Advice Needed

[crannersEL]

Im in a real hard situation at the moment, currently doing a business course at Uni thats nothing like what i thought it would be, and im not really enjoying it.

Dad thinks a trade would be a good option, and pathway for me in the future which i tend to agree with. I wouldn't mind looking into being a sparkey, doing my pre app and hopefully landing a app with someone.

I know i would always look back and say i should have completed that uni degree if i was to quit now. But i guess being only 6 months into a course and not really enjoying it requires a bit of re-thinking and re-planning.

My question is, are there any AFF members out there that are doing a electric app at the moment? how are you enjoying it?

Any advice would be awesome, thanks

Paul

[crusher]

I was doing an electrical app till i had to go into hospital. been off for awhile.

Its alright. But be prepared to do LOTS of grunt work and get payed bugger all. And i really do mean bugger all. I was gettin about 220 a week (after tax) for doin like 38/40 hours.

Make sure your up with your maths as some modules at tafe/tech school use alot of maths. Not always very hard but there are literally 5 or more different formulaes for one thing when you get into second year and third year.

Also be prepared to crawl through roofs. Which sucks. They can get to about 50/60 degrees on some days. And theyre not so great if your a bigger bloke. But its all fun and games till you finish. Then you bugger off to the mines and get 130 grand a year

Hope some of that helped.

Also try and find out if there is a company that employs apps and then send them off to host companies. We have one here in perth called EGT. Try and find something like that. You can be much better off in the long run, cos if the company your indentured into goes bankrupt your stuffed. But if your with a host company you just get shifted onto the next job. It looks after you.

[Fairlane]

Thought about doing an engineering degree, there hard but money is good and demand is high. Scolarships are easy to (mining companies, etc)Even if you have a dodgy UAI/OP, you should now have enough Uni credit to get you into most courses.

And if you do something like mechanical engineering you could even work for a company like Ford- Bonus

[Wokkas]

Originally Posted by Fairlane

Thought about doing an engineering degree, there hard but money is good and demand is high. Scolarships are easy to (mining companies, etc)Even if you have a dodgy UAI/OP, you should now have enough Uni credit to get you into most courses.

And if you do something like mechanical engineering you could even work for a company like Ford- Bonus

Another way to do this, is to take on an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner/machinist/toolmaker, then do your diploma (and further if you wish) in Mechanical Engineering. That was the way I did it, and I've never looked back. That way, you can replace all the boring classroom work, with hands on practicle work. And get paid while you do it!!!!!

Similar with electrical work and some other trades.

[bailey04]

I have done a business degree at uni..
Why aren't you enjoying and what did you think it would be like? Is it just not the type of thing you see yourself doing in 20 years time or do you think its boring, etc..

That might help me give you advice, since i have been through the whole thing..

[Sourbastard]

Originally Posted by crannersEL

Any advice would be awesome, thanks

Quit school, buy a velvet suit, and go become an international man of mystery.

[mcflux]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

Quit school, buy a velvet suit, and go become an international man of mystery.

Fwee for fwee!

[MO]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

Quit school, buy a velvet suit, and go become an international man of mystery.

Aaahhh working for ASIO/ONA careful SB he might sus you out if he does!!!!

Seriously if your not enjoying it then you will not learn/absorb what you should....my advice go for a trade..there is a shortage of trades ppl and you will never be out of work after your app...its a case of put up with crap for 4/5 yrs....work for someone then start your own business.

above all talk with your folks if they will support you choice go for it.

[olfella]

I got into electrical stuff by doing a fitting and machining, then my regrigeration and air-conditioning. No regrets. Sparky is a good job with the added units of daa cabling etc these days. I would recommend anyone contemplating a trade to seriously considera licensed one like sparky, plumber or gas fitter. I know lots of young apprentices making skillions installing splits on weekends, so if you are prepared to put the hours in, then the dollars will folow.
Good luck - Eric

[Sourbastard]

I got into electronics by kidnapping 3 backpackers and building my own electric chair to kill each of them.

That and Doom.

[Falcon_Phill]

I was doing one with the railways till last year. What a hole. Id do the course, then a trade if i were you.

[BPXR6T]

Your from Melb. Check out the Bachelor of Technology(Computer Studies) at the Monash Caufeild Campus. If you like pulling stuff apart and building things then you'll do well there. I bailed on school at 15 and was going to be a motor mechanic but decided on this. It was the best thing I ever did.

You get to do electrical engineering, electronics design, robotics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, stacks of programming, a bit of business, some math, and plenty of other cool stuff. I stuck with software but you can find what you like whilst doing the degree. It sets you up for a number of industries.

I know some tradies earn a good wage but from working on both sides of the fence life is a hell of a lot easier being a professional...

[Paull]

Firstly, one of the young blokes at work started out doing a business degree and then got an apprenticehsip in the electrical trades. However, he has kept up his uni studies, part time though.

I have a business degree and it looks good on the CV but won't really get you a good job I am afraid to say. With my engineering background and the business degree, they mix quite well, but in all honesty, I have not in the past nor on the future see myself using the business degree by itself.

Effectively, go with what works for you but, having a degree wll put you in good stead for any future job advancement.

Paul

[MO]

CrannersEL....above all else be true to your dreams...go for what you feel good with.

My final word get a trade then look at the degree.

[[chubbz]]

I am first year at uni just now just finished yr 12 last year and im doing a batchelor of mechanical engineering its good but dnt expect to go any were near anything pracitical for the first 2 years and make sure you like maths and physics

[tim2x]

im in the same situation as you cranners, i'd like to do a trade but for what ive seen there is i dont have a huge interest in them, but its prob the most best thing you could go fo


earn lottsa cash when your qualified

[BPXR6T]

Originally Posted by [chubbz]

I am first year at uni just now just finished yr 12 last year and im doing a batchelor of mechanical engineering its good but dnt expect to go any were near anything pracitical for the first 2 years and make sure you like maths and physics

Stick with it. I'm headed back to uni in the next couple of years myself to study advanced physics. Uni is bloody hard work, but well worth it in the end. Like your parents would have said, an education is the best thing you can ever get.

I'm now 28, I started off 7 years ago with $50 in my pocket and only a worn out pair of runners to my name. In those seven years I've bought two houses, just paid one off, owned 18 cars, have just semi retired a few months ago, and am looking at full time retirement at 35.

Now I'm not bragging. I'm just trying to show an example of what your education can do. For the rest of my life I can pretty much do what I want. Sit on a beach, pick up odd jobs, race cars, whatever. Trust me, its worth the hard work.

Quick tip, don't be scared to take a risk or two when your young. You can always start again...