Changing career after becoming a mum

[Fruitteatime]

I've been a Mum for almost 6 years and lately I've been wondering about going back to work. My degree is a professional qualification that I have not practiced since getting it, and therefore is completely worthless. Firstly I can't see a way of getting into the job (little/no experience, not ever been registered with the professional body, 0 continuing professional development) and secondly since becoming a parent I'm not sure that I want to cope with the level of stress the job would bring alongside general family stresses. I do have a Saturday job but it's not something I want to do full time. My youngest is only 1 and I was at home with my eldest until she went to school. This time I'm more open to putting youngest into a nursery for short days once he gets to 3 years old (older one did do a couple of morning a week at 3 years and then 4 mornings a week at 4 years old).

Where the fuck do I start? I literally have no ambition. As a teenager I only wanted to be a mum and since fulfilling my dream I feel lost. I'm satisfied but not happy iyswim. I need some direction in my life and also we need some money as we're stuck in a flat right now. I'm wondering whether to do a masters or do some volunteering or to just apply for any part time job when the time comes. I guess I'm wondering if anyone else did a professional degree and then went in a totally different direction after having children?

It's social work, I have about 6 months post qualifying work experience in a related job but not in the qualified role. I genuinely don't think I would even get an interview seeing as I applied for over 20 related jobs after getting my degree and already didn't have the right experience. Now the legal framework has almost certainly changed as has the standards which I qualified in so my knowledge is completely out of date. I'm glad it worked out for you LittleMissEngineer.

Does anyone else have any experience of changing career after becoming a mum or having a useless degree?

With a degree in social work could you look for a job with your local council in welfare rights, benefits or housing assistance type of thing? Usually councils are good at offering part time roles too which could suit.

06outthewindow that might be a way forward. I do feel like I don't have any up to date knowledge on housing etc but that is something that I can learn about online. I just feel like I rushed from school to university and did a degree that I am completely unsuitable for given that I wanted to be a sahm. I guess that is a separate issue.

Hi Fruit,
I have a degree in psychology and worked in the field for a few years. Loved forensic psychology and ended up joining the Gardaí. When i had my baby I just could not face going back so I started my own business as a baby photographer. Have to say I'm doing well. Only leave my babies 2 days a week and work from home around husband the other days. Earning similar to.what I did before and 9,000,0000 times less stressed. So I would say it can absolutely work and be really positive if you have a goal and a good idea and just go for it!

I would try and focus on what is important to you. We go in and out of different jobs/roles throughout our lives. Sometimes because we have a keen interest, sometimes because it fits with our family, it gives us the benefits we want, sometimes simply the money we earn.