In changing my career

[Timmytoo]

From Timmytoo's partner (I don't have my own account).

I need advice - I'd like to know if I'm unreasonable in changing my career.

I studied to be a chef when I left college and have been working for 13 years on and off until recently as I have struggled to stay in employment due to bipolar, anxiety and ADHD which has affected me in my profession as the stress involved in working in a professional kitchen with head chefs and being able to cope consistently.

This has affected my confidence and esteem as I have lost numerous jobs and find it difficult to keep a job.

I'm 32 years old now and would like to know if changing my career to an IT related one where I can build and upgrade computers whilst working for myself would be acceptable at my age.

I feel very distressed at the moment and confused as to where my life is going as I'm not able to support my partner at the moment. I'm scared of changing careers as this is all I know, however I'm very confident in building computers. Please advise on what you think I should do. Either give up my career and do the computer business or keep trying as a chef knowing that I may lose my job due to dismissal as a chef which has always happened and led to further distress.

Thank you in advance for your advice.
Adam

I know you probably work nights so signing up to night school while still actually working may not be an option. But I would definitely check up the local colleges and courses and see what your options are. Adult education can be set up for those who want to upskill while still working.

I am a single parent and went back to college at your age, to do exactly that, computers. Not in that now changed again lol. It's never too late to change your career but it can be hard work, working, trying to pay bills and manage studying at the same time. It can be done, if you really want it.

Thank you for your response and kind reply. Unfortunately I lost my job and am not in employment as I don't have the confidence to go through that again. I really struggle to keep a job. I was working for myself and did conferences for my DP. Unfortunately her boss said he wanted her to use the catering company his colleague used. He said that he was just tolerating my food which seems strange as he always had seconds and complimented me after meals. I feel upset as I studied this and feel I'm letting not only myself down but my DP down too. I think with my mindset, that I feel I have to stay in the profession I studied in or else it feels like it was for nothing.

I'm extremely upset about this and feel as if I haven't achieved anything in my career and have nothing to show for it. My confidence is extremely low due to not only my mental health but also PTSD. I feel so lost right now and that I cannot support my partner as I'd like to. I'm on medication and it has helped but I still don't seem to get far. I was thinking that building and fixing or upgrading computers would be good as I'm very confident in that but worried that it won't work.

I think retraining might be great for your self-esteem. I'm and struggling too - for different reasons, but effectively similar results, I guess. I've decided to attempt full-time study next year. (Very intimidating, but I want a career before I'm 190!) I know a lot of people with MH issues who work in IT and it is a field which has scope to eventually work around your own hours once you have enough experience and know what industry you wish to work in. Sounds like you're on the right track. Good luck!!!

If you are unemployed and in receipt of benefits then you may be entitled to retraining schemes. Going back to education was a good move for me, I too had some issues, albeit not to the same extent as yourself.

Stepping away from a path that clearly makes you unhappy can only be a good thing. I know it's the paying of the bills etc that's the worry but if you carry on in trade that is inconsistent you are going to face that anyway.

Make a plan. New year, new man!!
Good luck 🍀

Yanbu to want to change away from a career that's negatively affecting your MH.

32 is certainly still young enough to look at other options.

Here in Scotland we have a careers service that while primarily aimed at school leavers will also help older folk with career info and support. They're very good at knowing what training opportunities there are locally and also careers that would suit that you may not have known about or even heard of before. They can also be really good at info on support for various disabilities and health conditions inc MH.

IT is now quite an oversubscribed area unless you can do something others don't.

People who can fix the basics and build are ten a penny, many doing it as a sideline for a bit extra on top of their day job but it rarely pays on this level to be worth doing as a full time job. I've at least 4 friends in my small town that do this for extra "pocket money".

If you were open to it you could do more training in IT at either a further or even higher education level. That might give you an edge and you could then either get a job within the industry or set up as self employed but with more to offer.