Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Career change

Hi guys I'm new to all of this so please bear with me I'd like some help tho...

I'm 25 and have 1 undergrad degree in Econ and Politics 2:1 and the other Masters in economics Pass ...however I want to change career paths completely I'd like to go into construction.

I think I'm interested in Surveying or anything housing, building related. So i applied to go to uni this sept to do a 1 year conversion masters in QS but then I'm thinking its a lot of money what if I don't manage to enter the job market well... So I've been considering doing a BTEC level 3 or HND at a college this sept this will give me the foundations I guess but I'm curious is this the best route what should I do?

What options are there and what would be the best route? Please please help

Reply 1

~Tara~

I'd do the conversion and work your way up the ladder. It doesn't really matter what career you choose at the moment, it is still an employers market with 300+ applications for entry level and highly competitive whatever your industry.

I'd also check your reasons for switching because if it's to enter at higher wage bracket or job relevancy to degree rather than hating the industry you're in..it doesn't look great on you. You've not been out in the market that long.

Reply 2

~Tara~

Also why do another costly course when you can go into various housing departments and utilise some of the skills you have already gained. Sometimes you have to think outside the box.

Personally, if you were looking to change so soon after specialising in a previous area, as an employer, I'd like to see some commitment to this new field. I wouldn't want to invest the cost it takes to take on a new employee if that employee is going to quickly change their mind. It's not like job hopping within the industry you're trained, where I'd still be curious but there's a commitment to the industry and maybe you've not found the right workplace fit.

--I take on staff on their second career (because in my field it's more common to be a second career rather than someone working their way towards it in various roles). Despite this industry standard, I still check the commitment they've shown and why the specialised service we do -- i.e is this because you want paid work or because you're passionate with same ethos

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 3

Kubla17

Thank you Tara to be honest yeah int have any industry experience but because I have these qualifications no one will touch me as a trainee they just think I want to go straight for a high wage bracket.

My reasons for switching are simply because I believe it would be something I would enjoy. I want a position where I can work outdoors, go onsite, see the results of team work, be a part of constructing buildings, have some management aspect and also be able to go into other fields such as sustainability. I am prepared to take my time to get it right and get the relevant industry experience. It just seems really difficult to get any work experience as I don't have the qualifications or anything. I have a meeting today with a University lecturer to discuss the course and even get some help on whether i can get some industry experience.

In the future 15 years on I'd like to build infrastructure and buildings in third world countries so initially I guess I hoped I'd get some knowledge of funding, policies and the like. But the work just doesn't excite me I wilted as a reSearcher and it wasn't something I enjoyed. But with construction I can work on building etc then even end up working in areas around sustainability and management later on

You mentioned housing associations I approached a few however they didn't have any suitable roles at the time due to experience again. I feel like I'm a jam.
Thank you Tara to be honest yeah int have any industry experience but because I have these qualifications no one will touch me as a trainee they just think I want to go straight for a high wage bracket.

My reasons for switching are simply because I believe it would be something I would enjoy. I want a position where I can work outdoors, go onsite, see the results of team work, be a part of constructing something. I am prepared to take my time to get it right and get the relevant industry experience. It just seems really difficult to get any work experience as I don't have the qualifications or anything. I have a meeting today with a University lecturer to discuss the course and even get some help on whether i can get some industry experience.