AIBU to even contemplate this at 38?

[fourandahalfkids]

I am in a job that I love but it pays peanuts I mean literally peanuts. I work 40 hours a week for around 12 grand a year. I have 4 children and chose to put my life on hold to raise them. I don't regret this in any way. But they are now almost 17, 16, 13 and 10. I never went to uni but got a job straight out of college to start building a home with my then fiance (now dh for 18 years), and then was at home with my children for 12 years (from when the oldest was born to when the youngest started school).
As much as I love my job (been doing it for 6 years), the progression is pretty dead end unless I undertake a degree anyway. Too be honest i have seen too much from the inside, mine is a supporting role in a profession where people are leaving in there droves because of the stress and work load involved. So it is not something that i myself would like to go into.
I am thinking of embarking on a degree to enable me to gain better prospects. I love English and was very good at it way back when and had desires to have a career in a writing capacity.
But dh doesn't have an amazingly well paid job, better than me but we couldn't survive on his salary alone. I have done some research and found out that I can study part time (around 16 hours per week) and I could work at the same time. I should get student loan assistance. Alongside my work hours I currently do a few hours voluntary work a week connected to a group I am part of. Is this too much? I can do this right?

I did an Oxbridge English degree - and then medicine. I was very broke at times, but this was back in the days of proper student funding.

I felt very strongly that I didn't want to teach and I did have a very strong pull towards medicine after doing some voluntary work.

I loved some aspects of studying English, I wanted to be a writer when I first applied.

In your situation.I am wondering

• whether a more vocational course would be better

• have you considered Ruskin College Oxford, which is for mature students with prior work experience. I would def go to one of their open days, or just phone them up and find someone who can advise.

• courses like counselling / self development/ youth work are available

• you could do a diploma rather than a full degree to start with and see how you like it

• private psychology pays quite well and there is quite a demand for people to do basic primary psychology in many areas, with on the job training, for example. Skills with words is quite important in this.

• with your background, you would bring a lot to legal type family work, for example. Writing skills are important for this.

Just some vague ideas, good luck, have fun with it

Sorry haven’t read all so apologies for any duplicate advice.

I have first in English and did it with young children 15years ago. I did it a)because I adore literature and b)I wanted to teach.

It worked for me because I was then able to get a PGCE, go into teaching and I got promoted really quickly so earn good money (I didn’t go into teaching to earn good money, just saying that that is what happened).

Have since completed an MA in Literature BUT purely for the enjoyment of it plus got some funding. If it helps me in future teaching roles so be it, but if not, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

I love being in education but it is tough and I do from time to time, look at other jobs. What seems to help is that specific second qualification, so for eg, there are decent paid jobs in say, Children’s Services, that look for someone with a social work qualification or qualified teacher status which came after my degree. There are other roles in some companies which specifically advertise for graduates in any subject but it really depends on what you want to do.

Saying all that, if you definitely want to go into writing, an English degree probably won’t help, but, you will love doing it.

Social work might be the best career choice.

As the joke used to go (haven't heard it in a long time).

Q: What's the first thing someone with a degree in English says to you?
A: Do you want fries with that?

Go for it! I’m the same age similar circumstances, put yourself first for once xx

On the other side, I started my OU degree after a few years on benefits as a single parent. I was out of work for over 5 years but gained a really fantastic admin job at a RG uni backed by my OU studies and I had to do group exercises with other candidates in employment!

I gave up my job and started a nursing degree when I was 43. Despite being the oldest in my class, I managed really well and got through the course with no issues. Best thing I ever did.

I did a history degree at 24 hoping it would open doors into careers I would find interesting - I toyed with archivist, something in museums and even looked into being an academic librarian. All hugely competitive and far more geared towards younger people who are free to travel wherever a job takes them. I also needed to do post grad to get a job in one of those fields - theres only a handful of places offering to pay that for you. Otherwise I'd have had to find another 10k to do the qualification - not impossible, but not easy when you have kids and a house to worry about. Anyway. I dont exactly regret my degree, because I lived doing it and had a blast, but if I could do it again I would only go to university to do a degree that led solidly into a career - social work/nursing/engineering etc. I have friends who didn't go to university who have now been working for a good few years and have been promoted etc who earn more than I do with a degree and I do wonder if I should have just done that instead!

Having said all of that, my role now is not related to my degree at all but it was a graduate role and I do really enjoy it for the most part, so I guess it was worth it to a point!

Research a few jobs you actually would be interested in stemming from the degree and see what sort of thing you need to do to attain it. Would it be a good idea to try and volunteer somewhere in the school holidays if possible, to see if that sort of role would suit. It helps you get a feel for it and at the same time, would look really good if you do decide to pursue that role down the line. I appreciate this isn't possible for every career path you might consider, but it maybe something to think about.

You should definitely do something that excites you. I decided at 32 to finally pursue my dream of becoming a teacher. I did an access course, 3 years at uni and then my teacher training year and I am finally at the grand age of 37, in my NQT year. Was tough at times (three kids and very supportive hubby) but never once did I regret it.

I definitely echo what others have said.... look at professions you could train in. Then you have a guaranteed profession to enter.

If you want to write then don't do a degree. Research becoming a freelance writer. Copywriting is very sought after and at the fraction of the cost of doing the degree you could have your own business started in 12 months time. Absolutely go for the degree if you want to study and have that experience - but it's not necessarily the answer to improving your career prospects.

The most likely career following a degree in English is teaching. From what you say, that's not something you want to do so I think you need to look at other options. Can you get some careers advice or do your own research and then think what qualifications you need. I did an English degree as a mature student and loved it but it did nothing for my career prospects.

I'm 50 and a second year full-time occupational therapy student. Gave up my job and nearly 20year NHS standing, did an access course and now I'm halfway through my degree. Single parent and my kids are 16, 14, 12 and 10. It's bloody hard, we're living off benefits. We also do placements which can be up to 2 hours drive away. My youngest two walk 2.5 miles each way to and from school daily.
I feel like I'm not doing anything very well, parenting or studying or running a home, but I'm focused on the end goal. I'll be 52 when I qualify.
Good luck OP go for it!!

It sounds like you will really enjoy it but I don’t think that your career prospects would be great. You need to do some solid research into careers in your area.

Its the vagueness of an English degree thats the problem. You need something definite so the day you finish you know where to apply immediately. Being a good writer will help in any degree as you will need to present essays and a good writing style is a major plus. My dd did a degree in English and the day she finished she was no clearer about what she wanted to do. She was young so doing a follow up post grad was easier but expensive.
All her friends were in the same boat.
Also she loved creative writing but doing an English degree had none of this. It was all literature so she was left not doing her favourite bit.
I haven't read all the suggestions but l would go for: Occupational therapy/ Public Relations/ Account Assistant if any Maths prowess/ . Even social care as it would, along with your TA experience lead to a higher paying job in the social care field. Not as a Social Worker as its a crucifying job, l believe.
Possibly the only place an English degree would benefit you would be in the Public Service as they usually acknowledge any degree. So, sorry to be a killjoy but l would not do English.

I’m currently half way through my first year of an OU Business Management BA and all i can say is DO IT! I have a 1 year old and am currently working nearly full time. (I turn 30 this year) and Ive found that employers seem to take me more seriously as an applicant with the information that I am doing the degree than before.

I think it would be fun but I don't think an English degree would be that much help in terms of finding you a job.

Have you thought of an apprenticeship?
Speak to your employer as most are very keen to use the levy and the benefits for you are it is free
And the apprenticeship route would be more relevant

Go for it !

I have an English degree and have a job in communications and marketing. I earn £110k but it has been hard work to get here with long hours and I have a partner with flexible work who can do drop offs and pick ups.

Are the peanuts salted or roasted? That would make a difference to me (sorry!)

OP just chiming in to sing OU's praises. Employers definitely do not look down on it. My DH had to drop out of uni because
of depression and later finished his degree at the OU while doing minimum wage jobs so he got his degree later than many. He now earns 50k basic salary + massive bonuses at a tech multinational. And we do not even live in the SE He studied English Lit too! Safe to say employers do not care!

I'm 35 and I have applied for uni and I start in spetember 2019 I've had two offers and waiting in the last three. I also have four children and I think to be qualified at 40 will be fine and a good investment

Genuinely, is it statistically the case that most English graduates end up teaching? Lots of people stating it as fact. Of the many people I know with good English degrees, only one is teaching now and I’d be interested to know if I know an unusual cohort.

The joke about the fries is very old and pretty unfair- both on people who choose to work in McDonalds and people who don’t. Which I guess is why you don’t hear it anymore. But I’ll try it out on my English grad friends earning £150k+ and see if they lol.

OP I don’t know. You need a change of some sort- that’s for sure. But I think I’d be looking at what you love about the job you’ve done for all this time rather than what you enjoyed in school 20 years ago. You obviously have a gift for working with small children and encouraging their creativity.

What job are you thinking you will get with an English degree? Most firms i know want relevant experience AND a relevant qualification. If you’re doing the degree to prove you can and because it’s a subject of interest then great, but if it’s to improve your job prospects I do t think it’s the right degree.

What are you good at? What do you enjoy? Have you looked at the ‘Digital Mums’ qualification? Loads of support, great training and help getting a job afterwards.

Or what about trying to move into a field you’re interested in, in a junior role first? You’re already being paid peanuts do a low salary wouldn’t impact. You could get some ‘on the job’ experience and then start an appropriate qualification. Marketing/Communications both spring to mind.

Go for it!! I’m doing this right now and I’m 42! I have been in the same job for 19 years my eldest is 21 and youngest is 9. I realised I had been in a role working in a place with people I didn’t really like, doing a job I didn’t really enjoy anymore so decided to study. I have changed my hours, and family have had to adapt a little, but I’m half way through my course and best decision I ever made.

Alsohuman what did you do your degree in?

Op what do you want to do with the English lit degree?