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Beesquedd · Newbie Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hi, I was wondering if you can help me with my dilemma which is probably obvious to everyone except me.

I work for a government-owned company and have been employed for six years.

The work I do is quite challenging, however, after a nasty experience with a former HoD and after being passed-over for promotion, my enthusiasm for the job has plummeted.

I know I should leave, but I have absolutely no clue what to next.

I have always liked coding-up spreadsheets, stand alone apps etc, but I would be under-qualified and have to halve my current salary to do this sort of work. I could do the same sort of work that I do now in private industry and double my salary, however, I run the very real risk of hating the job.

Can anybody point me in the right direction?

Cheers

Pauloz · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:57 am Post subject:

Beesquedd

I worked in the public service for 20 years, and I can tell you it's not the ultimate. That sort of bitching session you had with your HoD is pretty common. I worked in several departments, and only in one of them did I see an actual team, where everyone was on the same side.

Talent recognition and government job aren't synonyms.

Suggest you play it cool, start planning your way out. We're just running something called Starting a New Career,this is an excerpt http://www.cvtips.com/career/tough_calls_not_necessarily.html might be useful for you. Although it sounds like you're intending to move to another job, not start up a career on your own, the considerations are pretty much the same, about looking where you're going, what to look out for,caution where required and other related traumas.

Now would be the time to start doing a bit of forward planning, setting some objectives, and seeing how to get from A to B.

Don't let the bastards get to you is an old and always applicable statement.

Find out what you want, and go for it, and to hell with them.

Good luck,

Beesquedd · Newbie Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

Wow, thanks, what a quick reply.

You have nailed the problem - I don't know where the passion lies. I've never known what job/task/career path follow and I have been trying to find that all my life. I don't want to keep on drifting into jobs -I want to be far more proactive and target my ideal job/vocation.

I just have no idea WHAT to aim for.

Any thoughts ?

Late update - As I wrote this, the CEO came over to ignore me and have a pal-y chat with my junior colleague (who I coached in this job and who is now my 1-up manager ). Still - nil illegitematus carborundum. Evil or Very Mad

Pauloz · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:25 am Post subject:

Beesquedd

Well, we've got a pretty good idea exactly where you don't want to be.

I should probably warn you that per ardua ad fecum is the usual result of government jobs where these situations fester on for decades, and the level of personal stagnation gets so interesting.

What do you really like doing? What's something where you'd be only too happy to get some training, make a life out of it, not just a living?

Beesquedd · Newbie Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it.

I hate to sound so negative, but I do so to explain my position and try to improve the situation.

The big issue I have is discovering just what I would like to do - I don't really have a passion for anything. I have interests in many thing, but no one passion above all others.

How do other people go about finding this? Is it something you can uncover by employing a particular method or methodology or is it just a chance thing?

Thanks once again Wink

Pauloz · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:31 am Post subject:

Beesquedd

Really it's a matter of a purely self-oriented series of choices. Your interests are either clues or possibilities.

Most people don't know they can turn something they love into a career. Talents are almost infallible guides to what you can do better than most. This is only now being confirmed by studies, which have found, surprise, surprise, that people are far more productive doing things they like.

This may take a bit of exploring on your part, but it won't be dull, and it'll at least be in some area where you can take an interest.

As for methodologies, the normal method is a series of tests, most of which figure out as "What do you like doing?"

Frankly, you can take or leave the methodologies. Use some gut instinct, at least.

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