I have a dead end job in printing (manual labour)?

Question

I want to do something that isnt manual but i feel i'm too old (28) this is the only job I have done since leaving school. I have a new house so just starting a new career is out of the question as i would be on less money, I feel scared of the unknown and of change, any ideas?? HELP!!!

Answer 1

I used to be a printer. I began by working on the printing presses as what was called a jogger. I took the printed products straightened them up and stacked them on a pallet. I moved up to the position of paste up person. (I realize every print company has their own names for these positions.) As a paste up person I provided paper for the presses.

The point is I kept moving up in the company until my current position which is Inventory Control Specialist. I sit behind a desk and track inventory, create orders, and perform cycle counts.

And the point of this is that within every company there are opportunities to move up, and get ahead. You should probably talk to your current employer about ways that you can move forward within the company you are currently with. They love it when an employee has aspirations that extend beyond their current situation and position. Let them know you have goals, and what those goals are. Just don't tell them you want their position unless you are on very good terms with them.

If the opportunities exist then staying with the same company can relieve some of the stress that change brings about.

Answer 2

Before you make any changes, I would suggest making a pros and cons list. I left a great paying job plus turned down a huge raise to take the job I have now so I could spend more time with my daughter and have more flexibility. I'm not sorry I did. I also have a great boss who treats me well. Deciding to take this job was a huge "change" and I was scared of that but I'm glad I made the move.

However, a word of caution be careful what you wish for as you may get it. I also have a huge amount of responsibilty. I run an office, do all of the payroll, answer phones, accounts receivable, collections, accounts payable and a plethora of other stuff to numerous to mention. There have been MANY nights where I have had to take work home. Too many to mention and I hate doing that. I usually work 10 hours days, however I did that at the last job plus weekends sometimes. I don't do the weekend thing too much anymore. Customers wil call me off hours as does my boss sometimes. Between work and my daughter, time is not often my own. I often feel overwhelmed.

There are many times thoughout the years that I wish I would have stayed at the waitress job I had. Was it a dead end job by most people's standards? Yes it was. However, I NEVER took work home. When I was done with my shift I was done...period. As soon as my daughter grows up and moves out or whatever, I plan on going back to some sort of job like that, just to have less responsibility.

Having said the above, maybe you can talk to your boss(s) at your job and see if you can train for or move into another position.

Finally remember, there is no such thing as the 100% perfect job, at least I don't think that exists. Good Luck on your decision!

Answer 3

28 isn't too old to do anything!

First question: What's a natural career path with your knowledge?

If you know a lot about production, printing, liaising with suppliers, etc, you have a lot of choices open to you - e.g.

Production manager in ad agency / publishing house / printing firm

Event manager for commercial events and roadshows - involves a lot of technical knowledge of printing and materials, ability to supervise a team of people, attention to detail

Production assistant for a film crew (I know lots of directors who've started off with production houses and learnt on the job. Again, your knowledge might come in handy here.)

There are many more. I don't know where you are, but in the UK you can try monster.co.uk or Job Centres.

I know what your fear is about going down a whole new path - will you make enough money, soon enough, to sustain a change in life, e.g. your new house?

Stepping into a full-time course might be impossible for you.

If you can keep going for another 2 years, though, would you consider a part-time / after-hours course?

If you do decide to make a fresh beginning, (and it's easy to say sitting here) I'd choose something (a) you love, because you may be doing it for the next 25 years or so; (b) has a future, in the sense that you can say, 'well, in five years I can...in ten...etc.'

Anyway, best of luck and trust me, you're still young and in your prime.

If you've got the determination, anything's possible.


PS - I think Joshua (above) has a good point. If you don't mind the current company you're at, can you talk to them about where else you can fit in and be happier?

Answer 4

your not too old no way, i'm 26 and have been doing office work for 10 years and really don't want to do it forever. But i can't just leave as i also have a house, so i'm going back to college 1 evening a week to get a qualification in something i really want to do, it'll take a bit longer but will be worth it in the end.
I guess you've just got to take the risk else u could carry on for another 10 years and be in the same position, and what would be the point? A saying i use is 'the opposite to risk is regret', and that is so true. Good luck

Answer 5

Make a plan. Sit down and put it all on paper. If changing careers is really what you want, then I believe you can make it work.
Star with a list.

1) What do you like doing?
2) What would be the careers that would interest you?
3) What sort of education/ training would you need to attain them?
4) How much would you have to invest into that training? (look for different options, colleges, special programs...)
5) How long would it take you to make enough money to start?

You'd probably need to wait a while, and save some money, to then cut back on work a little to be able to start studying.

It shouldn't be easy, but if it's what you really want, I'd definitely advise it!!

Good luck!

Answer 6

well, first find out what interests you have. Write them down. Surely you have transferable skills that would match this new interest. 28 is not too old for anything except that attitude. You can do anything. I just turned 33, sold my house that I just bought and plan on leaving my job, moving to the coast and just living. There is a solution to everything. Just put some effort into finding out what will make you happy. If you want to stay, get a part-time job or second mortgage to float the costs while you transition into a new career. Bite the bullet for future payoffs.

Answer 7

You are NOT too old!!!

You need to think about what you would enjoy doing, do you like working in industry? or outside? do you have computer skills?

When you have thought about what you would like to do and what you are good at, why not try your local college and see if they do evening courses? Maybe you could do a business management course, or a customer service course or something with computers?

I have always worked in an office based job, but I have changed career patterns a couple of times - I started off as a PA, then moved into web design (which I didnt really like in the end - its great as a hobby!) now I am in recruitment.... variety is the spice of life!

I wish you the very best of luck !

Answer 8

28 is not to old to change direction! You could get a masters and still be well under 35, and have 30 or more years to take advantage of your education! My mother went back to school at 37! She became a teacher, worked for 20 years and retired at 61.

I know when you are 28 you think, “ I am almost 30”. Let me tell you, 30 is young when you are 54! My son is 32! ( I am still young!)

Think about what you want to do, go to school, and DO it!

Answer 9

Yes, it sounds tough, but you can get out of it. Check out your States career/employment/job site. Here is Illinois' site for example: http://www.ides.state.il.us/
every State should have one......then just start going through it.
Next, make a plan how to get into something new. Do you know it's possible to plan your future? Some people plan their weekends more than they plan their lives or careers. If you don't have a target to shoot at, then guess what, your not going to hit it, right? Make yourself a target....and allow yourself some time to make this happen. It's not going to happen overnight. Follow the steps necessary to reach your target, for example that might mean returning to school, it might mean working part-time to gain some experience, etc. Make a plan and follow it. Good Luck....
P.S. I would recommend to get out of printing...it's an industry that is slowly dying....

Answer 10

28 is not too old for anything. I would take some classes at a community college or a university and make sure they're in something that peaks your interest. Then maybe try to find a paying internship.