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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that it is possible to start or study for a career after having a child?

64 replies

Gchnmum · 30/07/2016 18:55

I am 30 and have an 18 month old and have been a SAHP with him. I am now ready to go back to work but I don't want to go back to an admin job. Is it possible to start a career with a toddler? I have no strong desire to work in a particular field, but I would like to have a professional qualification of some sort. I was thinking maybe in Accountancy or HR as I have had admin jobs in those fields and there seems to be part time jobs in those fields. I have a 2:2 in Economics, good GCSEs and A levels and work experience in a variety of admin jobs.

If I gained a qualification in either Accountancy or HR would employers also consider the work experience I gained prior to having my ds? Does any have any experience in a career change or start after having children? Am I too old to be accepted onto graduate schemes? Do companies take on older graduates for graduate/trainee roles?

OP posts:
HeCantBeSerious · 30/07/2016 22:49

I did my professional qualifications in one of those fields when DD had just turned 1. One of the best things I ever did.

Original poster
Gchnmum · 31/07/2016 02:43

Thank you so much for all your replies. It is so encouraging to know that so many of you are doing it or have done it. I guess for me the hard part is choosing what I want to do and sorting childcare. My DH works long hours; he is a barrister but there is some flexibility in that he is self employed and can work from home. I am planning to start ds in nursery from 2 ish I think for a few days a week to begin with. I just need to get my skates on and decide and look into financing it, oh and tell my DH !

OP posts:
Original poster
Gchnmum · 31/07/2016 02:48

Scary teacher and mycrane I have considered teaching but after longs days with my terrorist toddler I don't think I have the patience for other people's children .

OP posts:
Original poster
Gchnmum · 31/07/2016 02:55

For the mums who have done Acca/Cima are the papers as hard as I keep being told they are? I think I'm quite good with numbers I've done A Level Maths and Econometrics at uni and was good with both, would I be ok ?

OP posts:
PastaLaFeasta · 31/07/2016 02:59

You can do AAT by using the text books and booking exams as an external student with Kaplan. It's much cheaper and you don't miss out on much compared to a distance course. I bought book off eBay and did my L3 before volunteering around the kids. I'm about to start looking for work now my youngest is starting school. I could study more but worry about having too many exams and not enough experience. I've been home five years plus maternity so much longer and very scary.

MrsLouisTomlinson · 31/07/2016 03:02

Yep go for it. I started training as a midwife when DD was 3, I was pregnant when I qualified.

PastaLaFeasta · 31/07/2016 03:03

You'll be fine with the maths, it mostly following processes and remembering equations. No where near A Level difficulty, although there may be specialisms which get more complex maths. I have my ACCA books ready to go rather than do AAT L4, the only issue is the quality of stuff to learn and remember, especially if you aren't using these skills in work alongside study.

Original poster
Gchnmum · 31/07/2016 03:14

cataline thank you I will check that website out

rreturnofthewhack thank you for all the info, yes I would be ok with working my way up for sure. Knowing myself classroom based learning would definitely be best for me as I know I would get distracted with things that need to be done in the house even if my ds wasn't there. Evening classes sound even better as I know my ds is usually in bed by 7pm so my DH would still get some of the evening to himself or to work.
**
pastalafeasta Thsnk you I think I'm leaning towards accountancy over HR. So I will have a look at the AAT qualification as an option as well. It is reassuring to know that the accountancy exams are not as bad as A level Maths as I am not sure if my how post baby brain could cope as well.

OP posts:
bloodyteenagers · 31/07/2016 03:24

yes you can. I started my psychology degree when youngest was a toddler. Only reason I didn't finish the final year was because of my ill health and the impact this had on the dc's especially the eldest who has sn. I am now finishing my degree, albeit in a different field whilst still working. Yes it's hard, but it's flexible as still online. I just have to be uber organized and days carefully planned out. Now planning is finished (niche role in education) it's back to studying. Which means taking books to park (scanned and on ebook)

JellyBelly89 · 31/07/2016 07:55

Depending how high you want to go, HR might be easier. I'm a (chartered) accountant. I'm early 20's on a grad scheme and have done it in 2.5 years. I have not enjoyed the last 2.5 years.

Equally if you only wanted to be an assistant and do AAT isn't not so bad but there are still a lot of exams and with a degree you don't need AAT before doing a chartered qualification.

JellyBelly89 · 31/07/2016 08:00

*its not so bad!

The maths is irrelevant IMO. It's weird accountancy rules and the sheer volume of information you have to remember. The maths was barely GCSE level I'd say.

Also figure out your end game. If you want to work for yourself do ACCA. If you want to work for a company commercially do CIMA or equivalent.

3littlefrogs · 31/07/2016 08:03

Of course it is possible.
I retrained in my early 40s having at a 3rd baby at 42.
I had to learn to use a computer from scratch, amongst other things.

Pisssssedofff · 31/07/2016 08:07

I tried a couple of times whilst the kids were young and it was tricky, now the youngest is 6 and eldest 16 im doing really well with my degree. I found OU a disaster personally, it's better to physically go to uni for me otherwise I don't have the discipline

Pisssssedofff · 31/07/2016 08:09

HR is not an easy option, I'd say on par with being a solicitor in terms of accountability, technical knowledge and administration

CherryPicking · 31/07/2016 08:09

Not possible in my experience, but I'm probably just unlucky \ crap. I've got used to employers and tutors looking me up and down and the way their faces betray they're not prepared to give me a chance, even before they've heard what I have to say.

Pisssssedofff · 31/07/2016 08:11

Why do you say that Cherry ? What's your field ?

Lucy90 · 31/07/2016 08:16

I'm starting a nursing degree in September, DD1 will be 20 months and DD2 8 weeks! Luckily DP and MIL both work shifts so childcare is covered!
Go for it

CesareBorgiasUnicornMask · 31/07/2016 08:22

I'm studying medicine atm with a 2 year old. Though still waiting on my exam results from this year so it might not be going as well as I think! Grin Couldn't do it without DH taking on the lion's share of childcare in the run-up to exams. And a lot of time life is far more haphazard than I'd envisaged - we don't do much cooking from scratch, laundry and cleaning are a bit as and when (and not often enough). It is compounded by the fact DH is a shift worker and I commute over an hour each way to uni. I fantasise about living closer! All in all though DS is happy and well looked after and I'm doing something I'm passionate about. I actually think DH gets the worst deal from the situation but he's mostly awesome about it.

OhTheRoses · 31/07/2016 08:45

Depending where you live HR and Finance are hard to recruit to at present. Very few high quality candidates.

One thing I would say is that I've sacrificed higher earnings to work locally since I retrained. It has provided a better balance with DC and a workaholic husband. London public(ish) sector is an excellent progression route if you can compromise on salary. I suspect you can as our dh's do the same sort of job.

TwuntingCrow · 31/07/2016 09:14

Absolutely possible if you can plan and organise time to study ... I started a new degree with a three kids, youngest was one - am now doing a Masters - go for it !

TwuntingCrow · 31/07/2016 09:15

And I did an OU BSc in four years and am now doing my MA in a "proper" uni ...

Original poster
Gchnmum · 31/07/2016 17:25

I think ultimately my end game is to be able to work for myself and/or have flexibility to fit around family ad earn a decent salary. I acknowledge that whilst studying and getting to a point where I am
established in my field is going to be difficult but I'm prepared to try.

I really admire the people doing medicine or midwifery with small dcs. I can't imagine throwing a night shift into the mi of things.
cherry I'm sorry to hear that it hasn't worked at for you, what were field are you in?

on the roses I would definitely sacrifice higher earnings to work locally. I live in London and I'd ideally prefer if I didn't have to commute into central London. Distance to work is always a factor I'd consider when looking for jobs.

OP posts:
HereIAm20 · 31/07/2016 18:03

I finished my law degree with a tiny baby and did my LPC to qualify as a solicitor when my son was nearly 3. I was 32 at the time. You can do it if you put your mind to it.

In your case I would look to get onto a graduate trainee programme with a decent firm of accountants.

Many firms like "graduates" with some life experience too.

glasshouses88 · 01/08/2016 07:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SpiceLinerandHoneyLove · 01/08/2016 07:28

I qualified as a legal executive lawyer by doing distance learning with CILEX Law School. I was also working 30 hours a week and DS was only 2 when I qualified. I started work at a law firm as a secretary six years ago and they paid for my studying in the most part. I have been an Associate of the firm since qualifying and haven't had to secure a training contract to qualify, my experience was sufficient. I will be taking the Legal Practice Course and converting my qualification to become a solicitor. It can be done without a degree and with young children.
You have to be organised and disciplined i.e get to bed early so you have energy to cope and study for that hour and a half in the evening rather than vegging. I also had DH doing his 50% around the house and with childcare, which I appreciate isn't the same for everyone.
Good luck OP