What should i do?

[bmxdave]

Ok, im in a bit of a dilemma here. This goes on a fair bit too, but for me its important.

 

A the moment im in my final year as an apprentice. Ive finished college etc, but part of my contract says i have to do 4 years. Now at the time of starting the job, they pretty much gauranteed me a job. But i know now theyre going to tell me at the last minute that there isnt one, as the whole company, including the whole of the north west and wales arent allowed to employ anyone new whatsoever, and as my title changes, they cant keep me.

 

Its not the end of the world though. Yeah the money is fecking great, and the working conditions are good too, but i just dont think the jobs for me anymore. Im actually a fitter / mechanic working for Arriva on the buses incase anyone doesnt know. Ive just lost my drive and interest. I used to start a day in a mood but by the end the job satisfaction was great because id achieved something. But now i go home in as equally a bad mood. But im also not getting as much freedom as i used to because of a foreman who is an arsehole. In all honesty im not too great at the job. I like to take my time and get the job done properly whereas they want it done properly in a quarter of the time. I want perfection, they just want it done. And of course theres the responsibility. I get the tourque setting wrong on a wheel, and it comes off, imagine the damage itd do. If i cant do my job properly, and rush, thats when things get forgotten.

 

So i have to start looking into the future. Heres the options ive got...

 

Arriva may offer me a job as a driver. It pays well, and its not that bad a job really. But its not exactly a job to aspire to. But id definately consider it until im sorted. The only issue is that i may have to sign a 3 year contract. I may not though, as ive already served my time.

 

Go to Uni. Ive always wanted to. Id just get a part time job in halfrauds to pay for the cars and sort a student loan for the course. Id go and do engineering most likely, possibly motorsport, possibly light vehicle or possibly hgv/psv.

 

I could always get a job in a main dealership on on cars or something similar while i did nightschool IT, English and buissness management/managerial courses as ive always wanted to go up into management type jobs, and eventually run my own company.

 

Im really good at theory, and ive always been very booksmart. If theres something wrong with an engine people always ask me, including people who've been in the buissness for 30 years, but im not so great at the practicle side.

 

What route do you all think i should take? The fact that im 20 means the big wide world can be a tad intimidating, and an opinion from people with experience would help a lot.

[Trevmk3]

follow your heart mate, if you want to go to Uni and learn yourself something different that you think will help you to get bettter work after you finish the course. i never wanted to go to Uni and have never been so i cant really comment on that part. but i started out doing a mechanics apprenticship and then left that to do a Engineering apprenticship. think it through long and hard and then go for it.

 

whatever your decision, good luck

[NHR115]

Yep i agree with mk1-xflow. Follow your heart and everything will work out. I was working in a bank as a recruitment manager and was earning big bucks but i haed going to work every day. I decided one day to pack it all in and go back to college. 4 years down the line i've got my degree, im in my honours year and i'm the happiest i've ever been. I'm going to get my degree and move to Devon when my opportunities are endless.

 

I know everyone says you have to think about the money and yeah you wont be earning as much as you do now if you go to uni but think of the future benefits. I'd recommend uni or further education to anyone.

 

Good luck with whatever you do and keep us posted

[bmxdave]

Cheers.

 

The money doesnt mean much to me. As long as ive got enough to pay my bills i dont mind.

 

Ive got another 10 months to wait yet though. But i want it sorted soon as so the transition is quick, dont wanna be stuck in limbo with no money or job.

 

At the moment im swaying to the bus drivers job, but id also consider HGV. Mainly because driving is my hobby. I enjoy getting behind the wheel no matter what, even if im going the chippy ill take the car. I guess if i can earn a living doing what i love, and actually get a decent wage doing it, id be made up!

[BIGKEV]

You wont Enjoy driving I guarantee that - I was an engineer yeah printers but so what but I used to be problem solving all the time then I did a stint as a lorry driver - was great cos I had to remember a set route and just get on with it but after a few months I hated it same thing every day just wasnt for me I need to think on my feet all the time and you sound like me mate.

 

Part time job - Halfords do something interesting and good luck.

[toad650]

I done the whole uni thang just about got a degree in Mech engineering as i worked too much for money n partied too hard but was a great time, builts a formula student race car in my final year, then went traveling after working hard for a few month at pizza slut.

 

Got back carried on at pizza slut n hated it more n more then a job came up to work in there moped maintance dept which was cool more like i wanted to do hands on problem solving etc theres alot of moped out there!!!!

 

After 3 years got bored of same old same old all the london driving n general hassle and no carrier path like you would be happy doing managment to as i've done it before. Went for a day out with my g friend n a few others at a well know theme park got a thinking like sad engineers do on days out

 

Now i service rollercoasters for a living with loads of job prospects n love going to work even if it is a 6am but then i have only been there 3 months!!

 

So if you wanna do the uni thing nows the time when your not really use to loads of money but doing engineering you will have shed loads of work it ain't no micky mouse 3 hrs a week course, but at the end loads of people will wanna employ you cos you've got a few year of on the job experiance already.

 

Don't settal for second best just work a bit harder!!! oh yeah i've always been told don't make your hobby a job cos you'll end up never doing your hobby again so hate doing your job as it was a hobby that you enjoyed now your doing it for somone else..... I hate bike now I'm sure that'll change again soon though just gotta get mine back on the road

[Burns]

the way i see it, you'll not be able to go to uni when you're 40, but you could be a mechanic at 40, you'll be kicking yourself if you don't go to uni if you want to

[NHR115]

Just come back from a graduate fair and there are millions of companies looking for engineers. The prospects are excellent and a few of them give you a lovely £10k for joining them

 

I found out today that my degree can get me into an intelligence job with a company who works with MI5 I'm well excited about the possible prospect of becoming a spy

[Trevmk3]

damn it everyone wants graduate engineers, ive recently looked at what work i could get overseas in engineering and everyone wants people from Uni. i could do what they do just give me a book to read up on the complicated bits and im sure i could blag the rest through my working experience

[bmxdave]

Uni is very tempting. Ive spoken to some drivers about rotas and shifts and apparently you can do a 30 hour week. It can be arranged to work mostly weekends and friday nights so that i could do uni and work. I know itd be hard work, but itd be worth it to keep my cars, and i dont go out for a drink too often anyway cause most of my friends work in bars all weekend.

[Danmex]

Mate, the best advice anyone can give you is think things through thougherly explore every option and don't rush into anything. I made the worst decision of my life work wise a year ago and am only just getting my life back on track