Career change

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by clueless1, Nov 17, 2012.

  1. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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    Evening all.

    Ideas please:)

    For quite a lot of years now, I've kind of hated my career path (software development). I always justified continuing with it by telling myself that its the only thing I'm good enough at to make a living from, and that is currently the truth.

    However, I also always told myself that there's plenty of time to think about a change, but now I'm starting to realise that that's not the case.

    I'd like to earn my living from doing something horticultural or agricultural.

    Any ideas how one goes about gearing up for a career change? Its easy when you're young and have no mortgage/rent to pay, no mouths to feed etc, you can just go off to college while working part time for just enough to keep you in beer and smokes. I don't have that luxury now, I have to pay a mortgage and feed people.
     
    clueless1, Nov 17, 2012
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  2. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

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    I did a correspondance course in Horticulture, cost about £150. Had loads of seeds & experiments to do, quite fun. But I never finished it as 2 babies & a house to rebuild came along at once:doh:
     
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      Phil A, Nov 17, 2012
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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      I started a fairly successful business years ago (well, it was until my business partner knackered things), which was started initially in our spare time. As time went on, our reputation grew and so did the recommendations - before long, we were at the point where we could ditch the day jobs.

      One word if caution though, do it alone - that way you are not going to suffer as a result of someone else's whims
       
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        Fat Controller, Nov 17, 2012
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      • Phil A

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        You've already got your bit of woodland, time to start Coppicing:psnp:
         
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          Phil A, Nov 17, 2012
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        • clueless1

          clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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          Indeed, I've been pondering that. I already have the start of a hybrid willow plantation on there. Its coming on quite well and is ready to be coppiced, and then I'm going to plant the cuttings, so that in 3 years I'll have quite a lot of willow growing. Its the stuff used in living willow structures, and that's kind of why I grew the first batch. I'm still going to do that, but I need to not put all my eggs in one basket so to speak.
           
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            clueless1, Nov 17, 2012
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          • chitting kaz

            chitting kaz Total Gardener

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            i was 35 i had been in catering all my life and owned my own restaurant too I HATED IT, it paid the bills but i got nothing from it, Terry made me believe that i could do any thing that i wanted to he even talked me into going to college ( i never went to school)
            i sold the restaurant and went and worked in another kitchen ( just to cover the bills ) i went part time to college and i studied like a fiend, i am now A qualified carer doing a job that i love, the hardest part was TAKING THE CHANCE
            good luck clue i am sure that you can do it :ccheers:
             
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              chitting kaz, Nov 18, 2012
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            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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              The biggest problem I found working in the horti/agriculture industry is low pay. I did the opposite to what you are contemplating years ago, by changing career into the computer industry. It was the only way we could afford to buy our own house. I do miss the outdoor life and faced with the same situation today I think a career in garden design/landscaping would be the way to go. People don't mind spending a bit to have their gardens re-designed, then you can employ people to help with the hard work.

              I've recently been to a few weekend courses at my local horticultural college, it's quite surprising to find how many of their ex-students have started up successful local businesses.

              Have a look at courses your local college run, go along to an open evening and chat to the tutors about potential businesses you could get into.
               
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                JWK, Nov 18, 2012
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