Need to career change at 30 and with 2 children any suggestions?

[tryagainy]

Have 2 young children (4 and 1) and am 30, worked in retail most of my life, and then changed to work in a school, but I don't like it. I love science and biology, so would love to do something like that, but not sure what, university is maybe a option but not sure with financials. Any suggestions?

Anyone?

If you're interested in science and biology, I believe the NHS run apprenticeship schemes for lab technicians which can be accessed by adults?

Do you have any qualifications ATM or any particular likes? Do you enjoy (or hate) working with people, do you like animals, prefer being office-based or outdoors etc?

Yes science and biology is where I want to go! I have a access course I did in science, which is going to run out this year hence Uni maybe being a option! I don't mind working with people or animals, I'm not a massive fan of being outdoors in all weathers!

How about Speech and Language Therapy?

It's a vocational degree but they have just introduced an apprenticeship route.

Have a play around with this and see if anything inspires you?

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Pharmacy

F

I would absolutely love to do something within the NHS even like in a lab to similar, issue being I live in the east with one uni and one hospital and the university doesn't do major amounts of courses! @HelpMeOutOfHere speech and language would be interesting! @OutDamnedSpot thank you will have a look!

Read around the careers sections of NHS website - lab based role/ clinical role/patient facing role ? Industry?
can you access the careers office if your old uni?

Sorry @CliffsofMohair I haven't been to uni, something I am debating.

No NHS apprenticeships anywhere near, nearest is over 40 miles away!

Sorry I’m mixing Foundation yr with access course. Would careers support be available through the access course programme ?

Food science? You could look for an apprenticeship, go to university or simply start at the bottom and work your way up?

HR in a science industry? You could do a lot worse than get a CIPD HR credit and go from there.

Entry without degree, then work your way up.
https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9839-23-3620

https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9213-23-6935

That's okay @CliffsofMohair I don't think they do any careers support after leaving!

I think careers that interest me are

Biomedical/lab
Speech and language
Radiology
Pharmacy

Or Something similar to them.

I'm the same as you, although have never had a proper career. I have a degree in law with an MFL. I was looking at MFL teacher training but sadly it doesn't look like my degree is eligible as it was less than 50 per cent MFL. Considered social work but not sure I could hack it, and I can't drive (tried and failed due to disability) and I think that would be necessary for social work. looked at early years teaching but it doesn't seem worth it when salaries are so low. At a loss really and feel destined to be stuck in low waged work forever.

This is exactly me @WeightoftheWorld I'm dyslexic so I do struggle a little with like written assignments etc, I really want a proper career and to actually have a job that's not minimum wage!

I am also dyslexic! And autistic. I do have a first class undergrad degree though. Just haven't managed to put it to any good use yet. I think partly due to the autism and partly cos of having the kids quite young. In some ways I am happy with things right now, my kids are young, I work PT and I couldn't work or study FT right now as wouldn't be able to afford the childcare. I worry for the future though and do just feel a bit meh about myself as a result of my lack of accomplishment since graduating. Now feels impossible to career change because I have already used up my student finance entitlement and you can't get any childcare support from them if you're a postgrad student. So stuck really.

Hope you find a career @WeightoftheWorld

Thanks everyone have has a look on the health careers website of nhs so hoping to get some ideas

Would you consider a career in law?

I find it works well with my disability because I can work remotely when I need to (I even worked from bed the other day)

We are desperate for radiographers 😃

You would likely need to do a foundation course if you don’t have suitable A levels. Or possibly the new degree apprenticeship.

That's what I wanted to do, but my old paralegal role paid horrendously, I spent a few yrs chasing training contracts where the provider would fund the LPC because we can't take the financial hit of me stopping work to do it and anyway it feels like a big financial risk to do that when so many LPC grads never end up getting a training contract. And I've looked at solicitor apprenticeship/SQE route but I don't want to work full time right now. Well I can't anyway, because I couldn't secure nor afford the childcare as the salaries are so low for the training years. It's something I may possibly reconsider when my kids are older, but at the moment it's just not feasible, mainly for financial reasons. Postgrad students can't access student finance's childcare support funding which I think is awful and a huge barrier to parents like me from career changing or career progression.

Yes I can sympathize @WeightoftheWorld . I've got my first solicitor apprentice in my team and I think it's such a great route. She'll qualify with zero debts and the govt pay all her training costs so it's costing nothing other than time to train her .

I would say do keep your eyes peeled for adverts still, I know I am v open to career gap /late starters -all the different experiences they can draw on as a lawyer

If you're interested in working in the NHS have a look at HCP roles. You can find them in various departments-ward based, theatres, outpatients. A HCP role in theatre could lead to an OPD qualification.

Pharmacy technician is another one. You wouldn't need a degree for any of these but once you have a foot in the door the trust may well support you in further training whilst working.

In my hospital its common for people to start as domiciliary workers/porters and then go onto other roles in different departments.