Clueless at 25

ClintonL on 18/02/2019 - 10:24
Last edited 23/02/2019 - 17:25

Hi guys, have a dilemna which has been lingering on for years, i'm 25 and reality has set in. Have a partner and want to move out/buy a house etc but unfortunately my career is at a deadend. I've been working full time at places since 18 but never nailed down a career path.
Did half of an accounting degree and a cert 3 in business admin and worked in accounts/admin for about 5+ years and didn't really enjoy it so took a leap and jumped to IT. I'm doing level 1 support at the moment and making around 60k a year albeit casual/contract so no leave entitlements. Have worked for a bit over a year doing it however enjoying it even less.
So at the moment i'm trying to decide what to do, ideally a desk job where i can work my way up without a uni degree. I'm good at picking things up and have worked at a variety of industries so experience not an issue.
Either that or i can suck it up and just try get some qualifications/certificates for IT. Ideally i want to make about 70k within a couple of years.

Any tertiary/extra education i'd need to get i also would need to complete it online also.

Education & Work Information Technology

Comments

    • bobbified on 18/02/2019 - 15:12
      +1

      reality has not yet set in

      Reality will set in when OP's GF leaves because of constant arguments around money and wanting to move out.

      Some people will only learn after a painful experience.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 18/02/2019 - 15:25

    What is it you’re not enjoying about service desk, is it hitting dead ends while troubleshooting or dealing with users?

    • ClintonL on 18/02/2019 - 15:40

      I enjoy the problem solving aspect etc of it but think just with it being so small picture where i'm dealing with localized stuff and just following steps. I guess i'd like something with a bit more exposure to the business or part of a decision making process which when i worked in accounts i had.

      • Cheaplikethebird on 18/02/2019 - 15:56

        If you're in one of the places that want you to follow the script and escalate anything that falls outside of it then that's not IT, you're working in a customer service/call centre role. Some are better than others though and will give you more space to use your own critical thinking skills. I would suggest going and getting your A+ cert from CompTIA and using that to move into a desktop support role (in a different company hopefully if my original description fits your office). With that being said though you're not really going to be doing a great deal of decision making until you are in a level 3 or management role which is 4-5 years away at least.

        You wanna be a big dog making decisions without much formal education? Sounds like you wanna be a project manager.

        • ClintonL on 18/02/2019 - 22:32

          Nah i mean i do have autonomy just not as much as i'd like. And yes definitely interested at dipping my feet into projects. Initially i interviewed for this job as IT project admin and got the job. Then before starting they said they role didn't get signed off by a GM (RIP). They called me back for this service desk job hinting i'd be doing some of the work in that role which hasn't been as much as i thought it'd be and i don't see myself getting there here.
          Looking at business support roles that give a bit of exposure to projects doing admin etc at the moment. Although i really gimped myself as this 1 year in IT on my resume just looks off compared to the rest of my experience in accounts/admin which is actually relevant.

          • Name on 18/02/2019 - 23:34
            +2

            @ClintonL: It sounds like you want to skip forward 5-10 years to a management role in IT without putting in the time at the bottom end. Your age doesn't matter. All I see is you have 1 year of relevant I.T. experience.

  • star-ggg on 18/02/2019 - 20:33
    +6

    The most lucrative career path that dosen't require uni/vocational education is sales. If you have sales acumen quit your current job immediately, jump into a sales role and start racking up a track record.

  • TOKEN8 on 18/02/2019 - 20:51

    Pretty easy to get into insurance industry, can be lucrative if you put in some work.

    If you are interested in the broking side of the business, look for a job title such as 'Assistant Account Executive' or something similar. Pay will be low to begin with, 50-60k + super, but you should progress to account exec within a year or 2 which will be in the 75k range + bonus.

    Broking is a rewarding career that you will get exactly out of it that you put in. A lot of opportunity for continuing education on your companies dollar.

  • AlanHB on 18/02/2019 - 21:16
    +2

    What don't you like about the careers thus far?
    What do you feel has held you back from making $70k in those jobs?

    Anyways I think:

    • generally all jobs have parts that people like and that people don't like. Even if you scored some "passion" job, the monotony of the tasks you're given will always reveal aspects you don't like.

    • at 60k, often you are not given much discretion in how you should.do your job. If the actual problem with your roles this far is that you feel like a monkey doing the same task in already prescribed ways, that's just paying your dues. Prove you can do the job and apply upwards enough, and you'll get the freedom you want.

    • don't quit your job until the next one is locked in.

  • p1 ama on 18/02/2019 - 21:28
    +7

    I think you need to work out what you want to do. The issue is that you've been working for 7 years (18 - 25), but you've forgotten to invest in yourself. I don't mean to preach, but when you were earning a full time salary as an 18 year old, other people would have been getting by as university or TAFE students, apprentices, taking risks…etc. Basically you're just starting to pay the price now for getting into the workforce too early and doing things that don't really require any advanced skills. Hence, as others are able to move to higher paying roles, you find yourself stuck.

    First thing you need to do is to have a think about what sort of skills you have and what sort of skills you can and wish to acquire. Of course acquiring skills does not mean formal qualifications, but they are obviously a great way of showing employers that you have been through some sort of training and have some background knowledge. First thing I would do is to let whatever your current job is take a backseat. It's a dead-end, stop investing time and effort into something that's never going to return you more than your current $60k salary. Take up some kind of educational qualification, whether that be through university or TAFE.

    You say you want 70k within a couple of years. Almost all of my friends from uni back in the day managed to get $70k+ graduate roles after finishing their IT degrees. It's a really employable degree. I'm not saying that there are no options for non-university graduates, but you quite literally don't have anything to offer employers looking for an IT hire. When looking for new IT recruits, companies are usually looking for people who have 1) good business skills (i.e. to become business analysts and think about how IT solutions can address a business's needs) or 2) good technical skills (e.g. programming, databases, networking…etc. to carry out the building and maintenance of those solutions). Your IT helpdesk experience is not really all that valuable in these contexts and I wouldn't really call it relevant IT experience (just like building computers or working in a computer shop is not IT experience).

    If you do decide to go with a university course, I would strongly suggest completing a proper degree on campus. The opportunities you get from interacting with peers is invaluable and most of the early career progression I got was from networking with recruitment who regularly come to campus and conducted events. Basically, I think it's great that you are interested in IT. You need to think about whether it's the career path you want, and if you do, I think you need to commit fully to it, make the sacrifices that other people made when they were 18 and you'll reap the rewards for the rest of your life.

    • Briefcase Mong on 19/02/2019 - 12:13

      I'm a bit stuck just like OP as well great point stating the issue I think a lot of people have gotten carried away investing in yourself especially in your younger years.

  • Sometingwong on 18/02/2019 - 21:33
    -2

    I'm suprised no one has said real estate. Get in as a Personal Assistant and work your way up. Once you start listing houses, you write your own cheques albeit you work hard and are willing to bend the truth a little.

  • Boward Woward on 18/02/2019 - 22:54

    I recently interviewed at an Australian, Fortune Global 500 Company. I applied for a web developer position. I asked the interviewers about their roles. The web developer said he started in IT Support, taught himself web development in his spare time, moved around and slowly made his way onto the web development team. This is realistic, and entirely possible in 2 years; to be on $70k+.

  • Tech and cars on 18/02/2019 - 23:25

    Top companies to work for in Australia according to linkedin:
    https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/21/linkedin-top-companies-to-wo…

    No.1 on the list is now accepting people without uni degrees!
    https://www.smh.com.au/education/pwc-to-end-university-degre…

    I would explore something like this as a career option if I were you! :)

  • cuteduck on 18/02/2019 - 23:56

    https://youtu.be/3HI6SCYIDto

  • cuteduck on 19/02/2019 - 00:09

    Jack Ma's ultimate advice

    https://youtu.be/bXGhtjezJPY

  • Starlight8 on 19/02/2019 - 00:28
    +3

    No job is going to be fun, every job has its good parts and bad parts. You just need to persevere. Someone mentioned that you easily give up when times are hard. It surely sounds like it. You need to persevere in one career and work your way up. Rome was not built in a day!

    If you want a job that pays well and get to make decisions you need formal education and experience!

    I would recommend you do an Charles Stuart University as they offer distance education, perhaps you can get some exemptions for half of your accounting degree. Someone else mentioned perhaps working part time and seeing if you can delay moving out so you can save and also work towards your future by getting formal education.

    Sounds like you and your partner want to settle down soon and purchase a place. If you want to look into it, you will need to aim higher than $70k. Especially if you want to start a family and have a mortgage.

    Since you have finished half an accounting degree, why not just finish it? You have 1 year experience in It. If you can finish your degree - you can work as a systems analyst, last I heard starting salary was $80k.

    Goodluck

  • [Deactivated] on 19/02/2019 - 07:54
    +2

    Clueless at 25

    Seems like you have issues with doubting yourself. Also seems you don't know what you want to do in the long term.
    A)Maybe write down some goals
    B)kind of brain storm how to get your goals achieved
    C)Reconsider some goals, if they are unachievable (but in step (a), list literally everything)
    D) Decide what is really important to you.
    E) Possibly come back and request more advice from ozbargains experts once you have some firm goals and plans in mind.
    steps not necessarily needed to be done in order

    Also, consider seeking help for your underlying issues. A psychologist could help, and can get referal for 10 free psychologist visits per year (just ask GP and get referal).
    A good 'life coach' could also help, but this might be expensive and I believe some life coaches aren't qualified and have just read a few self-help books. A registered psychologist could certainly help with encouragement and tackling some of your underlying issues of 'self doubt' , trouble with sticking at things, etc.
    As a psychologist in training, just off the top of my head, I would as a therapist, be looking at that point and series of events and what was going through your mind etc at the times when you decided to give up and change careers etc . Seems something has gone on where some would stick at it, others would quit, a good psychologist could help you tremendously there IMHO.
    Ps. Don't reply telling me all the thoughts and feelings that were going on. Tell it a professional fully trained and qualified psychologist, free under Medicare with GP referal :)

  • Weezle on 19/02/2019 - 08:05
    +3

    OP I'm in the same sort of boat. Working full time on 60K working in a bank. Been out of uni for three years now. Don't really enjoy my job all that much and see it as a deadend. The job will most likely be automated within my lifetime.

    This year I've decided I'm going to become a commercial pilot, it's what I've always wanted to do. I'm 25 and can have it done within 18 months. I think just try and find what your passion is and just go for it mate. Good luck.

  • FareEvader on 19/02/2019 - 09:19
    +2

    No degree = get a job in sales.

  • SnakeCasablanca on 19/02/2019 - 10:23
    +2

    Can I ask why you did half a degree? Obviously at the beginning of the degree you felt there was some reason to do the degree? Why did you decide half through? Just gave up?

    Unfortunately that is what your resume shows prospective employers. With half a degree in accounting you may be viewed less favourably than someone with a full degree in gender studies.

    I'd say your options are:

    1. Finish your degree.
    2. Work your way up in an organisation.

    For option 2, a smaller company can often be better because you will often be required to take a wider sphere of accountability. But thats not always the case.

    As for suggestions on how to proceed. Learn systems / processes in your job better than anyone else. Take the jobs no one else wants to do. Tell your manager you are doing this but don't demand respect, this is earned and not given. Stay back longer than other people. Do more work.

    Don't expect immediate results. With no degree you are now fighting against a larger proportion of the world than you would be had you completed your degree.

    Asking people online for the best industry to enter into to advance is pointless. If people knew they'd all be doing it.

    The answer unfortunately is hard work and luck moving forward.

    Right place, Right Time, Right Attitude.

    • ClintonL on 19/02/2019 - 11:26

      Well i worked in accounts for over 5 years and really just didn't like the job at all. I kind of knew i didn't like it a couple years in but tried sticking to it seeing if i'd like it when i got more responsibilities etc. Ended up not being the case so i tried shifting careers and then didn't want to complete a degree (pure accounting subjects) that i wouldn't use + hated. Tried going to admin to work a bit with projects and then jumped into IT. Just didn't work out.

  • neoxman on 19/02/2019 - 10:41
    +2

    If you're in Melbourne, apply to be a train driver at Metro next whenever they recruit. That's what I did, moved from IT Support earning ~60k to earning ~130k after penalties.

    No qualifications or relevant experience required, all in house training. Just gotta be better than about 98% of the usual 10,000 odd applicants ;).

    • dust on 19/02/2019 - 13:44

      I think Sydney Trains pay fairly similarly (after overtime/penalties etc).

      • neonlight on 19/02/2019 - 17:00
        +1

        Yet they still provide shocking service.

    • neonlight on 19/02/2019 - 17:00
      +3

      Ain't we gonna have driverless trains soon. How does that help?

      • p1 ama on 19/02/2019 - 20:03
        +1

        Ain't we gonna have driverless trains soon. How does that help?

        Nope, the unions will make sure that never happens.

        • neonlight on 19/02/2019 - 20:10
          +4

          The reason why our trains will never improve. Nor embracing any kind of technology. Perhaps OP should think about working under unions to secure his job too

        • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2020 - 10:59

          We will have driverless trains within the next 5-10 years. Not completely driverless, driver will still be up front when the shit eventually hits the fan.

      • neoxman on 20/02/2019 - 17:43

        It's hard enough for the rail companies to maintain what we already have, let alone change or implement completely new infrastructure everywhere that is needed for driverless.

        Most driverless train systems are built from the ground up with that purpose.

        • neonlight on 20/02/2019 - 18:35

          With a crappy transport minister we will never get anything done.

    • StevenUniverse on 21/02/2019 - 00:35

      Not to be critical but out of curiosity, what aspects of your job do you think contributes to the salary for your role? If it’s in high demand and there are no prior skills required.

      • p1 ama on 21/02/2019 - 02:23

        It's highly unionised. Largely regarded as one of the most powerful unions.

  • frostman on 19/02/2019 - 11:46
    +2

    You don't want to be an IT PM if you don't have the love for it, unless you have passion for Budgeting, Resourcing, Team Management, Hitting deadlines, Reporting, then IT PM is not for you. Given your above sentiment it seems like it may not be the right fit.

    Try applying for an IT BA (Business Analyst), it's a mix of your IT skills and current Business skills anyway, plus they pay between 70k-100k for senior BAs (depending on company).

    If IT/Technology isn't for you - try something completely different,

    • Starlight8 on 19/02/2019 - 12:58

      I agree with you Business Analyst is a great mix of IT and Business/Admin skills.

  • Buckshot on 19/02/2019 - 14:00

    You can have a great career in IT support if that's what you want. Mine has been pretty good so far.

    I didn't go to Uni, did TAFE instead. I was hired by a multinational with a Cert IV helpdesk and worked my way up through the merit/CPI increases etc. They sent me on courses, I got Microsoft Certified, ITIL V3 certified and by the end of my time in that company was on a total package over 100k/year at 32 and I travelled to different parts Australia/NZ and parts of SE Asia in my role. I had it better than I realised at the time. The only trade off with Salaries is that you may not get over time. You do however get decent leave and a lot of big businesses are now offering great leave packages (ie 6 months parental leave for Dads).
    After redundancy, I took a job in the Government and am now on over 90k/year. It's less hours and more chill but the multinational perks are where it's at if you can get in and that's what you want (think included private health care, discounted memberships and lots of training if you want it etc etc.).

    My advice, get certified. ITIL V3. Microsoft etc etc. Your experience definitely counts but a lot of business want the certs or at the very least show you're progressing there.
    If you're not in a capital city- consider moving to one. The big enterprise and government organisations are there. Canberra has one of the highest salary levels in Australia. One of my friends is at Executive level in government on over 140k a year and came from Desktop Support. Government can be great for career progression like that.

    Finally, if you want to pivot and do something else (like you indicated) you're at an age where it's easily done so go for it.

    All the best!!

    • neonlight on 19/02/2019 - 19:47

      The key here is you were lucky to get a job which allowed promotion and career progression, and provided training along the way. Not everyone gets those.

      Myself wasn't one, I basically changed 4-5 jobs to get to where I'm now. However doing so I have worked for 4 different industries and three global companies which do look good on my CV

      I paid for my own certification. Did not get any sponsor from anyone. Company sometimes do not have budget and do not see the need for you to work on those training as they don't see the benefit for themselves. Hence really you do so for your own sake. That's the reality.

      A classmate of mine landed a desktop help desk role in a firm 8 years later he is now the director of IT for the whole AP region. His technical skills are no where near mine however he had the opportunity and was good on talking.

      I call that being extremely lucky and the company willing to invest in you on career development and continued progression.

      • Buckshot on 19/02/2019 - 20:01

        This is true, I was lucky. I also moved interstate to where the economy was booming and the job market wasn't saturated- whilst it paid off, the distance from my family was the trade-off.

        That's why I recommend looking at large enterprise and/or Government. Especially Government. They have career development programs that form part of your yearly objectives. Organisations are faced with the crisis of employee retention, especially in the in the Millenial/Gen Y group who are more inclined to jump from job to job in an effort to either rapidly develop their career or chase the pay increases. Employee engagement is a multifaceted issue but one essential component is career development and opportunities to progress internally.

        • neonlight on 19/02/2019 - 20:07

          With myself doing job hunting recently. Agencies have explained to me that nowadays government roles are all budgeted annually. So they are often fixed contracts for 12 months with possible extension but no one can gurantee that.

          With that in mind I'm not sure if government role is still the best option

          A lot of government roles are quite chillax, it might not suit someone who wants learn, explore and develop new skill sets.

          They are ideally for people who got their family and wants to settle down long term however the once permanent government jobs seem to be getting less and less

          • Buckshot on 21/02/2019 - 16:24

            @neonlight: I got my government role (Permanent) off a contractor role. Quite often, the contracts here roll over and continue to do so for several months. If you make a good impression, they generally like to keep you around or create a role for you.
            It really depends on where in the Government they go to. I'm in Transport and there is a huge amount of investment at the moment so our organisation is growing and secondments (either to a project or another team) happen quite often.
            Government can be chill but it doesn't have to be.
            I'm 32 now, have a baby and am done with the volatility of the oil & gas industry for now so government suits me to a tee for now (like you said).

      • de9299 on 19/02/2019 - 23:05

        Agree to this.

        In my opinion, doing well in the IT industry requires :

        • 30% skill
        • 50% attitude
        • 20% Mentors/contacts

        My first role after graduation was a L1/L2 Support Engineer (earning 55k) at age 27. I worked my way up and in a relatively short period of 2 years( did some networking certs along the way) I was working on big DC/cloud networking projects. I actually got overworked because PMs and clients liked my work style and attitude. I made ~100k before moving on to another organisation. I loved doing what I did, and didn't think of it as "work". My colleagues were more experienced (avg of 5+ years), however I enjoyed challenges and just had to prove myself.

        I was also fortunate enough to have an excellent mentor/boss and a good network of contacts who provided further career opportunities. I took a risk and got into contracting which pays much much more. There are a lot of fresh technical challenges at my current workplace, and I'm doing many things out of my comfort zone. Again, good word passed on through contacts have kept the contract renewals going.

        I have a Masters degree in Networking (paid $$$ as an international student) but it played an insignificant role in my career. Tech is changing at such a rapid pace that doing a formal degree at this stage might not be worth it.

  • balbags on 19/02/2019 - 14:24
    +1

    Hey @GravitonSurge

    Sounds like you don't have a problem with work but the type of work you do. I think many of us will or have been in your situation before and have approached it in various different ways. There are a few comments already here which are quite prescriptive and really shouldn't be taken as advice - no one answer fits all.

    I'm not all that much older than you but I have been in your shoes more than once. Everytime I have had to reflect on where I came from, where I am and what is it that I really want from work and/or life - this might be a good start for you. Think about your passions, think about your goals and think about anything that makes you happy, then put a strategy to it.

    Earning money can be your goal but it's very narrow (regardless of $ value). Yes we need a certain amount to live but the rest will just be a bonus for you to do other things with (creative people will know how to make this work for them).

    I hope you find what it is you're looking for. Feel free to PM me if you want to pick my brain (I'm not an IT person but I do have two expensive pieces of paper on the wall).

  • jno on 19/02/2019 - 15:11
    +3

    its okay im 28 and clueless :) but im content with my life

    • PAOK11 on 19/02/2019 - 21:33
      +2

      Second this. 28 and clueless, only started taking steps towards a career in the last year. Currently don't have an avenue to make my dream a reality but working on it at long last

      • jno on 19/02/2019 - 21:53

        yeah man good luck!! ive only been hitting some strides in my life recently

        its crazy they ask what you want to do in life in primary school like as if you will even have your life together by our age haha

  • trapper on 19/02/2019 - 15:48
    +4

    Man you are 25 - in the prime of your life!

    Do not stick with your dead end job, settle down, or buy a house.

    Before you turn 30 you can get a working visa in any of these countries:
    Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malta, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

    Pick one (or two, or three) and go for it.

  • TheCutter on 19/02/2019 - 16:40

    Sadly the government will keep importing cheap labour to keep your salary down and the growth lobby happy.

    Big Australia - whoopeedoo.

  • lltravel on 19/02/2019 - 17:37

    LMAO
    Op wants a free ride

    How about you actually work your way up instead of asking for shortcuts.

  • h4zey on 19/02/2019 - 19:10

    get a harley, tattoo and join a bikie gang.. oh wait.. maybe another 10 years..

  • engen Arsch on 19/02/2019 - 22:12

    You work in a job to make your boss/company rich, there is a lot to be learned from this process, pay close attention and figure out what you can do to make money for yourself in addition to your income IMO this is a better strategy than trying to obtain all your money from an employer

  • jfbargain on 20/02/2019 - 00:07

    How about trying a different environment where you can utilise your IT support skills? Would you consider a school-based position? I've previously worked in many areas of IT support/network/system admin including Government and small/medium private companies and the postition with the most job satisfaction, varied roles and experiences, opportunity for personal development, even good pay, and access to amazing technology was when I was based at a private school. They had the resources available for the latest tech, allowed personal study time, varied roles, and the community environment is something you won't find in the corporate/private company world.
    Use it as a stepping stone even - breadth of experience, further study, and gain certification.
    My $2 worth (factoring inflation).

    • Punkmak on 20/02/2019 - 05:58

      I would definitely try to avoid a school-based position. I can speak from experience a lot of these places tend to be very stagnate and lack the ability to advance. This is due to the people that work there - they are set in their ways and sadly scared of any form of change.
      It's the type of place you wouldn't waste any longer then 6 months in.

  • Yotta00 on 20/02/2019 - 05:55
    -7

    Get tested for ADHD or Depression, you probably have it.

  • figarow on 21/02/2019 - 00:52

    https://youtu.be/wfX1MkMazwc

  • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2020 - 13:15

    Curious as to what places pay $60k for level 1 support, that's pretty decent… Even if it is casual.

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