Any jobs I can switch to in my late 30s if I'm tired of desk work

[R0tational]

Hello!

I am looking for advice on what career or job I could switch to as a person absolutely tired of beavering away at my desk but not feeling up to scratch, not able to feel confident or happy at all. Alone at home behind a screen isn't for me :( I dont know what is. I need around £1500 per month. Any ideas? I do not want to train more as I have done a MSc recently (social sciences) so do not want to spend more.

Thank you

Is the problem WFH (because you mention being alone at home behind a screen)? Just wondered if you could first try moving to a job in your industry with an employer which requires more of an office presence.

I recently moved from a fully WFH employer to 50/50 home/office and I like it SO much more.

Thanks yellow. That is a good point, though most of my industry is WFH for the forseeable! I don't think it's just that issue though - I just am tired of sitting at a desk all day amd feeling stressed. Perhaps a very low-stress job would suit me better, but as a single parent, I can't afford a very low skilled job.

*low-paid not low-skilled sorry.

Gardening?

Healthcare assessor for NVQ S?

Ecologist?

Care home?

There’s an organisation called career shifters which might be useful to help you figure out what you’d like.

I mea this with kindness, but you seem to have adopted a certain helplessness here. If you are unhappy go see your GP and try and access some low cost counselling. If you want to find a job and a life you like you have to put some effort into figuring out what you want out of life, and then going and getting it. Being led by avoidance is going to make you more unhappy and less confident.

Do a bit of research online, there are lots of useful systems to help you start figuring out what you want.

@Luredbyapomegranate the op is looking for suggestions for a career change, I'm not sure the gp can offer careers advise, no wonder they are overstretched if that's what you are seeing your gp for. She is putting effort in, she merely asked for suggestions here!!

Op you don't say what your desk job is or even what industry you work in so it's hard to suggest things that might be suitable on such little info, maybe add a bit more info (without being outing obviously).

Care work they will literally take on anyone just now.

What is your MSc in? Would be a shame for your degrees to go to waste but might be something which uses the same skills but is not on a desk.

@Luredbyapomegranate Thanks for your suggestion. I may be coming across as stressed because I am feeling a little trapped.

I have recently begun a new job which is not working out - its eroding my confidence and might not be for me - and I am worried every day all day about it. I do have low confidence - but then am brilliant at other times!

I am at my desk all day sometimes, and have a probation coming up which won't go well I am sure. I do not know what to do at all.

I am worried about getting another job. I just want to do something simple so I dont let people down and can live a life where I am not consumed by stress.

I have ADs, have done CBT and counselling. I exercise regularly, I have dabbled in meditation inconsistently. I am just not quite coping with life! Kitchen always a mess and eating rubbish food as I am always at desk so cant cook. Etc.

I just want a 9 to 5 that doesnt leave me feeling like I am always failing. I am not work shy - I think I am just not effecrive in how I work as I overthink. I have some great skills too - I just need to find out how and where to use them where they are valued and I am not miserable.

I like research and working with people.

I thought about caring. Problem is there is nowhere to go after that is there (no increase in pay). Gardening I would be rubbish at as I dont know about plants!

Maybe a teaching assistant. But I would need a qualification for that I assume.

It sounds like the job is not satisfying to you. That's quite normal. What is your degree in? Seems like you need a social element in work. This is all OK, you are figuring it out. You are a working single parent, well done! That's 2 full time jobs. You know It will help to eat nutritious food. It takes a little planning, real food can be quick and easy.

Sorry, didn't make a suggestion. How about a family support worker? Check out charities that work with disadvantaged families? You have the life skills of a single parent, you know tons. I can imagine you enjoying helping people face to face.

Social Worker?

It's not low skilled or not stressful but you could consider teaching in further education, you normally do the training part time while working and there is normally funding or the college will pay.

After that you can either stay in college or do supply, supply can be stressful but it is also nice to be able to walk away.

Child-minding? Again you would have to do some training but it is not extensive or expensive.

Call centre work?

What is your job?

OP, you sound very thoughtful and like you know yourself really well. I echo PP who have said it is very tough being a working single parent (I am one) so don't be too hard on yourself! Plus you have just finished a Masters so you are obviously really smart and well-organised.

I think the problem with a lot of the jobs that are mentioned on this thread is that they will not necessarily bring in the income you need. TA is a brilliant job but criminally badly paid. Food inspector comes up on these threads sometimes - it would require more retraining though.

I wonder whether it would be worth exploring jobs that use your skills but where you would be in an office as part of a team. I personally find working from home really difficult and am much better with social contact. Maybe if you had more in person support you would feel more confident and be able to see what you are contributing rather then worrying about letting people down.

Good luck!

What is your job? Which bits are you failing in? Can you not utilise some if your skills and experience to move over into a similar but slightly different area? Data analysis or Project management?

Health care assistant in the NHS would be a good starting point. Band 2 which is a take home pay of around £1200 per month rising yearly. You can do the care certificate online although you'll be trained on the job. If you find you enjoy it there's lots of opportunities for training as a nurse, OPD, band 3 HCA.

The administrators where I used to work were always the unhappiest overall as the pay was ok but not amazing and the work was tedious.

My DS is currently working for a freight company at an airport, it’s hard physical work but as he does nights he is on £15PH and his overtime rate is around £21PH that’s pretty good for a just 20 year old. It’s a physical job and a good stop gap while he waits for his degree apprenticeship to start next year. He absolutely loves it. My neighbour is working as an order picker for Aldi, the pay is as good as the admin staff that were on medium grade pay where I used to work. He also seems pretty happy. I sometimes think the sitting on your backside aspect of office based jobs is what makes so many people unhappy and not the actual work as such.

If you get stressed I wouldn’t recommend nursing. I started off life as a nurse over 30 years ago. The hours were terrible and I actually hated the whole get vomited and blood on me aspect. I did love looking after people but it wasn’t for me.

Thanks for all the help and thoughtful advice.

I think I need to take a step back from everything. It's all too much.

Bless you OP. Sounds like it would be a good idea to have a chat to your GP and get some support. Take care of yourself.