Which way now?

[TheShaggyDA]

Could have posted this in the Geek zone, but it has more potential to veer away from IT, so I'm posting here

After 23 years of working in IT in varying roles including night shift operator, programmer, analyst, consultant, project manager, operations manager, customer service manager and a most enjoyable stint as a fork lift truck operator, I've found myself at the end of a contract with no real plans for the future. The majority of my recent experience (15 years) has been in a niche area (hands up who's heard of ProIV? Anyone?), which whilst pays quite well (thank-you-very-much) and can still be milked for a good 5 years, doesn't really make me want to get out from under the duvet every morning. In order to change direction, I should really take a look at what the market is crying out the most for, and retrain for that. Same shit, different flavour, bigger bucket.

As far as what I like to do is concerned, if there was a job out there that paid me to surf, play games and ride my bike, I wouldn't be posting

So, I'm looking for suggestions and ideas. If you were in a position where you were financially stable (with enough reserve for say, 12 months of all living expenses taken care of) what career would you retrain for? Plumbing? HIPS consultant? Electrician? MSCE? Gardener? HGV? Accountant? Hitman?
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[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[Whosthedaddy]

Nursing is pissing me off, I keep discussing the idea of being self employed and owning a shop.

A filthy, dirty, blacked out window sex shop

Sex always sells
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Clanger]

I dunno what to suggest. All I can say its NOT that easy to retrain and get a job. Im 'trying' that exact thing now.. and getting nowhere fast.

Im trained as an artworker, some graphic design skills, but mainly print production. In my spare time I worked with teenagers, in youth centres, street work, counselling etc. So I came back from my travels deciding after working voluntary in Thailand in a School for the Blind, I would veer my work towards young people.

Since Ive been back I have applied for 50 or so jobs online, through the newspapers, cold sell, and have had response back from Connexions...saying Im part qualified as I stand, I need the full monty NVQ4 Advice & Guidance...and then Im sorted. To do said NVQ I need employment, so I have been literally begging these types of agencies to give me a chance so I can do the training. Diddly squat!

So Ive had to revert back to plan B, back to what I am qualified and am experienced in. Its a fucking arse changing career...so best of luck to you whatever you decide to do.

However, I will say one thing. I heard that there is a good bit of money to be made in Plumbing, especially if you are a woman! Dunno why, but perhaps since the abolishment of apprenticeships, most teens are persuaded Uni is the way to go and the trades are falling behind...
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Whosthedaddy]

[Clanger]

Im currently living on money I didnt spend on my travels (I didnt think I'd be so long unemployed, so not claiming), so having a pay cut is of no consequence to me, I just want to work with teens, and I wanna do it now!

So far Ive had about 10 responses, flat - no! Not enough experience. Its doing my head in a bit.

Im on recruitment agency books too, I've said I'll do practically anything they offer me. Im sick of not working, I'll like being busy.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[bazza]

How do you feel about mighty redwoods and lingerie?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/bg/1/1b/Lumberjack_Song.jpg
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"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[mr jamez]

Wood machining is what I'd like to do when I'm 'old' Nice and clean, no heavy lifting or any of that bollocks and plenty of skill involved (plus you get to wear a big blue lab coat). You can earn about £15 p/h if you're good, not amazing but meh.
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NSR 125F > BROS 400 > NC30 > BROS 400 > Trumpet S4 > '97 VFR 750

[Kickstart]

Hi

Wish I knew. Trouble is finding a job which you enjoy and which pays and which some idiot doesn't add loads of pointless rubbish to just to justify their existance.

All the best

Keith (programmer who is sick of wasting 90% of their day on pointless rubbish)
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[tribal_tiger]

Jack in the IT and be a bike instructor
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How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could Chuck Norris?

All of it.

[Kickstart]

[tribal_tiger]

You or Shaggy.

If not, ever thought about being a florist?

It's just sticking some flowers together and charging £45 for them, how hard can it be!!!
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How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could Chuck Norris?

All of it.

[dodsi]

You could become a pirate and sail the severn estuary...

...well that would make you a shit pirate.

Ok Im crawling back under my rock.

[JodieWodie]

I would say get into something that people will always need, that could be interesting and varied from day to day.. ie unexpected stuff

If you want to get out of I.T. altogether, I would suggest the plumbing
Loads of money, different people/houses/problems, and it could be quite interesting

J x
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Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

[Kickstart]

[Jebus]

yeah everybody is training to be a plumber, maybe pimp yourself out?
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2nd time around CBT: 8/9/11
125 Varadero

[Mary Jane]

For Shaggy:

Retraining for something still IT-related will allow you to be able to use your current experience as a selling point on your resume and in interviews.

Retraining for a completely different field, you'll have to start at the bottom of the pile. Entry-level bullshit.

Good luck, man.

[Kaben]

I know people who can work with GIS surveying software get good contracts with out IT department. Quite alot of roles within central and local government needing that skill over the next few years and it needs a decent IT grounding to be able to get the best out of it.

I could give you the email/phone number of one of my friends who works on the IT recruitment team at my firm. he would be able to tell you what kind of candidates are in high demand/command decent salaries. Send me a PM and i will be happy to put you in touch.
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Its Not a Melon, Its Clearly a Lime!!
Yamaha Fazer 600Now dead, MZ 125 SM
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[Pte1643]

[gixxersixx]

pub manager. Get your licence open a bar/pub, employ a bar manager to oversee everything, then you dont have to get up in the mornings, its a bit like being retired but getting paid for it
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We're all just born to die. So lets have some fun
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[queen of string]

If you have some reserves, why not travel for a few months , get to know yourself a bit better and meet lots of new people and be exposed to lots of new ideas. Come back refreshed and ready to launch yourself into what ever it is you decide you want whilst youre mooching about.
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"Eat food, not edible, food-like items. Mostly plants."

[colin1]

[TOM M]

If you fancy a change do it. Just go for something you enjoy, lifes too short to be working stuck in a job you hate / bored of. Money isnt everything, id rather have had an enjoyable working life than get to 60 with some cash in the bank and have wasted 40 odd years being bored.

Lifes for living
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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit