Any career changers out there?

[CaptainChannel]

I am a secondary school teacher of music and for a million reasons I need to get out of this job, so I'll be leaving at Christmas. I've been doing it for 11 years including some time spent overseas, and I've had it. My mental well-being is suffering and so are my children. I really need a change of direction and am willing to take a paycut, although I can't afford to go back to uni and do a whole new degree.
Trouble is it's a bit niche - many teachers who leave go on to tutor if they are a core subject or a primary generalist, but my subject isn't in demand as a tutor. I do not like 1-1 teaching of my instrument, so I think tutoring is out for me.
My only qualifications are a degree in music and a PGCE.
I have a husband who has a decent job and two DC age 6 & 8
I'm 35 nearly 36
I have lived and worked in Asia.
I can afford a paycut but I can't afford to go back to uni.
I like working with children but I'm not married to the idea, and I do not want to do social work.
I have a mortgage that needs paying but otherwise not an expensive lifestyle. I don't have any debt or financed products beyond my mortgage.

Anyone been in a similar position and managed to change careers, or any advice would be very gratefully received.

When you say you can't afford to go back to uni - and you’ve said it twice so it’s obviously on your mind - what exactly do you mean?

As you already have an undergraduate degree you almost certainly wouldn’t need another one - you would be accepted onto a Master’s course in anything you seem vaguely qualified for.

I don’t know how your PGCE, or the specifics of your time living out of the country would affect access to a postgraduate loan - but it might be worth a look:

Government Postgraduate Masters Loan

You do sound stressed! Hope you find a solution.

By the way - how much do you actually care about music? I mean - are you a musician who would like to progress creatively, or is it just your teaching subject?

How much do you need to earn? I used to be a Bank Manager, and I took VR several years ago. I am now self employed, working from home, doing a very easy job that brings in at least £2500pm, often more.

I was an aircraft engineer, then switched to IT at the age of 40. Best thing I ever did (apart from marrying my partner).

I was a finance director, now a trainee primary school teacher!

@EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues

When you say you can't afford to go back to uni - and you’ve said it twice so it’s obviously on your mind - what exactly do you mean?

As you already have an undergraduate degree you almost certainly wouldn’t need another one - you would be accepted onto a Master’s course in anything you seem vaguely qualified for.

I don’t know how your PGCE, or the specifics of your time living out of the country would affect access to a postgraduate loan - but it might be worth a look:

Government Postgraduate Masters Loan

You do sound stressed! Hope you find a solution.

Oh I just mean I can't afford to go back and do a vocational degree like midwifery or medicine. I need to use the degree I've got!

@ILoveJamaica

How much do you need to earn? I used to be a Bank Manager, and I took VR several years ago. I am now self employed, working from home, doing a very easy job that brings in at least £2500pm, often more.

@EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues I take home about 2k now but can afford to take a bit less , 15-1600

@EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues

By the way - how much do you actually care about music? I mean - are you a musician who would like to progress creatively, or is it just your teaching subject?

I no longer care about it at all! Teaching has sucked any joy I once took from it.

@ILoveJamaica

How much do you need to earn? I used to be a Bank Manager, and I took VR several years ago. I am now self employed, working from home, doing a very easy job that brings in at least £2500pm, often more.

@ILoveJamaica what do you do now if you don't mind me asking?

Being a teacher means you will have loads of transferable skills and working internationally definitely adds a shine to your CV. I've switched careers quite a fair bit in my time. You might do well to look into PR - loads of different backgrounds in that field and it doesn't involve kids or teaching.

@Penners99 how did you switch to IT? Did you have to do an extra qualification ?

OP I didn’t ask the question about how much you need to earn. (And I’d like to distance myself from it …)

@VladmirsPoutine

Being a teacher means you will have loads of transferable skills and working internationally definitely adds a shine to your CV. I've switched careers quite a fair bit in my time. You might do well to look into PR - loads of different backgrounds in that field and it doesn't involve kids or teaching.

Thank you. I feel like I've backed myself into a corner a bit with becoming a teacher but I guess I just need the confidence to make applications outside of teaching. I am attracted to PR so will look into that, thanks

@EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues

OP I didn’t ask the question about how much you need to earn. (And I’d like to distance myself from it …)

Oh sorry, poor quoting!

I used to teach (primary though) am now a trainee probation officer. The contract includes uni so I don't have to pay anything. Lots of transferrable skills. I love it

www.womenintech.co.uk/get-into-tech If you are interested in this. .

On the off-chance that it might at some point be useful or supportive, this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/4327788-Is-there-a-specific-Mature-Study-Retraining-board?msgid=110096218

will become part of a new board next week, which will encompass all aspects of adult education, mature study and retraining. The thread includes a list of several other current threads addressing exactly the same issue.

@EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues

On the off-chance that it might at some point be useful or supportive, this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/4327788-Is-there-a-specific-Mature-Study-Retraining-board?msgid=110096218

will become part of a new board next week, which will encompass all aspects of adult education, mature study and retraining. The thread includes a list of several other current threads addressing exactly the same issue.

This is really useful, thank you

Placemarking

OP. I studied in my spare time, took Microsoft, Novell (dates me) exams. Took entry level help desk job (huge drop in salary). Worked hard, did Cisco, Juniper and Checkpoint certifications. Now (24 years later) am a consultant working for myself.