Different Jobs

[meep]

I am looking for a bit of advice and inspiration here. I'm 23 and in my first job after Uni, which I do enjoy but which has no promotional prospects and isn't something I *love* doing. I am a marketing co-ordinator. I studied English Lit. at Uni, and have a huge passion for reading, writing, art, culture etc.

Considering the next year or so, I'm trying to work out where I could go from here. All jobs advertised in all standard newspapers / websites are all the same, and very uninspiring. Not to say that they're bad, but I just think there must be other jobs out there that no one is telling me about!

So can anyone give advice on jobs they have done, jobs friends have, or just different jobs to the office 9 - 5 that I may not have thought of.

I have considered publishing, but know it is hard to break into succesfully. Also considered museum curating but my degree doesn't lend toward that too succesfully (history or archaeology would have been better).

I just feel as if all careers advice and jobs sections point towards: sales jobs; marketing (ie. sitting at a desk 9 - 5). I like to stay active and my job at the moment is 9 - 5 behind a desk. This does suit some people, including my OH, but I find it makes me very bored and leads to mild feelings of depression. Not clinical depression, but just a complete lack of motivation and feeling fed up generally.

So any ideas or inspiration welcome!

(Oh another one I thought of was a zoo-keeper, as I do ADORE animals but I am largely allergic )

[meep]

I want to add that I am by no way judging any type of job; it's just everyone has different wants, needs, desires and everyone has different tastes for what makes them happy.

My OH is happy to do a 9 - 5 office job as he really gets on with the people at his work and he has a hobby outside of work (Muay Thai) which he loves and can really throw himself into. I do things outside of work but not to the same extent he does, so I do think I need to do something in my job itself that I feel more passionate about.

[yola]

Interesting! I've worked in marketing for many years, but came to it from a design background. However I have since migrated towards copywriting. Because I've 'been around' for years I find I can write on most subjects - with strengths in certain areas like consumer products, home interest etc.

However, I do think that the journalism/publishing route sounds like a good one for you - especially with your passion for writing. There are many niche/specialist areas within this. You can always freelance once you have a bit of experience. You can also do distance learning copywriting courses which will help you hone your writing skills and make them more commercially-focused.

What do you think?

[meep]

Thanks Yola - this is all really interesting! I didn't realise you had so much experience in that area.

To be honest, the marketing job I'm doing at the moment isn't your standard marketing job. I am the only person doing marketing, as we are a charity, and the core team is only made up for 4 people! So it was a big step up for me, especially with no marketing experience prior, but I do really enjoy bringing together a marketing campaign for our different events. My strength is certainley copywriting, as I write every part of our literature, both online and hard copy (including all publications like annual report).

I did a one month unpaid placement with an advertising firm when I was a student, doing copywriting, and I found JUST doing copywriting was a bit stifling but the company itself was very poorly managed and were very hostile toward me so I think I should experience more than just that one! I did a one-day copywriting course do, through my work for staff training, and I enjoyed it but not sure if it's my niche.

Publishing does sound like a promising option, do you have any knowledge in the area? A uni friend did unpaid experience with one when a student and I wish I'd done the same... There is the potential to do marketing within a publishing house too.

To be honest, it's the commerical aspect of things that often puts me off - very ironic, I know, considering marketing is all about giving a product or thing commericial value! But having done English Literature, which requires a very complex and intellectual style of writing (long sentences, elaborate words etc.), to change this to 'simple' writing that suits the web (short sentences, 'buzz' words) I do prefer the academic way of writing.

One thing I have considered is becoming an academic in English Lit, and whenever I think of this it just makes me so happy, but the path to get there is a long and hard one. Funding is non-existent in the arts, especially English Lit. I would have to do my one year Masters unfunded, then fight especially hard for funding for my pHd which is another four years, then it's a year or two of low-paid research positions before I could get a lecturer job. I've asked my old tutors and they said I'm probably looking at being employed at comfortable wage at 32.

To be honest, I'm on a very good salary just now, especially for my age, and I'm hesitant to take a step backwards or to take a few years out doing a Masters, as if I decide that isn't for me in the end, I go back into work and on my CV they may question why I took a few years out for Uni.

I was considering going back to Uni earlier this year, but when the credit crunch hit and I noticed my weekly shopping bills were creeping up along with everything else, I worked out I couldn't afford it

I think if I won the lottery I'd head back to Uni, which really does show that it's my passion. But as I'm aware I can't afford to do this, I need to find ajob that maybe embodies that passion; and I guess the sensible answer is publishing.

Sorry I am going round in circles here! I've been doing this over and over in my head for the past few months, which is why I thought I'd post about it here to get some fresh, new ideas. And now I've gone and muddled it again

Your background is really interesting Yola. I do love the work I have to do with out-sourced designers, and part of me wishes I was talented enough to be a designer too!

I guess I'll look into publishing and see what required experience is etc.

Thanks for your reply and input

[EmmaG]

If you want a very well paid job I would suggest training to be an accountant or working in tax, there is a massive shortage of professionals and people training, and it isn't as boring as it sounds

[dandysmom]

I majored in English Lit.also, with a minor in Education, but to teach I'd have had to go back for a Masters,which I didn't want to do. So settled for a job totally unrelated to my field: accounts receivable in a largish company. The 9-5 suited me perfectly, people were nice, pay was good, work was OK, if a bit boring. If I had it to do again I'd get a degree in Library science; would love to work around books and literary minded types.
What about openings with organizations that work with animals: things like our Humane Society? Zoos? They need people who are literate and deal well with the public? Librarian at a College,University? Haven't any idea what those jobs pay, however......hope someone an come up with interesting suggestions....

[meep]

Emma G - thanks for the suggestion! To be honest, I'm almost number dyslexic (if that's possible) and whilst I'm good with my own finances, a way with numbers doesn't come naturally to me So I've avoided finance even though I know it can be profitable!

DM - thanks also for suggestions, lovely to hear from another English Lit. graduate (One of my favourite modules was 19th and 20th Century American Literature, Elizabeth Bishop and Edith Wharton being two of my favourite authors / poets!)

I did look into Librarian positions but the starting salary was dire (minimum wage) and the job I have at the moment is very comfortable wage-wise, so I'm quite opposed to taking a step down the wage-bracket unless it was something I would love doing. Librarian would be fun but not a passion! There's only one major zoo in Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, although one or two safari parks. And to be honest, I'm not keen on Edinburgh as a city to live in (no offence to anyone who does, just personal preference!) I guess my self-decided tie to Glasgow for the next few years does restrict me too, but I do love it here so much! My colleague, who started same time as me, came from Edinburgh having been a student there to live in Glasgow, and I can tell she really longs for Edinburgh still. I think I'd experience the same longing for Glasgow so best to stay here.

So many things to consider! Wage, location, experience, the people, the location within the city (do I have to commute) etc. etc.

But thanks for all advice! I am thinking of publishing now...

[Kazz]

You say you have considered gong back to Uni to do what? and have you considered Open Uni....work at your own pace..and financial help is available too.Have you considered TV or radio.....they do work experience at the BBC look on the website???? none paid maybe but could give you and idea..and if you have a talent for people as it seems you do getting on with them etc that could be you....

[angieh]

I am thinking - add some freelance work - editorial perhaps - all sorts can be done digitally now, so you don't have to move from Darcy or Minsky's sides (or your OH!) Keep your current job until you've found you can earn enough and Bob, or his Glaswegian equivalent, is your uncle!

[yola]

My neighbour's daughter who's in her early/mid 20s has just got a publication editor's job in Oxford. We only chatted in passing, but if I get a chance to collar her, I'll ask her more about it. She's got some kind of 'academic' post-grad qualification (a literature-based MA I think . . . ).