Post: #1

Hi guys. I have been contemplating making this thread for a while now but considering this forum has a deep wealth of helpful information I just put it off. Which I figure is just being lazy so here it is.

I am being truthful here and I recognise the mistakes I have made over the past few years.

1) I went to University late but I graduated in a specialised degree this year. I failed three times to score an interview for a placement year and decided I had enough and went on to do my final year and graduate.

This was a risk because the industry I want to work in takes work experience in the field as desirable. You'll pretty much lose out to candidates with experience at the final hurdle regardless of an interview performance.

2) I am 30 now and I spent too long in a job not going anywhere prior to university. As of now I am in a supervisor position with a trade logistics company but the pay isn't anywhere near what I need but I am willing to stick it out for a while to get some savings.

It won't hurt to be on my CV from what I am doing.

The kicker here is, I feel I have missed out due to my age but also my disastrous choice to stay at a job for a while doing nothing.

The job isn't challenging me and I get bored a fair bit. However I realise the importance of it on a CV for future prospects.


I need a plan. I made a five year plan to get university done but I have no plan now. I want to fill it with prospects and enrichment but this addiction to staying at the PC surfing the internet is a problem. I can get information off here but I like books, and practical things.

Has anyone got ideas to escape this cycle? Adapting to a new style of personal enrichment?

I see my time rushing past and I am in a very important stage of my life. I am not too old but I am not 20 either.

Post: #2

Here is my suggestion - leave your environment, go someplace far away that recharges your batteries for 2-3 days, WITHOUT any connection to the web. No email, nothing, leave your cell behind if possible. Try to have absolutely zero obligations and be able to relax. Then when you feel ready:

1) Name your regrets and let go of them. Dwelling on them does not serve you.
2) Reflect on your accomplishments and celebrate them.
3) Focus on your next 5 years and create goals.
(Make one of your goals to focus on your future with optimism, rather than on your past with regret)
4) Make this a ritualistic, important event. It is significant. Attach meaning to it.
5) Consider getting a mentor in your field or a performance coach who will help you see thoughts/habits you are not aware of. These have helped me tremendously in my field. Good coaches cost money and are worth every penny.

Steps 1-3 write down with pencil and paper, speak them out loud, shout them to the ocean, whatever you need to do to make it important to you and embodied.

By the way, nothing you've shared here is "disastrous", something a coach might point out. You're a high potential performer (based on this and your other posts) stuck in a poor environment and just don't know how to advance to your desired state. You've already got a broad strategy and desire but no tactics or detailed plan.

Post: #3

I'm in a similar position to you in that I have just graduated university too.

A positive to your situation is that you know what industry you want to work in most graduates don't have a clue what they want to do when they graduate.

When looking for a job in your chosen industry are there any suitable graduate recruitment events for your chosen industry, as if you want a job it looks better that you've been to see them in person rather than send an application through their HR department plus you will actually feel like your actively doing something rather than sitting down surfing the internet.

Below is a link to a thread on here about how to network and find a job by going to events, networking with people in the industry which may be useful to your situation

/thread-13795....ht=network

Post: #4

The problem I have with my industry is the experience needed for a lot of openings at entry level. I find it frustrating to be honest. I can't do work experience because I am working so summer placements are out the window.

Good suggestions Engineer. I already do a few of them.

Post: #5

good original post, any update?

Post: #6

It is a good post but it need updation.