I'm 40, a SAHM for 15 years... how can I go back to work ?

[AliciaBASZ]

Hello all of you !

As said in the title... I'm 40, I've been a SAHM for the last 15 years and now I need to go back to work.

Unfortunately, I don't have a proper diploma that woudl direct me to a proper job.

I've been to Art College, doing a Conservation BA, but didn't attend the exams (as I was expecting my firts child). I didn't intend to work for quite some time, and in 2011 and I've been "invited" by a friend to work as a translator (from english into french), which I did, as well as proofreading. The editor didn't pay that much, but as I didn't have any diploma in the matter, I hesitated to look for more work with order editors, so I stopped. And since some time I do handicraft which I sell on Etsy and Floksy, but that doesn't work either (still I believe I'm not doing rubbish... but...) This is why I'm looking to work today.

Do you think that with such of a curriculum as mine I would be able to find something in schools, specialised schools, or as a french teacher assistant (as I don't have any diploma - again - in this matter).

I'm scared to launch myself into such a search and to be dissapointed... I'm scared to hear that I'm not qualified when I know I've got the capacity. My girls ask me to come and teach in their school as their french teacher has poor vocabulary when she speaks...

I'm also interested to work with disabled children in schools... Do you think that having 4 children helps with the skills requirements ?

Anyway, any comment, advice, reflection would appreciate ^^

[indigox]

Not sure if it would work in your area but at my DSs school there's a parent who hosts Spanish clubs after school, perhaps something you could look into doing for French?

Can you do a teaching assistant qualification?

[AliciaBASZ]

Thanks indigox,

I've just checked the qualifications to become a teacher assitant on the goverment National Careers Service and I'm quite surprised that I only need an experience with chidren and a GCSE (I have a french baccalaureate and I've been an au pair in my 20's ^^ and I'm actually raising 4 kids)...

Well, I think I'm gonna start by writing a good CV and look around schools recruitment adverts.

[Thetruthfairy]

You would be in demand as a French teaching speaking teaching assistant, no doubt. Especially if you have an interest in special needs.
Good luck x

[Touchmybum]

Start by getting some voluntary work experience. That will give you something to talk about in interviews. Also have a look at getting some paper qualifications because you will be at a disadvantage if up against others who do have them.

[Thirtyrock39]

Teaching assistant jobs can be really competitive so you'd definitely be best to get sone voluntary experience helping in a school environment first. Why don't you see if you can help in the French department at your kids school? A lot of posts will require a relevant qualification as well

[Manumission]

If you went back to college to get an education-related qualification, it would combine very well with your French to make you very employable, I should think.

[Manumission]

X posted with everyone

[AliciaBASZ]

Thanks to all for your advices and ideas. I'm gonna put my head into searching about (maybe) going back to college. There's an information event on the 26th of november in London. I'm also gonna search in the language aera for voluntary work...

[Hoppinggreen]

Look at la jolie Ronde . They are a franchise but you can just work for a franchise owner if you don't want to buy one yourself

[AliciaBASZ]

Thanks for your ideas, I've looked around all of them ^^

[Greenandmighty]

You could try teaching French at your local adult learning centre or you could earn decent money working as a private GCSE/A level tutor and there are tutor websites to advertise on.

[AliciaBASZ]

Thank you for the tutoring tip. I'm going to a recrutment open day on friday in school nearby for children with special need, I'll let you know the result... I'm not expecting to be recruted, but at least have some informations.
See you soon ^^