Well after looking through a few old documents and my first wage slip from my first agency, I’ve realized that today has been a full year since I left college to join everyone in the ranks of full time employment.
The reasons for leaving college were purely because my ex girlfriend went to the same college and the constant arguments caused me to go a little mad and I ended up making myself ill on several occasions because of it as well as it somewhat affecting my grades. My own fault for letting it affect but obviously nothing I can do at the moment, but if not for that I would more than likely have been looking at universities to apply to right now as the first three months of college were very promising studying accounting, photography and business (Business being a double award subject!) and the last grades I got was a distinction for business, an A* in accounting and a B in photography so it wasn’t like I was thick, just sick of arguments and having no money and part time jobs were hard to come by but full time jobs were easier to get surprisingly.
When it came to actually leaving college, I left it until my parents went away on holiday so 1) they wouldn’t kill me for quitting college && 2) they couldn’t talk me out of doing it. I did make sure I had something to go to from whom a few may remember telling me it would end in tears and it wouldn’t last. 2 weeks later and I was somewhat proved wrong that it didn’t last as I got the chop from getting food poisoning from the canteen at the work place and I didn’t find out I was sacked until I went back in over new year to be told I wasn’t on the books. So that was me on the dole although I had a letter from my current place of work, where I told my parents I would see how it goes but I wouldn’t hold my breath too much. But 2 and a half weeks on the dole and the date of my scheduled interview to discuss possible training etc I went in with the letter saying I would no longer need the dole and they can take me off the register.
So a year on and I’ve had numerous times where I’ve nearly lost my job to both stupid and somewhat serious matters, both of which are my fault and some the companies but nothings ever really perfect. I also managed to start taking some driving lessons as with a job came money and with money came freedom to do whatever I liked (Although my first & second months wage didn’t go on driving lessons and they never lasted long ) Well I’ve been taking driving lessons for around 6-7 months it started with one hour blocks, but not a chance was it enough as although I do learn a lot within an hour but I love to drive and well I increased the lessons to 2 hour stints as I leave myself enough time to take it all in without being too much and I have a 2 hour drive each week where I know once I’ve passed I can do 2 hour drives each day if I liked (If not longer!) but well last lesson (2 weeks ago due to work commitments ) I was told I’m nearly ready just a few minor things to iron out and I will be ready mid/late January to take my test. So the year of work has paid off for something.
Question I keep asking myself and seems very two sided. Was it all worth it? As I blew the chance of having a very good education as I know I was more than capable of it but on the other hand I’ve been able to afford all the nicer things in life that I dreamt of in college being potless and all. A new computer, driving lessons/tests, very expensive nights out, a break away, a car, presents for family etc for christmas. And my latest being able to put £250 away to Saint Leonards Hospice in York for my God dad. Stuff I wouldn’t have ever had at staying at college. At the moment I think it was worth it, as I’m known at work for being the lad you can ask to do anything without a complaint so long as you ask nicely and don’t take the ■■■■. I feel in a healthier frame of mind without having financial/relationship worries anymore. And I’m the closest to my dream of being a lorry driver than I ever have been. Non of which possible without my job.
So very much so how things have changed within a year. Not all good, but certainly not all bad.
‘‘I blew the chance of some decent qualifications so I could be happy with a new computer etc’’
Oh yes, you certainly did the right thing you might think so now but come back in 10 years and see if you will still say the same …
In the future when going for a job interview when asked ‘Any qualifications?’ and you say no cos I dropped out of college so I could buy xmas presents he may well think you are a bit of an idiot IMO.
And I think your parents would have been happier knowing you were getting on in college to do something more lucrative workwise than being a steering wheel attendant, but change the :T’ on the end of your user name to a ‘K’ then add an ‘I’ and you may do a bit better …
raymundo:
I refer you to the 5th paragraph, third sentence.
‘‘I blew the chance of some decent qualifications so I could be happy with a new computer etc’’
Oh yes, you certainly did the right thing you might think so now but come back in 10 years and see if you will still say the same …
In the future when going for a job interview when asked ‘Any qualifications?’ and you say no cos I dropped out of college so I could buy xmas presents he may well think you are a bit of an idiot IMO.
And I think your parents would have been happier knowing you were getting on in college to do something more lucrative workwise than being a steering wheel attendant, but change the :T’ on the end of your user name to a ‘K’ then add an ‘I’ and you may do a bit better …
raymundo:
I refer you to the 5th paragraph, third sentence.
‘‘I blew the chance of some decent qualifications so I could be happy with a new computer etc’’
Oh yes, you certainly did the right thing you might think so now but come back in 10 years and see if you will still say the same …
In the future when going for a job interview when asked ‘Any qualifications?’ and you say no cos I dropped out of college so I could buy xmas presents he may well think you are a bit of an idiot IMO.
And I think your parents would have been happier knowing you were getting on in college to do something more lucrative workwise than being a steering wheel attendant, but change the :T’ on the end of your user name to a ‘K’ then add an ‘I’ and you may do a bit better …
I was going to reply to this, but to be honest you aren’t even worth entertaining. If you want to take my words and twist them go right ahead. Does it make a difference, not a chance. And the reason the Eastern Europeans do so well over here is because they work hard and they do jobs that people like you turn your noses up at but still complain they come over and ‘take our jobs’. Maybe you should take that into consideration. And for the record I have qualifications, I have GCSE’s from school and the ones I resat at college, I have a C in Math, English & Psychology, B in business, A in Photography and ICT. I’m also a trained first aider and have numerous qualifications in H&S & Business. And the last time I checked you didn’t need A levels to drive a lorry nor run them (Although the National/International Operator CPC is an A level equivalent!) and unlike you driving lorries is in my blood and always will be. And to cap it off my parents are proud of me regardless, I left college for work. I did what I said I was going to do.
But people like you will always find fault in something like this where folk have managed to make something good out of a not to great situation. 2 words for you. Oh well
dar1976:
Well done for getting through a difficult year.
Looks like you are nearly ready for your car test.
Have you entered Flair Training competition for Free LGV training?
It seems I am, after todays lesson my test is going to be booked between the 18th and 26th of January so I’m looking forward to that date. But after todays drive it seems everything is linking together nicely. And I have entered the Flair Training competition, but to be fair I understand if I don’t get it. Although it would make my christmas if it did, but I can only hope my words are enough but even if I don’t. Good luck to those who win and I’ll be joining them eventually. Just means a few months of saving up and earning that spot
I quite understand you getting your ■■■■■■■ in a twist over my post but originally you stated you chucked in college over an upset with your girlfriend and not having the money to buy pressies etc. where you could have gone on to obtain REAL qualifications that would serve you well in the future, not a C in ‘maffs’ and what ever in taking pretty pictures. To me you seem to be the type who advertise their achievements and failures on here not to hear constructive criticism but to get people to say well done Johnny Good boy !! like a lot of others who throw their toys out of the pram when they don’t hear what they want.
Just to let you know just ‘wot a fik trucker I am’ here is my non qualifications jobs done/held …
Extra year at school then …
Nautical college for 6 mths to enable me to go to sea on middle and deep water trawlers, trawler I was going back on next trip out on I couldn’t do it but the boat sailed and was lost at sea with all crew of nine lads. Lost all heart in it then not 'cos I couldn’t do a simple job sorting like stuff out and nearly getting the boot but 'cos I had lost some good mates!!
Went to work on wooden sailing barges out of Ipswich and worked my way up to skipper 4 days after my 21st bithday.
Slogged away on bigger and more distant trades to eventually hold ALL the required certificates (and attend college to obtain them at my expense) to enable me to sail as master of any sized dry cargo vessels anywhere on any ocean,
Oh yes, I forgot during this time I also obtained my class one, ADR and national CPC and did a bit of running as far as Russia and all points West, owner operator of 6 vans with a contract to carry all over the UK computer systems for ICI, (in case you are not old enough to remember them they where one of the biggest companies in the UK). After spending a good while running down the west african coast I came back and bought another class 3 truck and ran that for a good few months till I wanted to do something different. For that I needed an O license as well.
So like you say I know SFA, I is a fik trucker !!! ( who can and did rope and sheet and do multidrop loads on a flatbed) come back and disagree when you are man enough and old enough to shave let alone think you know it all.
But good luck in your future, I think you will need it …
Never said i knew everything, nor did i imply that i did. And for the record i post both failures and positives because sometimes it gives people motivation to go out and do something they wouldn’t necessarily do. I don’t mind constructive criticism but i won’t be talked down to. And i never said you was ‘thick’ but you’re the one making assumptions not me. But no i don’t think i know everything, yes i have a lot to learn and that’s why i love living how i do because everyday is a new lesson to me.
You already said that Johnny, or cant you remember? FYI, aint been a bad sort of a day as a matter of fact as I managed to unload a gas guzzling M3, that I thought would never sell for what I was wanting … but just goes to show. Patience is what you need to get what you want. If I had wanted to settle for less it could have gone ages ago.
Good for you, and ive already helped raise £26 for saint Leonards in york and the collection box has only been on the desk for 3 days. Something that wouldn’t have happened if i stayed at college. Yes i may have made a mistake leaving college but ive learned to make the best with what ive got. ! So I’m content with life at the moment!
I was wondering how your apprenticeship was going. Sometimes quitting college for employment looks like the right thing to do but it often isn’t. Having qualifications gives you options. I’m doing a degree alongside working full time, and I wish I had done it at 18 when I had the chance but I wanted the job, the car, the money etc. I will give you a bit of free advice (and its worth every penny) it’s one thing to do a job because you enjoy it, I’m fortunate enough to enjoy driving a truck. But it’s another to have to do a job because you can’t do anything else. I’ve met many drivers who used to like the job, but now hate it, but have to keep doing it because they can’t do anything else.
kemperink:
always follow your head/heart but never think about what you could of done because that will grind you down
i have employed people for 20 years now, qualification mean nothing unless you want to work for the government
I think you will find that a piece of paper with a qualification marked on it are required for many types of occupation, even an HGV ticket is a qualification (of sorts).
Qualification =
An ability, quality, or attribute, especially one that fits a person to perform a particular job or task.
qualifications are great but experience is better im not a qualified vehicle valeter but due to my experience i have had good jobs because of it on there other aspect of it a old school mate of mine went to college and uni etc got more qualifications yet he is working in currys on minimum wage
Peewee, so in effect you have all the qualities/qualifications/ attributes needed to have bettered yourself, maybe not paper ones but ones recognised by the people who need to know.
On the other hand in my old line of work we had some right numpties with loads of paper qualifications who were totally useless when it came to doing the job in practise.
peewee:
qualifications are great but experience is better im not a qualified vehicle valeter but due to my experience i have had good jobs because of it on there other aspect of it a old school mate of mine went to college and uni etc got more qualifications yet he is working in currys on minimum wage
I have to ask, is there a qualification for vehicle valeter now ?
) I was told I’m nearly ready just a few minor things to iron out and I will be ready mid/late January to take my test. So the year of work has paid off for something.
Not all good, but certainly not all bad.
you might think so now but come back in 10 years and see if you will still say the same …