Career Change

[Dr Nowt]

Well in Chev, you won’t regret it.

 

I felt depressingly old last year during induction, my Access Course cohort having given me a false impression of the sort of ages I may be seeing dotted around in reasonably substantial numbers. At one point it appeared my tutor group was literally me and nine 18 year old lasses. What once would have been the dream scenario filled me with quite a lot of meh, if I’m honest.

 

My ideal is an entirely mixed group, so I’d be perfectly happy with at least a couple of school-leavers in that, but too many and it’s all but impossible to have much in common. Even when they’re being completely hospitable and including you/inviting you out with them.

 

Picked up though, a very amusing lad in his mid-twenties joined the group and the youngest looking lass turned out to be 22, old way beyond her years and owner of one of the darkest senses of humour I’ve ever known. Had a superb laugh with them and have since become decent mates, despite me being a plus-40 year old miserable bastard who they inevitably both call Dad. Fritzel jokes aplenty.

 

Unfortunately some other stuff got in the way at Xmas, which has taken focusing purely on my health ever since to turn round, meaning I had to leave my original uni. Have been offered (and accepted) a place at my local one 5 minutes up the road instead of an hour commute away, and start over in September.

 

Just going to saddle back up, grit my teeth and go through being the oldest fucker in the room all over again. So it’s certainly not an experience I found off-putting, as I’ve a positive feeling about going again and am just preparing to hit the ground running now.

[Elite]

Well in Chev, you won’t regret it.

 

I felt depressingly old last year during induction, my Access Course cohort having given me a false impression of the sort of ages I may be seeing dotted around in reasonably substantial numbers. At one point it appeared my tutor group was literally me and nine 18 year old lasses. What once would have been the dream scenario filled me with quite a lot of meh, if I’m honest.

 

My ideal is an entirely mixed group, so I’d be perfectly happy with at least a couple of school-leavers in that, but too many and it’s all but impossible to have much in common. Even when they’re being completely hospitable and including you/inviting you out with them.

 

Picked up though, a very amusing lad in his mid-twenties joined the group and the youngest looking lass turned out to be 22, old way beyond her years and owner of one of the darkest senses of humour I’ve ever known. Had a superb laugh with them and have since become decent mates, despite me being a plus-40 year old miserable bastard who they inevitably both call Dad. Fritzel jokes aplenty.

 

Unfortunately some other stuff got in the way at Xmas, which has taken focusing purely on my health ever since to turn round, meaning I had to leave my original uni. Have been offered (and accepted) a place at my local one 5 minutes up the road instead of an hour commute away, and start over in September.

 

Just going to saddle back up, grit my teeth and go through being the oldest fucker in the room all over again. So it’s certainly not an experience I found off-putting, as I’ve a positive feeling about going again and am just preparing to hit the ground running now.

What course you doing mate?

[Dr Nowt]

What course you doing mate?

Psychology undergrad.

[Section_31]

Well, I'm going to Uni. Got 3 assignments due in on Tuesday but with my grades so far I'm definitely through and sorted as long as I don't fail on those which I won't.

 

 

Had the same, fortunately there are two other guys who had applied for my course who are both in their 30s so I won't be the only one wandering around looking like some kind of bald sex pest.

Well done mate proud of ya

[Chairman Meow]

Well in Chev, you won’t regret it.

 

I felt depressingly old last year during induction, my Access Course cohort having given me a false impression of the sort of ages I may be seeing dotted around in reasonably substantial numbers. At one point it appeared my tutor group was literally me and nine 18 year old lasses. What once would have been the dream scenario filled me with quite a lot of meh, if I’m honest.

 

My ideal is an entirely mixed group, so I’d be perfectly happy with at least a couple of school-leavers in that, but too many and it’s all but impossible to have much in common. Even when they’re being completely hospitable and including you/inviting you out with them.

 

Picked up though, a very amusing lad in his mid-twenties joined the group and the youngest looking lass turned out to be 22, old way beyond her years and owner of one of the darkest senses of humour I’ve ever known. Had a superb laugh with them and have since become decent mates, despite me being a plus-40 year old miserable bastard who they inevitably both call Dad. Fritzel jokes aplenty.

 

Unfortunately some other stuff got in the way at Xmas, which has taken focusing purely on my health ever since to turn round, meaning I had to leave my original uni. Have been offered (and accepted) a place at my local one 5 minutes up the road instead of an hour commute away, and start over in September.

 

Just going to saddle back up, grit my teeth and go through being the oldest fucker in the room all over again. So it’s certainly not an experience I found off-putting, as I’ve a positive feeling about going again and am just preparing to hit the ground running now.

 

Cheers Ben, I'm looking forward to it. Especially after the two open days I went to, pre and post receiving my offer, the kit they have in the department is ridiculous and it's all brand new pretty much so they are definitely right at the current level technology wise for the stuff I want to do.

 

I'm already thinking that when I finish my first one I might go back and do a new Physics degree as well because you can get funding for a part-time degree if it's STEM.

 

Well done mate proud of ya

 

Cheers old chap. Fighting the power one student loan at a time!

[Paulie Dangerously]

Super that Chev.  Takes balls. 

[stringvest]

Well done both.  I'm impressed and more than a little envious.

[Rico1304]

I’ve just got a new job. Those of you needing help with elderly relatives shuffling off their mortal coil better hurry up.

[stringvest]

I’ve just got a new job. Those of you needing help with elderly relatives shuffling off their mortal coil better hurry up.

Really? Message me hun

[Bob]

After almost being forced out of my business through redundancy I’ve taken on a new role as sales director which I’ve just finished my first week in.

 

Into a vipers nest, from the looks of it!!

[Byrnie]

Well, I'm going to Uni. Got 3 assignments due in on Tuesday but with my grades so far I'm definitely through and sorted as long as I don't fail on those which I won't.

 

 

Had the same, fortunately there are two other guys who had applied for my course who are both in their 30s so I won't be the only one wandering around looking like some kind of bald sex pest.

Well in mate. Fair play to you. Takes guts, best of luck.

[Furmedge]

My work has a few "apprentice" Business Analyst roles on at the moment. Study/project work mix while studying for a NVQ4 qualification. More or less the same paygrade as I'm at now and I'm sorely tempted. The idea of working on projects that actually end (rather than become your daily grind) is undeniably attractive.

What did you do about it in the end? I'm a Business Analyst, which is a clever way of saying I make suggestions but take no responsibility for any decisions. I like my job, but it very easily gets confused by people thinking it's simply providing stats and reports. It's made twice as difficult by having a snowflake manager who doesn't refuse requests from other departments so I spend much of my time building dashboards and trend charts than actually analysing data.

 

The pay scale is massively wider than it should be, so it depends on how seriously your company takes the role. Some offer pretty derisory salaries but then I've also seen roles that hit between £50k-£60k. I pretty much earn what I expect the job is worth but if I could find a BA role at the upper end of the scale I'd be sorely tempted even though the flexitime and perks my current place offers is the best I've experienced in my career.

[Paulie Dangerously]

Had a pre-course day at Edge Hill yesterday meeting my subject tutors and getting an idea of how the lectures etc will pan our before the placements kick in.  Bit apprehensive about the masters level writing as it's something I just haven't done for 14 years but they seemed to be willing to offer a lot of support if needed.

 

Although I am the oldest taking a PGCE there were some other mature students there too and got speaking to a mixed group who all seemed sound. 

 

Raring to get going now.  36 working days to go until I leave here 

[Paulie Dangerously]

Student loan has been confirmed.  There's nothing between me and jacking it all in and going back to Uni now.

 

SHHHHIIIIIITTTTTTT

[Karl_b]

Ha! Good luck Paulie; teaching is a difficult but rewarding career that I could never do in a million years.

 

12 years in and I'm starting to doubt my choice of architecture as a career. I'm burning out at 33 and it's not worth it. Trouble is, I don't see any better options out there!

[Champ]

Student loan has been confirmed. There's nothing between me and jacking it all in and going back to Uni now.

 

SHHHHIIIIIITTTTTTT

Yer’ve done it now

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the very best

[Rico1304]

I handed my notice in 3 weeks ago, since then not heard a word from my boss other than a message to say I wasn’t to attend team meetings. Cunt.

[stringvest]

I handed my notice in 3 weeks ago, since then not heard a word from my boss other than a message to say I wasn’t to attend team meetings. Cunt.

Why didn’t you get gardening leave?

[stringvest]

Ha! Good luck Paulie; teaching is a difficult but rewarding career that I could never do in a million years.

 

12 years in and I'm starting to doubt my choice of architecture as a career. I'm burning out at 33 and it's not worth it. Trouble is, I don't see any better options out there!

That’s interesting- why are you suffering from burnout Karl? Is it workload? Can you not just turn work down? Architects I know love their job and are never stressed. Then again, I only know 3.

[Rico1304]

Why didn’t you get gardening leave?

Because he’s dick. I’m going over his head tomorrow, he’s still not started the formal leave process (hols, pension etc).

[Chip Butty]

Because he’s dick. I’m going over his head tomorrow, he’s still not started the formal leave process (hols, pension etc).

 

Did you hand the same signed letter in to HR as well? 

[Rico1304]

Did you hand the same signed letter in to HR as well?

 

No, just him. The official process is for the manager to initiate it. I’m now going to go full on for gardening leave and fuck him over.

[Chip Butty]

No, just him. The official process is for the manager to initiate it. I’m now going to go full on for gardening leave and fuck him over.

 

What is your notice period? If you don;t mind me asking.

 

Generally it is one month and 3 for managers(not sure if you are), but after 3 weeks, you should of at least been approached by HR by now.

 

You will, or should, be entitled to an exit interview, so keep your powder dry for having a go at your soon to be ex-boss, till the formal process has ended, no matter how much you want to rip into him. 

[Rico1304]

What is your notice period? If you don;t mind me asking.

 

Generally it is one month and 3 for managers(not sure if you are), but after 3 weeks, you should of at least been approached by HR by now.

 

You will, or should, be entitled to an exit interview, so keep your powder dry for having a go at your soon to be ex-boss, till the formal process has ended, no matter how much you want to rip into him.

 

3 months, I start my new job 19th Sept. 22 yrs there too.

[lifetime fan]

Make sure you’ve taken everything you want before you get gardening leave.