If you had to start completely again at 54

[MisguidedOptimist]

what would you do?

As a woman who has been rinsed financially by her stbexh, was a sahm to five kids, no skills and is looking to rebuild from scratch but is ambitious and wants to earn good money, where would you start?

I am lost. I want to train. Build a career. Be self sufficient. I would like to aim high as I may as well. But it’s all new to me!

What direction?

And actually I think it’s ok to have preferences. I’m sorry you don’t think that’s ok. And that having preferences means I think I am immediately entitled to a high flying job.

But I most certainly have not shot down suggestions on this thread as you said I had.

I am digesting it all.

Get trained up by an independent bookkeeper looking for unskilled help , do any qualifications and then do it yourself: good money to be made but the value added at your age is what you know. Where did you work before

Yes. I am thinking admin Is best at first and then as @hungrycatsuggested, looking at AAT in the meantime.

@MisguidedOptimist you are missing the obvious one. You have 5 children. Don't tell me you aren't good at project management? There are contract jobs in project management that are relatively well paid. Foundation courses in project management are also relatively affordable, and fast. You would walk it by applying some common sense.

I had not thought of that. Thank you. I look into that!

What area are you in? Can you easily access a major city like Manchester/London? That can open up realistic access to certain industries.

Some really really helpful posts on here. I am really appreciative. I’ve felt lost and really almost panicked. Thank you for the support.

PM me and I can give you some pointers. I also know a good agent who I can introduce you to.

Childminder?

You might also get good advice in mature study and retaining board

I do think having preferences is ok. I myself am retraining in my late 40s. But your initial post, which said you lacked qualifications, skills, and did not know what you liked to do so would have to accept anything, didn’t reflect your actual reality. Anyway, good luck with it all.

I think accountancy is a good idea to look into.

I am roughly your age and retrained as a teacher at 38. I wouldn't do it now. It requires a LOT of energy.

No. I didn’t say I would have to accept anything.

I said I might not have the luxury of choosing something I love.

Nor did I say I expected to walk into to high flying job. Nor did I shoot anything down. I expressed a preference about ndoing social work or nursing. An that’s ok.

There’s nothing wrong with you not wanting to go into nursing, social care or teaching, I’d say no to those as well. Accountancy could be a thing though.

I'm late 40's and I have skills I have a 1st class degree in Fine Art and a masters in fine art and do some illustration work and sell some photographic prints, I write and have had some work published and have won some prizes for poetry. My issue is that I am shy and somewhat reclusive and to really make a decent living at those kinds of careers I think you have to be able to hustle and network and really push yourself forwards and I struggle so much with that.

I don't really have any other skills and haven't had a job in over 20 years as I've had a DH that has taken care of me financially and allowed me to focus on my creative work and be at home. Luckily we are still very happy together and I do have savings and investments as well as half the house in my name but god knows what kind of work I'd be able to do if I was ever on my own again.

You’re clearly super talented! All power to you.

@MisguidedOptimist Thanks but I'd probably be out on the street if I was on my own to be honest. I think you sound really pragmatic and kudos to you for being ambitious and go getting. I know a few women training in trades and there is really good money in that if you are at all practically minded, it's also AI safe for the time being! I know I prefer to hire women when when I can as they are usually more on the ball re showing up and getting back to you when they say they will be.

Good luck!

Are you currently on UC? They provide free courses, also clubs you can join to give motivation and direction. If this me i would probably just try to get any job i could and study alongside. Being in any type of workplace creates opportunities and leads.

A friend, had never worked, very low confidence, volunteered at charity shop 5 years ago. As just a genuine lovely person who worked hard she was recognised and is now the deputy manager of the chain and travels to different ones. She didn't even have her driver's licence, took lessons when the opportunity was offered and hasn't looked back.

You can do it, believe in yourself! You're not defined by your past. Xxx

Yes, with no qualifications or skills, or even being in the workplace, it will be impossible to go straight into a well paid job unless on the rigs, high risk, iffy etc. The advice of such things as a nursing degree; you need qualifications, getting loans. Aim and start lower, which is what most have had to do when starting work then get experience and progrees.

What about looking at local businesses like law firms and financial advisers, you might get a foot in the door that way. In a mid size law firm you could look for roles in accounts departments (or perhaps HR for example), and you’d be able to work your way up. If you work for a firm of IFAs and show you’re keen to progress they can put you through your exams. I’m really surprised people are suggesting things like childminder when you’re degree level qualified in an academic subject and have specifically said you’d like something with higher income prospects!! The only other thing I can think of is finding an entry level job in a pharmacy, they can put you through training to become qualified. Look at Boots and Superdrug vacancies as a starting point.

I never said I would start higher?

Totally agree with this. Just having a degree from ages ago, doesn't mean you have any potential as a teacher either. It's an option if you're keen OP, but not for everyone.

In theory, as you have a degree you could go straight to a level 7 accountancy qualification (ACCA/CIMA/ACA). Depends what you plan to do first though. There are bookkeeping qualifications which might be more useful than doing your full AAT. Or AAT may be more useful to give you job skills than starting with a higher qualification.
There are accountancy apprenticeships but the funding for over 25s is going very shortly unfortunately.
Basically really think about what you want from the qualification before choosing which one to do if you go down the bookkeeping/accountancy route.

Do you have a big hospital nearby? As long as there isn't a job freeze look for admin jobs, reception jobs, portering, cleaning. You might have to start as a band 3 but once you have experience other roles could be available.

How do you feel about sales?
If you don't mind working under pressure and to sales targets, look into recruitment.
You don't need any specific experience, but obviously need to be able to close sales (or you'll be out the door!)
It's pretty easy to get into without quals or experience and can be very lucrative if you're good.