Career change- how do you choose?

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I've found myself 30 years old and in a career I never actively sought and doesn't really excite me. I just kind of fell in to it and now I'm on a decent wage but not convinced I want to do this forever. It's finance related, majority public sector.

So, if you found yourself in this position what would you do? Retrain? How do you even start to choose a career, is it possible to switch and stay on £30k+ a year?

I've thought about training as a paramedic.... but I'm fat so doubt they'd want me. Social worker or counsellor also crossed my mind although the training/education needed could be a barrier. I'm fascinated by politics and science too.

Is there a career I'm missing that is 1) exciting 2) helps or is connected to a good cause 3) pays well and has a decent outlook?

Hi

I had to reply because I felt like I was the only one who didn't know what to do with my life! I am older than you but also in a job that doesn't excite me but has an ok salary. I really don't know what I would like to do career wise and I can't really afford to take a drop in salary or go back into education because I live alone so my salary is the only one I have to cover everything. Funnily enough being a counsellor is something I've always thought about too but the training would be difficult in my current situation.

How do people find their passion? I feel like some people just know what they want to do but I really struggle with this and feel like my time is running out a little bit!

xx

@Gemi33 I really don't know where to even start!
I looked into counselling and could fit in the theory side of things it's just the practical I can't see how it would happen without loosing out financially.

I looked into social work, but that's a 4 year full time degree.

There is info online about career changes in your 30/40/50s, I just can't work out where to start!

That's exactly how I feel - I'm in exactly the same position, I could potentially fit in the theory but not the practical.

It's so hard and at various times there's been all sorts of careers that I've considered but finding the right one that is actually possible is not easy!

xx

Occupational therapy? Diverse, interesting, help people daily - and as a larger lady myself - size no barrier! 3 year degree needed though.

Network - do you have contacts working in the fields you are interested in? If so, reach out and ask if they are free for a chat: I've found when changing industry that people are generally happy to give you 1/2 hour of their time. Find out a bit more about what they do, what skills they think are needed, how they started out. You'll gain more insight by these conversations than internet searches, and they may be able to put you in touch with others who they think would be useful. That would be my starting point for sure and a few conversations may help to firm up your next steps.

Networking would be great, if I knew what I wanted to do... a 3/4 year degree isn't possible (a mortgage and 2 little ones so money and time don't allow for full time degree).

@LeoTimmyandVi occupational therapy would be interesting, it's just the degree side of it I don't think I could manage.

I feel like I might be looking for something that doesn't exist. In hindsight I wish I'd studied medicine or law fresh from school.