Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 03 November 2008, 12:43:35
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Just to clarify, I currently have three "occupations".
1) Full time IT Employee for the NHS
2) Part time mobile mechanic
3) Voluntary Police Work
Number three is here to stay, but I am in a bit of a fix over 1 or 2.
The position I am in, in all honesty, I really hate my full time occupation, for a number of reasons. I am sick of I.T, and I want out of it. It's a shame, because I do have some quite specialised skills, but I am slowly losing these because in all honesty, I'm not interested and I couldn't give a monkeys. The people I work with are impossible, some of which don't understand basic IT principles, and some of which who do, but are very set in their ways and quick to ridicule anything new. I'm constantly firefighting systems that are totally unfit for purpose, I can get no funding to replace anything, so usually I just turn up, do as little as possible, and get paid, and feel tense and miserable through the day, which then usually gets taken out on Maria.
I am confident that if I became a full time mobile mechanic, while initially I won't make as much as my current salary, I reckon I could get by. I love doing that, whereas I pretty much detest my day job now.
What would you do?
I know there are pro's and cons of each, and I am scared, but I can't carrry on as I am...
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Only one of those options has any job security, pension and benefits...
One of those options is not going to be a career that will see you into old age.......
The other is not realy a career.
So you have to ask yourself, where do you want to be with your life?
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Only one of those options has any job security, pension and benefits...
One of those options is not going to be a career that will see you into old age.......
The other is not realy a career.
So you have to ask yourself, where do you want to be with your life?
I totally agree. The one that you hate is the bread-and-butter one. Mobile mechanic is undoubtedly more enjoyable to you but will be hit and miss and, while I'm not doubting your skills, omegas are the only cars you are used to working on. More modern cars will be harder to diagnose/repair on a driveway as the electronics will become very specialised.
Stick with IT but look for a better employer.
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I would sit tight for the moment. Things might be taking a turn for the worse and you haven't given the mobile mechanic side long enough to know truely if it will support you, IMHO.
Filling your weekends with work is one thing, filling every week day is another. In addition, you might currently be experiencing a surge of interest from people on the forum who have had jobs kicking around they had been "meaning to do" for a while, which will naturally settle given time.
I think you need to view your job as a means to an end and not take problems home with you. We all have to deal with muppets from time to time and in an environment where we could do better. You can try to change things and beat yourself up over it when you fail, or you can accept that the intertia is too great for one man to overcome and view it as a stable source of income for which you simply have to turn up every day.
Kevin
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And by the time you reach 40, you will be shot to pieces doing the spanner twirling as its like most physical trades.....they take it out on the body.
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Hi James,
I have a friend that makes a very good living out if doing IT contracting - he takes 3 month contracts at various companies and this leaves him enough time to persue his other interests or just take a break - I have no idea what your IT skills are but it may well be worth considering as it would seem to fit with your other jobs and it seems to be very well paid - all done through the internet of course and now a lot of companies have a recruitment freeze on he is getting lots of offers as temporary staff are under that particular radar.
Whatever you decide I hope it goes well.
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Hi James
Your situation is close indeed to what mine was 5 years ago. I was in IT also and now im an electrician and very happy where i am.
Here's what i'd do if i were u. . .
1. Keep plodding at NHS for 18 months (at least until the credit crunch has abated a little)
2. Build up your portfolio of clients during that time (not difficult with your skills) The time will fly by :)
3. Plan the "move" and save as much as you can "for a rainy day" [smiley=vrolijk_1.gif]so that you will have a buffer of money to live on in the event of illness/other nasties.
There is no question in my mind that you will do well, and I think it will make you happier, being your own boss :)
well thats my two penneth - and Good Luck :y
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Reading what you said again, the fact that you say number 3 is here to say speaks volumes to me. Is there a potential to make it more permanent and less voluntary?
Would having this as a target help you cope with number 1 in the interim?
Kevin
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Your in the same scenario as me, I can get by quite comfortably doing my own thing ;) and the wifes salary is above average.
Mine really gets saved. Essentially i could quit and not change my lifestyle. I utterly utterly despise my job and rarely get out of third gear but it pays fantastically, so theres my motivator :(
But think ahead young man - we all need job security and its trimmings. And know one knows how being your own boss will pan out.
Or think like me and be greedy and do it all. Bank the overpay and live happily ever after before your too old :y
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No don't quit your IT job. You need to take the long term view. Not many young people think of pensions and what they will actually mean when you are older or indeed what work is like when your body is less able.
My advice would be to look around for another good IT employer and have a change of scenery to freshen you up. You can't keep coming home and taking it out on Maria.
You can do the spannering to strike a balance between office and physical activities i.e. in your spare time as a money earning hobby.
Do the police need IT people? Is the aerospace industry near you? Do they need IT people?
varche
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James - I bet that most, if not everyone of the forum members has felt the same at some point - if not they are very lucky. Until the 1980's I was an electronics engineer, fixing TV's, Video's and the likes, but it was the PA equipment that kept me there longer.
Anyway, at 38 I re-skilled into IT and in those days I was a Contract 'techie' but I have now re-skilled again into a Project/Programme Manager. I am now just 18 months away from getting my Buss Pass, but wouldn't go back to a 'regular job' no matter how much they pay. The freedom of contract work is brilliant, as is the reward.
My advice to you is:
1. Stay where you are until the uncertanties of todays financial credit-crunch crisis have been resolved
2. Through your current Training & Development path, train for anything that you fancy thats available and that may be of use in the future.
3. Speak to an independent advisor who specialises in new start-ups in your local area (available through the local authority)
4. Get the advice of your accountant/lawyer/bank manager etc
and finally
5. Do a 'Winston Churchill'. A sheet of paper with a line down the middle, one column 'For' the other 'Against'. List them all then stand by the final result. But be honest in your list and to yourself.
I wish you the best of luck for the future whatever route you choose. Bruce :y
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If you wake up in the morning ..and the very thought of going to work fills you with dread....then I think this job is not for you.
If you wake up and look forward to the work you are about to go to.....then this is the job for you....so long as it pays enough to keep body and soul together ...and keep the wolf from the door.
Happiness is everything...good luck. :y :y :y :y
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The other thing to remember is that your feelings towards being a mechanic may change if that became your sole income and you had to go out and do it... I know mine did, hence the reason I got out of it and now only do it for "fun" again.
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James, putting the cardigan and slippers on for a moment -- the NHS job is ( will be) your pension provider in the long run. In these days of private pensions going bust left, right and centre, an NHS pension is gold plated ( for the moment).
All the above advice re. the alternatives is valid, mobile mechanics will be up and down, and "no work = no pay". More fun but so unpredictable.
As for the Plod --- you might consider taking it forward and put in an application for a regular post. But, try it out first -- you will soon find out that the same "office politics" prevail and the CPS will cheese you off no end!!!!
My advice would be to stick with the NHS for a while to see how the mechanic work pans out (or the Plod). In the meantime you have to forcfully re-adjust your thinking ( I recently had to do the same). The job is just the way you spend your day -- if your employer wants to throw the money at you for doing little, then so be it. If they under resource and things go t*ts up --- it is THEIR fault, not yours. It might take a few trys, but eventually you will master the "sod'em approach". :y
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There is some pretty sound advice above James :y
I left a secure job which I had been in for many years for the chance to earn good money on a self employed basis and for 8 years it has been great, but this years its all gone belly up and im now struggling to get any work at all.
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Kevin has come very close to reading my thoughts, actually... about option 3 being the longer term goal. It'd mean going through the entire recruitment process again, and would mean a possible move of location, however it's definately where I'd like to be in the longer term.
In the interim, I can't take anymore. My job is making me drink too much, lose my temper, and sometimes have me in tears.
Thanks for the advice, but alas it's too late. I can't stand being this unhappy every day, and I have handed my notice in.
My salary is not exactly high (22.7k basic) and it's certainly not worth the aggro and upset.
What will I do now, in the interim?
I will do freelance work, in both the IT industry, and with mechanics - and hopefully later on I will achieve my goal.
Am I scared? Yes, I'm bricking it.
Am I excited and enthusiastic? Definately!!
Here goes, in at the deep end!
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i got sick of my job, until i changed contractors, was with the same company for 5 yrs, all i did was fire people or give them rollockings, did my own thing for a while then decided to do agency work, sometimes better pay sometimes not, but felt better in myself as i wasnt in same place day in day out, made great friends round the country and more confident in myself now. do what makes you happy, dont blame the job m8, its usually your surroundings and the people you work with that make you unhappy. time to change
if i dont want to work, i wont work ;)
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Kevin said
" would sit tight for the moment. Things might be taking a turn for the worse and you haven't given the mobile mechanic
side long enough to know truely if it will support you, IMHO. Filling your weekends with work is one thing, filling every
week day is another. In addition, you might currently be experiencing a surge of interest from people on the forum who
have had jobs kicking around they had been "meaning to do" for a while, which will naturally settle given time.
I think you need to view your job as a means to an end and not take problems home with you. We all have to deal with
muppets from time to time and in an environment where we could do better. You can try to change things and beat yourself up over it when you fail, or you can accept that the intertia is too great for one man to overcome and view it as a stable source of income for which you simply have to turn up every day."
Marks DTM said
"And by the time you reach 40, you will be shot to pieces doing the spanner twirling as its like most physical trades.....
they take it out on the body. "
Hollycount said
"mobile mechanics will be up and down, and "no work = no pay". More fun but so unpredictable."
James,
All those words tell the truth..I agree with them..(and others)
If I were you I would take those as the critical decision factors :
- The job payments must be regular and sufficient at least to pay the regular bills
- Must have guarantee somewhat for retirement and health
- And must be physically easy for the long term..
And another extra factor is that for IT sector you need to spend serious time outside the job to follow the technology..
SO if you go on the IT route you can have maximum another second job not a third I'm afraid..
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As above try to take Plod full time.
Or change IT direction.
Have you tried development?
One thing I will say - if you have any debts clear them while interest rates are low.
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Kevin has come very close to reading my thoughts, actually... about option 3 being the longer term goal. It'd mean going through the entire recruitment process again, and would mean a possible move of location, however it's definately where I'd like to be in the longer term.
In the interim, I can't take anymore. My job is making me drink too much, lose my temper, and sometimes have me in tears.
Thanks for the advice, but alas it's too late. I can't stand being this unhappy every day, and I have handed my notice in.
My salary is not exactly high (22.7k basic) and it's certainly not worth the aggro and upset.
What will I do now, in the interim?
I will do freelance work, in both the IT industry, and with mechanics - and hopefully later on I will achieve my goal.
Am I scared? Yes, I'm bricking it.
Am I excited and enthusiastic? Definately!!
Here goes, in at the deep end!
Thats true..But believe me all of us are same..But try to keep calm..
And dont forget most of us have some muppets managing us.. :(
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You don't HAVE to take IT home.
As to mechanicing, I have seen a few get to 65 no problem but the pay was not good.
In a few years Omegas will be less popular so you need to look at learning another car sooner rather than later.
What are your IT skills?
You are young enough to become a developer but too young to for IT management and would need longer for systems analysis.
Anyway list here and we will help
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Marks DTM said
"And by the time you reach 40, you will be shot to pieces doing the spanner twirling as its like most physical trades.....
they take it out on the body. "
i can feel it now, finding it very hard carrying fire doors upstairs, unloading boards from lorries, lifting counters, only a few yrs left in me i think in my job, must win the lottery soon ;D ;D ;D
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I don't intend to be spanner twirling till I'm 40, I am 25 now - and I want to be in my desired career by 30...
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James
I must remind that the decisions that you will take now will effect your future seriously..So dont hurry.. :y
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Anyway what are your IT skills?
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Lots of very sage advice on here.like Pete i am self employed and until very recently as said in one of my posts was going down the pan early next year,until got something through.There is a great amount of worry and insecurity with self employment and it really depends on what you want from life.I would rather suffer the worry but be able to be master of my own destiny in something that i love rather thana steady cheque in a job i hated at others beck and call.there may be the option of self employment as stated earlier as an IT consultant that might be worth looking into.
Whatever you decide tho' I wish you good luck and happiness, whatever that is for you. :y
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I don't intend to be spanner twirling till I'm 40, I am 25 now - and I want to be in my desired career by 30...
wish i was 25 again, seems sooooooooo long ago. from what i can see james, your a very clever bloke with his head screwed on right. i reckon your do well in life :y
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I don't intend to be spanner twirling till I'm 40, I am 25 now - and I want to be in my desired career by 30...
wish i was 25 again, seems sooooooooo long ago. from what i can see james, your a very clever bloke with his head screwed on right. i reckon your do well in life :y
In fact I lied - I'm not 25 until mid January... :D
This is too early in life to be stuck in a job with little prospects of promotion that makes me unhappy.
I am at peace with my decision, actually...
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I don't intend to be spanner twirling till I'm 40, I am 25 now - and I want to be in my desired career by 30...
wish i was 25 again, seems sooooooooo long ago. from what i can see james, your a very clever bloke with his head screwed on right. i reckon your do well in life :y
In fact I lied - I'm not 25 until mid January... :D
This is too early in life to be stuck in a job with little prospects of promotion that makes me unhappy.
I am at peace with my decision, actually...
Another Capricorn :y
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I have a full-time job going for a skilled Omega enthusiast/mechanic-cum-business right-hand-man who can help me grow my business.
I am getting on in years, and need a young, dynamic person to take over when I am old and grey.
Only snag is -it's in Penzance. But PM if you -or anybody else for that matter -is interested.
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James, in short no don't quit your job.
It is this job which is providing you with stability and a regular, predictable income. With all respect at 24 you will not have been involved in all facets of IT and you may yet find something that really interests and motivates you.
In your position I would:
a) discuss the situation at work with somebody you trust/respect and see if there are other opportunities there.
b) Look at external opportuunities in IT.
c) Look into contracting possibilities with your skill set so you could blend the IT work with the mechanic work over time
d) Keep the mechanics work as the "live for the weekend" hobby that you really enjoy. It is almost certain that relying on this for a full time occupation will take the enjoyment out of it.
e) Expand the voluntary work if you can.
Don't rush into anything.
Good luck
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...each to their own and theres no right or wrong, but i would strongly advise quitting your day job right now.
If its making you that unhappy then theres processes any decent company should have in place, employee services, a little chat with your line manager, some time off....
Considor retracting your notice James...
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My advice is this.. Dont turn something you enjoy into something you need to sell.
you will quickly go off it if you are doing it all the time and NEED to make money from it.
I am a DJ i make my living from it it started out as a hobby because of my love for music now i am out most nights doing parties karaokes and pub quizes and while i know its great money for not alot of effort im fed up with it and would rather do something else however im a slave to the pound notes now as i wont get anything else that pays as well :( and its hard to walk away from work that pays well when you have kids and a mortgage
IT is a sector where you will always be able to find work look for an employer that does things your interested in.
Doug
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...each to their own and theres no right or wrong, but i would strongly advise quitting your day job right now.
If its making you that unhappy then theres processes any decent company should have in place, employee services, a little chat with your line manager, some time off....
Considor retracting your notice James...
Thanks a lot for the advice, but - Nope... sorry - I am off :(
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...each to their own and theres no right or wrong, but i would strongly advise quitting your day job right now.
If its making you that unhappy then theres processes any decent company should have in place, employee services, a little chat with your line manager, some time off....
Considor retracting your notice James...
Thanks a lot for the advice, but - Nope... sorry - I am off :(
Fair Play and Good Luck mate, by the way what sort of reaction did you get to your notice letter and what reasons did you cite if you dont mind me asking?
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wow big jump to make
GOOD LUCK with what ever you decide to do
I do think you will end up back doing IT soon enough tho
Doug
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...each to their own and theres no right or wrong, but i would strongly advise quitting your day job right now.
If its making you that unhappy then theres processes any decent company should have in place, employee services, a little chat with your line manager, some time off....
Considor retracting your notice James...
Thanks a lot for the advice, but - Nope... sorry - I am off :(
Fair Play and Good Luck mate, by the way what sort of reaction did you get to your notice letter and what reasons did you cite if you dont mind me asking?
My boss is not in at the moment.
I told my boss last week I was hanging on by a thread, and was really unhappy.
She told me she feels the same because of senior management, and her hands are also as tied as mine..
She asked me not to go, told me I am very valued and she will be very upset to lose me...
She know's it was on the cards, because I did tell her I was considering leaving and I told her truthful reasons.
Its going to upset her because we have 6 or 7 years of working history and usually work well together, but I have no choice.
I'm not looking forwards to when she opens her inbox tomorrow...
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I do think you will end up back doing IT soon enough tho
Doug
Quite likely, but even so I'd like a break from it.
I don't intend to make a full time living out of cars, but I will continue to do it while there is demand.
I'm considering even a part time college course or something.
If I do return to IT, it won't be for the NHS, I've never, ever, worked for such a shambles.....
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Its always easier to find a job when you have a job, I would hang on until I had something else, especially in todays economic climate :(
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in these uncertain times, i would have stayed with it. Lot of companies are going under and not a lot of companies are taking new staff.
Maybe unhappy, but its a well paid job, be glad that its yours.
I currently enjoy my position its good pay, and good place to work, but even if i was unhappy i would stay until the econmic climate becomes more stable, which could be as early as next summer.
Good luck though. :y - You will shortly have a PM ;)
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Its always easier to find a job when you have a job, I would hang on until I had something else, especially in todays economic climate :(
I would usually agree, but not at the expense of my happiness, relationship, and probably health...
I'm young enough to do something totally different. I worked straight out of school, never had a gap year, never been travelling... never done lots of things.
If I carry on in the current mindset, I never will..
I'm young enough at this time in my life, to take a bit of time out to do something different - and I actually need to do that for my own wellbeing at the moment.
Yep I'm worried, who wouldn't be, but I still feel comfortable with what I've done :y
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'Act in haste, repent at leisure'
You are in the fortunate position where you have no commitments.
I still say you need to think where you want to go....do you want a house etc etc etc
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'Act in haste, repent at leisure'
You are in the fortunate position where you have no commitments.
Which is why it's probably the best time for me to do something I want to do?
I still say you need to think where you want to go....do you want a house etc etc etc
Fully agree, and yes I do want those things, however I also need to reconsider my career, because even if I did stay for now, there's no way I'll be in this game for the long haul...
Call me silly, call it a waste of a skill - but I hate it.
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Its always easier to find a job when you have a job, I would hang on until I had something else, especially in todays economic climate :(
I would usually agree, but not at the expense of my happiness, relationship, and probably health...
I'm young enough to do something totally different. I worked straight out of school, never had a gap year, never been travelling... never done lots of things.
If I carry on in the current mindset, I never will..
I'm young enough at this time in my life, to take a bit of time out to do something different - and I actually need to do that for my own wellbeing at the moment.
Yep I'm worried, who wouldn't be, but I still feel comfortable with what I've done :y
Oh believe me, all mine are suffering at the moment, at least if I was in a job I hated, I could cope with the knowledge its just until I find something I like. I went to all the employment agencies in town last week and when they asked me what the minimum wage I would accept or is there anything I wouldn't do, I told them to just get me work :(
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Just to clarify, I currently have three "occupations".
1) Full time IT Employee for the NHS
2) Part time mobile mechanic
3) Voluntary Police Work
Number three is here to stay, but I am in a bit of a fix over 1 or 2.
The position I am in, in all honesty, I really hate my full time occupation, for a number of reasons. I am sick of I.T, and I want out of it. It's a shame, because I do have some quite specialised skills, but I am slowly losing these because in all honesty, I'm not interested and I couldn't give a monkeys. The people I work with are impossible, some of which don't understand basic IT principles, and some of which who do, but are very set in their ways and quick to ridicule anything new. I'm constantly firefighting systems that are totally unfit for purpose, I can get no funding to replace anything, so usually I just turn up, do as little as possible, and get paid, and feel tense and miserable through the day, which then usually gets taken out on Maria.
I am confident that if I became a full time mobile mechanic, while initially I won't make as much as my current salary, I reckon I could get by. I love doing that, whereas I pretty much detest my day job now.
What would you do?
I know there are pro's and cons of each, and I am scared, but I can't carrry on as I am...
I was in your boat about 5 years ago. I was in IT in france where none of my collegues had IT degrees yet because they had spent more time at uni got paid more than me to be a programmer. I wasnt feeling valued, my career was going nowhere fast, I had been told that being english precluded me from Project Management (the clients want french PMs) and my enthusiasm for my job was at rock bottom. I sat down evaluated my situation and weighed up my options.
Admittedly what I do now has a great career and a fantastic pension along with the ultimate responsibility for 100 soldiers who will make sure your life is never dull but it was a change and I am glad I made it. I think Mark is right in saying that the mobile mechanic job wont be doable forever and then you are no longer current in IT and cannot go back.
I feel for ya fella and if you ever want to chat drop me your Skype id on PM :y
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IT is something u can return to.., if u want to, skills are usually transferable into different area's. Used to work for an IT contracting company in London and while the economic climate is not brilliant.., I am sure u could find enuf work to keep u going if u decide to go that route.
However, taking a break can be a good idea too. As some of u will be aware Jue left his job (altho it was an unstable temp job) so he could work on cars (mostly Omegas) and well, we may not be rich, we ARE very busy and having lots of fun.., no two days are the same so its adding a lot to our lives. As long as u manage to get by but are happier, that's worth it in itself.
Wishing u all the best for the future James.
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IT is something u can return to.., if u want to, skills are usually transferable into different area's. Used to work for an IT contracting company in London and while the economic climate is not brilliant.., I am sure u could find enuf work to keep u going if u decide to go that route.
However, taking a break can be a good idea too. As some of u will be aware Jue left his job (altho it was an unstable temp job) so he could work on cars (mostly Omegas) and well, we may not be rich, we ARE very busy and having lots of fun.., no two days are the same so its adding a lot to our lives. As long as u manage to get by but are happier, that's worth it in itself.
Wishing u all the best for the future James.
Thank you, very much :y
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Well, James, you have done it now :o Best of luck with whichever direction you go in. See how you take to Plod as a Special, despite the aggro ( all jobs have aggro) it's a good direction to travel, if you find that it is for you.
Keep in touch with the IT world --- keep your skills current, that way you still have a fall back plan.
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Just to clarify, I currently have three "occupations".
1) Full time IT Employee for the NHS
2) Part time mobile mechanic
3) Voluntary Police Work
Number three is here to stay, but I am in a bit of a fix over 1 or 2.
The position I am in, in all honesty, I really hate my full time occupation, for a number of reasons. I am sick of I.T, and I want out of it. It's a shame, because I do have some quite specialised skills, but I am slowly losing these because in all honesty, I'm not interested and I couldn't give a monkeys. The people I work with are impossible, some of which don't understand basic IT principles, and some of which who do, but are very set in their ways and quick to ridicule anything new. I'm constantly firefighting systems that are totally unfit for purpose, I can get no funding to replace anything, so usually I just turn up, do as little as possible, and get paid, and feel tense and miserable through the day, which then usually gets taken out on Maria.
I am confident that if I became a full time mobile mechanic, while initially I won't make as much as my current salary, I reckon I could get by. I love doing that, whereas I pretty much detest my day job now.
What would you do?
I know there are pro's and cons of each, and I am scared, but I can't carrry on as I am...
James, I think Helen has already posted, but to be truthfull, the day i binned the day job was probably the best thing that I could have done. I went into the spanners straight from school. did some TA (royal Eng) and got my class 1, so decided to use that for a living. Unforseen circumstances happend so had to cease driving HGV. All the jobs that are about atm are agency, and ther are ALL on a daily basis (even tho the agencies say the positions are temp to perm, In reality they are just an ongoing contract).
Employers don't give a rats ar$e about their temp employees an altho the government say's that temp workers have almost the same rights as full timers that is NOT the case.
Going back to the spanners has made me alot happier. less of a pain to live with, less stressed. and also i'm doing something I enjoy.
If you can make ends meet and it's what you want and enjoy, then take the leap and make something for YOURSELF (and Maria) and not line the pockets of the of the nameless white shirt that you never meet.
Good luck in whatever you decide :y
Julian
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Kevin has come very close to reading my thoughts, actually... about option 3 being the longer term goal. It'd mean going through the entire recruitment process again, and would mean a possible move of location, however it's definately where I'd like to be in the longer term.
In the interim, I can't take anymore. My job is making me drink too much, lose my temper, and sometimes have me in tears.
Thanks for the advice, but alas it's too late. I can't stand being this unhappy every day, and I have handed my notice in.
My salary is not exactly high (22.7k basic) and it's certainly not worth the aggro and upset.
What will I do now, in the interim?
I will do freelance work, in both the IT industry, and with mechanics - and hopefully later on I will achieve my goal.
Am I scared? Yes, I'm bricking it.
Am I excited and enthusiastic? Definately!!
Here goes, in at the deep end!
I pay a bog standard PC Support person £220 a day, thats around £57k a year and they are always in demand. But for the money I earn I'd even clean the bogs, I don't give a toss what I do so long as the ackers keep rolling in ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Its better than putting up with crap. But remember, the higher up the tree you get, the more people there are trying to knock you off. So enjoy the support role, they can be fun :y
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Kevin has come very close to reading my thoughts, actually... about option 3 being the longer term goal. It'd mean going through the entire recruitment process again, and would mean a possible move of location, however it's definately where I'd like to be in the longer term.
In the interim, I can't take anymore. My job is making me drink too much, lose my temper, and sometimes have me in tears.
Thanks for the advice, but alas it's too late. I can't stand being this unhappy every day, and I have handed my notice in.
My salary is not exactly high (22.7k basic) and it's certainly not worth the aggro and upset.
What will I do now, in the interim?
I will do freelance work, in both the IT industry, and with mechanics - and hopefully later on I will achieve my goal.
Am I scared? Yes, I'm bricking it.
Am I excited and enthusiastic? Definately!!
Here goes, in at the deep end!
James it sounds very similar to what I was going through about 5 years ago. I took the plunge and have never not even when I was lying in the snow freezing my butt off and wet through having not slept for 3 days I still wouldent have been back in my pig of a job in Paris. It just so happens the job I love pays better than what I was getting in France so its win win (not to mention the pension)
Its your choice but I would say do it, if you dont now you'll regret it later :y
Like I said if you wanna chat I'm on skype :y
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James. Reading through this thread, it would appear the consensus of opinion is: Better the devil you know..... (well, for the time being) :y Sometimes it pays to eat humble pie and all those other adjectives, but its down to you to review the advice on offer and make your own judgement based on the your knowledge of the situation. I don't envy you, but even though we have never met, I wish you well. :) :y
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Good luck whatever you do.
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I have been trying to quit for about 3yrs, but they keep turning me down for redundancy :'( (we should get enhanced package). I cannot afford to leave without the package, unless I walk into another similar job the next day. I have various server skills - Windows, Linux, Solaris, Netware, Exchange, SQL etc having done 12yrs of 3rd line with that lot, but jobs near me are not common.
I have to deal with idiots all day long, mostly those in grades above me. The latest is I cannot access our company intranet or email, because I do not have a company build on lappy (because I work 100% at a client site, on their network, supporting their servers). The company I work for will not allow me to use another email address I can access, so I can't find out whats happening with anything. I can't do my time recording, as its on the company intranet, so have to have weekly bollocking over that. Its a crap state of affairs.
Now, to top it all, I have to spend this evening writing my APR, in my own time.
The NHS, with all its issues, isn't a bad place to work. The supposedly 'good' companies to work for, mine included, are far worse. And to add insult, we're all about to be TUPE'd for the 2nd time in 4yrs - bloody great for moral.
So yes, I wanted to tell them to shove it, but common sense must prevail.
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I have been trying to quit for about 3yrs, but they keep turning me down for redundancy :'( (we should get enhanced package). I cannot afford to leave without the package, unless I walk into another similar job the next day. I have various server skills - Windows, Linux, Solaris, Netware, Exchange, SQL etc having done 12yrs of 3rd line with that lot, but jobs near me are not common.
I have to deal with idiots all day long, mostly those in grades above me. The latest is I cannot access our company intranet or email, because I do not have a company build on lappy (because I work 100% at a client site, on their network, supporting their servers). The company I work for will not allow me to use another email address I can access, so I can't find out whats happening with anything. I can't do my time recording, as its on the company intranet, so have to have weekly bollocking over that. Its a crap state of affairs.
Now, to top it all, I have to spend this evening writing my APR, in my own time.
The NHS, with all its issues, isn't a bad place to work. The supposedly 'good' companies to work for, mine included, are far worse. And to add insult, we're all about to be TUPE'd for the 2nd time in 4yrs - bloody great for moral.
So yes, I wanted to tell them to shove it, but common sense must prevail.
Thing is, (old boy :D ) this is the one time in my life when I'll be able to take some time out (which I've never had) and do something a bit diferent... if I had a house or a mortgage, household bills etc then I would be in the same mindset as your post above... but this is probably the only time in my working life I'll get to try something different / do something for me.
It's definately a time of turmoil, but I can't carry on in a job that my heart is 100% not in...
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......
but I can't carry on in a job that my heart is 100% not in...
I've managed for the last 2 years! ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D
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I have been trying to quit for about 3yrs, but they keep turning me down for redundancy :'( (we should get enhanced package). I cannot afford to leave without the package, unless I walk into another similar job the next day. I have various server skills - Windows, Linux, Solaris, Netware, Exchange, SQL etc having done 12yrs of 3rd line with that lot, but jobs near me are not common.
I have to deal with idiots all day long, mostly those in grades above me. The latest is I cannot access our company intranet or email, because I do not have a company build on lappy (because I work 100% at a client site, on their network, supporting their servers). The company I work for will not allow me to use another email address I can access, so I can't find out whats happening with anything. I can't do my time recording, as its on the company intranet, so have to have weekly bollocking over that. Its a crap state of affairs.
Now, to top it all, I have to spend this evening writing my APR, in my own time.
The NHS, with all its issues, isn't a bad place to work. The supposedly 'good' companies to work for, mine included, are far worse. And to add insult, we're all about to be TUPE'd for the 2nd time in 4yrs - bloody great for moral.
So yes, I wanted to tell them to shove it, but common sense must prevail.
Are you a BOFH?
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James,
I have only read the 1st page, but as Pete says at the bottom of that 1st page, you have been given some etremely measured and wise advice.
It is threads like this that make this site special. I have never seen a site like it.
Maybe Omegas are "old man's" cars ;)
(I mean no offence, I am old too)
I would heed the advice, and don't let how you're feeling right now let you make any decisions you'll regret in the long term.
I have times like that about once every 18 months; I am in IT too and love it sometimes and hate it others, and yes for months at a time sometimes.
Look at it this way, would any of us go to work if we weren't being paid? I suspect that most of us would answer "no". That's why they pay you; so that you come in. It's not always going to be good, but a steady and stable income is a blessing these days mate. Don't give it away lightly.
On a final note: you are much more employable, in what ever you choose to do, when you're already employed.
Best of luck and chin up and don't do anything rash.
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I have been trying to quit for about 3yrs, but they keep turning me down for redundancy :'( (we should get enhanced package). I cannot afford to leave without the package, unless I walk into another similar job the next day. I have various server skills - Windows, Linux, Solaris, Netware, Exchange, SQL etc having done 12yrs of 3rd line with that lot, but jobs near me are not common.
I have to deal with idiots all day long, mostly those in grades above me. The latest is I cannot access our company intranet or email, because I do not have a company build on lappy (because I work 100% at a client site, on their network, supporting their servers). The company I work for will not allow me to use another email address I can access, so I can't find out whats happening with anything. I can't do my time recording, as its on the company intranet, so have to have weekly bollocking over that. Its a crap state of affairs.
Now, to top it all, I have to spend this evening writing my APR, in my own time.
The NHS, with all its issues, isn't a bad place to work. The supposedly 'good' companies to work for, mine included, are far worse. And to add insult, we're all about to be TUPE'd for the 2nd time in 4yrs - bloody great for moral.
So yes, I wanted to tell them to shove it, but common sense must prevail.
Thing is, (old boy :D ) this is the one time in my life when I'll be able to take some time out (which I've never had) and do something a bit diferent... if I had a house or a mortgage, household bills etc then I would be in the same mindset as your post above... but this is probably the only time in my working life I'll get to try something different / do something for me.
It's definately a time of turmoil, but I can't carry on in a job that my heart is 100% not in...
That is the point, no house no big expenses - time to do something for yourself.
Keep in with IT though - there will always be a need for some - unless you get outsourced
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I have been trying to quit for about 3yrs, but they keep turning me down for redundancy :'( (we should get enhanced package). I cannot afford to leave without the package, unless I walk into another similar job the next day. I have various server skills - Windows, Linux, Solaris, Netware, Exchange, SQL etc having done 12yrs of 3rd line with that lot, but jobs near me are not common.
I have to deal with idiots all day long, mostly those in grades above me. The latest is I cannot access our company intranet or email, because I do not have a company build on lappy (because I work 100% at a client site, on their network, supporting their servers). The company I work for will not allow me to use another email address I can access, so I can't find out whats happening with anything. I can't do my time recording, as its on the company intranet, so have to have weekly bollocking over that. Its a crap state of affairs.
Now, to top it all, I have to spend this evening writing my APR, in my own time.
The NHS, with all its issues, isn't a bad place to work. The supposedly 'good' companies to work for, mine included, are far worse. And to add insult, we're all about to be TUPE'd for the 2nd time in 4yrs - bloody great for moral.
So yes, I wanted to tell them to shove it, but common sense must prevail.
Thing is, (old boy :D ) this is the one time in my life when I'll be able to take some time out (which I've never had) and do something a bit diferent... if I had a house or a mortgage, household bills etc then I would be in the same mindset as your post above... but this is probably the only time in my working life I'll get to try something different / do something for me.
It's definately a time of turmoil, but I can't carry on in a job that my heart is 100% not in...
That is the point, no house no big expenses - time to do something for yourself.
Keep in with IT though - there will always be a need for some - unless you get outsourced
I have plans to keep abreast of IT ;)
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......
but I can't carry on in a job that my heart is 100% not in...
I've managed for the last 2 years! ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D
I think you are very lucky if you have a job you love 100%. Its certainly been a while for me. I bet if you polled, it would be split between the not happy and moderately happy ;)
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However, whatever you do, I wish you all the best.
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However, whatever you do, I wish you all the best.
Thank you :y
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James,
from the things you write , I understand you have some other
problems in mind that you need to solve.. So you have made your
decision.. There are moments that most of us want to simplfy the life..
(and most of us not that lucky to do) but real life beyond our
understanding really goes fast and never waits for us to catch ..
Good luck !
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James,
from the things you write , I understand you have some other
problems in mind that you need to solve.. So you have made your
decision.. There are moments that most of us want to simplfy the life..
(and most of us not that lucky to do) but real life beyond our
understanding really goes fast and never waits for us to catch ..
Good luck !
Cem.......The Turkish Philosopher ;D :y
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......
but I can't carry on in a job that my heart is 100% not in...
I've managed for the last 2 years! ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D
I think you are very lucky if you have a job you love 100%. Its certainly been a while for me. I bet if you polled, it would be split between the not happy and moderately happy ;)
I had a job I liked (not loved ;)) at Halls Mentholyptus for 15 yrs till they closed the place and moved production to Canada and Turkey. Then a bit of contract work. The job I've recently really enjoyed was TIG welding all day at a little place down the road. I was busy all day 8 till 5, but there were no night shifts or double days with crappy early starts or 10 o'clock finishes (like now), worked with a great set of lads. I'd still be there, despite being grubby every night, if the money had been a lot lot more. But at the time a job was a job that brought a few quid home untill I found something better.
The large beanz manufacturer I work for now couldn't be more boring, there are more layers of management than you could shake a hairy stick at, but it's permanant & pays a decent crust!
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James,
from the things you write , I understand you have some other
problems in mind that you need to solve.. So you have made your
decision.. There are moments that most of us want to simplfy the life..
(and most of us not that lucky to do) but real life beyond our
understanding really goes fast and never waits for us to catch ..
Good luck !
Cem.......The Turkish Philosopher ;D :y
To tell the truth in those ages I had a broken heart and gave up many things..Recovery was really painful..
-
James,
from the things you write , I understand you have some other
problems in mind that you need to solve.. So you have made your
decision.. There are moments that most of us want to simplfy the life..
(and most of us not that lucky to do) but real life beyond our
understanding really goes fast and never waits for us to catch ..
Good luck !
Cem.......The Turkish Philosopher ;D :y
To tell the truth in those ages I had a broken heart and gave up many things..Recovery was really painful..
Sorry mate :-[
-
James,
from the things you write , I understand you have some other
problems in mind that you need to solve.. So you have made your
decision.. There are moments that most of us want to simplfy the life..
(and most of us not that lucky to do) but real life beyond our
understanding really goes fast and never waits for us to catch ..
Good luck !
Cem.......The Turkish Philosopher ;D :y
To tell the truth in those ages I had a broken heart and gave up many things..Recovery was really painful..
Sorry mate :-[
no problem..I just tried to tell my experience..and thanks for the comment :y
-
I have been trying to quit for about 3yrs, but they keep turning me down for redundancy :'( (we should get enhanced package). I cannot afford to leave without the package, unless I walk into another similar job the next day. I have various server skills - Windows, Linux, Solaris, Netware, Exchange, SQL etc having done 12yrs of 3rd line with that lot, but jobs near me are not common.
I have to deal with idiots all day long, mostly those in grades above me. The latest is I cannot access our company intranet or email, because I do not have a company build on lappy (because I work 100% at a client site, on their network, supporting their servers). The company I work for will not allow me to use another email address I can access, so I can't find out whats happening with anything. I can't do my time recording, as its on the company intranet, so have to have weekly bollocking over that. Its a crap state of affairs.
Now, to top it all, I have to spend this evening writing my APR, in my own time.
The NHS, with all its issues, isn't a bad place to work. The supposedly 'good' companies to work for, mine included, are far worse. And to add insult, we're all about to be TUPE'd for the 2nd time in 4yrs - bloody great for moral.
So yes, I wanted to tell them to shove it, but common sense must prevail.
Thing is, (old boy :D ) this is the one time in my life when I'll be able to take some time out (which I've never had) and do something a bit diferent... if I had a house or a mortgage, household bills etc then I would be in the same mindset as your post above... but this is probably the only time in my working life I'll get to try something different / do something for me.
It's definately a time of turmoil, but I can't carry on in a job that my heart is 100% not in...
Hmm, sounds like you've already made your mind up :-/
-
I have been trying to quit for about 3yrs, but they keep turning me down for redundancy :'( (we should get enhanced package). I cannot afford to leave without the package, unless I walk into another similar job the next day. I have various server skills - Windows, Linux, Solaris, Netware, Exchange, SQL etc having done 12yrs of 3rd line with that lot, but jobs near me are not common.
I have to deal with idiots all day long, mostly those in grades above me. The latest is I cannot access our company intranet or email, because I do not have a company build on lappy (because I work 100% at a client site, on their network, supporting their servers). The company I work for will not allow me to use another email address I can access, so I can't find out whats happening with anything. I can't do my time recording, as its on the company intranet, so have to have weekly bollocking over that. Its a crap state of affairs.
Now, to top it all, I have to spend this evening writing my APR, in my own time.
The NHS, with all its issues, isn't a bad place to work. The supposedly 'good' companies to work for, mine included, are far worse. And to add insult, we're all about to be TUPE'd for the 2nd time in 4yrs - bloody great for moral.
So yes, I wanted to tell them to shove it, but common sense must prevail.
Thing is, (old boy :D ) this is the one time in my life when I'll be able to take some time out (which I've never had) and do something a bit diferent... if I had a house or a mortgage, household bills etc then I would be in the same mindset as your post above... but this is probably the only time in my working life I'll get to try something different / do something for me.
It's definately a time of turmoil, but I can't carry on in a job that my heart is 100% not in...
Hmm, sounds like you've already made your mind up :-/
I handed my notice in at lunchtime today mate ;)
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Dont blame you James.
In my experience people who follow their hearts are the ones who end up happy in the end. :y
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In 1987 I gave up a bloomin good Job with company car to follow my heart, Spent 10 years loving my dream job. Since have been through a few up's and down's, do not earn the same money, relative, but the career choice developed, and for the most part I enjoy going to work and doing the Job I do, still get frustrated sometimes, but that is life......... :y
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I walked out of my employment 20 years ago when I stopped enjoying it. Unlike you, I had nothing in place. However, I ploughed on and here I am thoroughly enjoying being self-employed. I don't think I could ever go back to the 9-5. It's tough and not as financially rewarding, but I do have an inner contentment (don't laugh!). :y
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James it is only you that can make such life changing decisions, using your brain, but if your heart follows then all well and good!! 8-) 8-) 8-)
After building a career (and family!! :-* :-*) with a company for 28 years I left when, despite a fantastic salary and benefits package, including new executive car every two years max, the "job" no longer gave me the satisfaction I needed.
Through a subsequent divorce, various self employed positions and another worthwhile mini career with a company I decided to really go out on a limb and enter full time higher education.
I have never regretted any of it and never looked back! That is what you can do James, go with your desires, strike out at the opportunities that present themselves and grab it all with both hands.
Do what YOU want to do and accomplish that your mind, heart and body desires! :y :y :y :y
All the very best for whatever you decide! 8-) ;)
Just my two penny worth!! ::) ::) ::)