What would you do?

[notwavingdrowning]

...If you could retrain as anything, study or apprentice yourself to a career, what would it be.

My situation is this. I am 36 with 20 years customer service/front of house/ basic office admin experience and no tertiary education. (Companies worked all Blue Chip or Entertainment) I speak and present well so it was never difficult finding good jobs in my own country. Plus the wealth of contacts and experience you get living in the same place for a long time helps.

The thing is now I feel I am pretty stuffed. I feel I am almost unemployable..I have had almost no luck finding employment in Singapore, and suspect its only going to get worse as we continue to travel the world following his career around during the next 10 years as we plan on doing..and I support as I enjoy this life.

So the question is, are you like me, or know someone like me, or are you just smart and can give great advice on what I should do..sms I love working with people am creative and helpful and am keen to learn new skills but really have no idea where to start.

I also need a career where I can work as easily in the US as I could in China (the thought of uni having never been, scares me, but am open) I am happy to work for free to train in a new role.. Perhaps a good careers counselor would be good?? Are they any good? Where to find a reputable one?

Just so you get the picture, my partner understands my predicament and supports me without prejudice and I don't sit around eating bon bons..(not that there's anything wrong with that) Whilst I had a very tough start here in Singapore I have settled in and I volunteer on a permanent part time basis at a children's home, but I am sure you understand that it sucks not earning your own money and feeling I have finished my working life makes my blood run cold..Plus I just really miss working in a dynamic environment..Ps kids are off the menu so that's not an option...

Looking forward to your advice


Want to be a working again..

[Vaucluse]

I know this really doesn't answer your question (come on bigfilsing, stick your gob in it again), but maybe hunkering down and studying would do the trick for the future.

The problem is that, especially in Asia, companies are paper-oriented, in that any silly degree or diploma from any hole-in-the-wall 'tertiary' institution is appreciated, whereas working experience is not.

Yes, I'd suggest taking up studies.

[notwavingdrowning]

Thanks for your reply Vaucluse, I truly appreciate it. You are probably correct in that I must return to study in some way..It just really difficult to decide what to study..

I know I must be interested in what I am studying or there is no point, its just tricky to know where to start? I guess this is where I need some type of professional counseling..

Thanks again for your reply..

[ksl]

Actually I would say, you need to do a good evaluation of yourself, after all it is you and only you, that can change your life. If it's idea's that would suit you, that you are looking for, the you could PM me, with just your date of birth and hey presto!

But seriously I am one that believes in astrology for identifying basic traits in people, it it's kind of a hobby, which i like to take seriously, although it is much more complexed than your daily newspaper, which is made to measure for all of that month. Again finding someone good enough is another mountain to climb.

Although if you are interested you may wish to meet up, with a few of the others, that also wish to discuss their future' s. I believe i have a good eye for talent, although age, looks and build also play a major role, in most professions.

It's not about what you have done in the past, but what you are capable of in the future that matters, so knowing your persona is very important, and this you can never do on a forum.

Their are professional councilors out there, although they work within boundaries, which is quite illogical for me, a little like school and university advice, and they haven't a clue what they are talking about because it's all down to a strict organised f---k up, excuse the french but in reality there is so much waste in study, because of wrong advice and wrong impressions, of career advice.

That one should take it all with a pinch of salt, the more you grow up, the more likely you are to hate the choices you made.

Who enjoy's work, other than myself, not many, i do believe, so it's about going with the flow, or suffering, and that's an easy one resolve, do what you are good at, and what you enjoy doing, and don't do what you dislike, unless you need the money.