Has PO and/or GW changed your career plans?

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 31 Dec 2006, 17:46

Worries over "The Future" i.e. energy, civil strife have triggered us to move to the countryside ... and we plan to move even further out soon.

This fir move led (eventually) to us setting up a local business 1/2 mile from home rather than commuting miles each day (when not flying on business).

Have you actually changed your job or career plans in anticipation of PO etc?

For example, have you switched from an energy intensive business or career or training course to something which might be longer lasting?

Post by **mikepepler** » 01 Jan 2007, 17:47

I quit working in chip design software, and now work for a charity promoting renewable energy. The plan for getting into woodland management is progressing, but slowly...

Post by **clv101** » 01 Jan 2007, 18:09

I've got a lot of respect for Mike's proactiveness in this area! Whilst I haven't done as much I am studying part time towards an MSc in Environmental Decision Making which I'm hoping, with my Physics/Engineering background will open up some interesting career options if/when the telecoms job market collapses.

MisterE · Post by **MisterE** » 01 Jan 2007, 18:45

Yip Vortex I'm thinking of going back into training and maybe do something at CAT as I live in south wales its not so far. I'm a fully trained bricklayer and got qualifications in carpentary, electrical and plumbing work (only micky mouse ones but I'm pretty good at it) Also after 15yrs in construction I did a degree in psychology and master and a masters in Human Resourcing. But in all honesty despite doing other work it is my trade that earns me the most and keeps me in work both local and further a field. But I'm so interested in all of the eco techs that I wish to do something in that area so I'm going to have a look and a good think over the next few months - but yep I'm defo thinking of doing something.

What line of work are you in now Vortex and what did you change from if you dont mind me asking. Also was it hard to make the change? Cheers

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 01 Jan 2007, 19:05

What line of work are you in now Vortex and what did you change from if you dont mind me asking. Also was it hard to make the change?

I used to be Senior Technologist at a major international telecomms company. I then retrained as a lowly medical technician. Yes, it was risky to make the change. The training - and loss of income whilst supporting 4 kids .. and setting up a workshop - added up to MANY MANY MANY ?1000s.

Interesting point: I expected all the other very well paid hi tech staff on their 50k-?150 salaries to laugh at me, so I kept it secret for a while. However when it came out many staff from 25-55 came to me asking how they too could escape the corporate treadmill .... amazing ...

If I had failed the exams after those first 2 years .... sheesh, doesn't bear thinking about ...

I now earn pennies, whereas before I could take the family abroad for a casual weekend break without worrying about the cost .... oh well .....

bigjim · Post by **bigjim** » 01 Jan 2007, 19:13

I'm halfway through my radiography degree now. I did think about not bothering with it before I started but I thought I'd keep going with it. But as soon as I finish and get a job (providing the NHS can still afford to run the x-ray machines) I'm going to look for other courses I can do which could be useful.

Totally_Baffled · Post by **Totally_Baffled** » 01 Jan 2007, 20:07

This is one area I am still a little like a "rabbit in the headlights".

Life is so busy in the pre peak world, retraining for a role in the post peak world is so difficult (hats off to all you guys that have managed it!)

I am concentrating on getting financially straight (debt clear by 2009 including mortgage), that should free up some cash and/or time to retrain.

God knows what in though...

Help!

I currently work in the horticultural/gardening industry (the fossil fuel version anyway) at the moment - maybe I should look into something organic!

stumuz · Post by **stumuz** » 01 Jan 2007, 20:57

The best way to prepare for PO is change careers every four years!!

So far the jobs I have had since being kicked out of school at 15 are,

Butcher ( 15-18) Builder's slave ( 18-21) Plumber self taught ( 21-26) Policeman (26-30) Lawyer 31 to present 39. In between bought and run 3 acre self sufficient small holding and raised two wonderful girls 18 and 14, with a little help from the missus.

Point i'm trying to make is trying to predict what career is in vogue post PO will be difficult, most wil get it wrong. Try to learn practical everyday skills especially repairing things. If you can safely store resources do so. I see a lot mentioned of buying woodland to farm? But what about storing all the free wood that the enviroment agency give out reg 5 exemptions for? I am probably missing something but when I got the wood stove fitted within 6 weeks i had 20m3 of dry wood stored. How long would it take to grow that?

I think in a post PO world far more attention will be given to food,fuel and shelter and most people will pick this up for themselves, I first stumbled across this forum in 2006 , i had always had the interest in food production for the table ( i have never sold any of the food i have produced) but the Idea of an oil driven society running out of oil had never entered my head.So hopefully 2007 will see the house self sufficient in energy as well, it was not too difficult when you put your mind to it.I think that most people when they put their mind to it won't find it that difficult either.

Happy new year to everyone on the forum and hope PO stays away for another year to get everyone who is interested prepared.

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 01 Jan 2007, 21:19

I currently work in the horticultural/gardening industry (the fossil fuel version anyway) at the moment - maybe I should look into something organic!

You are 85% there! Most townies couldn't tell the difference between a strawberry plant and a sunflower!

If you can grow stuff you will be The Main Man!

Totally_Baffled · Post by **Totally_Baffled** » 01 Jan 2007, 21:45

Vortex wrote:
I currently work in the horticultural/gardening industry (the fossil fuel version anyway) at the moment - maybe I should look into something organic!
You are 85% there! Most townies couldn't tell the difference between a strawberry plant and a sunflower!

If you can grow stuff you will be The Main Man!

I guess you are right - although I dont have much growing experience. Unfortunately in this industry to earn a decent salary it seems you have to be desk bound.

Must do more in the garden next year!

SILVERHARP2 · Post by **SILVERHARP2** » 02 Jan 2007, 13:01

I don't look at everything through PO goggles however am switching company from US multinational to Training not for profit org whose customers are state bodies. We are debt free and mortgage paid so happy enough to have a safe job for 10 years at least. Our quality of life will improve as it is only 2min walk from the house.
I havn't thought about retraining however as sailing is one of my hobbies, it wouldn't be too difficult to convert this into fishing I guess

grinu · Post by **grinu** » 02 Jan 2007, 13:36

I'm a Landscape Architect, so probably will be able to adapt my career choice as things turn upside down. Same as Totally Baffled - stuck behind a desk most of the time unfortunately.

In response to PO - Obtained a permaculutre design cert and about to enroll on permaculture design diploma. Changed jobs once so that myself and partner are each 30-40min commute (on bicycle or walk) - much less in a car or on bus. Also carrying out Env Management distance learning course.

Long term plan is to look at setting up consultancy with emphasis on 'sustainability', ecology and permaculture.

RogerCO · Post by **RogerCO** » 02 Jan 2007, 22:15

1. Get off corporate treadmill
2. Become aware of and then reduce your resource consumption
3. Embed yourself in a local community - join things, start things
4. Get out of debt

Five years ago I was a corporate road warrior in high tech (telecoms) international marketing racking up over 100,000 air miles per year and earning and spending over ?100k/year

Two years ago I was an engineer in high tech industry (television) living in two houses and doing over 40,000 road miles per year earning around ?50k/year

Now I have a no stress department manager job strictly 9-5 within a 10 mile cycle ride of a home with good geomancy and time to get involved in various community projects. I may earn only a quarter of my peak but have less than ?10k total debt left and at least 10 times the quality of life that I had five years ago.

Somewhere in this trajectory I heard about PO and spent a few months learning good stuff on this forum.

Was clearing out a load of rubbish over the holiday and discovered that it was 1989 when my salary passed current levels on the way up - peak money was 2001 for me - but peak life quality has yet to arrive - that'll be the day that I die

Conclusion - not 'money isn't everything' but 'money is shit'

MisterE · Post by **MisterE** » 03 Jan 2007, 00:18

Well said rogerCO!!!!!!!

snow hope · Post by **snow hope** » 03 Jan 2007, 00:57

I set up my small computer comany and I sell computer systems for business' - small - medium sized. Hardware, software, networking and services (where all the profit is). I am bored with this work and hanker after a change. But I am still selling computers....

It is hard to change career, especially if you have dependents/kids.

Vortex, you say you changed from senior telecomms technologist to a lowly medical technician - can I ask why?