Please help me I'm miserable!!

[k8tkoo]

I'm currently working as a trainee surveyor for a local authority and have been there for two years. Although it's got great potential because they've already paid for a BTEC and are going to pay for a degree, I hate it! I can't get into the whole technical knowledge side of things and the masses of paperwork. I just can't see myself as a surveyor in the future and it's a long time to train (min. 6 years) for something you're not truly interested in. Problem is, I really don't know what else to do with myself, does anyone have any ideas because I've run out and it's really getting me down!

I've got 10 A-C GCSE's, 2 (not very high grade) A-levels, am on course to get a double merit in my BTEC in construction and have also worked as a control room operator doing CCTV for 2 years. I don't really want to be stuck in an office and like working with people. Ideally I'd like a job where I'm out and about all day but any suggestions would be very much appreciated!

Thanks x

[k8tkoo]

PS, I'm 22 and need to earn at least �17000 p/a to pay for my mortgage!

[WendyS]

OK - time to start facing reality. What are your skills and your interests?. There's no point in doing a job at which you are miserable but you possibly need some professional guidance to help you relate your skills and interests to a job which will bring in the salary you require. You can either consult a careers consultant (expensive) or sit down with some intelligent people you trust to do some brainstorming about possible careers.(cheaper) Talk to all the people outside work whom you know. What do they do? What skills and training were necessary? Is it a job you would enjoy? I don't want to put a dampener on you, but at least 50% of the employed people in this country are probably doing a job they hate but which they have to keep working at to pay the bills. If you want to break this mould, do it now while you're young,but remember that even the best job in the world has its downside. You say you enjoy working with people. Most roles working with people involve being in an office/commercial/airport type indoors environment which you say you don't want. How about the police service? You'd certainly be out and about in that? Possibly something in the travel/leisure environment would suit you?

[Callithrix]

If you want to work with people, something in social care is another option. It's a vast area with so many different things you can do, and the pay is very good too! My cousin works at a day care centre, helping people with learning difficulties, and she's earning a lot. (http://www.socialcarecareers.co.uk)

Also, try speaking to an advisor. There's an organisation called Shaw Trust, which is "a national charity that provides training and work opportunities for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability, ill health or other social circumstances." (http://www.shawtrust.org.uk)

[Callithrix]

Correction to above links:

http://www.socialcarecareers.co.uk

http://www.shawtrust.org.uk

[k8tkoo]

Thanks WendyS, I totally agree that not a lot of people have to accept that they are not happy in their job but I don't want to be like that. I'm not saying I want to be rushing into work every day because I'm so desperate to get there but just to go in not dreading it would be nice! I think you could be right about seeing a careers advisor - I've already spoken to one at the college where I do my day release but they seem intent on keeping me in construction! Think it's time to see someone independant.

Callithrix, thanks too for your advice. I've not really thought about social work before but will definitely look into that website. Also that Shaw Trust is quite near me with their head office in Wiltshire so I'll contact them and ask if there are any vacancies coming up in the near future.

Thanks again! x

[Callithrix]

k8tkoo,

social care work is different to social work, which requires a degree, and involves things like sorting out family disputes etc, I don't know what else.

Social care work is more on the NHS/private sector side, and involves helping people in some way, such as the blind, deaf, disabled, lonely, mentally ill, learning-impaired etc. This may require a little training in NVQ 2.

At least you completed your GCSEs and got some good grades. I left a few weeks before my exams, so I had to start from scratch, and for a short time I was living in regret about that, and also because I'd chopped and changed college courses a few times, trying to find what I wanted to do with my life. But a Connexions careers advisor reassured me that what I did wasn't wrong, I was just trying things out to find my forte.

Never underestimate voluntary work, which can give a fantastic boost to one's job prospects, and can help you to decide if a line of work feels right for you. Good luck.

http://www.do-it.org.uk (Voluntary opportunities)