jobs after being a teaching assistant.

[chaosD]

Hi I'm some advice, inspiration anything!

I'm currently a level 2 TA working with autistic children. After having kids I sort
of drifted into working in schools but the
pay is dreadful..My kids are 10 and 15 so I still need flexilbilty for school holidays etc. I'm 50,🙄 menopausal and I don't know how I can continue such an emotionally
and physically demanding job. I thought about training to be a teacher as I have a degree but working in schools has put me right off the idea. Anybody sucessfully moved on from being a T a ?

What’s your degree in?

I work with several former TAs. We're support workers in a residential care home for 4 young people (teenagers) with disabilities. All are on the autism spectrum. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting too though. I used to be a secondary school teacher and wouldn't recommend it.

Nursery?

Help with running a nursery or messy church or do both if you have time they need people and churches have Sunday school so that’s the fun part or even look at those and volunteer with the football clubs after school ones including football.

Same Op.. I'm mid fifites and have been a SN TA for nearly 20 years, having gone into it when my youngest started special school.. I also have a degree but presume it's too late to really change direction.
I'm physically and mentally knackered!
Watching with interest as I need a change!

I’ll be in a similar sort of position soon. If you can afford it you should be in an excellent position to retrain into a health career. The trouble is we were all sold out and now have to pay extortionate fees even though the country is desperate for health professionals. Care is another option, people seem to carry on there longer - I don’t think they are quite so ageist as in schools. Nurseries too, if they are still open near you.

I used to support people retraining years ago, so the fact that it’s unaffordable to me really really galls. @Lifeistough74 nice thought, but I’m guessing the op is looking for paying work rather than volunteering to do yet more work with other peoples’ kids for nothing. Our generation still has bills to pay.

I'm training as a foot health practitioner. Mid 50s. I needed something that wasn't so physically and mentally draining as school! Should be qualified by Xmas!

Admin job in a school - term time only.

Trainee Teacher? Emhp? Psychology conversion and educational psychologist? HR? Private school teaching assistant? Learning mentor?

Radiographer

Hi Sociology and English Lit. degree.

Me too, just wish I'd made better life choices in terms of career. I' ve been in schools 7 years now , just not sure what to do with that experience. I had a really well paid job in telecoms before I had kids.

Thanks but no !! I could'nt do nursery lovely as they are X

Ooh, how do you become a radiographer?! Off to research!

I’m a teacher, op, and will be looking to switch careers in the next couple of years. Does speech and language therapy appeal to you? Counselling? I agree it’s immoral that you now have to pay thousands to do a degree for an nhs job. I looked into midwifery (but that wouldn’t work for childcare).

@chaosD if you take a look through the threads on the dedicated Mature Study and Retraining board you may find posters who’ve successfully moved away from TA jobs into other areas.

And you’ll probably find some ideas that haven’t occurred to you yet.

@TheDuchessOfMN sociology and english lit.. also new to mumsnet so excuse balls up in replying!

@WhatWillIWear Thank you I will have a look X

@cheapskatemum thanks X

@WhatWillIWear great thank you!x

Hospitality? Especially hotels… historically antisocial hours but changing and TA work could be excellent for front desk/reception work

@BrutusMcDogface yes speech and language does. I see outside agencies
come in all the time and think I could do that job. You need a degree in speech and language though , also considered inclusion support work. They help children eith behavioural problems in education. feeling a bit more positive now !!

@Auntpodder thanks X

I've been doing accountancy courses in the evenings and am now applying for jobs in finance. First interview next week 😬

@Auntpodder @BrutusMcDogface @Lifeistough74 @RosaGallica @SnotSnotSnottySnot @StillMedusa @TheDuchessOfMN @Tilllly @Unexpectedlysinglemum @WhatWillIWear @cheapskatemum @magnolia1997

Thanks for all your suggestions. I will be digesting this over the 6 week hols and researching the hell out of my exit strategy. Gonna make it happen ❤

If you have a first degree, have you thought about studying for an MA - in whatever you’re most interested in? You’d be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Loan to cover your fees.

I’m suggesting this because a fresh new qualification in middle age can really reinvigorate your career prospects - forcing you to interact and compete with fellow students of all ages, and building a whole new network of useful contacts. As well as giving you a certificate to wave in front of prospective employers!