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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To leave my steady job to go to university

11 replies

Littlejayx · 05/01/2019 22:31

Hi everyone,

I’m having a quarter life crisis.

I have a 2 year old and a full time job (basic software design no qualifications) my job is enjoyable but only due to the people working there. I want to change and retrain.

I would love to be a secondary school teacher, i have the ucas points to get to a good university and can see this as a career rather than my current job which is same looking at a screen 35 hours a week.

Has anyone else changed jobsand took a dive into the unknown with a young child? I know it will be hard, I just have nobody else real life who will be honest and give me support and advice.

OP posts:

Schuyler · 05/01/2019 22:37

I did and it was hardest but most rewarding thing I ever did. It wasn’t teaching but another vocation. It was a tough few years but it’s paid off. I have more money and a flexible job which means I can spend more time with the children. I am much happier too.

GobblersKnob · 05/01/2019 22:41

Do it. I did. I had a 4yo and 7yo when I started my degree. It was really hard but has led to amazing opportunities and I have never regretted it for a second.

livupq · 05/01/2019 22:41

I’ve thought about this but not teaching. What do you want to teach?

monkeysox · 05/01/2019 23:57

Go get some work experience in a school. Not family friendly at all

PoesyCherish · 06/01/2019 00:01

I agree with getting experience. You'd also have to do an undergraduate degree followed by a PGCE
Do you have any experience working in schools?

Purpleartichoke · 06/01/2019 00:23

Teaching has a high early burnout rate. Before you make the commitment, I would find a way to try on the job. Shawdowing a teacher would be ideal, but can be difficult to arrange. Plus you aren’t really managing a room full of kids. Maybe volunteer with a club or camp? Even get a job working at a summer camp. How do you feel trying to get kids to engage in a task while also being in charge of managing them? Some people have a knack for it. Not everyone does. Better to find out before you invest a bunch of time and money.

Oldstyle · 06/01/2019 00:25

I decided to do teacher training as an LP when my son was 2 and I was 26. It was a brilliant move - getting back in to education was a real buzz and even though there was a lot of jugging it was absolutely worth it. I ended up doing a couple of additional degrees over the years, just for fun, and eventually had a career in HE (after some years in schools). Go for it!

SarfE4sticated · 06/01/2019 00:43

Well OP, I retrained as a primary school teacher when my DD was 9 and as soon as I got a teaching job I worked such long hours I never saw her, and when I did see her was exhausted and stressed.
At least you only work 35 hour weeks - I was doing 60hrs at least teaching.
If you do decide to do it I would say, do your degree part-time while you keep your current job (if you can) I did my part-time degree in 4 years working full-time, and using my holiday and unpaid leave for lectures etc.
The worry of Brexit would make me not take any chances with a secure job for a while though, it feels to me like the sh!t is about to hit the fan.

Original poster

Littlejayx · 06/01/2019 06:50

Thank you for all your responses, I have had a couple of weeks experience volunteering and honestly really enjoyed it, I come from quite a rough place ( I think I can say that if I grew up there) and have been a little brat myself so I’m fine dealing with them.

My work are very very flexible, they offer full working from home as long as you complete your hours so that should be fine.

I just don’t feel like I am getting any fulfilment from my job and this is always something I’ve wanted to do.

My husband and I are looking to relocate within the next 6/7 years to Canada (we have a family business over there matches my husbands trade) and I have researched the salary and think it could be right for everyone.

OP posts:

domton · 06/01/2019 07:47

What subject?

tttigress · 06/01/2019 08:27

Don't want to rain on your parade, but I wouldn't do it.

reasons:
-work in I.T. myself, and have had colleagues that have quit teaching to return to the private sector due to the stress of teaching, and lack of appreciation

-debt, lack of income while getting the degree (for many the financial outlay doesn't come back as a pay increase)

-you are already in a desirable employment sector so why change? (Maybe you would want change role or company)

My suggestion would be maybe to do something with the Open University, or you could study for some I.T. certs through something like Udemy or Pluralsight?

Must admit I am a graduate from a Russell group University, but there are so many more options, don't forget University is an industry now, one reason they want to sign you up is so they get the tuition.

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