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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be stuck in a dead end job, wanting a change but no drive!

9 replies

Turndownforshallot · 18/08/2019 11:27

Feel like I’m having a mid life crisis already. I’m 29, have been working in an office/call centre type place for 4 years. There’s zero progression at my current place, and I can’t see my office still being there in another 4 years due to the market changing and huge competition.
I did well in my GCSEs, 3 As, 3 Bs. I didn’t compete my A-Levels, I jumped into full time work after 1 year of 6th form as I wanted to start earning a wage. Hindsight is 20/20 and I wish I had stayed in full time education and went to uni Sad
I have no idea what I want to do career wise. I know that I’m not a fan of working with children, and I can’t deal with customers anymore. After working in customer facing roles for 10+ years the sheer entitlement of some people is horrific, and I don’t want to work in that type of environment forever. I’m very friendly, polite and professional (on the outside) but I’m NOT a people person, and can find it quite draining.
I’ve been thinking of doing an OU course in something so I’ve got a degree under my belt, but have absolutely no idea which one to do. I have no idea what I want to do. The only course that looks appealing is criminology and sociology, but I know I would not follow a career in that. So would it be pointless to do that?
I need some help. I can’t stay in a deadend job but have never had a career end goal if that makes sense
In a perfect world I’d love some kind of 9-5 job, Monday to Friday, that pays 25-30k. Minimal customers, mainly just co workers. I’ve looked into accountancy but I’m not great with numbers so that would be setting myself up for failure surely?
I’ve looked into apprenticeships but it doesn’t seem sensible to do full time hours and earn less than what I’m earning now while working part time. And that wage drop would be for at least 1 year, with no security of permanent employment at the end of it.

Can someone please give me any advice at all? Currently I have a primary school age DD so I need to think of her and how it would impact her.

I guess my AIBU is “AIBU for wanting to start a career but having absolutely no clue what it is I actually want to do” Confused
I feel like I’m going to be stuck in minimum wage jobs for the rest of my life, with a pittance of a pension and renting when I’m 80.

OP posts:
NewNewNewNew · 18/08/2019 11:31

I know you don't like working with children.
However, teaching could be your best bet.
It would fit around childcare etc.
It's a good job and you'll have options.

Littlechocola · 18/08/2019 11:35

Admin?

getmeacupoftea · 18/08/2019 11:53

Following! I'm in the same position as you!

MereDintofPandiculation · 18/08/2019 12:14

IT? Route would be sideways move to call centre with company which is IT related, then inch your way into second line support, training on the way. Not a guaranteed route, but a couple of my friends have done it.

Degree doesn't have to be job related - for many people it's simply an indication to employers that they have a reasonable level of intelligence. But in that case a "pure" subject would probably impress more than an obviously vocational one like criminology and sociology. On the other hand, you won't find a degree easy if you're not enjoying it, so maybe you're not quite ready for a degree yet?

LizzieMacQueen · 18/08/2019 12:19

I'd try accountancy. Not sure if OU has a suitable course but if you start somewhere as an accounts assistant there are various routes to qualifications. What are your number skills like?

I'd say 90% of accountancy is people facing, whether clients or colleagues but you'd find something suited to your personality I'd have thought.

That or data science.

Turndownforshallot · 18/08/2019 13:00

Thanks for the replies. I have thought about working in a primary school, however SIL is a TA and after hearing the crap she has on a daily basis it’s put me off! Plus it wouldn’t be fair on the children for me to be a TA/Teacher when I’m not good with kids. Don’t get wrong I adore my own, just not too great with others!
I’ve looked into the admin side of a primary school but vacancies are few and far between. When the role does crop up SIMS experience is always a requirement and I’ve never used it (I don’t really know what it is either! I think it’s something to do with pupil information on a datatbase but possibly wrong on that).

Admin is a good option for me, but I don’t know if I have relevant experience. In my current role I’m answering calls, data input, sending the odd email, cash handling and photo copying documents.

My number skills aren’t great. I can do maths and percentages etc but i can’t do it instantly. Eg DP can add and subtract large numbers instantly whereas it’ll take me a good few seconds to work it out. So yes, I can do it, but I have to think about it. It’s always been a subject that doesn’t come naturally to me.

Thanks for the info regarding the degree. It would make more sense to study a pure subject. I think I’m quite intelligent and I don’t see myself struggling too much famous last words

OP posts:
Isleepinahedgefund · 18/08/2019 13:07

Join the Civil Service. Lots of decent paying family friendly office jobs going.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 18/08/2019 13:27

Why not have a chat to someone in the careers service?
nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/

Civil service jobs (as PP suggested) are here:
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi

DonnaDarko · 18/08/2019 13:57

Have you thought about HR?

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