Advice

[saxo_boi]

Hi,

I just want some advice really, I am only 19 but already I feel like im in a dead end job, I cant see where im going to go from here, Im not earning enough money the only positive is that the people are great and im having a fun time here! But I don't know what to do to get out of this rut. My work relates to council tax and HB at the moment and this involves using computers a lot. I am computer literate and have a good set of GCSEs and A-Levels. I was thinking about maybe doing a course with computeach or something like that but I just don't know where to start. I don't want to leave it too late and end up here all my life!

[capper1985]

Hi if your working with council tax + HB I'm assuming your in the finance department of your local council...

As much as I hate my own local council I did used to work for them,for me it was depressing because it seemed nothing more than lazy people in their own 'clique' pushing paper around trying to look important..

I found the whole thing irritating because I knew I was paying taxes for these people to do this.

However if you don't feel the same way as me then you would be hard pressed to find a more secure career with pension etc...

I left on good terms after a year I now work for microsoft, but I didn't do any courses to get here,just started at the bottom...

I enjoy my job now but it is a risky decision to leave such a secure job, make sure you find something you know you'll stick at...otherwise you'll be no better off than you are now...

[Dizzieblonde]

Could you afford to go to Uni, or back to college full-time to study for something? If you're working for the Council, are there any internal vacancies or temporary secondments you could try for? As for Computeach, I think they were on a Watchdog-type programme not so long ago - can't remember what people's gripe was - but I think the whole thing was pretty costly for what you got out of it.

[pingping]

I would suggest that you take every opportunity to go on training courses / secondments while in your current post so that you can build up your skills in as many different areas as possible. Volunteer for any extra work as this all builds up your CV, and remember to keep a note of all the different things that you do.

I would also suggest that you find out any evening courses on offer at your local college as these are usually cheaper than home-study ones.

Good luck - and you don't have to get stuck in a rut at 19 - you've got your whole life ahead of you, so grasp any opportunities that come your way.

[Madgirl2]

I agree with Dizzieblonde. Why don't you re-train at uni or something similar? You might think you're used to earning a wage and can't afford it. However, I gave up a well paid job after 17 years to go to uni to study. Between my bursary and part time job (which I love by the way) I can still afford holidays, my mortgage and nights out....and I have no one else supporting me. Once I get my degree I can travel the world and earn great money. The biggest regret I have is not going to uni when I was younger. It's great that at your age you recognise that you want more out of life so whatever, you do - best of luck!!!!

[123paul]

You say the people are great & that you are having fun; I would enjoy it for a bit of I were you.

You are hardly stuck in rut; wait until you have a job which is not fun with people that you dont like (like many of us!), then you will have something to moan about.

There is a lot to be said for enjoying where you work.

[sam100]

i would definately retrain or do a night course or something.
Its good tho that you have got experince working in and office and have good computer skills. why not do an open university cousrse from home or something that way you can train, keep your job while your doing it and then jack it in once you have found a new one which you can combine your new skill and your experience with.
Fair play for deciding you want to do something different-it's the first step! Good luck

[sam100]

PS. if your feeling a bit bored it might be worth having a word with you manager as they may not realise and maybe able too jiggle your job about a bit to give it a new lease of life or put you on some work based course which may be good?