Career Advice Please

brinjen

I've started this thread as I'm currently working in customer service and am looking for a change. I've just spent the better part of the day on the local university's website going through their "career decider" answering questions on education, skills, interests, lifestyle the works. I entered a strong interest in both the arts as well as computers and electronics. I have lots of interest and skills but not much on paper in the way of certificates. The result? One career choice - modelling from computers, electronics and the arts. What kind of dumb@$$ programmer designs a web site to come up with this kind of result?

So I'm asking.... Do you work in an industry covered by these areas? I'll willing to consider something in a clerical type role as well. Whats the pros/cons of your job? What do you love/hate most about it? What qualifications did you need? I am open to further education/training, pay dosen't have to be huge (don't make that much now). I would like to have a job that I enjoy for a change instead of dreading every Monday as much as I do now.

I'm just trying to locate some 'real world' opinions to help me make a choice with whats availible in my area.

Cheers

DJK

If your strong in arts and computers you would do well in the printing industry. My wife works at a large printing firm and she is one of two people that can perform the needed preprint work .

ninja

art and computers huh....why not try the Ozzie bethel....they need help in plagiarising more artwork and digitally enhancing it....cheers brinjy....from ninjy ; )

brinjen

art and computers huh....why not try the Ozzie bethel....they need help in plagiarising more artwork and digitally enhancing it....

Hmmm never considered that ninjy... Think of the perks too....all those hunky, horny sexually opressed brothers.... Nah! Too easy! Next!

sass_my_frass

Hi Brinjen, I can only suggest that I don't think that there is a job in the world that doesn't get a bit ho-hum sometimes. Okay, there might be say 1% of jobs which bring nothing but fulfillment and satisfaction, but it's generally a non-financial reward.

I'm five units into an undergrad degree with www.open.edu.au - I have picked a course which isn't exactly what I want to do, partly because I'm not sure of exactly what I want to do, but partly because it's what work would pay for. Larger employers are required to pay for your training and you should be able to get fees covered for it; it makes a difference (my $25K degree will be basically free).

darth frosty

As they always say do something you enjoy, but as far as the financial aspects of a job go,there is and I feel always will bea strong need for those in the nursing profession. You have people living longer lives today and this increases the need for people in the medical fields.

Little Drummer Boy

Just a couple of comments here...

Darth is right about there being a need for nurses. Wifey is a nurse. One thing about it though, is that there is less and less of a need for LPN nurses with a technical certificate. And these are just the kinds of nurses that are being pushed out by the gazillions every year at the 2 year colleges. If you decided to be a nurse, at the very least get you Associate degree while doing so. RN nurse with Bachelors will be much more viable for job prospects.

And that brings me to my second point...

I just recently completed my Associate degree. For me, a 4 year Bachelors was not an option, so I had to do the best I could do at a 2 year school. However, I am severely limited in what work I can do, even though I worked so very, very hard at college. Many emloyers these days won't even consider you unless you have a Bachelors.

Ok, enough of that...

Since you like computers, I would recommend the very specific computer fields of VoIP, Network Security, Wireless networking, or anything else with the Cisco name on it. For people who can spend some time on their education, these fields are fast growing and pay an enormous amount. I spoke to a friend of mine yesterday and he mentioned that for those 3 services, the company he works for charges between $225 to $350 per hour. And they are not hurting for business at all. He was hired right after our Cisco classes ended, and his starting pay is decent.

I would not suggest the fields of general PC Support or programming unless you really, really love those things and don't mind a lot of competition. The Windows certificate paths are saturated by students as well.

Hope that helps,

LDB

nvrgnbk

You know what they say, work is work. That's why you get paid to do it.

I will say this. It never ceases to amaze me what some people get paid to do. Be imaginative, stay positive.

Good luck!

pmouse

Brinjin,

Why not consider commercial art and graphics or a degree in Visual Arts? Large corporations are always looking for someone to design and develop their advertisements, websites, etc. You can also become and independent contractor or business owner offering this type of service to small companies. Much of this work requires computer knowledge of many art savvy programs such as Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, HTML web page design, etc.

My son does this for a large Fortune 500 company here in the States and makes good money at it. While you are getting your degree, compile a portfolio of your work for presentation to prospective employers. Your university may be able to place you in an intern program at a company in need of your services and in turn that company may assist you in your tuition payments.

It sounds as though you are a creative individual with an analytical mind, which is great! Good luck in whatever you decide and congratulations for wanting to do more!

Paula

Mum

Paula's suggestion is good about graphic and commercial art.

Because you mentioned clerical, I will suggest that you might look into court reporting / machine stenography. Here in the USA court reporters are well paid and own the copyright of the court transcripts they take down, so everyone has to pay them several dollars a page for transcripts. The other application is captioning for the deaf and television; very few people know that machine stenographers have this option. If you don't have good manual dexterity or listening skills, ignore this one.

Best wishes,

SandraC

Career Advice Please

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