Hello and happy new year!
I’ve been lurking here on and off since around 2000, hardly ever used to post… anyway, I’m back now, looking for a little advice on finding a steady job/career, and with the breadth of experience on this board I was hoping I could get some good ideas.
I’m Scandinavian; my father is a diplomat, so I grew up overseas (East Africa). I always expected that I’d end up working with something similar (diplomacy/IGOs/NGOs/UN/EU). I studied history and politics at Oxford University, then got a Masters’ degree in Sweden at age 21. Unfortunately, by then a number of factors meant that the Danish foreign ministry, the EU, etc. were all hiring far fewer people than before; various IGOs I applied to wouldn’t even accept me as a volunteer. Ever since I’ve had trouble finding any steady work – which of course is probably pretty normal these days for my generation… at various times I’ve worked as a delivery van driver, security guard, SCUBA instructor, camel trainer, Google quality tester, helped out at a hostel, etc. I’d like some new ideas for how to find a job that could be longer-lasting and more stable. I don’t really know where to start anymore, not even what country to focus on.
Strengths:
-I’m good with languages (fluent in English, Danish, Swedish, and German; can get by in Russian and Spanish)
-I’m willing to move almost anywhere. Currently I live in Sweden, but there’s absolutely nothing keeping me here.
-I’m apparently good with people; people find me trustworthy, reliable, and I inspire confidence (according to my SCUBA diving colleagues)
-I learn very quickly. Also good with computers.
Weaknesses:
-I have basically no network. Practically everyone I know has moved abroad, most have gone back to school or are unemployed; those who do have jobs are either temps, or got their jobs through relatives. I’ve tried building a new network by meeting new people, joining a few clubs, and so on, but it hasn’t helped.
-Little work experience. (I do, however, have good references from the jobs I have had)
Leaving aside my interest in working with IGOs, my main interest is history. I also love languages and love traveling. Working in a museum would be fantastic, but I realise that’s unrealistic as there are so few jobs available (the last listed ad for which I applied was a job I was perfectly qualified for; I didn’t get the job as there were 267 applicants for a single position…). I’m probably very well suited to working in the tourism industry, but the last time I was offered a tourism job (with a dive centre in Malaysia) I realised the job wouldn’t cover basic living expenses. Other friends have had similar experiences. My sister-in-law thinks I ought to become a teacher in a private school in a developing country. It’s an interesting idea, but I’m concerned I might not deal well with children. A friend of mine in Brazil suggests it might be possible for me to become a language teacher; a Canadian guy I know thinks I’m perfect for teaching in CEGEP (a type of school in Quebec; from what I understand, basically an intermediate step between high school and university). I admit becoming a teacher is somewhat tempting just because of the stability, but I’m still unsure – and also don’t know where to start. Another friend suggested I should apply for jobs in media, but again that seems to be a field with massive competition for very few jobs. I’d like to avoid dull office jobs if possible.
Anyway, I guess I’d just like to hear some new ideas, experiences, suggestions, opinions etc. based on what I’ve written. What could/should I do? Thanks in advance!
