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Career problems, feel lost

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  • 20-02-2017 3:27pm
    #1
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭


    I’ve been working in my area of work since finishing college. I love the area itself but finding a job I love is difficult because the really good jobs are few and far between.

    I decided to stick with it however because I want to go into a different area of work related to what I do down the line and at least if I have the experience it will look good on my CV.

    Recently I took a step back from work however because I wasn’t happy. I’ve started temping in an admin job in the meantime and I have to say I really enjoy it. There’s no pressure, it’s a good location, and I enjoy the work I’m doing.

    I’m now tempted to stay in admin because it pays the bills and it makes me happy. The only problem is I know for the good of my career I should go back to my original line of work. If I stay in admin and decide to go back to my original line of work later, it’s going to look terrible that I left it to do admin.

    I just feel so confused and lost. I don’t know what to do. My friend says all that matters is that I'm happy and another says my career is what should take priority.

    As I said, I love the area of work I'm qualified in. I'm good at it. Its just that good jobs in it are difficult to find. I feel all over the place at the moment.

    Any advice welcome, thank you.


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    #2
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users Posts: 25,970 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    Many admin jobs aren't like the one you've got - some are stressful. And the pay ain't great: imagine if you want to buy a house in ten years time, will you have been able to save for a deposit on what you are earning now?

    So I'd say look for ways to get closer to your ideal job.


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    #3
    jimmycrackcorm
    Registered Users Posts: 14,339 ✭✭✭✭jimmycrackcorm


    Confusedaboutwork wrote: »
    I’m now tempted to stay in admin because it pays the bills and it makes me happy. The only problem is I know for the good of my career I should go back to my original line of work. If I stay in admin and decide to go back to my original line of work later, it’s going to look terrible that I left it to do admin.

    I just feel so confused and lost. I don’t know what to do. My friend says all that matters is that I'm happy and another says my career is what should take priority.

    As I said, I love the area of work I'm qualified in. I'm good at it. Its just that good jobs in it are difficult to find. I feel all over the place at the moment.

    I think it is obvious that you need to keep looking for and follow the work you are qualified for. By all means enjoy the admin job in the meantime. You can explain that you simply changed because your previous employment wasn't giving you the satisfaction you desired, and while you enjoy the admin job, you clearly say the work you're qualified for is what you want.

    You haven't given yourself a life sentence with the admin job so make sure you look out for and are ready to jump to the right job you know you want.


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    #4
    _Brian
    Registered Users Posts: 18,574 ✭✭✭✭_Brian


    If you have a good steady job that funds the lifestyle you want - do you need to worry about career ??

    Work to live rather than live to work !


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    #5
    GalwayGrrrrrl
    Registered Users Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭GalwayGrrrrrl


    _Brian wrote: »
    If you have a good steady job that funds the lifestyle you want - do you need to worry about career ??

    Work to live rather than live to work !

    I completely disagree with this in the context of the OP. Funding a single persons lifestyle is completely different to having enough money for a mortgage, reliable car and maybe children in the future.
    OP, keep the admin job while you look for another job in your specialist area. In 10 years time the admin job will still be paying the same wage but your career job should be allowing you to progress up the salary and career ladder. If you don't feel ready to job hunt at the moment could you do some extra exams or training part time while you are doing the admin job. You'll look like a good candidate when you apply for new jobs then.


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