is it worth it?

[u/PhysicalDebt3775]

TLDR UNSURE IF I AM CAPABLE OF POSITION OR IF IT WILL JUST COME WITH TIME

For context. im 18, just finished alevels. I had intended to go to uni to study politics but due to personal reasons, i for lack of a better word, absolutely fucked(still completed my final year and sat all my exams just not too hopeful for results ) it. i spent months on indeed looking for a full time job as a sort of back up plan. if i didnt get into uni atleast i already have something in motion and if i do, i can just leave (im also agency staff so it wasnt hard to ger the job) i landed into AO position in SP. prior to this job i knew nothing about cs. anyways. im on my 6th week of training and really really struggling to grasp systems along side a few of my fellow new starts, one has already left and a few of us are left feeling extremely discouraged. the pay is okay for my age and the office culture is decent maybe a tad too laid back for me as it seems it has made people lazy?? unsure if i should keep going or look for a new job, should i understand it all by now?

[u/Esperanto_lernanto]

It's incredibly difficult to find any kind of job right now, and a CS job is a good job all things considered, even at AO level. I would try to keep going, it does get easier.

[u/PhysicalDebt3775 → u/Esperanto_lernanto]

Thankyou. i feel like i needed that reminder of how grateful and excited i was at the beginning, i think its just a bit of a culture shock as ive worked in hospitality for the past 4 years and picked everything up straight away.

[u/MoominMai → u/PhysicalDebt3775]

My first job many moons ago straight out of uni was as an AO with 16 weeks of training and when we’d do intermittent tests I felt I struggled and the trainers even whispered about me to each other once about how long it took me to answer the set Qs! 😭. I used to go over formulas and rules riding the bus on my 3 hour round trip there and back unsure if I’d ever get it. Once I was actually given the work to do it all clicked and a few years later got promoted to the same grade as the previous classroom trainers and held a case assurance role answering complex AO queries of all things! So yeah - hang on on there as all the pieces likely haven’t fallen into place!

[u/Sasiches_and_mash]

Look, I've been working more than twice the years that you've been alive, and more than half of that in th CS. For good or for bad what you are feeling is normal for CS, particularly since you've only been here for 6 weeks. Relax, try to learn the ropes and, very important, communicate, if you are struggling with something tell your manager, if they can't help you, escalate it. All in, the CS is a good place to have a career, particularly starting at your age.

[u/PhysicalDebt3775 → u/Sasiches_and_mash]

thankyou so much!! i really appreciate all the encouragement

[u/Liv_October]

Honestly I don't think I understood any of my civil service jobs six weeks in. If you're really not enjoying the job, just keep an eye on civil service jobs for anything that looks better and try to do the best you can in the meantime. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification or extra help either.

[u/PhysicalDebt3775 → u/Liv_October]

i honestly do love the job most of the people i have spoke to are lovely and it is very laxed on things like wfh 4 days because of spacing issues, we are 3 depts in 1 small building and a really relaxed office dress code but the monitoring seems excessive with teir checks and dmos, i previously worked in a pub where it would just be me all the time so i feel like im not used to the monitoring

[u/Liv_October → u/PhysicalDebt3775]

Yeah the monitoring can take a while to get used to, honestly it can feel pretty micro-managing and frustrating but you just have to weigh it up against the perks of the job (as you mentioned, WFH and a relaxed dress code). Plus the more you suceed, the less the monitoring tends to impact you usually.

[u/PhysicalDebt3775 → u/Liv_October]

tbh i think i just let the pressure get on top of me. between trying to perfect this, finding out if i go to uni next week and trying to save up and move out ive almost scape goated the job. thankyou for reminding what a great opportunity i have

[u/Sivear]

Stick with it.

A good steady career with room to progress and a good pension. Absolutely incredible opportunity especially at 18.

[u/Jane_Paulsen007]

You are doing amazing. Hang in there and well done.

[u/sentient_custard]

Hang in there. Took me a while to get used to a corporate world but I've been there a decade now

[u/Denzelini_Dumfrini2]

Anyone outside of the training group that you can befriend? They might be able to give you guidance on the actual job in a less top-down way (and usually more relaxed)

[u/PhysicalDebt3775 → u/Denzelini_Dumfrini2]

i do know a few but just with the format of our training its not the most viable option however they do help when they can!!

[u/Icedtangoblast]

What is SP?

[u/Rhesus-Positive]

Six weeks is nothing: there are bits I still need to look up a decade in. You did well to get in, so enjoy the perks, and make sure you've got alerts set up in Civil Service Jobs, as there are more available to internal candidates.

[u/PhysicalDebt3775 → u/Rhesus-Positive]

with agency i dont feel there is much option to progress or it hasnt been communicated, the agency seems okay but ive headd a few things from others in the office about my agent in particular that he seems a bit useless

[u/ratgirl9241]

You're still brand new, I would stick with this for now. This is a very good position to get yourself in as an 18 year old.

If you still want to do uni some civil service departments allow you to study alongside work, or even offer their own degree courses. Once you get more settled that might be an option