Need a suggestion on what to study as a second degree while SAHM

[asianmum]

I've been looking for a job for a while now but got no luck. After SAHM since 2007, I really find it hard to get a job with my accounting qualification which I gained from a country somewhere in Asia. I now decided to change my direction and try another career... But what? I'm already 35 years old, 5 years unemployed and my youngest is 2 years old. Should I try education? Computing and IT? Law? Honestly, I don't know what I want but I don't want to be unemployed forever. Though I've got nothing against other SAHM who wants to be SAHM forever, but I think its not for me. I'm starting to get frustrated and grumpy with my kids and husband. I feel useless and my self confidence is getting lesser as years go by. Hope I'm not boring you with this but please I want to hear your views about what's best for me to take as a second degree which will help me land a job.

[racingheart]

Why don't you do a one year accountancy/book-keeping refresher course? That way you'd have an up to date UK qualification. You could do freelance book-keeping/accounts/tax returns for small businesses locally, and choose your own hours, so if you wanted ot be around for the children some of the time you could. Seems a shame not to use a natural skill like that again. Not everyone could be an accountant. I certainly couldn't. That's a talent worth developoing. U

[racingheart]

Sorry for typos. Got lots of boys skyping and minecrafting all around me. Friday night sleepovers!

[SundaeGirl]

Do you want to have any more children? If the answer's no then go for Law. If yes, definitely don't.

[ceeveebee]

An MBA? I did a distance learning MBA with Manchester Business School while working full time. OU offer them too. It has really given me an advantage over other qualified accountants I think.
Another option could be to do tax or company secretary professional qualification? I am part way through company secretary exams and I think it's a pretty good job for someone with DCs as its well paid but regular hours/relatively low stress.

[asianmum]

Thanks everyone for the reply. Its nice to hear all your views. Ive got not a lot of friends around here so your opinion means a lot. Racingheart, I actually like your idea. I've actually tried A bookeeping course when 2 years ago when Ive just given birth but I cancelled it because I think I wasnt ready. But when you think about it if I get a full time degree which will probably take me 4 to 6 years to finish, I will be around my 40s then. With 6 months or 1 year bookeeping course I might be lucky to get a job straight away.

I dont want any,ore children Sundaegirl, I do like law but My people skills is not really good. Im a bit shy. It might not be good for me... Having very low self esteem at the moment, dont get out much of the house.

Ceeveebee, do you think Im qualified to get an MBA. I might take a look at it in a while. But I think I need to have a UK degree first before I can get an MBA. Thanks a lot guys.

[ceeveebee]

I don't have a UK first degree. You can get credit for accountancy qualifications and for managerial experience.

[MavisG]

Look at AAT for accountancy. Give them a call, they're really nice people, and will help advise you if you want to go on to get chartered.

[racingheart]

You shouldn't need a UK degree to qualify for an MBA if you already have qualifications from another country.

[asianmum]

Im planning to take up IAB Computerized Accounting for Business...sort of bookeeping with software from home learning. Its just a short course maybe less than 6 months. I hope i wont be wasting money if I continue with this.

[Giggle78]

Have you thought about becoming a maths teacher? Its the one area of teaching with shortages, golden hellos and you are certain of a job for life because no matter what happens in education, GCSE's etc there will always be maths. Plus once you're in - your salary goes up quite decently very quickly.

[Giggle78]

Have you thought about becoming a maths teacher? Its the one area of teaching with shortages, golden hellos and you are certain of a job for life because no matter what happens in education, GCSE's etc there will always be maths. Plus once you're in - your salary goes up quite decently very quickly.

[asianmum]

Becoming a maths teacher is one of my options but I think it costs a lot. I might think about it in the future, my main aim now is to get a job quicker and get out of the house. I even changed my mind about that short course and might tke up AAT....still confused

[BranchingOut]

I think you should do the AAT or equivalent, then try to get a job just to get yourself back in the workplace.
Could you build your confidence by doing some volunteering? Small charities often need a bit of help with the books.
Once you have made the transition back to work then you can decide where to go next.

[asianmum]

I think I agree with you Branchingout. I don't even have enough confidence to do volunteering works in bookeeping as I am not sure I can do it properly. i got my degree some 11 years ago. I told my husband about my plans but he just discouraged me about AAT. He said I should get CIMA. But CIMa is too difficult for me and it might take me years to finish it and I wont probably get a job soon and might sit more than one exam for a single subject .

[asianmum]

I might go volumteering after I refresh my mind with few subjects from AAt. Im planning not to tell my husband about it..... Ive got a feeling he prefers me staying at home but he keeps on saying hell support me whatever I want. It is hard to be a SAHM for me.