What career would you retrain in if money wasn’t an issue

[olivehater]

Work for the NHS part time in a good clinical career I have worked hard for. It’s so niche I feel like there is no where to go from it. I just can’t see myself doing it forever. I am also getting disillusioned with working for the NHS.

I am in the fortunate position that I don’t really have to work. I do it as couldn’t be a full time sahm. Right now my three young kids are my focus. The job is basically a few days a week break from that life. Using my brain etc.

I would love to have a second career when the kids are older. But no idea what I would do. I am not bothered what it pays. What have other people changed their careers to? Sometimes I think I would be quite happy working in a nice dress shop or something.

Looking for inspiration.

Jewellery making - I have done a bit of silver work in the past but would love to train to be a professional jeweller.

Me too! Our nearest zoo is 30 mins drive away which would be much worse in rush hour so it isn't practical really & the money would be a big drop but in a 'money is no object' scenario I would love it

I think it's such a pity that we only really know who we truly are and what really motivates and captivates us as we get older. Making decisions about subject choices and courses in your teens seems silly when you think of all the growth and self discovery still to come.

I am retraining to and it's expensive. It also comes with a dose of guilt over taking money away from the family's finances. However, I am in my mid-thirties, I still have another 20 - 35 years of work left. My current job is very hard on my back, so I don't think I could do it into my 60's anyway.

I feel like I kind of just ended up in my current job, I'm not passionate about it. We spend such a big part of our lives working, I think if we can manage to work in something that really drives us we will be more fulfilled and will be less likely to look back with regret. I appreciate that it isn't possible for everyone.

I'd be a zoologist doing field research on elephants.

The ambulance service employees nurses in patient facing roles too 😊

If I didn't have to work, I would love a gorgeous craft room with a huge sewing table, lots of fancy storage for fabric and wool etc and a cosy sofa. I'd make and sell or donate some of my crafts and perhaps run some workshops.

I am starting a new career soon, going to be a butcher through an apprenticeship.

I’d love to be a silversmith. I don’t think it’ll ever happen though as quite aside from us needing my salary, I’m really cack-handed.

I have 2 mental lists of jobs I want, the dream if money was no issue and I could just do it ones are:
Glass blower
Zoo keeper/big game reserve- big cats preferably because I want to boop them
Solicitor, specifically criminal law

The realistic ones are much more boring:
Specialise in my existing career and go into contracting (it's £500-1500 a day compared to current £40-60k a year)
Side step into a more political role working on policy

I think as a potential mature student with dc and money needs I'd look to build on my existing skill set and explore the options. In healthcare would going into private be an option?

I'd love that too. I could watch elephants all day

The alternative career I thought about doing when I was younger was a barrister. But I wouldn't retrain to do it now as it's clearly underpaid now and I think it might be a bit pointless - every few weeks a different case which you win or lose. After years and years you might become a KC and then a judge. But you'd spend a lot of time with very clever but pompous people.....

In my career I've enjoyed transforming organisations and building impact, developing people and making a difference.

I like done of the other ideas mentioned here though - like jewellery making and people who go and live in jungles etc to observe elephants or orangutans.

Could some of the more craft careers maybe start off as a small sideline a few evenings a week? How amazing would it be if you could make money doing the thing you loved. I have a lot of respect for crafty folk. Alas, I am not one of them!

I think it's such a pity that we only really know who we truly are and what really motivates and captivates us as we get older

I’m actually working in my very niche, dream job, after a late middle age career change. It’s wonderful but I wish I could have started when I was young and full of the energy and ambition I singularly lack now.

So many posters here (maybe apprentice butcher @Kiwigrape in particular!) should start inspirational threads on the Mature Study and Retraining board. (Under Education) They’d be so helpful for people hesitating on the brink of retraining but not sure where to start.

and I think it might be a bit pointless - every few weeks a different case which you win or lose.

How can the organised pursuit of justice be pointless? Btw, the fact that criminal barristers have been striking for a decent level of pay doesn’t mean all barristers are hungry. Many are staggeringly well paid. Just not everyone.

@TottersBlankly well done! It's great to hear about people continuing to pursue their dreams and loving their job.

Ed psych or psychologist. I have a psych degree and am an ex teacher - I regularly wish I'd retrained pre kids.

I'm with @Pung on being a full time dilettante if I didn't need the money. I love dipping in and out of things. I would take courses in subjects that interest me and make documentaries about interesting stories I come across. And in between projects I would just enjoy living in my house, raising family, and tending my garden.

Now I have to go check my work emails. :-(

Funeral care/ embalmer.

I do want to get into the funeral industry one day. I have a lot of customer service experience and although would prefer to be ‘behind the scenes’ I’d settle to be a funeral arranger. I even did a funeral care course during lockdown and passed at 98%

one day.

I analyse weather related data as part of my job. You don't need to do another degree. There is a career path that you can go into without a new degree. It is called catastrophe modelling for insurance company. It is common to earn £80k+ when you have 5+yr experience and able to perform analysis independently.