Career path - What to do now?

[marinefabber]

Hi all, I'm looking for a bit of advice on where to go next as far as my career is concerned.

When I left school at 16 I went straight into a 4 year apprenticeship at Pendennis Shipyard in the UK. I've now been there 6 years and I'm looking to make a bit of a change to widen my skill base and hopefully earn a bit more money.

My job role:
S/S welding/fabrication TIG and MMA, mostly facework (hand rails, brackets, bulwarks)
Aluminium welding/fabrication TIG and MIG, 50/50 facework and heavy fab.

I don't have any codings and it doesnt really interest me to be a full time welder, although I could be intested in TIG welding full time if I could train in a specialist area for a more sort after skill.

My job role also includes lots of other types of work mainly related to the exterior fit out of superyachts so i have a good marine knowledge.

I'm on my way to being a foreman/lead hand where I'm working at the moment, that will mean less time on my tools for a small increase in money so I'm leaning towards staying on the shop floor and make do without the extra money for the moment. So I don't really feel i can gain much more from where I am at the moment other than a little more experience.

I'm basically looking for some idea's on where I could go next? I would be more than willing to do some courses regardless of cost, or travel abroad for work. I'm keen to do anything aslong as it challenges me and earns a good wage.

One idea I thought of is a welding inspector of some kind?

Sorry abaout the essay

 

[the snooper]

my advice would be do nothing in the current climate while you have a job and wait for things to get better then decide

 

[mike os]

as above, be glad you have a (even half) decent job, hold on till things are moving well again

 

[marinefabber]

Thats a very valid point, I do consider myself lucky to still have a job although I can't stop myself thinking about doing something a bit different.

I'm tied to my current employer for another 12 months and then i will be travelling for a few months so realistically im not going to be in a position to do anything new for another 18 months. It's a big decision to make so I don't think it hurts starting to think about it this early on.

 

[mike os]

good plan to think ahead

what do you like?

 

[malcolm]

It's possible to apply for another job while still being employed at the current place. Takes a lot of the risk away apart from the last in/first out rule if the new folk do start making redundancies.

I'd ask what would you enjoy doing for work, not what can you do. I could have been a banker but chose to be an underpaid engineer messing with cars as it seemed like more fun. Working takes a big chunk out of your time so worth thinking about what is enjoyable.

 

[tigler]

I had a similar choice, could have gone into the finance industry but went into electronics instead, as thats what I enjoyed. Looking back though, I wish I'd chosen finance, may have been boring but I would be retired early by now and very well off !
So I could have played with toys to my hearts content without having to worry about money !

 

[marinefabber]

Great feedback so far guys!

I do really enjoy my job (the TIG welding aspect especially) I just feel that I've accomplished just about as much as I can without going into a managerial role, which is something that doesn't interest me at the moment.

Rather than a complete change of career, I was thinking of specialising in an area that I already have some experience in. I'm just not sure of what other jobs are out there?

I'm prepared to take a year out to do further training, or even work for a company for an apprentice wage again to gain training.

Before long I'm going to be thinking about buying a house and once that is done there is no chance I could take any real length of time out to do further training, so I think this is the time.

I can't help thinking that there is more to be had out there somewhere! And if I don't at least try and find it I may regret it in the future. Know what I mean?

Sorry this is a very vague topic. I just have no idea where to start and was possibly hoping for some advice from someone who had done something similar.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Maybe take a look at the TWI website www.twi.co.uk i think it is. I am thinking of doing the Diploma so I can eventually take up a Open University degree in Materials and Fab, although the courses are pricey.It may give you some ideas as to which direction to take.

 

[marinefabber]

One thing that came up on that site that has always interested me is underwater welding. Not sure how easy it is to get into something like that though with very little previous experience of diving (one dive in Bali, loved it!)

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I considered underwater welding myself, but according to members on another forum I use, that industry is very difficult to get into. Its a case of who you know rather than what you know. If you have the time and money, perhaps its another string to your bow. As I heard another person say, its easier to teach a welder to dive, rather that teaching a diver to weld.