Employment & Career Guidance: In Honor Reykjavik 2015

[eddiebankbalance]

I'm a "Screw" and a good one at that I must add.....but my advice 2 you all is don't end up where I work lol

Great idea with this thread though and the ideas and effort that people are putting into it.

Well you're no good for resources unless "a good screw" imports.

 

[jmac70]

Haha can you be trusted lol

Yes if it means I can stay away from Bubba.

 

[NT.Thunder]

My old man was a screw for many years between NT, Risdon and Melbourne - Never once saw his work place!

 

[ppoiter]

Are you willing to do Black Ops? If so a please contact J.Hird at the Essendon football club.

"Peptides"? Just let me know what you need

 

[3kicks3goals]

In your Swedish social policy learnings, did you discover why swedish women are so hot?

Still an open question - I'm actually about to head to Sweden to do some very in depth research, so I'll let you know

 

[Bloben]

I am in IT but strangely don't really have a technology background. Did a business degree and later an MBA but through a few opportunities became an IT business analyst at a big 4 accounting firm. Moved into technology and management consulting and now a business technology partner in the utilities industry.

I still don't really know a lot about technology but found as long as you can be confident, can talk shit and know who to go to for answers (consulting 101) then you will be fine.

I'm currently 35 and looking for my next adventure but would be happy to give advice and share my network if anyone is looking to get into business analysis or consultancy

 

[76woodenspooners]

I'm currently in year 12 and am thinking of doing architecture in uni to become an architect. Does anyone have any experience with this. Apparently there's not much work in architecture but that seems the same for every line of work.

What are the reasons you want to become an architect? Because it's creative and you like design?

If so, an alternative to consider is industrial design ... It's kind of like architecture, but it's for "things" rather than buildings.

 

[jmac70]

What are the reasons you want to become an architect? Because it's creative and you like design?

If so, an alternative to consider is industrial design ... It's kind of like architecture, but it's for "things" rather than buildings.

If it's good enough for Costanza...

 

[PicaBoo]

Until very recently I was employed as a Business Intelligence Analyst specialising in SAP Business Objects but unfortunately my employer has fallen on tougher times and is restructuring. I am now unemployed and trying to find my place again in the world. My head is all over the place right now because there is not a lot of call for mid-fifties aged IT specialists right now although potentially I could go back to consulting which I did for many years dealing with companies like BHP Billiton and Fosters Group but consulting is probably not a great option for someone my age. Unfortunately, with consulting comes numerous job changes and as I get closer to retirement age the opportunities will likely become more and more scarce. I'm really not sure what I'm going to do now but I'm looking for something a little simpler and less demanding. Perhaps I will start my own business and it may even be something like a Jim's franchise but getting my head around such a change is proving to be very difficult. Time will tell I guess.

Also in SAP. ABAP Programmer. Contracting ever since I landed in Oz . Didn't mind the job changes. Kept me fresh and sharp. Also currently looking for work, the market has dried up with offshore / 457 on shore.
What you got is experience and common sense. Lots of people who think they know what they are doing buy haven't been burned by their own mistakes.
Consulting firms will send you all over the place if they run out of local projects . If you don't have to worry about kids at home, not a bad gig. The FIFO's are a killer though

 

[PieNSauce]

Hey PNS I'm sorry to hear this, it's not an easy time when change is forced on you, no matter one's age.
I hope you're able to take a short break, 'gardening leave' as neilk called it, clear your head, and find something you'll love doing.

My mum and Irish nan always said that 'when one window closes another window or door always opens'
There is a gift in everything if we make the effort to look, and allow ourselves to receive it.

Good luck in finding 'your gift'

Thanks MG. Right now I am on the Sunshine Coast where I have been for nearly two weeks. Unfortunately it's not as warm as I'd hoped but definitely warmer than Melbourne. A friend invited me up here to help crew his yacht in a regatta so I have definitely been taking a break to clear my head. I'm sure something will come up but for now I'm choosing not to think too much about it until I'm back in Melbourne next week.

 

[PieNSauce]

Hi PNS - I'm a habitual watcher of employment opportunities everywhere. Strange enough I'm happy in my current role and will be happier when I actually relocate back to Darwin to be imbedded with the company again rather than working away from home, but anyway, I had a little to do with SAP when we rolled it out into a company I worked for a few years ago that was bought by Serco.

Anyway, long story and jibber about nothing, but I do notice a lot of SAP jobs advertised. Seems it's becoming a pretty popular system for companies here in Australia. Here's one advertised today in Melbourne that might interest you and good luck with whatever you choose to do.

View attachment 153029

Thanks NT. That looks like it might be worth an enquiry. Much appreciated.

 

[NT.Thunder]

Thanks NT. That looks like it might be worth an enquiry. Much appreciated.

No problems PNS - enjoy the sailing, very much jealous. What type of boat are you crewing?

 

[Kirby]

If it's good enough for Costanza...

I've always wanted to pretend to be an architect...

 

[Helfarch]

I am in IT but strangely don't really have a technology background. Did a business degree and later an MBA but through a few opportunities became an IT business analyst at a big 4 accounting firm. Moved into technology and management consulting and now a business technology partner in the utilities industry.

It's at this point I thought "clueless management type".

I still don't really know a lot about technology but found as long as you can be confident, can talk shit and know who to go to for answers (consulting 101) then you will be fine.

I'm currently 35 and looking for my next adventure but would be happy to give advice and share my network if anyone is looking to get into business analysis or consultancy

and there it is, your ilk are the bane of my existence

I work for a software development (web, iOS, Android) and SaaS company providing products from POS / invoicing / inventory management to medical software to road maintenance tracking and reporting for state and local govt. Technically still do complete IT management however we no longer offer that to new clients. We have a large project in the UK which is definitely the worst for consultants and middle management providing nothing but delays however after being burned many years ago we are better at contracts which has meant these types have cost the companies they work or consult for a lot of money. We find upper management disapprove or wasted time and money.

If anyone happens to be a competent developer it wouldn't hurt to let me know what you can do. We might have positions coming up.

The fun part which I rarely do at work any more is actually specing and working with the hardware side. Buying shiny new things.

 

[Shaneprice97]

I make friends easily, and i speak well to strangers

Update, im a male check out chick at the local IGA.

17 years old though, looking for some cash on the side

 

[Bloben]

It's at this point I thought "clueless management type".



and there it is, your ilk are the bane of my existence

I work for a software development (web, iOS, Android) and SaaS company providing products from POS / invoicing / inventory management to medical software to road maintenance tracking and reporting for state and local govt. Technically still do complete IT management however we no longer offer that to new clients. We have a large project in the UK which is definitely the worst for consultants and middle management providing nothing but delays however after being burned many years ago we are better at contracts which has meant these types have cost the companies they work or consult for a lot of money. We find upper management disapprove or wasted time and money.

If anyone happens to be a competent developer it wouldn't hurt to let me know what you can do. We might have positions coming up.

The fun part which I rarely do at work any more is actually specing and working with the hardware side. Buying shiny new things.

Lol ok. Generalise much?

I won't get in a slinging match however there are often two sides of the coin and a number of projects I have been brought into help with have involved vendors promising the world in presales and then during implementation raising change request after change request and eventually under delivering. I wouldn't assume you're like this though as that would be a generalisation.

I may have sold myself short a bit but I often joke how I just go to work and talk shit most days however often the biggest problem is that IT people are often too focused on technology and detail and don't have the skill to understanding process and the business and accurately transcribing those into requirements for the techies. My roles have been more focused on process re-engineering using six sigma/lean thinking etc. getting to the root cause of business issues and eventually developing strategy and requirements that may involve technology but also may not. To do these roles I only need to have an understanding of technology and who to go to for more detail which I like as personally I often find the nuts and bolts boring but that's just me.

 

[MightyRoar]

Well you're no good for resources unless "a good screw" imports.

Haha I no a couple that have tried lol

 

[wednesdaywarrior]

Hmmm - Old Spice and wednesdaywarrior are the history experts here, is there any truth to this? I started researching and googling/oogling Swedish women but I'll be in more shit than Flash Gordon if my lovely wife goes through my browsing history!

This is a topic of some interest to me NT. I studied a subject at Uni called 'Viking, Language, Literature and Culture' much to the amusement of my friends in later years. I also had the good fortune in my back packing days back in the 90's of spending some quality times with young Swedish women (some of whom I am still friends with) and my brother has married a Swede and currently lives there.

The Swedish women I lurked with in my younger days were not unappealing in their visual aspect (trying to think of a way of saying it without offending some posters).

Contemporary evidence would suggest there to be some truth to Apex's claim although my studies at Melbourne Uni made no specific reference to Vikings selecting women based on physical characteristics. You could certainly imagine them doing it. We do know that the Romans used to like appropriating Nordic and Saxon women with blonde hair in earlier times because they held a certain fascination for them.

The german philosopher Schapenhaur (can't spell his name) suggests we choose mates based on appealing but different characteristics to ourselves. It's fascinating reading. I would be interested to get others thoughts on this.

The Swedes in general are a terrific society both for their culture and 'other aspects'. I'm currently right into Scandinavian crime fiction, at least until the next Game of Thrones comes out. Hope you are well NT.

 

[PepperFace]

This is a topic of some interest to me NT. I studied a subject at Uni called 'Viking, Language, Literature and Culture' much to the amusement of my friends in later years. I also had the good fortune in my back packing days back in the 90's of spending some quality times with young Swedish women (some of whom I am still friends with) and my brother has married a Swede and currently lives there.

The Swedish women I lurked with in my younger days were not unappealing in their visual aspect (trying to think of a way of saying it without offending some posters).

Contemporary evidence would suggest there to be some truth to your claim although my studies at Melbourne Uni made no specific reference to Vikings selecting women based on physical characteristics. You could certainly imagine them doing it. We do know that the Romans used to like appropriating Nordic and Saxon women with blonde hair in earlier times because they held a certain fascination for them.

The german philosopher Schapenhaur (can't spell his name) suggests we choose mates based on appealing but different characteristics to ourselves. It's fascinating reading. I would be interested to get others thoughts on this.

The Swedes in general are a terrific society both for their culture and 'other aspects'. I'm currently right into Scandinavian crime fiction, at least until the next Game of Thrones comes out. Hope you are well NT.

Please tell us more......like cup size etc

 

[MightyRoar]

My old man was a screw for many years between NT, Risdon and Melbourne - Never once saw his work place!

Oh cool, do you no where he worked in Melb.....I started in Victoria and did 7 years and transferred over 2 WA where I've worked 4 the past 7 years......lol prob a good thing you never did

 

[wednesdaywarrior]

Please tell us more......like cup size etc

I won't 'kiss and tell' PepperFace. But I can say that after years of getting nowhere fast with the ladies in Oz my friend and I settled in a guest house in Hammersmith in '97, only to find that it was some kind of cyclical halfway house overrun by streams of gorgeous nineteen year old Swedish and French working holiday makers, most of whom were very friendly, intelligent and ... open minded.

It was in its way a kind of Nirvana. If I could rewind my life and live a year out again over and over like Groundhog Year it would perhaps be that one.

 

[wednesdaywarrior]

PS On a slightly different note. The only surviving Viking literature - sagas -comes from Iceland. So I suppose in a round about way my mindless prattling is relevant to the great man who we commemorate with this excellent thread.

RIP Reykavik.

 

[NT.Thunder]

Oh cool, do you no where he worked in Melb.....I started in Victoria and did 7 years and transferred over 2 WA where I've worked 4 the past 7 years......lol prob a good thing you never did

It was a prison near Werribee where he lived, maybe Port Phillip Prison but not 100%. He was in a bad car accident in 2003 heading home from work early morning and really stuffed him up, I was deployed overseas at the time and couldn't get home, pretty sure he didn't return to work there after that and if he did it was in a administrative role. He then left and went to NT and worked detention centres for Serco which he never really enjoyed.

 

[TheBigReg]

I'm currently in year 12 and am thinking of doing architecture in uni to become an architect. Does anyone have any experience with this. Apparently there's not much work in architecture but that seems the same for every line of work.

Hey Fuzzy, I work in Architecture and have so for 15 years or so both here in Australia and in the UK. My advice would be to speak to as many different people in the industry as you can, and if possible do some work experience to get a feel for it. Architecture has changed significantly in my time and isnt what it used to be, particuly here in australia. In saying that it can be a great career and a rewarding one if you want it to be.
More than happy to answer any questions you have if you want to PM me.

 

[Rorzza]

Surveyor.