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Original poster

DH leaving me - what job can I look at to earn as much as possible?

162 replies

changename875467 · 08/08/2023 16:49

Husband has told me he wants to separate. We have children, one of whom is a small baby.
Pre maternity leave I currently work part time, earning circa 12k/year for childcare reasons and obviously will need to change that when he leaves as he is the main earner, much higher than me but I can't see him being able to support us both living in our own homes.

What jobs could I look at that pay well? I have a first class degree from a good uni if it's relevant, and currently work in education but would probably look to move sectors.

OP posts:
Paperbagsaremine · 08/08/2023 18:40

Lol at all the posters with rosy views about IT and software development pay.
My place paid ok and I retired early but we hired CS grads into software engineer posts.
And bear in mind a lot of the work can be moved overseas.
If you do fancy that and have a sensible background (numerate degree) - head for firms with links to finance - a lot more money washing around there than say civil engineering related stuff.

Law (where some of the stuff is very country specific) or accounting is what I'd suggest. If you have a First then that means you can slog through the training.

MimiSunshine · 08/08/2023 18:45

Bookkeeper. You can study and qualify over a year, set yourself up as a sole trader and build up while working part time or look to get a job within a company.

megletthesecond · 08/08/2023 18:45

As a lone parent I'd stick with education. At least you'll get a bit of a break in the holidays. Holiday childcare is expensive and often a bit rubbish.

AppleKatie · 08/08/2023 18:46

If I could add up I’d be an accountant.

We can’t really answer this for you OP unless we know what your skills are.

I earn well in education but if I had the skills I could earn more in accounting and finance- I don’t have the skills though 🤣 although it’s fair to say lots of education colleagues do.

BlueKaftan · 08/08/2023 18:49

An HR qualification is great for getting your foot in the door and then moving up into higher paid positions. Go for a Cipd level 5. 18 months for about £2,500 and an excellent investment in your future. Payment plans should be available.

Gettingbysomehow · 08/08/2023 18:52

Private podiatry. I earned 5k a month when I did it. I'm back in the NHS now but don't bother with nhs it's not well paid but if you set up on your own the sky is the limit and you can earn round your kids.
You'll need to do a 2 year degree or masters first but long term it's the ideal career. There are never enough of us in the UK and we have to hire from abroad.
Also factor in equipment.

Hollyisblue · 08/08/2023 18:52

You are a barrister, are there no law opportunities in working from home and giving opinions on disputes, I believe Shipping and International Trade mainly work on prepared cases.

h3ll0o · 08/08/2023 18:52

What do you class as good money and what hours can you work around the children?

I assess students support needs and am paid around £250 per assessment (3 hours work, of which only 90 minutes is face-to-face). Could you continue with your role but pick up highly paid work around it to boost your income?

Timeturnerplease · 08/08/2023 18:59

wonderstuff · 08/08/2023 17:27

Teaching isn’t very highly paid, but not awful money, I think £28k starting, but you do get the holidays which if you don’t have family support could be very valuable, depending on your degree you could get a good bursary while you train. I’d only look at secondary though, primary teachers work crazy, crazy hours.

I’m a full time primary teacher and agree that the term time hours are not at all compatible with having small children unless you have significant family support. I’m 12 years in and still work very late nights to keep up, and that’s in a low workload school.

I have heard from colleagues married to secondary teachers that the hours are better, but that of course behaviour etc can be much more challenging.

anonymousxoxo · 08/08/2023 19:04

This is why I keep banging on about women not to go part time or be a SAHM, build goodwill/reputation in your current job and the flexibility will flourish.

I wfh 4 days a week (8-4) - pretty much school hours and have to go office 1 day a week.

I get to progress in my career and have financial independence/stability. If DH fucked off, I can pay mortgage/bills myself.

Pay childcare fees, it is so worth it.

Good luck op x

Switcher · 08/08/2023 19:12

AliceOlive · 08/08/2023 17:06

Get on a ladder in IT. Or Project management. Or both. Barriers to entry and progression are limited and easier to overcome than many other fields. There are a variety of skills that you can map into specific areas, too. It’s a broad diverse field and not all roles involve technical acumen.

Would second this. A first class degree, half a brain and some common sense will see you outshine 70% of the sector even if not tech trained 😃(source: my 20 year career in IT project management)

Sugargliderwombat · 08/08/2023 19:14

I think you should look into teaching. You'll save so much on childcare as you'll never need to do holiday clubs etc. Most schools have a policy that staff members children can attend so no breakfast or after school clubs. I have a baby and had no issue finding term time only Childminders to use while he is small.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 08/08/2023 19:15

Hollyisblue · 08/08/2023 18:52

You are a barrister, are there no law opportunities in working from home and giving opinions on disputes, I believe Shipping and International Trade mainly work on prepared cases.

Where does the OP say they are a Barrister?

Sugargliderwombat · 08/08/2023 19:15

Oh also, there are routes where you can earn as you train. Not for the faint of heart but I love my job.

Notcontent · 08/08/2023 19:17

tescocreditcard · 08/08/2023 16:55

Merchant Banker? Barrister in a top law firm?

Sadly you can’t just decide to do those jobs overnight…. You need the right degree, the right qualification and many years as a junior doing very long hours (not compatible with small children)

Notcontent · 08/08/2023 19:18

tescocreditcard · 08/08/2023 16:55

Merchant Banker? Barrister in a top law firm?

Sadly you can’t just decide to do those jobs overnight…. You need the right degree, the right qualifications and many years as a junior doing very long hours (not compatible with small children)

Elephantsdontlikechocolate · 08/08/2023 19:19

MintJulia · 08/08/2023 17:49

It depends how much income you need and where you can work.

Technical marketing is reasonably well paid, often involves home working 4 days a week and if you have a good degree, you should find a post grad CIM qualification quite easy.

If you relate that to your Education sector experience, and look for work in a tech company selling into Education, you could do well pretty quickly. £80k within 3 years is not impossible

That's very interesting, what is technical marketing?

whatausername · 08/08/2023 19:19

Notcontent · 08/08/2023 19:17

Sadly you can’t just decide to do those jobs overnight…. You need the right degree, the right qualification and many years as a junior doing very long hours (not compatible with small children)

Show quote history

I think Tesco was being facetious... OP has given us barely any information about her skills and simply asked what pays well.

Itsnotrightbutitsok · 08/08/2023 19:23

What are you doing for childcare?

Can you not just increase your hours as then you’ll be getting a decent wage.

Are you hoping to stay PT?
If so there are not many well paid PT jobs in education unfortunately.

Have you thought about training as a teacher?
It would make sense if you already work in education and have a degree.
The actual day to day teaching isn’t that family friendly but your DH can help and you don’t have to worry about childcare.

Once you’re trained you could try and get a job in your DCs primary school which would make childcare way easier as you won’t have to include the commute etc.

WhereshallIwander · 08/08/2023 19:23

The children's father has always had very good jobs in software development.
He told a couple of years out to do his own thing and try and set something up.

He's found it very difficult to get something when he's tried recently. He's very experienced but I'm wondering if it's because he's not been 'employed' for the past couple of years or if it's his age.

It's still very competitive out there so unless you are willing to start further down and work up, it won't be easy at all.

I took 5/6 years out with my dc and had to retrain and do more qualifications and that wasn't even for a decent salary.

Whelm · 08/08/2023 19:25

LeavesOnTrees · 08/08/2023 16:56

I immediately thought Estate Agent, especially if you're well presented and easy going with people.
If not, you could try accountancy.

What a bloody rocket surgeon. I might be wearing most of my lunch, but I'm very good at double entry!

LadyLapsang · 08/08/2023 19:28

I know a number of people working in education on six figure salaries, but they have built their careers over decades and either have a partner picking up the bulk of family life or a very equal commitment to work and family.

1037370E · 08/08/2023 19:34

Civil Service is good for parents - flexible hours, parental leave, good annual leave entitlement, wide range of career options across the different civil service departments. I'm just about to return after a five year absence - Grade 7 in London starting on £57k.

TeenLifeMum · 08/08/2023 19:36

What do you call a good salary op? People have different views. I think I earn a good salary and more than my friends but by my standards it’s not that great. What would you be aiming for?

Itsnotrightbutitsok · 08/08/2023 19:37

LadyLapsang · 08/08/2023 19:28

I know a number of people working in education on six figure salaries, but they have built their careers over decades and either have a partner picking up the bulk of family life or a very equal commitment to work and family.

What do they do?

I don’t know anyone on 6 figures in education, even head teachers.

Education is poorly paid compared to most sectors but if you’re term time only then it’s often worth it for not having to pay childcare in the holidays.