Work, training and qualifications

[Eve]

Thought it'd be interesting to know what everyone has done training and qualification wise (vocational or academic) and whether that is reflected in what you ended up doing.

What did you want to do when you were younger? Is there any training or qualification that you'd love to be able to do but haven't been able to for various reasons or just have never got round to.

Did you have a drastic career change and if so why?

Is your career what you thought it'd be, would you change it and if so what to?

[Eve]

Went to college to do A Levels in french, german and spanish cos languages were my thing. Was meant to go to a very good posh uni to do french, russian and italian but got pneumonia over my A Levels and ended up at 2nd choice doing french, german and italian.

After my first year, needed a new challenge so switched to law. Was a big risk as a drastic change and many people were very sceptical as to whether I could do it. Did it and even got a top student prize :) After year at law school , 2 years experience and 2 year training contract I qualified as a solicitor this summer.

Been thinking about whether I need a change or different slant on what I�m doing now. Love the intellectual challenge and helping people but legal private practice is so target and money driven the business aspect naturally doesn�t leave much scope for my more altruistic nature.

I�d love to be involved in something like diversional therapy as very arty and crafty, would love to set up own children�s hospice one day. For now I need to get back into my charity and voluntary work which I think would give me more balance and fulfilment.

[~max~]

Well, I'm French, so obviously did most of my studying in France...lol . Got my Bacalaureat, went to prep school, passed the exam to get into an Institute of Political Science, got my degree in Politics, with a view to go on studying journalism at postgrad...Went to Edinburgh in between to do an exchange year, and loved it so much that I flew straight back when I graduated! lol That was in 2000.....and I've been in the UK pretty much ever since!

I've done a string of call centre jobs since, and I'm currently temping as a PA in Belfast, but I want to do something else now, mainly something in my new field. I studied translation long distance and passed a professional post grad exam last year, which makes me a qualified English to French translator. Unfortunately, there isn't much work to be found! lol

When I was little, I wanted to be a writer.

[-Zorro-]

Im the sad get who always wanted to be an accountant coz i was good at numbers. Then heard about all the exams you have to do....so changed my mind.

Left school at 16 with 5 O Levels...started YTS at 17 in accountancy firm by chance as I wrote to all the banks etc for a job with no luck then went on to other office based places.

Did OLevel in Accountancy after Id been there one year then did 2 A Levels (one in accountancy)

Then left work to bounce in and out of full time study for 6 years doing the pro exams.

Failed finals twice in full time study so gave up exams for 3 years....then did them again out of the blue as a practice, having done no studying, meaning to do them having actually studied them at the next attempt....and amazingly passed...the rest is history...or accountancy

[raysparx1]

Left school at fifteen, didn't even take the then GCEs, thick as a plank, but I worked hard and own two cottages, should have tried harder at school but I only went for football and the social side, lessons got in the way.

[noxlumos]

Got History and English at degree level, wanted to be a Historian ended up flogging cars and buying property and ruthlessly making money from fads and fetishes. I do write though so I haven't totally sold my soul.

[alijangra]

I did a BSc degree in Nusing so didnt have much choice what to do with that qualification!!
Im now in 1st year of a Masters degree in Pharmacy and I love being a student again!!

Im happy with the choices I made, no regrets and hopefully I will qualify as a pharmacist and never look back :)

[LazyGun]

hmmm 10 O levels, 4 A levels.
Originally wanted to be a marine biologist ( seen too many Jacque Clouseau documentaries)
BSc Chemistry
BSc Biomedical Science
MSc Biomedical Science
12 years working in various UK and international hospitals, running haematology and blood transfusion departments.

Got bored - moved into biomedical sales
10 years working in this area, culminating in Distributor Director for Asia and the Far East.

Got tired of international travel. Now run my own small telecoms consultancy.

[LazyGun]

Oops forgot one qualification.
MA Business Studies.

[raysparx1]

Blimey there are some real brainy people on here, do I get a prize for being the thickie of the year ? I hated taking exams, my mind just goes completly blank.

[~max~]

PS to Lazy Gun: that would be Jacques Cousteau, I think....;-) Only the arrogant surrender monket speaking...lol

[LazyGun]

LoL you are right max....... I now got images of kato attacking him whilst underwater :)

Iz theez your feeesh?

[Eve]

Hey don't knock it my lovely Ray (mwah), some of the most successful people don't have any qualifications as such. Look at Richard Branson..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Branson

Academia isn't everything :)

I know some damn good "unqualified" lawyers and businesspeople who didn't get any qualifications who started off at the bottom and worked their way up through experience and bloody hard work.

Thanks for all the answers so far, really interesting reading. Keep em coming :)

xxx

[-Zorro-]

only 4 degrees LazyGun....what...did you get bored with studying.


Raymond, I hate exams...not very good at em......persistence and a long break got me through them.....but many resits along the way.


I have thought of doing another A Level...but they cost about �300 nowadays

[~max~]

Ray, having a degree doesn't mean much nowadays (unfortunately!). For some people, like me, it's Jjust a lot of sweating over text books, getting into debts, and never finding a proper job! I wish I'd done something more professional instead of something almost purely academic. I' looking into teaching but my finances don't allow it at the moment...:-(

A lot of succesful people I've met never got any "academic" qualifications!

[raysparx1]

Thanks all, I don't think I am a failure as I am happy, I own 2 cottages without a mortgage and I have a lot of investments, shares, bonds, isas etc, but I do wish I had tried harder and pushed myself, I admire people that can knuckle down and study, I have always worked hard, but some of the things you lot have done amaze me, it is great well done all of you.

[-Zorro-]

Raymond...I wish Id become a plumber...they make tons of cash...lot more than I make and not the stress i have to put up with. My exams havent got me a big money job...Im probably on the national average wage

[~max~]

That's wonderful Ray! it shows a lot of courage and determination, and you have done so well for yourself!

Makes me feel a bit of a failure, actually...lol

Sometimes I wonder if there are any girls like me, as I don't seem to meet any...29 years old, no proper job, a degree and a post grad you can't use, no boyfriend, no money, and no real motivation....Jeeeee! I sound like a right catch, don't I? lol

Now, where's that corkscrew....:-P

[raysparx1]

Zorro, you don't want to be a plumber, , stick with the numbers, the building trade is bl00dy hard work, and not as good as it was,

max, thank you, you are only young, your time will come, and you sound really sane and sensible to me, just make sure whatever you do, you are happy above being motivated by money, I will join you in a drink though, take care you lot.

[Eve]

Hey max we can comiserate together sweetie!

I'm 28 and have no job at the mo (lost it just before christmas) don't own my own house, have no partner or kids, a load of debt from my studies to pay back from law school. Training salaries for solicitors are not great, the traiinng contracts to qualify are like goldust to get and firms know they can pay what they want although the Law Society does thankfully set a minimum though I know someone who got a first, distinction and top student prizes every year who trained for 2 years on �8 k a year!

I was lucky in doing something vocational but witnessed the frustration of many fellow students who realised there was little they could do with their degrees and found it really hard to get jobs.

Saying that I've had some amazing experiences along the way, wouldn't not have gone to uni as had a great time and even in low paid experience and training jobs you get fab perks esp in the large commercial firms :)

Can't complain about being invted to the Stella Artois tennis at Queens and VIP dinner at Old Trafford with potential clients, seeing Alan Sugar at an awards ceremony, an executive breakfast with Nick Leeson with clients, paid for London weekend with clients, going to a Theo Fennell promotional launch at Harvey Nics with corrie people and footballers wives and such etc...

I've also got the city centre apartment I've always wanted which is great, albeit rented :)

Bisous bisous xxx

[Theland]

I guess I'm out of my depth on this site then.
I earn my living with a spanner and an oily rag!