I need some life advice

[Spyke]

My ears are wide open to this thread! thanks op

[Latte]

Do anything..... figure out what you want to do by process of elimination :P

[SMOKEU]

You could buy a mean ounce of chronic and split it into foils. It's an easy way to double your money.

[sinfull]

I be thinkin you have the extra income sorted (cash one too). Ya speak the proverbial orange so why don't ya tutor english to the hordes of manderin speakin folk that populate auckland who want to learn it perhaps,
If it be me i'd be looking to try my hands at as many trades in one year as there are techs doing 6 week courses !
Just a thought mind you, who even knows if there are 6 week starter courses and could you get a student allowence to do a number of em ? Just enough to give you a taste, know there was a few short ones some time back but they may even have had an age limit on em, just to give kids on the dole a push in some direction !

It's like at the end of a year like that, i could probably make a decision on which one i enjoyed so much i'd like to pursue it ! Or even a couple of trades lol I've poured a slab, built a dwelling, roofed it plumbed it, wired it, painted it and glazed it ! Back in the 60's i would have been called a builder, but today if it can"t be shot with a nail gun a builder won't touch it !

[idb]

It's an old saw but I reckon a trade is the way to go.
It's a solid foundation no matter what happens and, if you are so inclined, you can kick on to who knows what?
I am a humble sparkie but I have my own business with up to 30 employees and I travel all around NZ, Australia and the UK.
I learn new stuff every day and I love my job.

If you have a good employer it means that you will have a mentor, genuinely interested in seeing you succeed - not like wasting your money on a bullshit diploma that you chose out of the shiniest catalogue because all they want is your dough and with no regard to what is best for you.

I remember a few years ago seeing a quarter page ad in a national paper advertising a course.
It was twelve months long and guaranteed that it qualified for a student loan.
What was it for you ask?
Well...it was trying to tempt you into wasting a year of your life and accumulating a debt to attain a diploma in Circus Performing for fucks sake.
It still makes me spit when I think about it actually.

[ttmadness]

Bachelor of Circus Arts?

Had to look that one up. Actually it does seem pretty amazing; I for one would love to learn how to do flips, aerial, juggle like a pro and do a one arm handstand. No worries I'll just put it on my student loan. No really, couldn't believe you for a second.

The worst I've heard of is a Bachelor of New Zealand Hip-Hop Culture.

[idb]

Bachelor of Circus Arts?

Had to look that one up. Actually it does seem pretty amazing; I for one would love to learn how to do flips, aerial, juggle like a pro and do a one arm handstand. No worries I'll just put it on my student loan. No really, couldn't believe you for a second.

The worst I've heard of is a Bachelor of New Zealand Hip-Hop Culture.

Shit, it has been elevated to a degree now?

[Gibbo89]

This is one interesting thread, hearing peoples tips and experiences, good shit. Almost worth being stickied I reckon.

Question: what's say you decide to become a sparkie, and half way through the course you think 'I'm not doing this full time, 5 days a week for the next few years' and bail on the course (or see it through) and then are back to square one. Yes you could be a sparkie in the mean time and keep an eye out for another career but if you don't have a job to look forward to going to in the mornings then it's gonna be bloody hard to stick at it. And if you bailed in the course half way thru then your in debt (lets say 5k or something) and your back to pondering what to do next while there is rent to pay etc etc.

To the OP, maybe dabble in something you like the look of (i.e. work experience and not get paid whilst doing it) if you can afford it that is.

[Gremlin]

What do you enjoy doing? Comments re making a passion your career notwithstanding. Someone who enjoys their job is going to do a far better job of it, than someone just punching the time card. You'd also be happier in the job if you liked it.

I did a degree, I don't have trades, but I accepted the degree was a piece of paper that said I had done something consistently for 4 years. It may be useful when I move up the career ladder, but who the hell knows. Don't expect to do the exact same thing for your entire career... those days are disappearing. I think it's estimated that the average person would change career approx 4-6 times in their life...

I'm 27, been in the exact same job in IT since I finished Uni, but everyday I learn something more, and the learning only stops when you want it to (or you don't have time at that very point to do learning... instead, sort the issues). I still enjoy it, and the satisfaction of sorting things makes up for the, at times, ridiculous hours.

That said, it isn't a family man's job, but I don't have any intention of settling down yet, no mortgages etc. I live by the saying "work hard, play hard". If I'm not working or catching up on sleep, I'm riding or thinking about riding.

Life is short, there is only one, live it with no regrets. Fuck, when I think about it, I'm roughly a third through, and still got plenty more to do...

[shafty]

Well done on actually thinking about it and seeking advice - obviously mature beyond your years!

Also respect to advice already given, lots of good stuff here.

Í did the old Govt Department thing as a youngster (A job for life in the '80's lol) and flicked in to sales as soon as the gravy train was getting wobbly - I figured with sales skills, I could move in most industries, although there are as always exceptions. A nice company car and getting paid to chat to people has served me well, but I do wish I had done a degree, - tho they weren't as in vogue in my early days....

The reason being that would allow me to teach overseas like my Wife is in Bahrain at the mo...... great (Really good) money, tax free, nice apartment provided and long hols. As it is I have been working for Yamaha here, which has been fun, but
just regular $$, but still tax free.

We are both in our 50;s but some Mates here are 30ísh and with both partners working are really creaming it.

Teaching may not be your cup of tea tho......but remember with todays education craze, the subject could be anything! And I refer to Adult teaching here, ie Polytech etc

A Kiwi Mate chose Teaching as a career simply based on the hols! He;s an outdoor sort of Guy and loves the summer break.

I'd back Smiffy up on fun to be had in Army/Navy reserve.

Get some books out on residential/commercial property - I have made some good money in property investment but should have started earlier....a good buyers market now, and once you've got someone paying off your second house for you, you are on your way.

Have fun Bud - all the best!

Shafty

[PrincessBandit]

I did a degree, I don't have trades, but I accepted the degree was a piece of paper that said I had done something consistently for 4 years. It may be useful when I move up the career ladder, but who the hell knows.




...

Took me nearly 15 years before I could truly say my degree counted for something worthwhile in my career. Not saying it was completely pointless before that because like you said it does show you have some degree of stickability and determination to complete something. Almost 30 years after getting it it was useful for getting into a draduate diploma course I'm now doing. Weird to think about that timespan in my life...holey moley I'm starting to feel old! hahahaha

[Mom]

I haven't played the trumpet since leaving High school.

I still play, though not as much as I used to. I kept up with my music by teaching kids how to play and conducting our local brass band for a few years, my kids give me shit for being part of a museum exhibit

[Dodgyiti]

Interesting thread alright.
I had no idea what I wanted to do when finishing school.
Folks wanted the house to themselves so I had to do something.
A trade kept me busy for 4 years, paid crap at the start and not quite so crap at the end.
As we move into an information and knowledge workforce the trades will always be in demand. The average person cannot fix things anymore and will pay very well for someone who can, and it is not as if your job will ever be outsourced overseas
Working with your hands and your head is very rewarding. At the day's end you have something to show for your efforts, your work is judged by your work not like some desk job where they judge your ability to 'fit' into a team or your personality.
I eventually worked and studied my way into a desk job and whadda mistake to make that was

Everyone I know in the trades that had their heads screwed on are doing pretty darn well for them selves 25 years later.

[rachprice]

I am in my 5th year of a medical degree

It is definitely one that isn't just a job

There is immense scope for changes in fields during your career

At the moment I am liking the idea of emergency and orthopedics which may suit you as you use a lot of tools and there is mechanical basis to it
Also it's one of the ultimate 'give back' careers

[ttmadness]

I am in my 5th year of a medical degree

It is definitely one that isn't just a job

There is immense scope for changes in fields during your career

At the moment I am liking the idea of emergency and orthopedics which may suit you as you use a lot of tools and there is mechanical basis to it
Also it's one of the ultimate 'give back' careers

Good on you, would definitely be interesting. How big is the student loan for that?