Money or Dream Career - 26's

[mcfly26]

Hi Guys,

I am here just to hear, if you have a spare time, some of your more experienced thoughts about the situation Im going through. Not asking specially for a this or that answer, but advice from those who maybe had similar choices to make during their life.

To sum up, my country, Brazil is going through its worst crisis since the 30's. Jobs are scarce, specially for young people, inflation is high and the political turmoil is also paralysing whole businesses. In my case, I have just turned 26, graduated in International Relations, Masters in Marketing (Kings London) and other nice courses in the realms of marketing, business and fashion. However, I have not yet had sufficient work experiences, only some internships and a short temporary job.

One thing that always held me back here is my passion for fashion and my will to actually work in the field. I have tried everything in terms of applying and doing courses for that, but the fashion market is small and its hard to go beyond sales floor jobs. This pursuit also might have hindered my chances in other areas, I confess.

With that in mind, and having lived in London for a couple of years (have EU passport) before, I was ready to jump into this 'new' adventure and follow my fashion dreams. However it would not be easy. London is a very expensive city, our money is 6 times less valued than the pound, and my parents, besides not supporting me morally, cannot help me financially as well. I would have to man up and struggle for a while before I could land an entry job I would be satisfied. From late last year I have been sending cvs and the reception has been good overall. Nevertheless, there is never certainty I will be successful.

Only when my ticket was already reserved, I got and offer to work here, from connections. It pays well and could be finally an opportunity to start a career, buy stuff with my own money and save some. On the other hand, its an ordinary admin job (not directly related to any I did or worth mentioning) and in a small town with not much to do (I have always lived in big cities).


In my heart, I would just go ahead and see what happens in London. If I were 22, this would be a no brainer. But with 26, no meaningful work experience, coming from an increasingly difficult country and family situation, an opportunity to finally start somewhere is not something I can through away like that.

There's not much else I could say besides I am really indecisive about what to do. I was psychologically ready to do any kind of work in London to help my way, but I cannot lie and say this would be easy.

I could stay in this admin day job for a year and save some money. But wouldn't it be wrong to start a job with already this down frame of mind? Wouldn't it be harder to start anew in the UK with 27 and having previously worked in something completely far from what I would be applying?

Anyway, maybe someone has had to make similiar or other hard choices in life and could give me some tips to tackle it. I'm sorry I wrote that much.


Dan

 

[ramuman]

Wow, I'll definitely follow this thread.

First, off, all the best on whatever happens and 26 isn't old - hold your head up high.

Do you have any other obligations (you mentioned the family situation) as in a girlfriend, personal matters etc.?

 

[NathalieMartin]

Many people have come from difficult situations such as yourself. Age shouldn't be a barrier to something you think would improve the quality of your life, and your desire should be the only driving factor. There is never any certainty, but you should continue courting positions and see if any opportunities arise. Don't give up! Wishing you the best of luck.

 

[btau]

26 isn't that old & even if it takes you a while, I'm sure you'll eventually be able to find something that you can spin as relevant when/if you go back to Brazil.

Also this might be relevant, saw on another section on here that Kent Wang is chasing an assistant:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/521512/hiring-entry-level-assistant-in-london#post_8399973

Its entry level, but I bet you'd learn a lot IF you got it.

 

[JSFrieschskys]

Getting that foothold is invaluable. Get in, get established, save up some money.

Then, you're already there and you've got time to find something in your field. I worked a million tiny useless jobs while I was trying to catch a foothold. The truth of the matter is almost no one lands directly into their career out of college.

 

[NorCal]

If you've got a job, go to London.