The Student Room Group

I want to leave my current job

I’ve been doing my job for 3 years now within retail which I have done twice although I want to leave I can’t yet find a graduate job within the computing field after gaining my degree almost 2 and a half years ago. Anyone have an any advice on what type of jobs that I can apply for that take on candidates who have non working experience of IT. I have the knowledge because my background is around IT having done a levels and a degree within it but no work experience for it and I really just want a job where I can find the experience to learn from whilst adding to my CV and making money. An escape zone out of retail too because I’m getting old enough for retail and I’m scared I’m going to be stuck there for the rest of my life 😬.

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Reply 1

I wouldn't leave your job in retail until you actually find a job suitable to your degree you got.
It could be ages before you might get another job if you left it 😔 😔 😔
Mate you ain't too old for retail as there's older people than yourself works in retail.


Have you tried places like the banks/ building societies that are always needing computing experts....

Reply 2

Original post
by Littleemma98
I wouldn't leave your job in retail until you actually find a job suitable to your degree you got.
It could be ages before you might get another job if you left it 😔 😔 😔
Have you tried places like the banks/ building societies that are always needing computing experts....

Hi @Littleemma98 yeah but it’s so competitive and I can’t really pass this competency format interview. Also I really need to leave this job within the next 4 months because I feel mentally drained and fatigued and exhausted. It’s so depressing.

Reply 3

Original post
by Mohammed_2000
Hi @Littleemma98 yeah but it’s so competitive and I can’t really pass this competency format interview. Also I really need to leave this job within the next 4 months because I feel mentally drained and fatigued and exhausted. It’s so depressing.

Hi
Apologies for late response 😔 😔 😔

Yes understand what you mean but making sure you have something else before you leave your current job would be best for you until you can get yourself a job that suitable to your degree you have earned.

It's a very competitive market for computer experts and I know you sound downhearted about not able to find something within the computing industry I think you still have a decent job in retail although it's hard at times especially with the start of the Christmas madness coming up fast.

Reply 4

Original post
by Littleemma98
Hi
Apologies for late response 😔 😔 😔
Yes understand what you mean but making sure you have something else before you leave your current job would be best for you until you can get yourself a job that suitable to your degree you have earned.
It's a very competitive market for computer experts and I know you sound downhearted about not able to find something within the computing industry I think you still have a decent job in retail although it's hard at times especially with the start of the Christmas madness coming up fast.

No worries it’s understandable. But this job market it’s hard to find opportunities. No hiring company or manager is willing to give you a chance. I can’t even career switch to my two career fields that I would be willing to switch to because of my inability to drive as a result of my medical condition. Personally I don’t working within this environment is toxic, acidic and a living nightmare. It’s a cloud over your head with water falling from the sky every time you come in. The management are disorganised, unfriendly, the customers are rude and abusive…

@Littleemma98

Reply 5

I don't think leaving your current role before securing something new would be a wise idea. It would likely be more damaging for your mental health as you'd feel a lack of purpose, not have a routine, and may find yourself unemployed for a while which could end up impacting your confidence and self-esteem.

I saw another one of your post where you'd expressed interest in becoming a Paramedic, and your reasons for why that may not be possible. How about training to be a Nurse instead? There are so many different specialisms that you could choose, and it offers plenty of opportunities in the UK and globally. If you specialised as an ER Nurse you would have some similarities to being a Paramedic because of the pace, variety, working with multidisciplinary colleagues, and it being emergency medicine.

Reply 6

Original post
by fracturedcell
I don't think leaving your current role before securing something new would be a wise idea. It would likely be more damaging for your mental health as you'd feel a lack of purpose, not have a routine, and may find yourself unemployed for a while which could end up impacting your confidence and self-esteem.
I saw another one of your post where you'd expressed interest in becoming a Paramedic, and your reasons for why that may not be possible. How about training to be a Nurse instead? There are so many different specialisms that you could choose, and it offers plenty of opportunities in the UK and globally. If you specialised as an ER Nurse you would have some similarities to being a Paramedic because of the pace, variety, working with multidisciplinary colleagues, and it being emergency medicine.

What would I have to do to become one please?

Reply 7

Original post
by Mohammed_2000
What would I have to do to become one please?
Like with training to be a Paramedic, you could either complete a BSc in Nursing, or some Trusts recruit to Nurse Associate roles which are similar to an apprenticeship.

If you planned to take any healthcare route, your application would be made stronger if you gain any experience in a healthcare setting - this could be voluntary or paid:
If you look on individual hospital websites, they often have a page about volunteering with them.
You could volunteer with St John Ambulance.
Apply for paid employment within the NHS now to get you out of retail, and this experience that you would be gaining would strengthen any university applications. You could work in entry level administrative or healthcare assistant roles.

I was sent this earlier via the NHS careers website:
A nursing degree makes you highly employable and there will be plenty of opportunities to progress your career. Plus, there’s lots of financial support available, including an annual payment of at least £5,000 that you won’t have to pay back.
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-nhs/nhs-pay-and-benefits?utm_source=Other&utm_medium=eDMTrigger1&utm_content=Nursing&utm_campaign=recruitment22

Reply 8

Original post
by fracturedcell
Like with training to be a Paramedic, you could either complete a BSc in Nursing, or some Trusts recruit to Nurse Associate roles which are similar to an apprenticeship.
If you planned to take any healthcare route, your application would be made stronger if you gain any experience in a healthcare setting - this could be voluntary or paid:
If you look on individual hospital websites, they often have a page about volunteering with them.
You could volunteer with St John Ambulance.
Apply for paid employment within the NHS now to get you out of retail, and this experience that you would be gaining would strengthen any university applications. You could work in entry level administrative or healthcare assistant roles.
I was sent this earlier via the NHS careers website:
A nursing degree makes you highly employable and there will be plenty of opportunities to progress your career. Plus, there’s lots of financial support available, including an annual payment of at least £5,000 that you won’t have to pay back.
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-nhs/nhs-pay-and-benefits?utm_source=Other&utm_medium=eDMTrigger1&utm_content=Nursing&utm_campaign=recruitment22

The only question is with me turning 25 soon and to do a second degree do I have the time and commitment for it and is it worth it?

Reply 9

Original post
by Mohammed_2000
The only question is with me turning 25 soon and to do a second degree do I have the time and commitment for it and is it worth it?

People return to study and retrain at all ages and stages of their life. You’re only young and have many years of employment ahead of you so it makes sense to put in the time to do something that you’re aligned with.

I’ve just turned 36 and I’m planning to study a degree either next or the year after. I know people older than me who have done this.

Something being worth it is relative and personal to the individual, so that’s something that only you can decide.

Reply 10

Original post
by fracturedcell
People return to study and retrain at all ages and stages of their life. You’re only young and have many years of employment ahead of you so it makes sense to put in the time to do something that you’re aligned with.
I’ve just turned 36 and I’m planning to study a degree either next or the year after. I know people older than me who have done this.
Something being worth it is relative and personal to the individual, so that’s something that only you can decide.

Is there an apprenticeship route?

Reply 11

Reach out to the National Careers Service for some help with career direction, CV, job hunting and interview practice. I would have thought there would be graduate entry level job you could go into. Or indeed train for something else you really want to do. There’s a knack to competency based interviews that can certainly be improved by working with an interview coach

In my experience retail is indeed gruelling, but then again most jobs where you’re seeking to earn a decent wage have their moments. Conventional wisdom is to job hunt while working and move on when you have something new. However sometimes mental wellbeing does need to be prioritised and if you can afford it, or if you could do something less stressful and well paid for a while, then a bit of breathing space to recover and to job hunt might not be a bad thing

Reply 12

Original post
by Mohammed_2000
Is there an apprenticeship route?
Yes, there’s the Nurse Associate role that I mentioned you could look in to. The link I included in my last reply has details of different Nurse specialisms, and the Nurse Associate role.

You can also go to the NHS jobs website and search for Nurse Associate vacancies nationwide wide list to read the advert, JD, and PS, to get a feel for the role.

Reply 13

Original post
by fracturedcell
Yes, there’s the Nurse Associate role that I mentioned you could look in to. The link I included in my last reply has details of different Nurse specialisms, and the Nurse Associate role.
You can also go to the NHS jobs website and search for Nurse Associate vacancies nationwide wide list to read the advert, JD, and PS, to get a feel for the role.

Great thank you for providing the link and I will be sure to take a look into it.

Reply 14

Original post
by Mohammed_2000
The only question is with me turning 25 soon and to do a second degree do I have the time and commitment for it and is it worth it?

Nothing wrong with doing another degree at your age if it's NEC because you can't find a suitable job with your current degree.

Again don't leave your current job in retail until you got something else lined up on a permanent offer.


If you were thinking of doing nursing then you will have to find a hospital trust that will be willing to take you on as a apprenticeship rather than the usual 3 years university degree route. It's a very hard job at times, on your feet all day ( similar to retail) and you have to work Day shift, Nightshift and weekends as required according to your rotas.

I have done two degrees because I did my first degree in veterinary nursing because I did not get into nursing at the time, I reapplied for nursing and got accepted ( only issue at the time was I was one year away from completing my four years veterans nursing degree so had to defer for a year and they I went straight back to university to do 3 years of adult nursing..... I'm now over two years qualified and loving the area I chose to work in.


I also throughout my two degrees worked part-time in retail ( big name chemist) and still doing it on my days of from nursing..


Good luck with your research for nursing as nothing to lose but in the meantime keep your current job as you might need it if you got into a nursing degree course.

Reply 15

Original post
by Mohammed_2000
Great thank you for providing the link and I will be sure to take a look into it.

No problem at all, I’m happy to help.

From seeing your other post where you showed interest in being a Paramedic or a Police Officer, it does seem like you’re drawn to public service type roles. But with the health barrier that you discussed, Nursing could be a good fit for you as you wouldn’t have that same challenge. Especially if you specialised in ER/A&E as you’d find similarities with being a Paramedic.

Good luck with your research. Hopefully you find the right path soon.

Reply 16

Original post
by fracturedcell
No problem at all, I’m happy to help.
From seeing your other post where you showed interest in being a Paramedic or a Police Officer, it does seem like you’re drawn to public service type roles. But with the health barrier that you discussed, Nursing could be a good fit for you as you wouldn’t have that same challenge. Especially if you specialised in ER/A&E as you’d find similarities with being a Paramedic.
Good luck with your research. Hopefully you find the right path soon.

Something keeps drawing me to policing.

Reply 17

Original post
by Mohammed_2000
Something keeps drawing me to policing.

If your health prevents you from a front line role, maybe consider applying for some entry level support staff positions. But that depends on if you’d enjoy a desk based role vs the active careers you’ve already considered.
(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 18

Original post
by fracturedcell
If your health prevents you from a front line role, maybe consider applying for some entry level support staff positions. But that depends on if you’d enjoy a desk based role vs the active careers you’ve already considered.

Within the police? Is there such roles?

Reply 19

Original post
by Mohammed_2000
Within the police? Is there such roles?

The Police have many roles that are not Officers. Have you looked at the live vacancies on the websites of your local forces?

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