Any ideas for a career change ?

[Sunshine38]

....to ask if anyone has any ideas for a career change ?
I am 38years old and really feel like I wish a complete career change
Has anyone here done this in their late thirties
I have a good science based degree but don't mind if it's a career change which is unrelated to this
I'm not afraid of hard work and feel I am best suited to mainly work on my own Any ideas?

Bluechip...I couldn't freelance with what I'm doing now
I could afford a year out to do ,say,teaching which I would enjoy
.although would rather do lecturing
You're right... I need to think about what I WANT to do....

Eurochic....how would I get into being a patent attorney?

Bluechip....I can't freelance with what I do
I can afford to take a year out to ,say,do teaching which I think I'd enjoy, although would rather do lecturing
You're right.... I need to think about what I WANT to do.....

Sorry, posted the bluechip message twice as doing this from my phone and I didn't think it had posted

I think you're in a really good position op. You need to make a plan. And that does depend on what you want to do. If you could do anything, no restrictions, no children, no consideration of money what would you want to do? Answer that question first and then finance, time issues can narrow it down

Allied health profession?
Physio, OT, dietetics, orthotics, prosthetics, odp etc. Some do a masters programme. Some don't need experience just determination. I am currently training in an NHS area and am 38 with previous degree and long time sahm. Really enjoying it and get a bursary.

HeyMickey....if you're still reading this thread, how would I get into being a medical signatory?Thanks

Have DMd, Sunshine

38 isn't old and I career changed at 38. I'm now 42. Infact it was worse I'd taken 9 years out from my chosen career (family sol). To look after my children and run a naff but profitable eBay shop.

I think the secret is to try and utilise skills and experience from your current career and not move to far away from it. I did not want to be a full time solicitor again and so initially discounted anything to do with it. I'm now a lawyer mediator. So I use all my training and past experience but learnt a completely new skill set. I get paid far more than most normal Mediatiors as I'm advertised as a lawyer mediator.

Look around at ex colleagues, people you come into contact at work - do any of their roles sound appealing?

I had to work for a year for nothing but it was worth it as I earn good money now.

Search roles for ex scientists I spent a lot of time doing that - things like this will come up; www.quora.com/Where-should-a-smart-but-directionless-26-year-old-ex-scientist-focus-her-energy-to-build-a-solid-satisfying-career

chocoLit

APPLY!!!! colleges will sort out an accompanying PGCE if they appoint you. Just try your luck and worry about the details if you get the post.

May I ask what filed your degree and experience is? (If it's not too outing)

field not filed

Quite a few people have suggested being a Medical Rep .
I don't mind the amount of driving and am not afraid of working really hard
I prefer to work on my own , so wanted to ask ;

• As a Medical Rep, am I working ,say , at least 90% of the time on my own?
• is there excessive pressure regarding targets , or is it reasonable if you work hard ? Any comments would be really appreciated Thanks for all the good advice so far :)

Booitsme......Thanks for the article that you sent a link to ....it's great!

wantmorenow my 20yr old MA is in joint Geography & Env Science.

I then moved into the emergency services for 10yrs before leaving and running my own business for the past 8yrs. My business isn't related to either of those things but I have had a degree of success in the private industry with it. I'm just not formally qualified in it and want to sell the business and move on. I just don't know how to

Environmental Science is very much the way a lot of FE and HE courses are heading. I'm currently trying to learn skills to teach about environmental monitoring! Suggest you send your CV to colleges and try it out. Your quals are very relevant. It's not like a University and very different to school teaching. May suit you. Perhaps try before you buy into it by doing some evening teaching on a community course or similar to see if you like it? It's the right time of year for recruitment.

Thanks wantmorenow that's very kind but my degree is 20yr old, I doubt very current and no way could I remember anything I've been in a very different kind of work for a while now.

Have asked fellow proper grown up MNer to help with my CV. That's her job so fingers crossed I can be useful at something

Most people who teach have a degree that's 20 plus years out of date. LOL. The fact you have it shows your ability to study, process and present information about your chosen specialism. That's what you need to get into teaching, then you read up on the new developments like mad and stay a chapter ahead of the students!!!!

wantmorenow am just not sure I have the confidence. I may keep plugging away at this but try out some courses so I can check there's not just cobwebs up there now.

Please tell me am not too old to turn this around at 40yrs

I have several friends who have recently done accountancy/book keeping courses (eg city and guilds) and now earn good money doing people's accounts or giving financial advice. With a scientific background it might really suit you. Lots of job opportunities, good pay, flexible hours, often solitary working. Would obviously take a bit of time/money to retrain, but a large variety of opportunities at the end

Wantmorenow I just had a peek on the OU website and unfortunately my 20yr old degree is worth bugger all - anything over 16yrs doesn't count as credits towards anything.....................

Thanks Enidblyton1.....that's another good idea

Sorry I don't understand. What did you want your degree to counts towards? I meant that it would be valued in teaching in a college tutor role/PGCE course.