Training for a new career

[Fader]

So i'm fast approaching my birthday and the birth of our new wee one to boot.

It's had me thinking for the past few months that I actually hate my job and haven't really settled into a role since I returned to civvy street after a good enjoyable 8 years in the Army. I left school with no qualifications to really speak of due to being more interest in having fun, skipping lessons to study martial arts and learn the ways of the world

So have figured its really time to learn something I enjoy and forge a career for myself and stick at something to provide for the family. Have been looking at getting my Cat C & C+E licences and getting into driving for a living as I enjoy being out on the road in a car, on my bike and more than happy in my own company.

So wondered if there anyone on here that does this for a living and what their thoughts are on it plus if anyone has been through a change of career where learning a new skill set after their teenage years was part of the process.

 

[In_The_Rough]

You are only here once mate so if you are unhappy then go for it. I changed career and am now studying to get into the golf industry, I am fortunate though in fact that I am single and have no mortgage or anything to worry about so just handed in notice and now reside at college during term times and do not regret it for a second. Driving jobs sound good for the summer but in the winter when the weather is ad and the roads are left in their normal shocking state then it would not be for me but if that's what you fancy go for it

 

[G1BB0]

took me a while after leaving the army, 7 years from age 16 so was pretty well ingrained. Tried multiple career changes including going to college/uni from age 27 - 30. Was a chef (slop jockey) in the army, carried on in civvy street then was studying/working towards being a financial advisor, then worked in exports, IT and now @ BT as an engineer & pretty settled. Go for it, lifes to short even if it takes a few blips along the way its better to try than sticking it out just for the sake of a pay packet.

 

[Fader]

Intherough sounds good the golf industry what are you studying? Sadly I have to many commitments to go out and get the grades for something like that though I would love it.

Gibbo: That's been my issue to ingrained with it and as such not really settled into anything at all, stuck in the water industry at the moment and its dire absolutely a case of just picking up the check and getting shed load of grief day in day out. I know driving isn't for everyone and long hours in traffic and weather etc but that doesn't bother me at all. Just want to do something that is solid, needed that I do enjoy and at end of it can think well days over forget about it.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Intherough sounds good the golf industry what are you studying? Sadly I have to many commitments to go out and get the grades for something like that though I would love it.

Gibbo: That's been my issue to ingrained with it and as such not really settled into anything at all, stuck in the water industry at the moment and its dire absolutely a case of just picking up the check and getting shed load of grief day in day out. I know driving isn't for everyone and long hours in traffic and weather etc but that doesn't bother me at all. Just want to do something that is solid, needed that I do enjoy and at end of it can think well days over forget about it.

Studying Golf management. Looking to get into Golf operations to start with then hopefully Director of golf at a nice resort style course somewhere. Been to a few events in uk and overseas all with behind the ropes access and passes of course If you were interested in going down that route you can do the study online? If you were interested I could give you a few numbers and contacts

 

[williamalex1]

Be a taxi driver , my golf course car park is full of them , so they must be doing alright.:lol:

 

[Deleted member 17920]

So i'm fast approaching my birthday and the birth of our new wee one to boot.

It's had me thinking for the past few months that I actually hate my job and haven't really settled into a role since I returned to civvy street after a good enjoyable 8 years in the Army. I left school with no qualifications to really speak of due to being more interest in having fun, skipping lessons to study martial arts and learn the ways of the world

So have figured its really time to learn something I enjoy and forge a career for myself and stick at something to provide for the family. Have been looking at getting my Cat C & C+E licences and getting into driving for a living as I enjoy being out on the road in a car, on my bike and more than happy in my own company.

So wondered if there anyone on here that does this for a living and what their thoughts are on it plus if anyone has been through a change of career where learning a new skill set after their teenage years was part of the process.

Fader, if truck driving is your next career move Look at trucknet forum, it's an eye opener. I changed jobs a few months ago as I was sick of my boss and looked into it and the wages for truck driving with the £3000 it will cost you are scary. My stepson earns more sticking shelves in tesco than some of the truck drivers are on. Now that's ridiculous. The golf industry is really struggling at the minute and getting into golf management is a little bit of who you know not what you know.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Fader, if truck driving is your next career move Look at trucknet forum, it's an eye opener. I changed jobs a few months ago as I was sick of my boss and looked into it and the wages for truck driving with the £3000 it will cost you are scary. My stepson earns more sticking shelves in tesco than some of the truck drivers are on. Now that's ridiculous. The golf industry is really struggling at the minute and getting into golf management is a little bit of who you know not what you know.[/QUOTE]

You are quite correct in what you say. However this is where the college comes up trumps as the latest years graduates have gone to decent to super jobs all over the world - Some in the UK, Cayman Islands, USA, Oz, France, UAE and Spain are just some of the positions that they have got through the college which has a 95% retaining rate of people getting jobs within the industry

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Yep I agree with you it's outside the uk you would get a job. Scandanavia has seen a massive amount of golf industry workers from the uk over the last 10 years. In the uk it's still the old boys school, I know of two clubs around my way have had a change of management and neither of the gents who got the positions had any golf qualifications or anything to bring to the table, they was mates with the committee. Now when they are 20k down on membership and green fees what marketing or sales expertise can they bring to the party. Nothing.

 

[Hacker Khan]

With the state of the roads in the UK, and the fact they are predicted to get a lot worse, then I certainly could not do driving for a living. The thought of spending a large part of my life in traffic jams is not for me.

I know the teaching industry are beginning to look out for ex military in some areas. The lack of any qualifications may not be great, but from what I've heard they are looking out for those that have a lot of life experience and who the kids would respect. You could then learn the teaching skills.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Studying Golf management. Looking to get into Golf operations to start with then hopefully Director of golf at a nice resort style course somewhere. Been to a few events in uk and overseas all with behind the ropes access and passes of course If you were interested in going down that route you can do the study online? If you were interested I could give you a few numbers and contacts

I wish you best of luck as that sounds like a great job. I think the industry is crying out for people with new ideas.

 

[Sharktooth]

I completely changed my career when I was 32 and although at times it was a bumpy ride I am now very comfortable. I would add that I never stop training though and invest heavily in my professional future. Don't get me wrong, it was a big step initially and everyone thought I was mad.

You only get one kick at the ball mate. This life ain't a rehearsal. Best of luck!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Not sure that I would go into UK golf management at the moment.
Loads of overqualified folk going after them in the recession and the salaries are not great.

The best UK paid positions in golf are in greenkeeping and course management.

 

[chrisd]

Was a chef (slop jockey) in the army,

I bet you were more dangerous than the Taliban!

 

[Rooter]

i went through the same, i bumbled my way through college, had a part time job as a pot washer. then finished college and had no idea what i wanted to do. ended up staying on at the restaurant and training to be a chef, did that for 5 years then got fed up with the hours, mates were growing up buying houses and nice cars etc, so went to the big bad world of IT, started as a sales admin assistant on peanuts, swiftly moved up the ranks and now run the UK sales operation for a Belgium IT company. (i say swiftly, its been 13 years in IT)

 

[BrizoH71]

I've thought about it often.

However, i'm currently in a job that while pays well, is mind-numbingly dull and i've grown to hate it. I'd love to move on, but I'm salary-trapped and can't afford to change jobs right now.

 

[Fader]

I've thought about it often.

However, i'm currently in a job that while pays well, is mind-numbingly dull and i've grown to hate it. I'd love to move on, but I'm salary-trapped and can't afford to change jobs right now.

This is the main thing helping me push away from what I do it that i'm like you mind numbingly bored 95% of my time in my current role, but unlike you i'm not salary trapped as the pay is pitance for the amount of work I actually do. Plus HID has a much better career than me and is supportive of my need/want to change.

Its just making sure I find the right thing and make the right decision as bored with the constant flitting about as well.

 

[Dodger]

Not sure that I would go into UK golf management at the moment.
Loads of overqualified folk going after them in the recession and the salaries are not great.

The best UK paid positions in golf are in greenkeeping and course management.

Over qualified?

I have gained my CMAE Diploma in Golf Management and there are very few in the UK with this qualification.

Maybe you mean people with qualifications but not the correct ones for the job that is set out in front of them?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Be a taxi driver , my golf course car park is full of them , so they must be doing alright.:lol:

Don't think about it in the SE. So much taxi business down here is driven by 'business' trips and that has collapsed.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I've thought about it often.

However, i'm currently in a job that while pays well, is mind-numbingly dull and i've grown to hate it. I'd love to move on, but I'm salary-trapped and can't afford to change jobs right now.

Similar situation - job OK and pretty well paid but do I want to do it until I'm 65? Nope. So we are thinking about moving up North in 4-5yrs time once kids are through uni and hopefuilly settled in something. This will enable us to clear our existing mortgage and if we want take on significantly smaller one - which would enable me to move to something with a lower salary. That said I am fortunate that the nature of my job means that I can (literally) work from anywhere in the UK as long as I have reasonable access to a mainline station. So maybe I stay with my job - and we move and release a pile of equity (touch wood) and use the equity to fund a much improved lifestyle (because it's really tough and hence at times not a lot of fun living down South) - to balance off against the job.