retraining or take anything i can find??

[stilldazed]

been a sahm for 5 years previously i was in very highly paid middle managment sales type job. The sector I worked in has been massively effected by the recession and all though i still have contacts there really are no opportunities. The thing is I have no degree or real qualifications (other then A levels) so what do i do? I am looking at an OU course but I need to study something that I could use to get a job at the end, I am overseas and may be moving to another country in a year or so.

What do I do, I want to go back to work soon, do I try and get a business qualification or try to get into teaching? is that even possible from overseas? I don't know what to do but my biggest fear is doing nothing and letting another 5 years pass. Please give me some words of wisdom, any one retrained whilst being overseas?

[countydurhamlass]

if you are looking into an OU course relating to children/education speak to them first. i am currently doing a BA Hons in Childhood and Youth Studies but am moving overseas. i know when i move overseas my qualifications dont mean anything to prospective employers (i have a HND in Law as well as my childhood courses). I will not be able to continue my OU degree as some of the courses are based on UK legislation and UK practices and therefore not applicable to another country. I may get credit to transfer to another course if i study overseas but how much credit is unknown at the moment. bear in mind therefore if you are thinking of teaching what happens if you move country half way through studying... will you be able to continue elsewhere or will you have to start all over again/do extra work?

It is really difficult to get a decent job without a degree or equivilent unless you have lots of experience because there are so many people looking for work that employers can pick and choose!

[lljkk]

I'm not sure if you have figured out what you most want to do as a job.
I have several Uni degrees and I think I'm looking at new training in order to get a job, it seems fairly likely, but it's taken me this long (6 months) to figure out what types of jobs to target so then I could figure out what training to get.

Good luck.

[stilldazed]

thanks for your posts..I thought I wasn't going to get any replies!!

I guess I have to try and decide what I want most and go for it, it's so difficult not to think, I won't do anything cos we're going to moving. But if I think like that another 5 years will pass and I won't be any further forward!

[lljkk]

I know the feeling. You could start with some volunteer roles, maybe, to get a feeling for where your skills & interests lie.

[Twixed]

Sorry OP I have no suggestions other than so many jobs these days require a degree regardless but you know that anyway.
lljkk I fully understand if you don't want to say what you're planning to retrain in, I'm at the start of the process of trying to figure out where the skills shortages are and what to retrain in... But if you'd like to share?

[lljkk]

Well, I might manage to train myself from home, would be nice!

I'm looking at "Data analyst" type jobs. Closely related to what I did in past. The most desired skillset seems to be mySQL (I know how other relational databases work, so shouldn't be too tricky). I (think, still figuring this out) I need to install an SQL database on one of the home pootas then get a "Dummies for SQL" book & start working thru how to manipulate the dataset. Also, some data analyst jobs require training (NVQ Level 2+) in "customer service", too. There's probably an NVQ in how to check the Ofsted/govt/corporate websites daily for sudden changes in best practice policy guidance or industry expectations (just kidding).

Other things I've considered, like being a TA, I would need to get the formal NVQs for them. I thought about book-keeping, but that usually requires (probably expensive) training up in proprietary software, too. There's no escaping it.

I know someone in UK doing a distance-learning NVQ Level 3 course, actually, for early years education specifically (she already has a PGCE but that ain't good enough for her min. wage job). Distance learning is something you could look at.

[Twixed]

Funny my dh just sent me a link to a one day intro SQL course! But I''ve got an EBF 3 month old so timing not good. But distance learning will be the way to go for me...

All the best!

[OneHandFlapping]

I recommend Sams teach yourself Microsoft SQL Server T-SQL, which is simple and easy to udnerstand, and includes instructions on how to get a free SQL client - SQL Server Express, and how to create mini database for your Queries.