Career change

[Wilkesy]

Hi folks!
Not sure where I’m supposed to post this but as I couldn’t post in the job section then this one will have to do.
I’m currently working as a mechanic in Gloucester and have been since I left school in 2015. The past few years however I have not been enjoying this job at all, the pay is rubbish, the stress is high and the work is hard!
So recently I’ve been looking at getting into a role that I would enjoy a lot more, for years I wanted to be in the fire service but after many years of waiting I have still not gotten anyway with the application process there.
Another passion of mine as I’m sure with a lot of you guys is the outdoors, wildlife ect! So I have been looking for a role in that field, some sort of conservation maybe.
This issue I keep running into is that everyone wants degrees in this or that of which I do not have!

Anyway, if any of you lovely folks on here have any suggestions of what I could look into or something I could do to better my chances of changing career then I would greatly appreciate the advice!

Thanks in advance
Dan

 

[VSS]

If you want to do it then just do it, otherwise you'll spend the rest of your life regretting that you never had the courage to take the leap.
The pay will still be rubbish, the work will still be hard, but you will be happy.

 

[User00040]

The past few years however I have not been enjoying this job at all, the pay is rubbish, the stress is high and the work is hard!

Unfortunately, you'll find that the sharp end of 'wildlife management' is exactly the same if you are working for other people and not yourself.

Some have made a good living out of 'contracting' (before copper bullets became a requirement and running cherry £2 per liter fuel), or guiding/paid stalking, but those would probably be the more resourceful types and not working for other people (i.e making money for someone else whilst they pay you a fraction in return for your blood, sweat and tears).

If you have all the qualifications/tickets to work on machinery (what sort of mechanic?), I'd seriously reccomend transitioning to the argiculture industry (maybe forestry at a push, but that's more work for less money). Doubt anyone who can work on machinery will ever be out of work.

Pretty sure the Armed Forces have qualified entry too, so that may be worth a look.

 

[User00053]

Down to finance and personal circumstances as always, can be hard nut to crack if have partner or kids, if single given your skills and age Australia

 

[Tim.243]

Hi folks!
Not sure where I’m supposed to post this but as I couldn’t post in the job section then this one will have to do.
I’m currently working as a mechanic in Gloucester and have been since I left school in 2015. The past few years however I have not been enjoying this job at all, the pay is rubbish, the stress is high and the work is hard!
So recently I’ve been looking at getting into a role that I would enjoy a lot more, for years I wanted to be in the fire service but after many years of waiting I have still not gotten anyway with the application process there.
Another passion of mine as I’m sure with a lot of you guys is the outdoors, wildlife ect! So I have been looking for a role in that field, some sort of conservation maybe.
This issue I keep running into is that everyone wants degrees in this or that of which I do not have!

Anyway, if any of you lovely folks on here have any suggestions of what I could look into or something I could do to better my chances of changing career then I would greatly appreciate the advice!

Thanks in advance
Dan

There are lots of people who have a degree yet work in a job far different to what they spent their time studying.
With your hand skills on the spanners/fault finding the plumber/sparks would be a easy switch.
Romance of the outdoors won't pay many bills tbh, I swapped toolmaking for panel beating/spraying for a long time but use a mix of both skills every day....
Good luck

 

[Skietindiekop]

Maybe it’s worth thinking about going sideways to make the most of what you know you could do.
Agricultural plant fitting would be hard graft but pay a lot more than the motor trade and get you into the environment that has lots of potential for hobby opportunities with wildlife and conservation.
Usually work from home with a fully expensed van so saving on top whatever it costs you to go to work currently.

 

[Goingback]

Hartpury and Royal Ag at Cirencester are both near to you

 

[Herb64]

As @VSS says above you want it go for it or spend forever wondering. I worked as a photographer for 35 years but moved to another part of the country. To cut a long story short I now work as an under keeper on a large pheasant shoot. Never saw that coming but like I say I will never wonder what iff. If you can go for it life’s to short.

 

[VSS]

The big question is whether you're tied down by house, wife, kids etc, or whether you're footloose and fancy free.
You could start by doing voluntary work at weekends, such as local nature reserve, woodland trust, national trust property etc. You could do that while maintaining your existing job. Meanwhile, get your chainsaw ticket, quad bike ticket, etc.
When you feel ready to burn your boats, seasonal jobs can give you a foot in the door. And if you have no ties you can move around from job to job (obviously go for the ones that provide accommodation), all the while building a portfolio of experience and getting good references.

 

[long_range_rob]

Have a look at the railways if money is your motivation. I have a nephew who went on to rolling stock repairs and has done very well.

 

[Wilkesy]

Wow! Thank you guys so much for all of the advice! I was not expecting this many in depth replies so thanks again!!

You all have given me lots of great suggestions to think about! I am pretty free and open to ideas, I havnt bought a house yet as I wanted to leave myself open for any opportunity’s that may arise.

I have even considered going to uni to do an environmental science degree so then I could go into the industry that way, but obviously the uni route does have its drawbacks!

Thankyou all again for the suggestions! It is appreciated more than you guys know, I always try to go at things alone so to have some help and advice from people is genuinely amazing!

Thanks again!

 

[User00053]

Know it’s easier said than done, but just jump

 

[Beretta V]

I think if you have a dream go for it. You will spend more time at work than you do with your family so if you ain’t happy at work you won’t be happy at home.

A degree is required for various companies these days but trust me I’ve seen some serious qualifications but that’s it! Experience is what counts. It’s clear you are passionate about the outdoors so I hope you find something.

I was a mechanic firstly on cars then trucks. I’ve since moved into management and bodywork. The industry is difficult, always pushed and never appreciated unless you own the place!
I wish I got out when I was younger so don’t get tied up like me

 

[kes]

Another possibility for you is to develop your wildlife skills/recognition/knowledge so you are readily familiar with anything that might be asked - you may be there already and then send a broad letter of application to some of the charities like RSPB, etc and ask if they have any vacancies for them to forward you an application form ?

 

[8x57]

Hi folks!
Not sure where I’m supposed to post this but as I couldn’t post in the job section then this one will have to do.
I’m currently working as a mechanic in Gloucester and have been since I left school in 2015. The past few years however I have not been enjoying this job at all, the pay is rubbish, the stress is high and the work is hard!
So recently I’ve been looking at getting into a role that I would enjoy a lot more, for years I wanted to be in the fire service but after many years of waiting I have still not gotten anyway with the application process there.
Another passion of mine as I’m sure with a lot of you guys is the outdoors, wildlife ect! So I have been looking for a role in that field, some sort of conservation maybe.
This issue I keep running into is that everyone wants degrees in this or that of which I do not have!

Anyway, if any of you lovely folks on here have any suggestions of what I could look into or something I could do to better my chances of changing career then I would greatly appreciate the advice!

Thanks in advance
Dan

What made you think that the fire service was any better, any easier, or any less stressful?
I did 32 years and with the benefit of hindsight I should have walked away on the very first day. Yes there were good times and there's certainly comradery that helps you get through the bad times but it ain't all it's cracked up to be.

 

[matt_1029]

If you are good with a spanner and not afraid of heights become a linesman , spend all your work day in the countryside and earn more money. WPD has a yard in gloucester have a look and see what they have got at the moment.

 

[Tim.243]

Maybe it’s worth thinking about going sideways to make the most of what you know you could do.
Agricultural plant fitting would be hard graft but pay a lot more than the motor trade and get you into the environment that has lots of potential for hobby opportunities with wildlife and conservation.
Usually work from home with a fully expensed van so saving on top whatever it costs you to go to work currently.

Good reply, pit falls are kit is big and v heavy but you will get more staking and pigeon shooting !!

 

[klem]

Hi folks!
Not sure where I’m supposed to post this but as I couldn’t post in the job section then this one will have to do.
I’m currently working as a mechanic in Gloucester and have been since I left school in 2015. The past few years however I have not been enjoying this job at all, the pay is rubbish, the stress is high and the work is hard!
So recently I’ve been looking at getting into a role that I would enjoy a lot more, for years I wanted to be in the fire service but after many years of waiting I have still not gotten anyway with the application process there.
Another passion of mine as I’m sure with a lot of you guys is the outdoors, wildlife ect! So I have been looking for a role in that field, some sort of conservation maybe.
This issue I keep running into is that everyone wants degrees in this or that of which I do not have!

Anyway, if any of you lovely folks on here have any suggestions of what I could look into or something I could do to better my chances of changing career then I would greatly appreciate the advice!

Thanks in advance
Dan

Have you thought about police force? Most forces are still on a string recruitment drive.

Mu cousin works for the police and says most forces struggle to get specialist wildlife crime officers. Could be an option/half way house?

 

[ashray]

good evening wilkesy, firstly welcome to the forum,secondly sounds like you need to fit a better garage ! my local mechanics<service engineers the call them selves> are paid £48000 a year after leaving colledge so not too bad in my eyes,have you thought about the aa/rac /greenflag etcit will give you a change of scenary every day,meet lots of <mostly>grateful people and get a good wage on top with no fuel cost or car insurance etc not saying its not stressful it is but the good tend to outway the bad. you dont sound like the sort of chap who could handle service life so look around for something you are familiar wirth. good luck to you.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

My now retired mate in the car engineering design business (not styling) got his son into a garage apprenticeship by paying the garage some lucr to take him on. After the 3 years were up the garage let him go but he had had a good grounding in how vehicles are put together or taken apart. he then did a Catia V5 then now V6 CAD design drafting course and he has not looked back, he is freelancing on a Ltd company basis in Essex on Ford or other projects as there are always agents looking for CAD help who can think and a degree is just not expected. You can do it for 6 months a year to make enough to live on or bomb it and retire at 40 like I didn't. Or travel the world working like I did no regrets there. The "agents" will always take you on again if you have the skills unless there is a world meltdown like in 2008.