[darkshines84]

Hi there,

I'm in my third year of uni and working on a year in Industry. I've only got about 7 weeks to go but felt the need to unload before I actually go insane because I absolutely cannot stand it any more, and I'm hoping there's someone out there who understands!

First off the work itself is incredibly dull software engineering. For the first few months of the job I convinced myself it was interesting and just a means to an end, a way of getting something good down on my CV. But there's no hiding from the fact the work doesn't interest or excite me in the slightest. Spending day after day after day working on something that bores the crap out of you really does take it's toll on your confidence, self-esteem and general happiness, and it saps all the energy out of me.

Another big problem us that I have very little contact with other people as part of the work, which is so frustrating as I thrive on conversation and am an out and out people-person. I don't mean to sound harsh when I say this but the people in my office are the most self-serving office zombies I've ever met, they literally do nothing else except go to work and go home again. Some days I will literally have no conversation whatsoever with anyone in an entire morning or afternoon which makes me feel like I'm going mad.

I also spend the entire day, every day sat in front of a the same computer doing the same thing. I would kill for the occasional phone call, meeting, trip or anything at all that lets me talk to people.

This is might sound a bit over the top but I came into this job as a chatty, vibrant, enthusiastic 20 year old who was keen to learn, and I feel like week after week the work has slowly chipped away at my confidence and well-being and made me into this bitter, frustrated, unhealthy person. It's even noticeable to my housemates, some days I'll get home from work so unhappy and depressed and rant about it for ages.

I do so much stuff outside of work to try and numb the tedium; running, volunteer work, playing piano and drums, all of which I love, and I've got loads of really great friends and family, but I still get this horrible feeling every morning when I wake up for another 8 hours of pointless bulls***.

I cannot wait to finish and go travelling this summer, and cannot wait to work for a charity when I graduate instead of another soulless engineering firm full of mind-numbingly boring people.

Sorry for the length of this, just had to get it all out before I exploded.

[ATCAdam]

Heard of a little thing called fight cl... oops almost forgot the first rule.

[Liquidise.]

Sounds like you're in a pretty bad situation, although not a hopeless one! The only thing I can think of to keep you motivated is to keep doing what you're doing, as bad as that may sound. You have already survived up until now, it would be a waste to see it all go down the drain. I understand that getting up in the morning and going to a job that you hate must be exhausting and dull, but unfortunately that is how the real world works for most people. Don't let this work placement deprive you of the person you were when you first came in, I'm talking about the cheerful, excited, motivated 20 year old you really are! Make the most out of these last 7 weeks, keeping the fact that you will have something great to add to your CV in perspective. Remember that apart from work, you can still engage in all these great activities which you posted about, playing the drums and piano, doing charity work and so on. Overall, what I am trying to say is that thinking about your future should help you stay motivated. I know that this can be extremely hard when you're surrounded by office zombies, but dwelling on the positives should help you keep your sanity. Best of luck and keep that chin up!

[babyjustin]

finish your degree and then quit engineering. do something you enjoy.

[Anonymous]

i did some work experience in an engineering firm and one of the employees said to me: 'dont do engineering' (allright it does depend on the area you are working on) - best advice ever.

[patrickinator]

(Original post by darkshines84)
Hi there,

I'm in my third year of uni and working on a year in Industry. I've only got about 7 weeks to go but felt the need to unload before I actually go insane because I absolutely cannot stand it any more, and I'm hoping there's someone out there who understands!

First off the work itself is incredibly dull software engineering. For the first few months of the job I convinced myself it was interesting and just a means to an end, a way of getting something good down on my CV. But there's no hiding from the fact the work doesn't interest or excite me in the slightest. Spending day after day after day working on something that bores the crap out of you really does take it's toll on your confidence, self-esteem and general happiness, and it saps all the energy out of me.

Another big problem us that I have very little contact with other people as part of the work, which is so frustrating as I thrive on conversation and am an out and out people-person. I don't mean to sound harsh when I say this but the people in my office are the most self-serving office zombies I've ever met, they literally do nothing else except go to work and go home again. Some days I will literally have no conversation whatsoever with anyone in an entire morning or afternoon which makes me feel like I'm going mad.

I also spend the entire day, every day sat in front of a the same computer doing the same thing. I would kill for the occasional phone call, meeting, trip or anything at all that lets me talk to people.

This is might sound a bit over the top but I came into this job as a chatty, vibrant, enthusiastic 20 year old who was keen to learn, and I feel like week after week the work has slowly chipped away at my confidence and well-being and made me into this bitter, frustrated, unhealthy person. It's even noticeable to my housemates, some days I'll get home from work so unhappy and depressed and rant about it for ages.

I do so much stuff outside of work to try and numb the tedium; running, volunteer work, playing piano and drums, all of which I love, and I've got loads of really great friends and family, but I still get this horrible feeling every morning when I wake up for another 8 hours of pointless bulls***.

I cannot wait to finish and go travelling this summer, and cannot wait to work for a charity when I graduate instead of another soulless engineering firm full of mind-numbingly boring people.

Sorry for the length of this, just had to get it all out before I exploded.

Mate, I'm telling you go and get a job in the city, they absolute LOVE Engineers. Become an analyst, commodity trader, investment banker whatever...they are fast paced jobs, very well paid, interesting and you have to form very personal relationships with your clients.

Good luck!

[nsolma1]

(Original post by Anonymous)
i did some work experience in an engineering firm and one of the employees said to me: 'dont do engineering' (allright it does depend on the area you are working on) - best advice ever.

mmmm what about mechanical engineering
???