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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Re-train or get a permanent job

39 replies

user1464730439 · 18/07/2019 15:45

Hi!
I really need some sound advice please!

I already have a degree in an arts related subject. Unfortunately it hasn't benefited my career and I'm still stuck in an office job, only now i'm temping! When i was at university last time, i was a single parent and therefore qualified for all the funding etc.

Now, in my forties, i want to re-train in a healthcare related job. I will need to do my functional skills maths course as well as a health related access course and pass all of that before i can apply to uni next year. Then I'll study full time for 3 years and then obviously there is no guarantee of work at the end.

I want to do this. BUT, my sensible side is telling me otherwise. I won't be able to work whilst studying and will need to solely rely on my husband, which i hate the thought of. my daughter is in secondary school but still young. Do i give up everything and do this! OR do i get a permanent job doing anything that i'm qualified for and fill my time with interesting stuff so that my life isn't too boring?

I really can't decide. I want to make the change, but i feel guilty about the financial side and for not being able to spend so much time with my daughter.....

thoughts anyone, please? :-)

OP posts:
notgivingin78910 · 18/07/2019 21:12

What's the course in ?

Original poster
user1464730439 · 18/07/2019 21:40

Hi!
It's Occupational Therapy....

OP posts:
MercedesDeMonteChristo · 18/07/2019 21:44

I’ve worked in a senior admin role for about 15 years and am at the stage that it pays pretty well. But, even with a full life and interests it makes me want to chew off my right arm no matter how great my boss or how interesting they try to make the role (I have had some wonderful bosses who have let me pursue areas more interesting to me). I have finished my BA and MA and now am
starting a PhD because I just could not imagine another 30 years doing this.

You spend c. 37 hours a week at work, make it something you love.

Good luck OP!

notgivingin78910 · 18/07/2019 21:52

I would go for OT ! Great career. Not the same but I'm currently doing Speech therapy- there are many mums who are around 40+ in my cohort. Don't let that stop you.

Can you do the MSC in OT instead ? It would be two years instead of 3 years.

babysharkah · 18/07/2019 21:58

Can you afford for your husband to fund it? Comes down to that really imo.

Bouncebacker · 18/07/2019 22:02

I think you will always find reasons not to male the leap if you look for them - so do i now! You have a long time working in front of you - it should be doing something you love!

Basketofkittens · 18/07/2019 22:06

I would go for it, you still have years left in the workforce and OT is a role that will always be around and a is a job that makes a difference.

I know what you mean about office admin work...Blurgh!

ukgift2016 · 18/07/2019 22:08

OT will lead to an career with job prospects. Go for it.

Original poster
user1464730439 · 18/07/2019 22:59

@babysharkah That's what's playing on my mind. We'd lose my wage so would have to seriously scale things back and literally have no life for 3 years, all because of me!

OP posts:
Original poster
user1464730439 · 19/07/2019 08:49

@notgivingin78910 - I had looked at the Msc but I wasn't sure if it would give me the same amount of experience or if it was just a cheats way to get to the top?!!

OP posts:
Original poster
user1464730439 · 19/07/2019 08:51

Thanks everyone. I'm currently being discouraged on financial grounds as how can i possibly go back to uni and do another degree and not work for 3 years! We'll be destitute basically!!

OP posts:
Alb1 · 19/07/2019 08:58

Would you get any universal credit help? Could you do the course part time (for more years) and work part time? You could still temp in the holidays to boost your income. If you can make it work financially then I’d do it. 3 years isn’t a lot in the scheme of your working life

LeoTimmyandVi · 19/07/2019 09:02

I’ve just qualified as an OT at 42. It is a fantastic job, challenging but not stressful (I work in LD).

I would deffo check NHS jobs for vacancies on your area for OT. The OT vacancies are few and far between in the South West, but having said that I got my job on first job I applied for first interview. Life experience is really valued as well as an OT.

Alternatively, have a look at OT tech jobs as my understanding is RCOT are looking to bring in an ‘on the job’ training course with time spend in uni.

Original poster
user1464730439 · 19/07/2019 09:29

@Alb1 Unfortunately, due to my husbands wages, I don't really qualify for anything. I can get a student loan to cover the course fees but wouldn't be able to apply for anything else. And the course is only full time!

OP posts:
Original poster
user1464730439 · 19/07/2019 09:32

@LeoTimmyandVi Congratulations on qualifying, thats fantastic! I'm constantly checking the NHS website and i must admit that in my area (plymouth) there are a few vacancies every now and then but i think there are more graduating than there are jobs! I'm hoping to start some shadowing soon and I'm hoping if i could begin to build network, that might help?
An 'on the job' training course would be ideal!! I suppose if i could move to any part of the country to get the right job, it would be ok - but I cant! :-)

OP posts:
MercedesDeMonteChristo · 19/07/2019 10:34

Are you being discouraged by DH? I think that is thoughts and feelings will carry some weight if he is going to be the sole earner whilst you do this. My DH was not initially massively supportive, but due to a combination of a bad point in our marriage where I felt I had to do something for me (and the DC) and I made it work by continuing to work all the way through and getting funded where possible that he now is far more supportive or at least not anti.

Could you get a weekend job so you still have money coming in? This obviously means you will be very busy and it will be intense and a struggle but if you really want to do it and it is a whole new career that will benefit you all in the longer term then you will get through.

Original poster
user1464730439 · 19/07/2019 10:54

@MercedesDeMonteChristo I don't think weekend working is going to be realistic - I've got my daughter and my husband is in the military. I don't have family local to me and so child care is a massive issue.

I wouldn't say i'm being discouraged but i think it's thought that i need to be realistic and not working for 3 years is NOT realistic!

OP posts:
MercedesDeMonteChristo · 19/07/2019 12:43

I see, then I guess you will have to consider how this can work for you as a family. All I can say is that it has been worth every single moment for me. Good luck.

LeoTimmyandVi · 19/07/2019 13:26

It was the same here (Bath area) when I first starting looking, but the majority of my course have jobs now and those that don’t are going on to further study or travel so choosing not to get a job if you IYSWIM?

I am a lone parent and worked throughout my course as a bank HCA - I had to make it work really to get to the end goal. Not that easy though I appreciate!

Good luck whatever you decide!

D0ckD0ck364 · 19/07/2019 13:42

Can you wait until your child is 16 to do the university course. Then no child care issues ?

You would also be able to work part time whilst doing your course

If your husband wanted to do a similar course would you support him for 3 years ?

Original poster
user1464730439 · 19/07/2019 14:27

@D0ckD0ck364 i absolutely would.

I just feel very guilty for potentially putting my family through all of this, just because of me.

Perhaps i just need to be realistic and not do it....

OP posts:
Sc0neCreamJam75 · 19/07/2019 15:23

Can you work some overtime to save up before your course starts ?

I know a few people who have retrained, they have put in 1000 percent. So I would suggest, that you need to fully make the committment

What is your plan B if you don't do the course ?

theorchidwhisperer · 20/07/2019 01:32

Years ago my LA did day release training for OT within Social Services.

The position was OTA with one day a week for 4 years at a university.

Qualification was the same as the full time course.
Training was harder as you had your full work load plus uni plus modules to get through. But no debt and a basic wage for the 4 years.

This might be an option if it's still available.

daisyboocantoo · 20/07/2019 01:47

You only live once.

Do it.

YeOldeTrout · 20/07/2019 05:26

You should do it (imho). OTs have a high job satisfaction rate.