Recommend me a well paid career.

[Bilberries]

I have a first class maths degree from a top uni.
I'm good at problem solving and creative thinking.
I'm bad at project management and detail.
I have spent my career as a teacher.
I've had a few years out with young dc.
I'm now late 30s and need a fresh start.

I'm don't want to go back to teaching as I feel that was the wrong choice the first time, I never enjoyed it.

I want the opportunity for great career progression (yes, don't we all!). So starting salary not critical but I want to be making 'good' money in a few years (not knowing what this means is part of the problem, my family are working class, I've always been told I'm doing very well as a teacher on 35k. My peers from uni are all loaded but I've no idea how much they earn).

Can anyone help please?

Ps bonus points flexible/part time working

I think your biggest challenge is going to be starting from scratch in a high paying industry/career but also wanting flexible working while at a junior level

All the high paying jobs I can think of which also allow 30-somethings to have flexibility now all had long hours at the start
As you work your way up, it’s a lot easier to pick your hours, but often it’s because the juniors are doing the longer hours
eg if I have a big piece of work and a short deadline, I will give instructions and guidance by expect my juniors to do most of the graft over the weekend, and then I’ll review the work and give comments when it’s done - because that’s what my bosses did when I was at junior levels.

Sorry if that’s not what you want to hear!

Would something like tutoring work for you, as it’s a higher hourly rate so you could be part time for the same salary as you had from teaching?

Supply chain / logistics

'head of' roles can earn over £100k

Coding, can be done WFH. Know a few who do this. Friends son starting salary out of University was 50k at 21. You would need to train but assuming with your maths degree it is a possibility.

Lots of opportunities in the civil service and lots of flexibility.

Civil service.

Look at Higher Officer jobs to start with a view to hitting SO/G7 in a few years.

Or the Fast Stream or Tax Specialist Programme.

I left teaching in my late 30s to do this and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

You might find the Mature Study and Retraining board thought provoking / helpful:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Ooh another vote for civil service. You really can progress if you want to and the flexible working is just amazing for me as a mum of small children. Also it's possible to start at a higher level. I moved there from medicine in advance of having children because I knew I would want and need flexible working. But also good pay.

Learn to code in python!

Data science/data analysis is SO in demand, popular for WFH and you will be in good money straight away if you chose a financial services firm etc.

My first thought was IT / coding.

Data science /analysis as pp says

These are amazing suggestions thank you.

I do code a bit in python and R and enjoy it. I could certainly see myself doing it, @TheLongGallery thanks. My problem here is a 'way in'. If anyone has any ideas of starting points I would be grateful.

Civil service, @cataline @FivePotatoesHigh thank you. I know a few people in Cs and it looks interesting. Are you suggesting I could jump in at a higher grade here or is it a case of starting at the bottom?

I really appreciate the suggestions.

The civil service is so vague - what do you do or what types of jobs are available that are flexible and well paid.

I was going to say go into mining as there is great demand for special metals and will be for a long time to come. Maybe use your maths in studying the seismic studies that are done. Sorry don't know the name of the job.

I cross posted with loads of helpful people!

My python is 'amateur', but my brain works easily in this way. What do I need in terms of qualifications? @user1471548941 do you have any ideas? My interest is data rather than finance, dream job would be a data scientist but I just don't have the quals.

@pimlicoanna thanks, I will investigate

@MuddlerInLaw thank you, very helpful

For coding hints this might help

www.mumsnet.com/talk/AMA/4104846-I-learnt-to-code-at-27-AMA

But OP said she's bad at project management?

It used to be some of the big city firms has returning to work programmes, full training etc - might be worth looking into depending on where you're based?

You don't need qualifications to get into data science - the right kind of brain , basic skills - many organisations will train in house because of the skills shortage

@midgetastic this is exactly what I wanted to hear 🙌 thanks.

But... what do I put on my cv in order to get taken seriously? Ftm who dabbles in python sounds rubbish!

You could try one of the coding bootcamps (e.g. General Assembly) - intensive training and then they help you find a job at the end.

There also might be some ideas on here: womenreturners.com

Actuary in an insurance company not a consultancy.

I would follow career path into being a solution architect or a technical architect. Some training required in the beginning but companies are desperate for female talent and great career trajectory with 6 figure salary in your future. Enterprise architecture (EA) has become the fastest-growing, in-demand skillset in technology.

@schmalex this sounds good. I did look at bootcamps briefly but how do I know it's legit? Is General Assembly recognised by industry?

@Blueberrywitch I have literally no idea what that even means! What would a day to day look like, do you know?

Thank you so much for the idea