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Lucy – Looking to the Future

I’ve been working since I left college in 1999, I left early with no qualifications and only have my GCSEs behind me. I still don’t know what I want to do career wise, I’ve been working in a variety of office based jobs since 1999. I’m now on my way to double figures, its not a case of getting fired its more a case where I become bored with a job easily.

I’m now at a cross roads, aged 23, and wondered if I should retrain or am I shirking a challenge and running away from things too easily (my longest job has only lasted 9 months)

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avatar careersurgery 10 October 2005 Career Surgery
  • Maria

    It is evident that you need to move on up with what you are doing. If you are good at office work you can either develop and take it further with training or if you really have had enough then office work isn’t the right work for you.
    You need to make a list of what you are good at and are passionate about ie; computers, writing,art, gardening, people skills, technology, beauty, massage, hairdressing, photography, the list is endless. There is a whole world out there. Look for what is on offer at your local
    college. These days they offer all sorts of training.
    There is nothing worse than being stuck in a job when your heart isn’t in it just for the sake of earning a living.

  • Mark

    The fact that Lucy doesn’t know what to do with her career poses, I believe the wrong question.
    She should first look at what she wants out of her life. Does she want to make a home and have kids, travel to the ends of the earth, or just drift through life. Once she has an idea of what she would most like out of life, and it does not have to be cast in steel, but more a long term state of mind, then she can look at what her experience lends toward achieving that gaol.
    If she wants to have a home life then maybe the job is focused toward those type of careers, health, support services for children any number of areas come to mind. If she wants to travel then look at airlines, travel industry areas, technical support situations.
    Once she sees an area that attracts and lends itself to what her life goal is then identify the lack or holes in her current experience and concentrate on filling them through either remedial training, going back to school or just plain old on job training.
    Having an over view and a long term goal will help clarify the career path.

  • Claire

    I have been in a very similar position, where I did secretarial work to keep me going until I decided what I wanted to do. I too left school with GCSE?s and nothing else, but now I have retrained to be an Accountant ? proof it can be done! My advice to Lucy is this, look at what you really enjoy doing, make a list, and then consider what jobs use these talents/areas of interest. Ask your mates what they see as your strengths. You can usually get free career advice from the local authorities ? so check this out, and find out what they can suggest and more importantly how you can go about reaching your goals.
    Don?t think for one minute that you are some sort of shirker just because you find office work tedious ? you are just not in your right work area at the moment. Go for it and good luck!

  • Wayne

    I think that Lucy should look very carefully at all the jobs she has done, and in particular the parts of the jobs she enjoys. For instance, she works in an office environment, she may do lots of tasks but enjoys data gathering and manipulation above the rest.
    Look for a college course that would enhance these skills to get her more work in this sector. Remember work has to last you a lifetime, it’s no good doing something you do not like for the rest of your life, hating every minute, just because the money is good. You need to enjoy what you do and there are career ladders in every job.

  • Sylvia

    Lucy, At age 23 you are at a perfect age for going back to the University and obtaining a degree.
    It appears obvious to me that you need to be doing something which requires much more responsibility. Have you considered a business degree (to own/run a business)? What about careers such as law, medicine, nursing, physical therapy?
    The way you figure out which ones you like is by doing volunteer work at night or on a weekend. You?ll know pretty fast.
    Volunteering is how my daughters figured out their career choices and both decided to go back to school. They were also bored to tears with office work. After volunteering in different areas both decided to return to the university and become MD?s. They really love these jobs now because they are in charge, and they get to help lots of people.

  • Karen

    You should go traveling whist you are young and have the chance, then when you come back you will have a clearer idea of what you want from a career.
    Andy
    I think Lucy needs to assess what things she likes doing most. Maybe she needs to work for a company that would require a job that was varied and whilst she is working, retrain. Alternatively, she needs to set herself a goal (like getting a new car or something that she really wants) and because she needs to pay for it will focus perhaps a bit more. Either way, her next move needs to be longer term as a lot of businesses see this as a weakness on a cv.
    Hope this helps and good luck!

  • Paula

    It a good idea to remember your Career is not a race. It doesn

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