Changing careers - How????

[alcatraz5953]

Out of school, you have no idea what you want to do with your life and you end up choosing the first viable option that comes your way. 5 years down the line with courses and certificates coming out your ears, it occurs to you that you hate your job, you hate the industry you work in and most certainly cant see yourself doing it for the next 20 years.

What the hell does a senior safety officer working for a major civil engineering company change to? Without knowing somebody or having connections, how do you go about getting a new job with absolutely no experience other than health and safety and construction? It's not like I make millions anyway, but going for a career change and expecting a similar starting salary seems near impossible.

I know there aren't many carbies in the construction industry, but any words of wisdom regarding career changes would be much appreciated

 

[Ravin']

How open are you to working off shore? You can go into that with the experience you have and make a ton of money.

 

[P1000]

Making any career change and expecting the same salary is almost impossible...

 

[alcatraz5953]

How open are you to working off shore? You can go into that with the experience you have and make a ton of money.

I would love to do the offshore thing because that would at least be something different and the money would make it slightly more worthwhile. Getting into it on the other hand also comes a lot down to 'who you know' unfortunately

 

[Ravin']

I would love to do the offshore thing because that would at least be something different and the money would make it slightly more worthwhile. Getting into it on the other hand also comes a lot down to 'who you know' unfortunately

Not entirely bud, my brother has done it and I'm seriously considering it, it does take a long time to actually get on once they've accepted you but it's not difficult if you have what they're looking for. Check out MSC careers, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, or this site: http://www.cruiseshipjob.com/

They hire hundreds of South African workers every year, apparently they like us, it's easy to apply, maybe just give it a shot and see what happens

Also, if you're looking at working on an Oil Rig, I think you could get on there a bit easier with your line of work
Check out Maersk Drilling http://www.maerskdrilling.com/en/jobs-and-careers/getting-hired-offshore/do-you-want-to-go-offshore

And Transocean http://www.deepwater.com/our-people

 

[RexTrueform]

I changed careers after 4 years of studying and 3 years of service as a EPOS facilitator contracted out to CNA.
I chose to go into 3D CAD Design in the automotive industry with zero knowledge other than being a fast and willing learner with the ability to learn any software fast.

That being said, I started on R1500/m from R15000/m that I originally earned as an EPOS facilitator but I understood that I would make my own path based off of this new career.
After 15 years as a Design Engineer, I now have very few issues getting a job requiring a mechanical degree as my experience is invaluable.

The most important factor that I learned to understand was that you need to value yourself beyond any form of qualification, don't let your prior career dictate what you are capable of.
Think about the situation and the career path you'd like to follow and sculpt your CV and personal skills to suite, don't market yourself as only capable of construction, broaden your horizons and define yourself by your skills and not your title.

 

[Riggidig]

Out of school, you have no idea what you want to do with your life and you end up choosing the first viable option that comes your way. 5 years down the line with courses and certificates coming out your ears, it occurs to you that you hate your job, you hate the industry you work in and most certainly cant see yourself doing it for the next 20 years.

What the hell does a senior safety officer working for a major civil engineering company change to? Without knowing somebody or having connections, how do you go about getting a new job with absolutely no experience other than health and safety and construction? It's not like I make millions anyway, but going for a career change and expecting a similar starting salary seems near impossible.

I know there aren't many carbies in the construction industry, but any words of wisdom regarding career changes would be much appreciated

Currently in the same boat. Been doing graphic design for the past 13 years. Basically just been doing it because it's what I studied and what was recommended for me directly out of high school and I have to do it (because there's nothing else I can currently do). I'm considering switching to another field though, like IT or social media, because I like to help people with setting up and sorting out their PCs/smartphones/tablets/etc. Unfortunately, without the capital it's difficult, so I'm currently reading up on it in my spare time, as well as asking for advice where I can, plus saving up where I can (taking forever though). Wish I can give more advice, but all the best to you man.

 

[dash09]

If you want to change to a completely different career path and expect to earn anything decent you absolutely have to know the right people. In the 5 years that you have been wilting away in job A someone has working in job B, he now has a high level of experience in that field at the same age as you. Without any formal experience and not knowing anyone to give you a bit of an advantage you're going to have to start at the bottom with an age disadvantage. That's just the unfortunate truth of things and I know this to be true because I experienced it. I was just lucky enough to know the right people so I moved after 9 years in IT to procurement, absolutely no experience or qualifications whatsoever but I was "connected". While applying for jobs on my own I had success in interviews, but the salary on offer was not enough to support myself. Without a helping hand from my connections I would have been in a very tough spot.
Find a career path that you can enjoy, that you know you will be settled with in 5 years time and then start making the moves to get in there.
FYI health and safety knowledge can get you jobs outside of construction, so maybe look at a different industry first before considering a whole different career

 

[alcatraz5953]

Not entirely bud, my brother has done it and I'm seriously considering it, it does take a long time to actually get on once they've accepted you but it's not difficult if you have what they're looking for. Check out MSC careers, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, or this site: http://www.cruiseshipjob.com/

They hire hundreds of South African workers every year, apparently they like us, it's easy to apply, maybe just give it a shot and see what happens

Also, if you're looking at working on an Oil Rig, I think you could get on there a bit easier with your line of work
Check out Maersk Drilling http://www.maerskdrilling.com/en/jobs-and-careers/getting-hired-offshore/do-you-want-to-go-offshore

And Transocean http://www.deepwater.com/our-people

Big thanks mate, will definitely check them out. Get to see the world while you work, nothing wrong with that. Only problem is that it's a temporary fix

I changed careers after 4 years of studying and 3 years of service as a EPOS facilitator contracted out to CNA.
I chose to go into 3D CAD Design in the automotive industry with zero knowledge other than being a fast and willing learner with the ability to learn any software fast.

That being said, I started on R1500/m from R15000/m that I originally earned as an EPOS facilitator but I understood that I would make my own path based off of this new career.
After 15 years as a Design Engineer, I now have very few issues getting a job requiring a mechanical degree as my experience is invaluable.

The most important factor that I learned to understand was that you need to value yourself beyond any form of qualification, don't let your prior career dictate what you are capable of.
Think about the situation and the career path you'd like to follow and sculpt your CV and personal skills to suite, don't market yourself as only capable of construction, broaden your horizons and define yourself by your skills and not your title.

Some very wise words in there. Problem is I dont really know what career path I'd like to follow

Currently in the same boat. Been doing graphic design for the past 13 years. Basically just been doing it because it's what I studied and what was recommended for me directly out of high school and I have to do it (because there's nothing else I can currently do). I'm considering switching to another field though, like IT or social media, because I like to help people with setting up and sorting out their PCs/smartphones/tablets/etc. Unfortunately, without the capital it's difficult, so I'm currently reading up on it in my spare time, as well as asking for advice where I can, plus saving up where I can (taking forever though). Wish I can give more advice, but all the best to you man.

Capital at the end of the day is always going to be the biggest hurdle. I would love to be working for myself, have a direct line between effort equals reward. I dont want to be in that boat where 10-15 years down the line I feel the way I do now, with every year that passes we get more comfortable and the harder it gets to leave.

If you want to change to a completely different career path and expect to earn anything decent you absolutely have to know the right people. In the 5 years that you have been wilting away in job A someone has working in job B, he now has a high level of experience in that field at the same age as you. Without any formal experience and not knowing anyone to give you a bit of an advantage you're going to have to start at the bottom with an age disadvantage. That's just the unfortunate truth of things and I know this to be true because I experienced it. I was just lucky enough to know the right people so I moved after 9 years in IT to procurement, absolutely no experience or qualifications whatsoever but I was "connected". While applying for jobs on my own I had success in interviews, but the salary on offer was not enough to support myself. Without a helping hand from my connections I would have been in a very tough spot.
Find a career path that you can enjoy, that you know you will be settled with in 5 years time and then start making the moves to get in there.
FYI health and safety knowledge can get you jobs outside of construction, so maybe look at a different industry first before considering a whole different career

Yeah changing industry would be my first option, even if it is just to see how I would feel about it. But ja, that is also easier said than done.

As for the salary thing, like I said, I dont make millions, I reckon I actually get paid pretty kak for what I do so whatever new career path I do take I reckon I'd be able to survive even if it were close

 

[OhiAs_ZA]

Out of school, you have no idea what you want to do with your life and you end up choosing the first viable option that comes your way. 5 years down the line with courses and certificates coming out your ears, it occurs to you that you hate your job, you hate the industry you work in and most certainly cant see yourself doing it for the next 20 years.

What the hell does a senior safety officer working for a major civil engineering company change to? Without knowing somebody or having connections, how do you go about getting a new job with absolutely no experience other than health and safety and construction? It's not like I make millions anyway, but going for a career change and expecting a similar starting salary seems near impossible.

I know there aren't many carbies in the construction industry, but any words of wisdom regarding career changes would be much appreciated

Have you tried Eskom [emoji58]

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[alcatraz5953]

Have you tried Eskom [emoji58]

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Eskom is incredibly difficult to get into brother, them and Transnet are both damn near impossible to get into

 

[OhiAs_ZA]

Eskom is incredibly difficult to get into brother, them and Transnet are both damn near impossible to get into

Yeah I understand why as we sub for them in building powerlines. But IMO it is not a good idea but worth a try. Otherwise you can try a place called Nor Consol something like thay or TAP then any other altirnitive is to try powerline construction as there is required to have a Safety office on site all the time.

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[Gendibal]

Health and safety reps are becoming hen's teeth in the construction industry. If you have the right qualifications and certificates, you can pick and choose. I say go into business for yourself. You'll manage what work you can, you'll know that whatever effort you put in is what you're getting out and the sky's the limit. However, you need to know what you're getting into....I know, I've been running my own show for 2 years now and sometimes you feel like you should rather work for someone but to answer to a boss again makes my skin crawl ;-).

As Etienne says, speak to Norconsult, TAP, Aurecon, CVG, SMEC, Edison Power. These guys are all into building powerlines (if you're tired of buildings ). Drop me a PM if you want to chat further.

 

[Randall]

Changing careers- my experience

1. Salary will be less- if you cannot handle this, don't do it- Rather just change jobs or make some other kind of plan.
2. If you are used to being treated as a senior, in the new career this will definitely not be the case, so don't expect to be treated like the rest of the proficient guys until you have proven yourself
3. Be expected to use some of your spare time to learn/self-study

 

[alcatraz5953]

Health and safety reps are becoming hen's teeth in the construction industry. If you have the right qualifications and certificates, you can pick and choose. I say go into business for yourself. You'll manage what work you can, you'll know that whatever effort you put in is what you're getting out and the sky's the limit. However, you need to know what you're getting into....I know, I've been running my own show for 2 years now and sometimes you feel like you should rather work for someone but to answer to a boss again makes my skin crawl ;-).

As Etienne says, speak to Norconsult, TAP, Aurecon, CVG, SMEC, Edison Power. These guys are all into building powerlines (if you're tired of buildings ). Drop me a PM if you want to chat further.

Unfortunately getting into business for yourself in HSE is easier said than done. In order to provide your services as a consultant (i.e. your own HSE company) you need to be registered with the SACPCMP as a construction health and safety agent (CHSA). It's hard enough already just getting registered with them as a construction health and safety officer (CHSO), but in order to get accepted as a CHSA you basically need like 10 years experience as a HSE manager. So its all good and well to start your own practice, but you're basically not allowed to get any work unless you're registered. Will definitely drop you a PM shortly thanks mate

Edit:

BTW - I build roads and bridges

 

[Gendibal]

Oops..My bad on assuming there....Good to know. Drop me a PM. We can chat