sophiem Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Ok, I'm stuck in a job that I thought was great but turns out its not (IT company - software testing)the thing is it offers great opportunities if you're good at the job and the money is good for my area, just one problem - I'm not good at my job, all the guys I work with are super techies and know everything there is to know about computers and manage to totally baffle me with science each and every day I really like the people I work with and it can be quite fun in the office, but I hate feeling that I'm a useless waste of space - also was told the other day that I was only offered the job because my boss likes blondes, which really pissed me off! I was told that I was employed because I was a quick learner and was very resourcefull (I did some work for them before they took me on) to be honest this would not have been my choice in vocation, but it seemed too good to turn down. I'm not crap at the job, just not great and it makes me feel like sh1t! My dream job would be to work in the media - with a link to the petrolhead world! I'd love to be an editor for a car mag or a researcher for a show like Topgear (never gonna happen I know) but just don't know if it's at all possible, all I'm armed with is a few GCSE's, a passion for all things motorised and a lot of experience in crappy jobs! Is there anything I can do???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Start by sending some letters out in the post to all the top car mags, just be honest, but enthuastic (spelling!) Have you any experience in writing for mags or papers? It might be worth trying to write a couple and sending them off.. if you feel up for it, turn up at their offices and ask for a job interview.. good luck.. it's a competative enviroment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophiem Posted July 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Thanks for the advice Dave, I had thought about a couple of your suggestions allready, but didn't think it would be worth it (a decission made in one of my more pesemistic states of mind). I'll definitely try now though, I'm so desperate to have a job I like just not sure that it'll ever happen. Oh well, keep you posted Soph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon690 Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Dub, before you make any moves you need to figure out what type of role would suit you best. Even if you love all things motorised a job in the media might turn out to be a complete nightmare just because the role you end up in is not a natural fit. There's a lot of management mumbo-jumbo talked about personal development but I would recommend that you take a look at the Strength Finder which is really good. You can buy it as an audio book and listen to it on the way to work etc. I'm just going through the same thing as you and listening to this book has really helped me get things straight in my head. I even managed to pursuade my extremely sceptical Mrs to have ago and she was really impressed, she's now looking for a new job that will "fit" her better rather than just anything which is different from what she is doing now. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattR32 Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Don't bin any job until you find another. I've done it twice and ended up right in the merde. Also the gras is always greener on the other side - My attempt at a change of career ended up being tragic pay for a year and a realisation that I was actually quite good at my old job anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saab Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Seems to me like there are actually two issues here. 1) You're not happy in your current job; 2) You would like to be working in a different industry. In my experience when you become fundamentally frustrated or unhappy in a job the best thing to do is start to look for something else. It sounds like you don't feel your colleagues respect you much and there is a question mark over you being employed for your ability. Even if it is in the same industry I would recommend scouring the job ads and finding another job as soon as you can. This would if nothing else get you out of your current predicament. On the second point I would consider to be a longer term goal and unlikely to be something you can move directly from your current job into. Journalism is very hard to break into and can take a long time unless you are well connected. A mate of mine wants to work in political journalism and he has set up a political blog with his own articles on current events. He then pitches this about to other websites and authors. This has been quite successful and he has been linked from the Guardian website several times now and is getting more exposure. He is hopeful that this will provide him with a way into the type of journalism he wants to work in, and the blog is an excellent way of demonstrating your work. Have a look at his and see what you think: www.democratsdiary.co.uk - his writing is quite left wing but its the principle that counts. So overall my advice is to sort out you immediate problems, then then look to the future. Good luck Soph, Jamie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophiem Posted July 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Firstly, thanks guys for the input - it's nice to get an outsider's take on things instead of mates telling you what you want to hear just to cheer you up. Secondly, there's absolutely no way I could leave this job without having another one to go to (too many outgoings each month!) I do understand how competitive the world of media is and am not under any false pretences, I'm not sure that I have what it takes to be a journalist (I'm very opinionated and my English isn't too bad - but other than that???) I’ve always been interested in the media and originally thought I’d like to work in radio, but nothing specific springs to mind. I took Media, Law, English and Maths A levels at college, but as so many do I dropped out before completing any of the courses. I'd love to be analysed by a careers guru and be told what job I would most enjoy, but I don't think that's going to happen. I'll be doing a lot of thinking in the next few weeks as I don't know how much longer I can bear the situation I’m in at the moment. I’ll keep you posted with any progress and would like to wish those in the same boat good luck. Thanks again Soph PS. Simon, I will get myself a copy of Strength Finder. Jamie I hope your mate is successful, I was very impressed by his work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 UAT seems to pay top bucks on some projects. Testing covers all angles. Software fix and patching is the end result where the tech's have to be pretty bright. The tech side of testing is full off socially odd people (very like BT's lab guys), talk strangely and wear the oddest clothing. Testing is a huge industry and User Acceptance Testing seems to be more about trying to wreck the application than wrecking and having to fix. How's about moving within the testing field, seeing it from a different product, team or firms outlook. If that doesn't work consider a drastic change along the lines already considered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Stay inyour job at the mo, until you get another. As MattR32 says! You are crap at your job - say your colleauges. You now think you are crap at your job. This sounds like bollox to me. They are either winding you up to see your reaction OR just office banter BECAUSE you are good. I am in IT, and I hate using techno/geek speak. I tell people as it is in simple terms. You would not have got the job if you WERE crap. People sometimes turn CRAP once they have been in the job a while. This usually happens in big companies were crap workers can hide/get carried by other people. (I should know, I have a few at my place!!! Grrr!) Sounds to me, like you can really take your time if you are looking to leave. Choose your next job carefully and with no need to rush! I presume you have the usual sources for jobs to hand? Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulkbear Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Why change your job just because your crap at it. I have not changed my job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiftyPence Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 good luck with the job hunting. Of course as a last resort you could always work for Bikini Beach presenting the show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophiem Posted July 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 Thanks for the helpful advice and support fifty - you b1tch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Why change your job just because your crap at it. I have not changed my job! [/ QUOTE ] It's never stopped politicians either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiftyPence Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 [ QUOTE ] get a job on bikini beach [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Thanks for the helpful advice and support fifty - you b1tch! [/ QUOTE ] hey now come on, that was a serious suggestion, you said you would like to get into Media and what better way to start than presenting with your chebs out on live telly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Don't burn your bridges ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiftyPence Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 hehe, comment revoked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophiem Posted July 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 thanks for the serious replies guys, i'll let you know if i think about getting my ahem...chebs (as you put it fifty)out on live tv. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalegolf Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Hey Soph. I didn't realise you didn't like you job that much and felt so useless. Time to be philisophical (sp?) again! Not that i'm gona broadcast your age on this forum but i think we'd both agree your not "past it" as you put it a while back. So try not to get to worried if you dream job isn't with you just yet. You'll be amazed how some little things that you do (like me putting that note on your car, you meeting a media related person) and it turning out really well, really do happen quite often. Even tho it may feel as though the other ppl you work with are ahead of you, don't let that get to you otherwise you'll get your mind in a strut and never advance in it. Last bit, Your wanting to get into media isn't that unlikely, look in the 'Guardian' they always have Media related jobs in there (about the only good thing i learnt from my media teacher!) Oh and only get your 'chebs' out if all else fails ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophiem Posted July 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Thanks for all the advice guys, even if some of it was less than helpful! Dale - I have no issues with you broadcasting my age, 21 is very young in comparisson to most of the old gits on TSN! I'll keep you all posted on any progress made, but dont expect a new presenter on bikinni beach just yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 [ QUOTE ] My dream job would be to work in the media - with a link to the petrolhead world! I'd love to be an editor for a car mag or a researcher for a show like Topgear (never gonna happen I know) but just don't know if it's at all possible, all I'm armed with is a few GCSE's, a passion for all things motorised and a lot of experience in crappy jobs! [/ QUOTE ] I'd suggest you start by sending in some editorial content to your favourite magazines. Don't mention employment or anything. Just send something in giving them permission to print it. Your first hurdle will be overcome when they do include something. Editors love being sent content. It saves them a fortune and lots of time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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