If You Could Start All over Again, What Would You Do? (Job-Wise)

[Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 00:22
Last edited 10/03/2020 - 00:36

TL;DR : Weird existential crisis at 12.20 a.m on a Tuesday:)

Hello fellow insomniacs,

So what would you do?

Backstory:
My post-grad qualifications were paid for by the Defence and my post-doctoral by my current employer. I have a highly specialised set of skills and realistically, will never work in my field again once I leave my employer, which is what I am doing in 2 years' time.

My employer has generously offered to keep me on the payroll at half-pay for 2 years after I leave the country. Generous offer as I will be 1000s of miles away and there is no requirement that I actively participate in any work-related capacity. They were hoping that I will come back at the end of those 2 years. I won't and this is becoming more apparent to them. I have since been contacted by HR who has offered to assist with any re-training I might be interested in. Again , very generous offer.The problem is that I have no idea what I want to do.

I studied Biomed as an undergraduate while waiting for the call that all the other men in my family heard. It never came and when my application to study medicine was accepted, I realised that while I find the human body aesthetically pleasing, I had no interest at all in learning about its inner workings or all the ways it can fail us.

I recently sat the GAMSAT again and applied to study dentistry and then realised while I do like teeth, I only like the nice, clean ones😂

HR suggested becoming a teacher . I thought about it and while I do like MY kids , I don't necessarily like all kids … See the pattern😂

I am in my mid-30s and I have no idea what to do with the rest of my life. It seems a shame not to accept the offer to re-train.What would you do, Ozbargainers? Inspire me :)

Cheers,
JJB

Education & Work

Comments

  • arkie0 on 10/03/2020 - 00:41

    Gynecologist, but while you might like female reproductive organs, you'd probably only like the clean ones.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 01:03

      My father was an ob-gyn. There was an expectation that I would follow in his footstep.

      BTW, the female reproductive system is self-cleaning. So, in theory, they are all clean. But yeah, nope. Not for me.

      • bobbified on 10/03/2020 - 09:20

        So, in theory, they are all clean.

        That definitely doesn't taste right! haha :p

        • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 09:41
          +1

          I didn't neg but mate! WTH? 😂

      • arkie0 on 10/03/2020 - 11:04

        Jokes aside, I would hate to lose time invested in medicine, not many people are lucky enough for the opportunity.

        Is there no field in medicine you would enjoy?

        • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2020 - 20:17

          Is there no field in medicine you would enjoy?

          Nope.

          Time enjoyed is not time wasted. I did the accelerated version of the course ( 2.5 years + 1 yr honours)- trust me there was no time to get bored. Plus I met someone on the first day of O-week. Those 3.5 years were exactly how long it took me to find her again , woo her and convince her to elope with me. No regrets :)

  • Mechz on 10/03/2020 - 00:42

    You could be a professor? Less workload than grade school.

    I wish I had the maths smarts for an electrician apprenticeship back in the day.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 01:34

      What kind of maths skills do electricians need? Algebra? Trig?

      • triviums on 10/03/2020 - 03:07
        +1

        Don't know about electricians, but for electrical engineering you need calculus, algebra, and Trig

        • AncientWisdom on 11/03/2020 - 20:21

          Very different kettle of maths!

  • tsunamisurfer on 10/03/2020 - 00:59

    Be a real estate agent.

    So many houses sell themselves and they get (a share of) 2.5%?

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 01:12

      I'm not a good lia-erm… I mean charismatic enough. Which also rules out car salesman.

      • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 10:48
        +1

        I'm not a good lia-erm…

        😉

  • DuckKnight on 10/03/2020 - 02:34

    Perhaps you are considering a sexy job?

    • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2020 - 20:23

      I'm actually looking for the very anti-thesis of a sexy job. Need to be available for school drop-offs and pickups :)

  • crentist on 10/03/2020 - 03:53
    +1

    While I agree that the human body is a disgusting thing, you could also look at medical jobs as helping individuals from a position of general expertise, ignoring whichever pulsating growths and rotting mass you might need to get a close up view of to provide that help.
    And then attempt to abstract from there whether helping a person seems appealing, or whether you'd like to deal with groups, what you'd like to offer, what you'd like them to see in you, and whether you'd like to work on short or long term projects, at a desk in the cbd or travelling around rural areas, etc.

    People talk a lot about being passionate about a job, but it might not be much use if you are hoping to get something that the job doesn't provide. eg If the choice were between teacher and dentist, you might not have a passion for either kids or teeth, but a strong desire to be your own boss that would make dentist a better choice, etc.

    To relate this to your original question, I personally have moved away from mechanical engineering towards software. Working with actual machines is more fun, but software offers more jobs, hence more flexibility and money, and better locations. This makes it easier to feel smug about how smart I am because I still get to make stuff, but without feeling banished to a mediocre life in some outer suburban industrial area, watching all the cool city kids having fun from afar.
    If I were starting again, I might consider medical/dental a bit more, because I like the idea of skilled jobs that aren't built around long term projects, but immediate needs. Firefighters and mechanics would also fit this criteria.

  • DONMAI on 10/03/2020 - 04:47

    train driver

    • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2020 - 20:36

      I believe they only have 1 train line where I'm moving to.

  • TEER3X on 10/03/2020 - 05:30

    Archaeologist…. but for you, why not be a cop?

    • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2020 - 21:03
      +1

      Cop

      I dislike having weapons strapped to my body.

  • SydneySwan on 10/03/2020 - 07:53
    +2

    JJB, no idea what you are doing currently and not sure why you don't reveal it but you are having it very easy if your employer is happy to pay you for 2 years for not working. Or retrain you. You are in a very privileged position. Most people don't or never will have that opportunity, especially those in the Developing world.

    The best tip I can give is don't let your job define you although it seems to - in my view it does for most. But you have a responsibility to earn an income to keep yourself and your family if you have one.

  • 900dollaridoos on 10/03/2020 - 07:59
    +1

    Electrician. I'm a mining engineer and they make way more without having to muck around with a degree.
    Otherwise some sort of medical care that could be useful for aid work, since I've always wanted to do that kind of thing but haven't found a good use for my degree yet. Eg dental, trauma nurse/paramedic or combat medicine in the military. Stuff that is invaluable in crisis areas.

    Based on your interests and dislikes, maybe a physio type role, but gear it towards sports? That way you are working with bodies, just not failing 80 y/o hips, but peak competitive ones that need to be optimised.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2020 - 22:50

      I did apply for a DPT. I liked the idea of being able to set my own hours. I got to the multi-mini interview stage and didn't attend it. My father was terminally-ill at the time and I flew over to be by his side. I never bothered to inform the university. They sent me a standard rejection letter with an addendum from the Committee saying that I was an "interesting case" but that having "potential" wasn't enough; I also needed "drive, commitment and dedication." They seem pissed that I didn't show up, which is strange considering how competitive it is to get in. Not sure if I should bother applying again or if I've been blacklisted.

      Total tuition fees were $130k for the 3 year Doctor Of Physio course. Even if I did get in, I doubt that the re-training package would cover it.

  • Third_Gear on 10/03/2020 - 08:22

    I’d be right where I am now. An entrepreneur who sets his own hours and has the freedom to work how I please. It took a number of years to get to this stage but worth it.

    • Cheaplikethebird on 10/03/2020 - 10:12
      +1

      Yeah but the employment service provider meetings are a real pain in the ass.

  • orangetrain on 10/03/2020 - 08:42

    Be a streamer.

  • onetwothreefour on 10/03/2020 - 08:55

    dot com billionaire.

  • dasher86 on 10/03/2020 - 09:46

    A writer/ Podcaster / streamer
    You can release bits and pieces about your stories and engage in q&a and banter

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 10:59
      +1

      Who's interested in my story? 🤔

      • dasher86 on 10/03/2020 - 11:39

        Haha. A lot of regulars on Ozb you would find.

  • Hithere on 10/03/2020 - 09:55

    I'd be a politician.

    That way I could earn lots of money (some in Brown paper bags), learn to lie while still making eye contact, and get away with blaming someone else for my stuff-ups.

  • DarthAntz on 10/03/2020 - 10:45

    Its never too late to start again, but you've got your skilled gained from the past 15-20 years to transfer into something similar.

    Great question by the way, i often think about it.

    If I could start again, I would have gone overseas with my degree immediately, to mature faster in the field. I wasnt serious at all in my first 10 years of working.

    If I were you, I'd study business so you can use your specialised skills in your own capacity as a private business/contractor, and work towards managing a better work/life schedule, and try to work as many half-weeks as you can for the same money.

    If i didnt have to work, I'd divide every day into 4x 2 hour sessions of study, exercise, reading and craft (programming, carving or drawing). Because i do have to work, I work towards an hour session each.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 18:28

      I can't become a 'gun-for-hire'. Some might see it as being a traitor to my country.

  • crashloaded on 10/03/2020 - 12:30

    Work dead end jobs, save, travel, repeat.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 12:41

    Not get my qualifications, practice without being registered and indemnified and save myself a whole lot of money.

    Getting caught actually carries a smaller financial and time penalty vs my expenses and time spent training.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 12:52

      Cutting people open on the down low sounds a little serial killer-esque…🤨

      • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 12:53

        If they are alive when they leave my threshold, no refunds.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2020 - 22:56

          Stoicism or defense mechanism? :)

  • 87percent on 10/03/2020 - 13:13

    i thought i knew what i wanted to do in Uni, so really only worked towards that. In hindsight, i would have worked a little bit harder and it would have opened up a few more doors - Not that i'm complaining where i'm at now

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 10/03/2020 - 18:19

    Be our next Prime Minister! And make sure they dont replace you.
    The country needs you, you need to save your country men.
    They dont know what they want, and they keep flogging the next person although they were happy when the last person when the previous person was in power.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2020 - 18:23

      Thank you for the vote of erm confidence?🤨 But the reason I'm resigning from my dream job is because I'm moving overseas.

  • AncientWisdom on 11/03/2020 - 20:27

    I would start investigating the biomed technology sector if I were you, discover what the job market is like and work on getting into it.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2020 - 20:32

      I worked for one of the big pharmas straight out of uni. That was over a decade ago and I still feel dirty thinking about it.

      I am also moving overseas to a small island-nation in the middle of the Indian Ocean. They have no such opportunities in that area that I know of. I do have a job offer in closely related field but that would be in South-Africa , which is about 3-4 hours flight from where my family will be.

      • animasoIa on 12/03/2020 - 10:19

        Where are you moving? Madagascar? Reunion? Mauritius?

        • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 20:59

          Would you describe Madagascar as a small island?

  • [Deactivated] on 14/03/2020 - 19:59
    -1

    I'm leaning towards an MA in Music Therapy.

    • Tasmaniac on 15/03/2020 - 02:10
      -1

      Don't forget to close your OZB account.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2020 - 07:43
        -1

        Why? Plenty of expats on ozb.

        • Tasmaniac on 15/03/2020 - 13:16
          -1

          We'll just have settle for a few less cringes then.

          • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2020 - 13:26
            -1

            @Tasmaniac: No one forced you to read any of my posts. Feel free to click on 'hide' instead of 'reply' next time. I've no idea who you are and I won't miss you :)

  • Icecold5000 on 15/03/2020 - 23:07

    I am in my mid-30s and I have no idea what to do with the rest of my life. It seems a shame not to accept the offer to re-train.What would you do, Ozbargainers? Inspire me :)

    A lot of your behaviour seems to be self indulgent immature wank. Many people study years to try to get into med without success so you can piss right off with your flippant attitude. How about this for inspiration, just grow the FU. You have options but you’re too conceited to understand how lucky and undeserving you are to have them.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2020 - 14:38
      +1

      A lot of your behaviour seems to be self indulgent immature wank

      More reason not to become a physician , wouldn't you say ? Someone more deserving was given my spot in med school all those years ago while I followed my destiny. So, all is well in the world :)

      You have options but you’re too conceited to understand how lucky and undeserving you are to have them.

      For the record, my title is already 'Dr'. I also earn good money : not surgeon-level but definitely on par with pre-tax-minimisation internal medicine specialists and I got there a lot sooner than most of them did . So, "self-indulgent immature wank(er)"-me didn't too badly, after all. But more importantly, I got paid to do what I would have gladly done for free and have enjoyed every minute of it and for that I am grateful.

      you can piss right off with your flippant attitude

      My job has defined me for so long that I am finding it hard to imagine what my life will be like when I am no longer working in this field. My flippant attitude is a defense mechanism: picking who I am going to be next means foregoing who I am now and I am not quite ready to do that just yet. But our departure for a new life is looming in the distance and I will need to face it soon.

      just grow the FU

      ok.I will take that advice on board.

  • ProspectiveDarkness on 16/03/2020 - 23:09
    +1

    Pivot into public health? That way you can still leverage your medical background, just without all the gross people. You don't even have to end up in government, there'd be plenty of NGOs you could consult for. Also beats going back to square one in a brand new profession.

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