Would I be wasting time

[Duffman]

Hay I thought I would ask this question on ff as most people seem to be very knowledgeable on here about employment and working. I read the thread on how much people make so you guys are the right people to ask.

My problem is I just finished uni in a business degree (management and marketing & also have business diploma), I found out today I did really well in all my subjects so I am finished! The problem is just a few months ago in my last semester I got employed by GE working in GE Money. They write loans and that’s all they do and the interest rate is bit high which makes it difficult i.e. 35%. I was working there casual not doing much just general office stuff getting about $430 a week for 25hrs work as casual. Now I am full time and writing loans (only been doing full time for 1 week) and hate it as I pretty much didn’t finish uni to earn 35k a year and write loans.

There is a few issues that I can’t decide on. 1. I can leave and get another job but might be difficult just quitting as I couldn’t really use them as a reference. 2. I can stay and find a new job so that way I can say atm im employed but looking for a better job, does been employed while looking for work help i.e. to show your not a bum? The other option I was thinking is doing 1 year of Tafe and getting a diploma in IT as most business jobs now seem to need some IT qualifications. This allows me another year to bum around but I am worried I might be getting too old and wasting time if I bum around at Tafe for 1 year… by the time I am finished I would be 22 (I have just turned 21 now).

My dad works in the energy/oil industry and jobs where he works start at 60k per year. He knows a lot of people there so I should be able to get in but I am sure work would be tough for 60k but for that money I think I could handle it

So after all the big questions it comes down to … should I leave, should I look then leave or should I bum and get another qualification????

[brenx]

Option 2 is good but if you want more qualifications? You'll have to leave I gather?

If i was in your shoes I'd look then leave.

[max^power]

Originally Posted by Duffman

should I leave, should I look then leave or should I bum and get another qualification????

Whats wrong with getting more education, while looking for work, and keeping your current job? Do you want a career or a job?

IT is overcrowded, if you're thinking of joining this game, be prepared for a tough battle for every single job - the pay is not as high as it used to be either. You have to work your way up, you'd be very lucky if you can step out of uni and get a 60k job - knowing the right people helps, but then you're taking it from someone that has probably earnt that position.

[Duffman]

Yeah I wouldnt be looking to enter the IT industry more use it as a small qualification to have some IT background in business as even at my current job its heavy on computers and you really gotta know what your doing sometimes.

It is about knowing the right people as otherwise it would be impossible to get into energy. I managed to get into GE as I knew a guy that use to be high up in the company.

I have no expenses at home and have saved alot of the money I have earnt as it don't come easy! Im just wondering if while I am in the position to study and gain qualifcations should I? I mean its probably going to be the easy time in life to do it.

If I am able to get a good job in the energy industry I will take it but otherwise tafe just sounds so tempting.

Decisions, decisions!

[XRated]

Can you tell me more about your GE job? Re. casual work - what you actually did, work hours, how you get the job etc?

[Duffman]

Working casual 3 days a week was good. I pretty much answered the phone, called overdue accounts, took applications and did small jobs around the office. The sucky bit was on monday nights from 4pm-7pm (as you work till 8 on a monday) you had to call people from other ge business segments i,e ge auto, credit line, buyers edge. You preety much call them say blah blah blah why dont you do some business with us.. so preety much telemarketing. I never did that too often until now that I work fulltime and I tell ya 3hrs of that really annoys you as you don't want to annoy people at night. I didnt leave uni to telemarket and call overdue accounts thats for sure and you can deal with some preety bad people.

Casual was great but fulltime sucks, you go to write a loan for someone and find out everything they have told you is a lie or they are scamming the govt i.e. pensioners (happens often!). I would recommend it for casual work but full time everyone is wanting everything now now now. When people want money they will tell you and do anything they can to get it!

[deesun]

No good being in a job if you don't like it. Whats wrong with looking around and applying for better jobs and starting some IT education part time. GEEZ man if you think your old at 23 just wait till you get to Caspers age. hahahhahahahaha

[CarBroker]

When I worked at Ford (after graduating Engineering) I got bored after about 12 months in the same job. So I went around to the managers and spoke to them individually and asked for their advice. I said: "I want to get into a management position". They said: "Well, son.... then you have to be a Production Supervisor for a while.". About 2-3 months later, there was a round of retrenchments, and I ended up a Production Supervisor. Becasue they knew what I wanted and I seemed keen, they helped me along. I changed jobs there every 12-18 months and got a great all-round experience over the 6 years I was there. GE is a big company, and it will look good on your resume if you saty with them (in different positions) for a while.

[Duffman]

Yeah GE is huge but I have to do my job for 3 years before I can move! Sounds a little excessive. They would be great to have on the resume. I managed to get in through a ex-manger of the company I met at uni, his best mate was high up and gave him my resume. I never wanted to be in finace but it was a good chance to make some $$$ and work for a company as ya never know it might have been good!

Just going to study for another year sounds soo tempting!

[Feathers]

At least you sound like you won't end up like me.

I didn't know what I wanted to do when I finished school. Didn't go to uni, or Tafe, got a job as a casual checkout chick.

Eventually they saw that I really didn't like it and I got a full-time position as the store systems operator.

I've been in the same position, at the same store (mostly) for the last 5 years and I hate it.
This time last year I applied for another job at ROH, and though I was shortlisted, I missed out.

Now I'm just too lazy to be bothered, and I figure as long as I am getting paid I might as well stay where I am.

[MO]

Ok the job is not your cup of tea..stay with it..use it as a stepping stone to a better one and do tafe at night.
At least this way you have an income and by looking and keeping your eyes and ears wired you just might get something sooner rather than later.

[Tote]

A couple of thoughts, I work for a large US corporation and the Australian way of working hard and being noticed may not necessarily hold sway, I've seen us dump highly skilled people and a week later hire contractors to fill a position they could have been promoted into. I'm not saying it's all bad but it is something to bear in mind.
On the other hand if you quit now you will be competing with all the school leavers and other graduates until the employment market settles down in April. Unless you can get a good job with your contacts I'd stay where I was for the time being.
From where I sit the choice between being a lackey in a deskbound position and the alternative of a well paid job with many diverse experiences is a pretty easy one to make while you are young and can make those choices without affecting the ones you love.
Good luck,
Regards,
Tote

[Mack 6]

From my experience, get into a job specific to what you studied, you have a better chance of progressing there, as well as enjoying what you do (I assume you enjoyed Uni)
I made the mistake of thinking I didn't want to be an engineer 4 subjects away from finishing, left to work in the real world. Now although I'm on a decent wage now. I realise I have to go back and finish the degree in order to get the big bucks.
Look for a company that is going to support you getting further education. I know of a few that encourage that and I'm hoping that I can work for them and study as well without the hassles of time off for this and that.
Some companies have confidentiality so they won't speak to your current employer unless of course you put them as a referee. I have done that, but only cos the boss thinks the sun shines out my a** and he's cool with me moving up.
Good Luck.

[turboute]

Why dont you sit down and talk to your superiors about getting transferred to another position that may suit you better, If the Corporation is as big as you say they must have some positions vacant that would suit you alot better. Also the other big thing you must start doing is networking- this is what will keep you employed for the rest of your life, If you have friends in the right circles you will hear about jobs before they are even advertised - meaning you can get your foot in the door before anyone even gets a change - or even better it might be offered to you.

[EBII Fairmont]

Don't leave because 35k isn't good enough. I've been looking around, because I just finished an advanced Diploma in International Business. 35k is really good to start off with. I was offered from a couple of interviews from the 20 to 25k mark. So I am going to stick with uni and continue.

I'm following a moto which my cousin informed me of. Start small think big. He has slaughtered his way in one organisation from the very bottom and has now made a name for himself. You have to be patient and persistant to get somewhere. Stick there for a year, and then start looking for a new job. If they ask why you don't wanna stick there, tell them you wanted it as a place to open a few doors for you.

One other thing I have found also with getting a job, people like myself who have just come out can't find jobs that easily. 90% of all advertisments always state that the person applying must have previous experince. Well your getting that now.

[Duffman]

Thanks for everyones replies. I was thinking of just saying to them tomorrow the job isnt what I thought it would be and I enjoyed my time there and think I should move onto something I like. Iv asked about moving in the company and they just say noooo do your job for 3 years and do really well and we might think about it. I don't like to leave such a big company but if it sucks what can ya do. Im in no huge rush to get a job and im sure ill find one but just wondering should I leave I mean I wanna but its hard to do it when the time comes.

I also did a diploma in international business eb2 fairmont and didnt find it much use and just continued onto uni.

Im just worried if I leave what are my chances of getting employed again :/

[MO]

Duffman,never leave the job you've got until you've been hired for the next one...capiche!

[GT-E]

Duff,
While you may think $35k is not much and that the job is not what you are after, you do not have any/much experience.
Working for a company like GE is a great start in your career.
They are huge and would have a massive staff churn because of the nature of their business.
Have a look around at your bosses and find out how long they have been working for the company. You may find the 3 years line is standard, when it is more likely less than 2 years for progression.
A mate of mine works for DELL and has gone from lackie to team leader of 20 staff in under 12 months because people keep leaving above him.
If you stick at it and get chummy with the people higher up the management chain, you will go up faster. Be good at your job and make sure they know you are degree qualified and more than able to take on more tasks.
If after 12 months you are going nowhere, you will have over 12 months experience and more likely to get a better job with someone else.

Good luck

[Duffman]

Yah my current boss there has been there 9 years and hasnt even started management training. The main problem its hard to be excited and sell lots to move up when ya can't stand the product your dealing with esp at a 35% interest rate! I just wanted to move to another GE business but they wont even consider it till 3 years is up! Going to work debt collecting, telemarketing and then selling things people probably shouldn't have isn't too fun its probably the debt collecting and definatly the telemarketing which kills it.