PGCE or something else?

[Tailypo]

Hi everyone,

My first time on MN so please be gentle

I graduated from uni recently, and have been job hunting since. At the moment, I work freelance in a couple of different roles.

I'm looking for a more permanent job at the moment - ideally, something in an organisation that has good career progression. I would also like to find something that pays well and where I could help people in a constructive and long-lasting way, with travel opportunities also available if possible. (Sorry, I realise this is beginning to sound fairly demanding and exhaustive...!! )

I've been looking into teaching as an option. I've taught MFL and English before in different situations, and I've loved it (although I know it can be challenging..!)

I fully understand that teaching is a vocation, and I do feel that I will be able to put in the hours and work needed. However, there have been a huge amount of changes to the teaching profession and the education system recently, and I really don't know how it will affect teachers ie. whether it would be wise to think about going into teaching now.

My AIBU is: would it be wise for me to think about going into teaching now (thinking about the School Direct route to get a PGCE) or should I think about going into something else? My other AIBU is: is it unreasonable for me to ask you for suggestions about what kind of career I could go into?

(Extra background: good MFL degree from Oxbridge, 24 and useless with numbers . Also interested in Civil Service job prospects, esp. the Foreign Office for example. I've always been interested in journalism too - I've edited uni newspapers and done quite a few internships at different national newspapers and magazines, and know of people who've done journalism MA qualifications. My worry is that it's getting even more expensive to do an MA for journalism (even without the living costs), and there's no guarantee of a job afterwards.)

So wise Mumsnetters, WDID? If you could give me a couple of nuggets of employment/life wisdom, I'd be eternally grateful

That's fine :)

Be careful if you take a school-based training option at the moment and choose the provider carefully. I know of several trainees who are working pretty much as full time teachers in schools with recruitment issues, without receiving sufficient support.

It can take more than one attempt to pass the civil service test, there are also ways in to the less high flying stream. And there used to be chances to transfer from that to the High flying stream, and you could get coaching sometimes too.

My niece actually has a wonderfully interesting job, she trained as an accountant and then became a trainer. She runs her own agency now.

There's still joy to be found in the teaching profession, in the right sort of school, if you really want to do the job. Volunteer for a week, see how you feel about it after that.