An essay he did for his careers module; I could see a lot of myself in here. Like father like son I guess. I thought it might serve as some inspiration for some of the people that come in, needing help to find work, and get their lives back on track. So without further a do, here it is.
Careers Essay, By David Ahmed
For me, the purpose of this essay is to try to convey what
my plans are for the future, career-wise. To do this I must also bring in the
past and present, and then link them all together, hopefully determining the
right path.
I first left school some twenty years ago, back in 1971, at
the age of fifteen. My original plans where to stay on, to gain qualification,
mainly in the subjects of English, Art, and commerce. I would also learn to
type.
However, I had only been in my extra year for a couple of
weeks when my father asked me if I was interested in filling a job for a
vacancy which existed at a steel rolling and forging company where he worked.
My father worked in the rolling department, but the vacancy was in the forging section.
At first I was not too thrilled at the idea, especially as I
regarded myself as a sensitive type, who even hated the metal work classes in
my previous school years. What tempted me though, was the chance of a decent
weekly starter wage.
I had become accustomed to having money, what with the small
wage I had been receiving from a part-time job, stacking shelves in a local
supermarket, and the generous allowance that I got from my parents. The chance
at a full wage was just too tempting.
During the interview at the firm, I was told that I had got
the job. Admittedly though, when I walked past the forge where I was to work,
and saw the banging steam hammers and white hot metal, it made me cringe.
My feelings did not change when I started the job. I was quiet,
and the ‘old hand’ forge men were reluctant to teach me the ropes.
Nevertheless, I persevered, and resolved that one day I would do the job as
good as any of the men there.
This I did, and not only that; I left some time later, to
work for another company which produced even heavier work.
A while after, I returned to work for the firm I had
originally started with; this time though, with even greater confidence, and a
lot more respect from my fellow workers. I was later to realise that all thia
was based on wrong thinking, though I did not see it at the time.
The next ten years of my life where spent in that industry,
adding up to about thirteen years all-told.
For one reason or another, including redundancies, I left
the industry, and went back to work with a couple of firms that produced light
metal work. My duties included a little machining, assembling and such. Redundancies
though, ended my time with them, and it was then that I began my long encounter
with the dole office.
I have been unemployed for a few years now, during which
time I have been through spurts of enthusiasm in looking for work, and due to
repeated disappointments; times when I have never looked at all.
My time has not been completely wasted though. Our library
service has proved to be very, very useful to me. I have spent hours in those
places, reading books on subjects ranging from photography which has been a
favourite of mine to uplifting books on self-growth, which came under the
spiritual, physiological and philosophical. This for me, is the most
interesting subject.
As far as the photography is concerned, I was so fired up
with it a couple of years ago, that I joined an evening course at a local
college. My aim was to gain an academic qualification. Sadly though,
photography is largely a middle class pastime, and in this subject at least,
even our socialist-backed colleges favour the ‘haves’ over the ‘have nots’.
To cut a long story short, I left after a few months, with a
bitter taste in my mouth. For I decided that a mare ‘C’ grade, which looked to
be the best I would get, due to being at a financial disadvantage; would not
reflect the knowledge I had gained in the subject.
Although, I believe that there is something to be gained out
of every experience. I regard the practical darkroom experience I got from the
course as invaluable. One day it may come in useful.
As far as any other
kind of structured training was concerned; due to the year of not getting work
at the end of it, I never even considered it; that is until I joined MATREC,
where I still am to this day.
MATREC is an acronym standing for Manor Training and
Resource Centre; Manor being the area of Sheffield where I live. It is not a
government connected agency, but exists mainly for the needs of local people;
with a variety of sponsors.
The organisation is relatively new, and was first brought to
my notice in the summer of 1990. Apparently they had been launched some kind of
publicity campaign, which included representatives knocking on doors in the
locality, and speaking to people with regards to training needs.
One such person knocked on our door one day, whilst I was
out. My wife had politely said that we were not interested, and I gave support
to her response when I got home.
As part of that same campaign though, we received a leaflet,
a few days later. I remember sitting down and reading it, deciding that I would
go and visit them to see what was on offer.
A short while after, maybe a couple of days, I called in at
MATREC. I recall trying to open the door, and as I did so, a short and odd
sounding alarm beep occurred as I got the door open. Evidently this was a
security measure to announce visitors. Even so, this seemed to put me off in
some way, and I promptly walked away from the place without ever going in. if I
was to be honest with myself though, it served as a good excuse for me not to
have to speak to anyone there. What the experience did to for me though was get
me interested in training of some kind at least.
Some weeks later, whilst I was in the city centre, I had a
chance meeting with my daughter’s first ever primary school teacher, who had
now left teaching, but was working for the L.E.A. She asked me where I was
bound for, and I told her I was looking for training of some kind. After our
conversation, I said goodbye to her, and she wished me luck in my endeavour.
Just a few days later though, I bumped into her again,
whilst in the town centre. Apparently in her capacity as a representative of
the L.E.A., she had been speaking to someone from MATREC for some reason.
Remembering from our last meeting that I was looking for training, she had
mentioned my name, saying that she would direct me to them the next time she
saw me. Our second meeting enabled her to do this. I then left this good lady,
saying that I would visit MATREC the following day; whilst at the same time
conveying my thanks to her.
The following day I called ay MATREC, but the time I got
through the front door without being too deterred by the strange alarm.
Before I got any further, I think it best for me to mention,
that the main reason I was making this visit, was out of sheer respect to the
lady who had directed me there. For I had always, and still do, hold her in
very high regard.
Anyway, when I got into the building, I asked to see the person
whose name had been given to me. He then came out to chat with me, giving me
various information.
I must admit, I was impressed with everything, the place
itself, the person speaking to me, and the information I was being given. It
was agreed that I would begin a ten week module starting in September of that
year. This would be on the subject of basic computing, and would be held in a
local church hall, rather than the centre itself. For this I would be attending
one day each week for approximately two hours.
Also, provided that I got through all they successfully, I
would then start another course at the centre itself in January; a course which
would last a whole year, with attendance of two full days a week. This was
called: General Office Course, and would incorporate a good many skills, which
included also included English and typing. I signed for both courses at the
same time.
That day, I left the MATREC building, a happier person. I
also felt very strange as it suddenly dawned on me that I was back in a similar
position to what I was twenty years, or nearly thirty years earlier, when I had
stayed on at school. Even the skills were going to be very similar to some of
the ones I was going to o back then. This time though, I promised myself I
would see it through.
When I mentioned earlier about my wrong-thinking whist I was
working in those forges, it was because I should have been asking myself just
why it was that I was seeking respect of my fellow workers, in a job that, if I
had been completely honest with myself; hated.
Please don’t take me wrong; I will always have a particular
respect for the people who work in that job. Also, whilst I was working in it,
I received good pay, and had very few complaints in that respect.
What I should have been doing though, was concentrating on
getting out of the steel industry altogether, and perusing something which fell
into line with the real me.
Thankfully though, because of the ever changing pace of the
steel industry, forging included; I am
no longer qualified for it. Even for those that are, there are very few jobs
anyway.
When I was talking about something to be gained out of every
situation; in the case of unemployment, this is giving me the opportunity to
follow up some kind of career that I will truly enjoy, as it gives me the
chance to get the required training.
Anyhow, when the time came for me to start that first course
at the church hall, I must admit, a feeling of apprehension swept over me.
Though this turned out to be unfounded, for the course was really enjoyable.
All the people where nice, both tutors and students; and the subject was very
interesting. Even the lady vicar from that church was on the course, which
added to the feeling of togetherness in learning.
During the very last lesson, very near to Christmas, we were
all partaking of a drink of wine and a mince pie, and I can remember reflecting
on everything I had gained from it all. This included, new friends, some good
basic knowledge in computing, the prospect of a college certificate to prove
it, and the awareness that I was doing something that fell more into line with
what I wanted. I was now ready to start the fuller course at the centre in the New
Year, and looking very forward to it.
Just before Christmas, all those who would be starting the
year-long course at MATREC, were invited down there for a talk, and a cup of
coffee and such.
On the last course, the people were mainly much older than I
was, in fact, some were elderly. There was only one other man apart from
myself; nevertheless his presence made me feel a little less isolated in that
respect. However, those on the next course would all be young ladies, and I
cannot put into words how I was feeling about that.
I arrived for that designated open day at MATREC just prior
to Christmas. The gentleman who I had spoken to on my first visit showed me into
the coffee lounge to meet some of those ladies who would be joining me on the
course, and I wondered how they would greet me. Thankfully though, all turned
out well.
Some of us then went onto watch a video about MATREC,
followed by the chance to ask questions and to have a chat.
I came away feeling encouraged, though I’ve got to admit,
still a little nervous about the fact that I was to be the only man on our
particular course.
Christmas, spent of course with my wife and two children,
seemed to pass quickly. When New Years Eve came though, my guts started to ache
at the prospect of starting this course. In fact I began to ask myself what the
hell I had let myself in for.
I am happy to say though, that these fears too were
unfounded, and that so far, my time at MATREC has been truly worthwhile. I have
learned to type, suing all fingers, something I have always wanted to do.
Alright, my speed is not up to much yet, but I’ll get there.
The other subjects have been great too. Communications, with
its accent on debate; computing at a more advanced level; English, with its
emphasis on the written word; and not forgetting of course, careers, and much
more.
All the facilities and the equipment at MATREC are
excellent, but where it comes into its own, is through the warmth and
friendliness of both staff and students alike.
As well as critical appraisal where need be, students are
also given encouragement and support in their natural abilities. After all,
encouraging words here and there, can sometimes be all that are needed to spur
a student on to succeed in his or her chosen field.
Unlike schools, with their seemingly ridiculous expectation
that pupils excel in every subject. Their constant cries of “doesn’t try hard
enough” “could do better” and other such ludicrous ranting can do for confidence
what foot and mouth does for cattle.
Even though MATREC’s premises are being expanded at the
moment, one noticeable aspect of the centre is that because it is on the
smaller side at present, there is little space to hide. This effectively almost
forces people to socialise more. Eventually this can do wonders for the self-confidence,
and the same time, make a person a lot of friends. This has helped me no end, particularly
as I had been of the ‘people scene’ for quite a while before joining these
courses.
Since this essay is being written for the careers module, I
think it fitting for me to mention that I have chosen not to do a ‘job study’
as originally requested. This is because, rather than to take time up doing a
detailed study of a single job that I would probably never do, I would rather
use the time to try to asses which career path I would like to take.
Although this is not a criticism, for I realise that for
some people the ‘job study’ could prove to be a useful exercise, especially if
they were that little more certain of what they wanted to do.
All in all, I recon the careers module has been worthwhile.
The exercise I liked best, was the one where were given packs of small cards
listing our preferences, talents, skills etc., and fitting them to the
corresponding jobs. I also enjoyed the computerised version of this, which we
were able to use whist out on a trip to the careers office one week.
Much of what I learned about myself on the exercises, I
already knew. However, sometimes when an old truth, even one only known to
ourselves is expressed or illuminated to us in a new way, it can often bring
about a depth of realisation never known to us before. Moreover, if we didn’t
know in the first place, then we have benefited even more. In my own case, I
think I learned something.
My appreciation also goes out to Chris, the ‘tutor’ of this
particular module, who’s job, particularly in an area like careers, is not an
easy one.
I have a fair idea what I would like to do career-wise, and
it lies in the area of advisory or counselling work. Without giving away too
much about myself personally, I have experienced a lot of suffering in my own
life, and I reason that if I could help others in some way, then at least it
has been worth it. By the way, any office skills and such that I acquired would
serve as a backup for me in that kind of job.
I never know though, I may finish up doing something
different; I’ll leave the way open for now.
MATREC is soon to begin some work experience programmes,
which for me, is the best opportunity ever of finding out what I would like to
do. Hopefully, if I try a bit of this and a bit of that, I will end up finding
my niche in life, whatever that may be….
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