enterprise, I hope it works out for you. Are you doing the screen print type shirts or embroidery designs?
Heathenpeddler said:too am facing a career change, this one due to illness. I developed a hyperkinetic disorder like tics wich has been with me for over a year now. Some days I'm fine, some days not so fine, and there are some days I just can't do anything. Makes a career job difficult.
So I'm starting a t-shirt printing business. Very early days yet, and it's on a tiny budget (a shoestring budget would be luxury!) but I'm generating a lot of interest. I've worked out I need to avaerage 30-35 tees a week to make a living. We'll see what happens
This is a great idea ! 30-35 T-shirts a week seems a reasonable number. I'm sure you'll have no problem with that goal assuming you sell in the good spots !
Boy, it's truely inspiring to listen to others who face the same situation that I do.
For my part, I've decided that in at most 6 months to 1 year, I'll be in training as a plumber ! I will have time to pile the necessary money that will cover my venture in the meantime.
H
Heathenpeddler
Guest
Hmm... Just a thought but what about bushcraft tees? Anyone got indeas as to what they'd want on one?
(Hey, it can't hurt to ask )
(Hey, it can't hurt to ask
)
