Originally Posted by verystormy

The issue with it getting harder to move into the role you want is that as time goes by, people tend to get pigeon holed into the role you are in. You are also then competing against new metalurgy grads. As you are currently a technician, you are in effect competing against new grads. The longer out of uni and not in the role, it is seen by employers as a negative. I am a geologist and have a few friends who are young guys with only a year or two experience but have been laid off. They must keep their hand in the industry at the level of geologist some how, even if it is badly paid short contracts, as if they are out of it for a year, there is not much chance of getting back in.