To think I can still have a career

[thunderbird69]

I'm 46 years old, feel like I've made bad job choices and may be too late to ever have a proper career. Took many years out of workplace with children and am currently in an dull admin role with no job prospects.

Turned down a Uni place after school for personal reasons, but have obtained a degree (OU) in recent years. Had ambitions to do social science research but soon realised that jobs are very rare and a PhD is usually needed. I have a PG qualification but don't want to go down the PhD route. Have been looking at getting into Uni administration instead but can't even get an interview for any jobs I am applying for. I am feeling like I have wasted my chances, chose a worthless degree subject and wondering if there's any paths open to me now.

I have had some career advice but found it very unhelpful as they didn't take into account whether there are actually any jobs available in my area - when you have a family you can't just move to where the work is!

I think I am probably NBU but I don't know what steps to take and am getting fed up with rejections.

I work in social science research. I did my degree when I was 27 and don't have a PhD. Look at charities and other third sector organisations. Sometimes you can freelance. You may have to start out as a volunteer on your free time however, which I appreciate is not always possible.

*in your free time

The only research jobs I've seen at local unis in the past few years have asked for considerable research experience and there have only been a handful in that time.

I do regularly look at charity jobs online, but have not seen any research positions. I don't know if it is the area I am in that is limiting my choices, probably a lot more work available in city locations.

Could you train to be a Social Worker with a plan of going into policy/ research via that route after getting practical experience?

I did consider social work at one point, but couldn't afford to do it - 2 years full time study

Yes, I think most of these jobs are in London. I got experience volunteering for three months and then I got a job in the organisation. What was your degree subject? Or was it an open degree in social science?

My degree is in social sciences