Career advice

[zlcrazy]

Hi all,

As the title says i am interested in what others here think will be some of the best skills etc needed in the future.

I am currently working fulltime and am thinking of doing some study but am stuck on what to do.

My current job is safe at the moment but things do change quickly, especially in the automotive industry.

So what are your suggestions, thoughts or advice.

I am open to all sorts, i have been to single minded to long so don't be afraid.

thanks in advance

zlcrazy

[Kryton]

Sparky.

[snailbate]

There is a tafe course after the apprentship
which would take youy up to the next level in you carrer
Terry

[Franco Cozzo]

http://www.kangan.edu.au

These guys are the kings of the automotive industry when it comes to training, we just got a new campus which cost $130 million in Docklands, world class facilities now. If you want to continue in the same industry but move elsewhere, here is the place to go.

[GasoLane]

What do you like (or think you would like) doing ?
What are you good at doing ?

If you land a job that meets both criteria you're on a winner.

[Spinner77]

What do you like (or think you would like) doing ?
What are you good at doing ?

These are great questions. Here are a couple more:

What is the future demand for the occupation? This is a tough one, since we cannot predict the future. But it's worth thinking about. There's not a lot of work for lion-tamers!

How conscientious are you prepared to be, really? You have to be prepared to compete, and to do that will take a lot of hard yakka. One of the problems with the current education system is that it places huge emphasis on skills, as opposed to knowledge. In the real world, knowledge is at least as important, if you are going to be a master of what you do. Getting your knowledge base to the expert level will take a lot of effort and discipline.

[Stagg]

Well I guess for my 2c I would say going into being a sales or account rep is a safe way to go after a few years.

I'm going for an interview this afternoon for a job as a junior account rep for in dash touch screens for new cars, the perks of the job are company car and bonuses.

The reason I chose sales and being a supplier rep though is because if the industry starts to become stagnant (which it is in my current job for solar hot water), it is easy enough to change industries; sales and reps aren't limited to one industry.

But it really depends on you, because I suggest getting into sales, someone else might say become a truck driver, then someone else might say become a school teacher or something random like that. I know my job well enough to know what it entails should you be looking at a sales role, but what industry exactly are you looking for? Or if you want to stay in the automotive industry, where in the automotive industry? auto trades? sales? management? dare I say accounting?

[Uncle Niceguy]

mmm I'm gonna put Town/city planner out there as cities and buildings are always going to be around although with the way our population is going i'm not sure aye or you could become a surveyer.

[GT 160]

Mining.

Australia will soon be just one big quarry.

[Uncle Niceguy]

Originally Posted by fitzwa

Mining.

Australia will soon be just one big quarry.

so true

[Stagg]

Originally Posted by fitzwa

Mining.

Australia will soon be just one big quarry.

I moved from WA because going through school, the mentality was

"If you're ever going to make any money in this country, work in the mines"

So half of the male graduating year I was in went and got a job in the mines. They don't know what they will do if they want to change industries because they didn't bother thinking about potential change

[z80]

Originally Posted by zlcrazy

Hi all,

As the title says i am interested in what others here think will be some of the best skills etc needed in the future.

I am currently working fulltime and am thinking of doing some study but am stuck on what to do.

My current job is safe at the moment but things do change quickly, especially in the automotive industry.

So what are your suggestions, thoughts or advice.

I am open to all sorts, i have been to single minded to long so don't be afraid.

thanks in advance

zlcrazy

Become self employed...everything else is crap.

Don't wanna get dirty?

Do a degree that gets a professional qualification...

Doctor,dentist,optometrist,Vet,lawyer,accountant.. ..etc

You get to be self employed and make money for life.

Avoid...teacher,nurse, etc...unless you plan on buying your own hospital or school.

IT? .....you've missed the boat by 20 years if not more...


Don't mind getting dirty?

Building trade qualifications...carpenter,bricklayer,plasterer etc

The cash and tax avoidance opportunities will make it worthwhile.

[Spinner77]

Just a word of caution about self-employment. Opinions will differ of course. But here are some issues, in my humble opinion.

Not everyone is suited to it. You need a wide range of abilities, especially sales and marketing.

You need to be able to cope with worry. Every business, at some time or other, will go through tough times. A lot don't make it. Just ask around. It's not just because they are bad businessmen. Imagine you had started up a new travel agency business on the day before 9/11!

As a sole operator, you have a big disadvantage against bigger outfits. This is that you cannot provide their level of service. You can't be in two places at the one time. Then there are the non-payers and the slow payers who will send you to Ashley and Martin faster than you think.

Don't imagine that you get to spend what's left after expenses and tax. Businesses that survive tend to put away a fair whack for future investment, to cover bad debts, unexpected expenses, being sued and so on. This is called retained profits. It is a very important concept. Ask any decent accountant.

Never, ever be seduced by tax advantages. The key is to generate income. If you do that consistently you will survive. Probably.

Oh, and did I mention sales and marketing?

[Miss_XR6]

^^^ I work in travel and while 9/11, tsunamas, earthquakers affect everybody else it doesnt hurt travel as people find another area to go to instead of the area affected and end up spending more and its a better win for us