lurcherboy Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 I have three friends from my year at school who I envy. Two of them joined the Army on leaving school and both got to know the fibre optic field very well. They left after nine years or so and have made a mint after setting up there own company. They will be selling up at 50 and will live the life of Riley thereafter. The third is a big time distributor of illegal substances and is so far removed from the front line that he will never be touched. I don't envy him so much but I do respect what he has achieved despite being unable to read, write or count on more than ten fingers. I'm not entirely sure what ShaggyRS6 does but he does seem to be well adjusted individual with time on his hands and money on his hip. I'm sure he will assist you in your choice if you ask him nicely Make sure you pick something that guarantees you happiness rather than wealth Ollie and you will be all the better for it in the long run Whatever you do, do not became a mechanic LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 all i will say is that from my short experiance of university, quite often things are nothing like what you expect them to be. I am doing a Product Design course and enjoying it, but not certain its where i will be in 5 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewis Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 well FM, im in the same boat as you atm.. standard grades in 2 months personally i am going to try and get into a trade but dont know, btw good thread Lew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northerner Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 I myself am in my final year of a degree in physical geography and geology. Currently i am after going into the mineral exploration business yeah there is still the office work to do but there is also the fieldwork involved with it in many different countries. Plus due to the fact hardly anybody is doing it anymore and most of those who do are more of an armchair type there is a skills shortage for fieldworkers so there is also a bit of money knocking about . However i wouldnt undertake a degree in geology without first of already having a high level of interest/dare i say it passion for the subject as it can be very hard and complicated in places, so its not the best if youre in it solely for the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Put the time in at University , get a good degree, become a Veterinary, or another similar profession (Doctor, Dentist etc). You will then be able to afford to spend time doing what you want to do. I know a couple of Vets and Doctors that fish and shoot as much as I do. You have an awful long life ahead of you, don't spend time regretting the decisions you make at this important part of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Well mate, where do I start? If I had a choice I would be farming, but the cost of living etc and 2 little 'uns puts paid to that. First thing I would suggest is an apprenticeship, I did an electrical one and know that even though its not my day to day job, I can fall back on it. If you want to be outdoors how about the Forestry Commission? They are always worth a look and can guide you to the relevant courses to the career within. I have been a datacomms diag for a few years now in central london and am feeling the itch, I need to be out and about too, so am now looking to get back into Project Management. - Not the rural kind of job, but you do get out and about visiting site etc, and the money isn't so bad either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 At your age I was massively impatient - wanted to get out into the world and earn a wage and all that. However, I got worn down but those who frankly did know better than me and I went to University and so on. Best thing I ever did. 1 : you do University and training for say a further 6 years, this will cut your working life down from 47 years to 41 years. Big deal. 2 : at University you will have a laugh and get an education 3 : whether you ever even use it, it matters not - you will have it for life - the degree is meaningless but it opens doors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 At your age I was massively impatient - wanted to get out into the world and earn a wage and all that. However, I got worn down but those who frankly did know better than me and I went to University and so on. Best thing I ever did. 1 : you do University and training for say a further 6 years, this will cut your working life down from 47 years to 41 years. Big deal. 2 : at University you will have a laugh and get an education 3 : whether you ever even use it, it matters not - you will have it for life - the degree is meaningless but it opens doors. Agree with Mung here, I was lucky in that I took a year out after school before deciding to go to Uni - I didn't do the whole travelling thing, finances wouldn't permit, but spent the year as a general dogsbody in a builder's merchant. It was good fun at times, put some money in my pocket which I was desperate for but within 6 months I was unsatisfied and knew I needed to do something more challenging as a career. I did go to Uni, don't underestimate the benefits of the whole life experience at Uni (and I don't just mean booze and girls ) you have to exercise your own discipline to get the work done and graduate, there's no parents or teachers standing over you telling you to study, you have to feed yourself, do you own washing and ironing (now and again ) and you will make some great friends. The social and fun side of Uni for me was superb and one of the best chapters of my life so far. That's not to say I am not happy now, but you can't live as an eternal student (although many seem to try) and it is one of the few, if not only, times in your life you get the chance to live that lifestyle where your not regimented by a boss, start/finish times at work, family& financial commitments etc. Lie in, catch up at night, have a Friday off cause you've been out on Thursday night and then catch up at the weekend, do the coursework in 2 days that you've got all week to do then have the rest of the time to yourself - the flexibility and lack of responsibility is something that is rare as you get older and which you will not experience if you go into full time employment straight from school. I can only tell you how it was for me, many others will have taken a different route and consider their way the best - just read it all and make your own mind up, you seem to have your head screwed on. WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I will be certainly biased as most of us will, as we will reccomend what has been good for us (if at all). Failing the degree route, certainly consider getting yourself a trade- Its all the same in retrospect as you will in training for 4 -6 years. My son is now entering that time of leaving school and I have been accused by the wife of pressuring my lad into following in my footsteps of an apprenticeship. He does not seem too keen and prefers a career in the forces, much to my dismay as the forces is a career path you can choose still in your early 20's. Regards starlight32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millomite Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 An option to maybe consider is environmental consultancy. I went to uni not knowing what I ever wanted to do, but knowing I wanted to spend time out in the countryside. I was always good at biology at school so did A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. Then on to uni to do Environmental Biology and an MSc in an Environmental Management based course. Part of this meant I got to spend four years in Newcastle with an awesome nightlife, something sleepy Cumbria lacks!! I have now moved back to Cumbria and have landed a pearler of a job. Working on environmental issues, get to go on loads of site visits, contaminated land projects, restoration projects etc, have 48 days leave plus bank holidays and have a good salry for someone of 23. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 FM you have PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 (edited) FM, become a land agent (rural estate manager). It's a job with lots of challenges, a real intellectual stretch and one that can be done almost anywhere in the world (once you qualify as a chartered surveyor). I spend almost every day out in the countryside, talking to farmers, landlords and tenants. The pay isn't great, but I have a pretty good quality of life. I have also got a lot of shooting and stalking from clients and contractors - a definite perk of the job. Edited February 6, 2008 by Baldrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Plastic surgeon I tell you, the future earning potential is almost limitless. The same as I tell my son - but he doesn't listen either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Professional Worm Hunter Whatever you do just remember that there is a whole world to study in. Marine Biology at the Island Collage in Bahamas, Forestry/ Fish and Wildlife Sir Sandford Flemming Canada New Zealand where ever. Spend the time and look at what is available. As TC says find the right girl and spend your days hunting and fishing. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleaner4hire Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 FM you seem quite enthusiastic about the vet idea - personally if i had a vague idea about what i wanted to do when i was your age i would go do it, especially when its a sensible one that appears as though you would thoroughly enjoy. That said, I joned the RAF at 19 not really knowing what i wanted to do, i have not really regretted it since. I enjoy my job, go all over the world (although some parts are nicer than others lol) get a good wage which pays for my shooting, acres of MOD land to shoot on and all being well and good, once ive done 22 yrs i can retire on a full military pension and get into being a keeper. Granted the forces are not for everyone but i wouldnt change a thing and strongly recommend everyone i speak to, to have a look at what they offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 What about approaching to see what the Environment Agency as to offer, i expect you will require some degrees etc, but find out what is required and set your sights on this, beit further edcation first etc.... Or failing that if you want to meet new people everyday, be given a uniform and work evenings, so you have plenty of time for shooting etc, and work quite local and I expect the money is good ....try being a Wild Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonsey Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I agree with with University route, however I was lucky enough to go when we didn't leave with massive overdrafts. I couldn't begin to imagine how hard it is now. You will leave with much more than a degree and it does give you a certain discipline which you will carry with you. You have to work hard and the other benefits are fun. It's a small amount of time on the grand scheme of things whether you do 3 or 7 years. Or simply take a year out and go next year. You don't have to go backpacking, see if you can get some farm management work perhaps, get a little something under your belt before you go to Uni. I didn't quite have the expierience at Uni that everyone else did because I lived at home for part of it and then got myself a flat. Don't get me wrong I still had a great time but studying and living in the same town isn't as much fun as moving away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 There is so much good advice on this thread, I think we are going to have to set up a "Careers" section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted February 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Thank-you very much for all of the replies and PM's. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulf Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I wouldnt be too quick to feel presurised into the uni route, I left school at 16 and have worked in many differnt jobs, Ive ended up as a self employed groundsmaintance contractor / pestcontroler, Qulifications wise Ive RSPH L2 cert pestcontroler and a fully ticketed chainsaw operator and spraying certs . As well as the above work I aslo do the odd bit of small building and lanscapeing, I keep busy make good money and love every minute. If I was ever unable to do the grounds maint work then I could walk into an employed job in pestcontrol. Many of my school freinds who were like me of averadge inteligence and went down the uni route are now either doing factory type work or low level managment, thiere middle of the road degrees are frankly worthless as there are so many with them. Im glad I never bothered with uni, Ive always cash in my pocket, can run two newish vehicles, can aford my hobbies and most importantly can take time off when I want too or if I need the cash work long days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I left school in 06 and did nothing for a year... but then the right job came up and im now a 1st year apprentice in motor mechanics. So if you do decide to go down the apprenceship route then dont pick the first one you see wait till you find a good one, there will always be a good one come up eventually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 If I had my time again I wouldn't go to uni. Sure it's opened some doors and I've done alright but frankly it was a bloody waste of three years of my life. If you are someone who enjoys the outdoors it is unlikely that uni will float your boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzyboi Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Id give you any advice on a career in IT or Networking Telecommunications Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Id give you any advice on a career in IT or Networking Telecommunications Me too DON'T DO IT!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcbruno Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 you like to shoot guns join the Army oi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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