To think that I can turn my career situation around.

[demelza82]

In brief, I am 33 and just returned to a customer service role part time after having my son. I really hate the role, having only ended up in it because I would have otherwise been made redundant. I was initially employed to do admin, events and communications. The atmosphere is poisonous and nepotism and bullying are rife - the role is dead end.

I have a 2:1 in English from a top 10 university but struggled in the work place during my twenties as I suffered from various mental health issues, particularly around social anxiety. I also bought a house with DH and never felt I could take a risk on an internship so just bounced around a number of public sector roles, hoping if I worked hard enough (which I felt I did) I would do ok.

I just need to get myself out of this situation

Sorry, I pressed the send button accidentally before I had finished - will continue below.

I have an idea to write a blog (I know how ubiquitous these things are) which will showcase my writing, creative skills, social media nous, coding etc partly for my own enjoyment

I think the short answer is yes. What sort of thing do you want to do?

But also to get myself networking in the local area and I have gone some way down the line into finding a spin off which may also generate some revenue,.

Am I being unreasonable to think that if I put effort into something like this in my spare time, a potential employer would be able to see beyond my patchy work experience ? I am not expecting an amazing job first up, just something with potential and not thoroughly unpleasant. Sometimes Zi wonder if I've just left it too late and am doomed to a miserable work life .

Of course you haven't left it too late!!

My mum didn't even start her career until she was 37!

The blog sounds good, and also possibly look at adding some relevant vocational qualifications to your cv.

I am open minded as to what I do, I'd like marketing/ communications to be involved in some capacity - even an admin role with some social media/ comms/copywriting as part of it would suffice.

One way to start is to get job alerts from PR Week and similar - even for entry level admin type roles in that sort of field, where you can build up your skills base and take advantage of internal opportunities.

What about temping via agencies that deal in government or focus on comms roles like Michael Page? Government in particular will be busy with temp roles for a while after the change of PM and new departments.

I'd also suggest applying for admin roles in a (largish) company you'd like to move up in and then apply for internal posts.

A blog can't hurt and networking is a good idea.

Just do it all at the same time. I used to work Tues- Thu in a job I hated and I reckoned I spent school time on mondays applying for something else. It took a year but now I have a promotion and work Mon - Thu so nothing is lost!

I work in the sort of role you're looking to get into. A blog is a good idea. You'll often be asked for samples of your work, and a blog is a simple way of showing your skills.

You should also look at doing a bit of freelancing. Gumtree has okayish writing jobs that'll get some writing experience on your CV. My freelancing career started via a rather shit writing job found on there, which turned into a long term contract, and eventually impressed someone enough to give me a permanent job. If you have some decent article ideas you can submit them to contributer sites such as HuffPo or XO Jane. Again, you'll make barely anything, but it looks good on your portfolio.