To ask for career advice, I don’t know what I’m doing!

[SunsetBridge]

I’m early 30’s and still have no idea where I want my life to go. I currently work in an Ecommerce administrative role but my duties vary wildly, from basic web design to marketing, social media, stock control etc. I have no prior academic qualifications. My salary is low and I desperately want it to increase so I can secure a mortgage and my future. I’m looking at a business management qualification via open university but I’m not sure if at the end of it, it will open more doors for me or not. I’m also considering a book keeping course and believe this pays well. At my age is it work studying in these area or purely gaining experience through work and time to increase my chances of a higher level job.
My question isn’t clear I know, I’m just looking for any information from those working in similar fields.

Hi OP what are your hobbies and interests?

My main interests are sport and nutrition. It was my dream to be a PT but problems with my joints mean that will never happen now.
I suppose I’m trying to find a way to make the most out the path I’m on

What things are you good at and have skills for?

What about sports nutrition? Or yoga teacher training. If I weren’t so rubbish at yoga, I would do this! Or massage training, with a focus on sports massage? My friend- an elite athlete- pays £65 an hour to a local bloke, more so in London for a session.

Alternatively, maybe consider training as an Occupational Therapist. Lovely job, and every single OP I’ve met says they are fulfilled, busy and happy.

"...my duties vary wildly, from basic web design to marketing, social media, stock control etc."

This could be a real positive, as if you wanted to get into one of these areas being able to say that it was an area of responsibility in a previous job on your cv would help you move into a related field (if you wanted to) more easily, especially if you got a relevant, recognised qualification as well. Is there any area of your current role that you enjoy/are better at than the rest?

I bet you have all sorts of transferable skills that could help you move to something else. Before committing to a bookkeeping or business management course make sure you know enough about the role (beyond just the money) to know that you want it. I would stay in my job while studying part time and online, if possible.

There may even be someone at work who can advise you. Good employers should be impressed by an employee who is motivated and trying to improve their skills.

Watching with interest as I am older than you (34) and have been considering an AAT qualification to become a bookkeeper, but can’t decide if it’s worth it with zero actual accounts experience...

AAT is a great qualification and well worth persuing if an accounts/accountancy career is what you want. I studied AAT without any real knowledge or experience. Was a great place to start. It also gives you exemptions from parts of ACCA and other higher accountancy qualifications

Girlsblouse can I ask where you are at with your career after AAT? I'm almost finished level 2 and hope to start level 3 but it will be a slow process studying with toddler and newborn. Zero finance work experience. Sorry to hijack op

I've taken semi retirement Beans. I worked as an accounts assistant, then assistant accountant along with treasury and foreign exchange management, then accountant for a small company. I then moved into payroll and finally UK and international payroll for a large worldwide organisation as well as finance work.

Is hard studying when you have young kids. I think if you get your foot through the door and get into a finance dept, you can then start to get the experience and they will support you with your studies too

Sounds like you had some varied roles! I'm in no rush to change jobs, I expect I will have to take a pay cut initially so may have to wait till childcare costs drops but I hope the time (and money!) studying pays off eventually. I have a lot of working years ahead i guess