New Career ideas?

[junglegusset]

Well sadly my current work is likely to come to an end if not this year then the year after. I have been working for the probation service which is now being sold off to private firms and I am not sure I want to be a part of that, even if I am offered the 'opportunity'. I am trying to be positive and taking the opportunity to do a job that I can really enjoy and get satisfaction from. Problem is I don't have many ideas. It would be good to do something cycling related as I have had a love of bikes all my life. I need to make fairly decent money, well 20-30k if you regard that as decent. I have also got some money saved for training courses if needs be, but I can't fund a degree course. I have a degree in Environmental Science (for what it's worth) and a PGCE. I don't really want to go back into mainstream teaching. I need ideas of things that are fun and things there is a demand for. I've always been stumped wen people ask me what I want to do for a living. I come over all fuzzy headed! I am quite practical but I also have well developed people skills. Don't like offices very much.

 

[Roadrider48]

I'm with you on the not liking office work too much.
Great screen name btw.

 

[screenman]

I am very nearly 58 and have worked for myself for the last 39 years, I still do not know what I want to do for the rest of my working life, which seeing as I am not a civil servant is likely to be another 20 years. Let me know what you come up with, at least you have an education and skills to help you along.

 

[ASC1951]

Well sadly my current work is likely to come to an end if not this year then the year after. I have been working for the probation service which is now being sold off to private firms and I am not sure I want to be a part of that, even if I am offered the 'opportunity'. ...

A preliminary point, but an important one - is it sensible to jump before any such transfer, given that the first step by the new owners of any large organisation is often to ask for voluntary redundancies? A lump sum can help a lot when you change careers; and who knows, a Probation Service under different management may throw up new opportunities.

 

[Paulus]

I was thinking along the same lines. There may be scope for redundancy, or, under T.U.P.E, you may be taken on by the new private firm, and new opportunities might arise within.

 

[ASC1951]

Going back to the OP, I would be a little wary about something cycle-related. First, none of it is on 'decent money' (unless you can produce 1.2kw for ten minutes!); and second, not many leisure pursuits remain fun when you have to do them day in, day out. A climbing holiday in the Alps isn't the same as being a professional guide.
Presumably you are looking at employment rather than self employment? In that case a major factor is, what sort of jobs are available in your area. My instinct is that you should be looking at delivering some sort of training, which is usually rather more rewarding - both spiritually and financially - once you are teaching volunteers rather than captives.
And there are any number of websites like this http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_environmental_science.htm

One other thought is that you shouldn't be investing too much time in this until you are within six months-ish of when you would leave your present post. There is nothing worse than plugging away at a job when your motivation disappeared two years earlier.

 

[screenman]

I wish I had some the sound advice above when I met my careers teachers back when I was 15.

 

[ASC1951]

I wish I had some the sound advice above when I met my careers teachers back when I was 15.

Same here, although on reflection my bloke had spent his entire working life holding a stick of chalk, so I shouldn't have been surprised. I think things have moved on a bit since that 20 minutes in <cough> 1968.

 

[screenman]

I do not think my guy even turned up for my one on one meeting in about 1971, mind you would I have listened? not likely.

 

[steve52]

im 56 and 3 years ago i became a carer for my wife, by by decent money, so i downsized moved to a cheaper area, and in my free time im enjoying my bike talking to cows, there mad you know.once a week or so i get the urge to get a job, but im sure its the sizzle and not the steak that lures me.i am however enjoying life, and growing a beard , i no longer need a scarf and am working on aero weaves with it.

 

[midliferider]

Do you mind if I ask your age bracket? 30-40, 40-50 etc
I am not ageist but it may have an impact.

 

[junglegusset]

Thanks for the advice so far. I am aware of the possibility of redundancy offers and I won't be doing anything rash just yet. Tupee will just mean a delay of the inevitable. When the time comes though I want to to have a clear plan to follow, and if there is anything I can do in the interim period to prepare then I can get started. The idea of becoming a trainer is a good one, there may well be some legs on that. I appreciate the warning about making your hobby your job and the danger of ruining it. I can see that is a real danger. I am not adverse to becoming self employed or starting a business. I have no experience in this direction, but I'm game for anything. I just need some ideas. I would happily train to be a tradesmen like a sparky or a plumber but I believe the call for these trades isn't what it was a few years ago. I was thinking mobile cycle mechanic but I'm not sure how much call there is since there are a lot of bike shops in my area.

 

[PaulB]

Thanks for the advice so far. I am aware of the possibility of redundancy offers and I won't be doing anything rash just yet. Tupee will just mean a delay of the inevitable. When the time comes though I want to to have a clear plan to follow, and if there is anything I can do in the interim period to prepare then I can get started. The idea of becoming a trainer is a good one, there may well be some legs on that. I appreciate the warning about making your hobby your job and the danger of ruining it. I can see that is a real danger. I am not adverse to becoming self employed or starting a business. I have no experience in this direction, but I'm game for anything. I just need some ideas. I would happily train to be a tradesmen like a sparky or a plumber but I believe the call for these trades isn't what it was a few years ago. I was thinking mobile cycle mechanic but I'm not sure how much call there is since there are a lot of bike shops in my area.

Roadie for Half Man Half Biscuit. You're in the right shop there and the work is very.....intermittent shall we say? Short of being on stage with them, that would be my ultimate job. That and oiling Anna Friel down between takes.

 

[Old Plodder]

You may also find your age goes against you, depending on how old you are, I couldn't 'interest' employers to take me on.
(I've seen mobile mechanics come & go - they never last long, just can't get enough work to make it pay!)

 

[asterix]

How about Agricultural Mechanic? Apparently it's pretty high tech these day and is otherwise like 'All Creatures Great and Small' without having to stick your hand where you wouldn't normally.