Help me change my future

[FannyGall0ps]

I’ve reached a place where I need some help working out what to do with the rest of my life. I’m late 30s with school age kids. Single parent (via divorce, kids still are Dad but never stay at his). I’ve never had a job I’ve loved, just jobs I’ve worked at and progressed well in.

I have 6x GCSE (Math, English, Science etc) grade A-C and a 2:1 in Business. I’ve always worked in office management jobs, but want more from the remainder of my life.

Ideally I’d like to do a conversion MSc and have a real profession, but what? I have the opportunity of a year off to do this, but have no idea what to do and if I don’t do it now the opportunity will pass me by.

If you were me, what would you do? What conversion could I do that would lead to a real profession and a good job?

Shameless bump as desperate for suggestions

I think there are companies which you can pay to do an assessment of your strengths /weaknesses /interests and give you advice on careers that may suit you.

For year long vocational courses you could look at an MSc in social research ( if you specialise in quantitative research - statistics - you will find if much easier to get a job as they is a bit of shortage of people good at this - or used to be when I did my MSc a long time ago). Or a PGCE is a year long. Why not see what year long MSc's are available at your closest university?

its hard to advise without knowing what you are interested in/ have an aptitude for.

Thank you @goingdeepinthesky

I’ve used SPSS previously for statistical research in a job I had, so will look into a social research MSc.

I just have no idea what I can actually do and no one in real life to discuss it with, so I’m after as many suggestions as possible, before I try to narrow it down to what I think will suit me.

I thought about a PGCE but have no desire to teach.

Marine biologist, pilot, find work abroad (although Brexit might ruin that one), one of those people who rescue beached whales or other animals in UK rivers... or you could always do a masters in business with the view to becoming a lecturer, or something else related to business. Are there any companies you particularly like? They all need business experts, ethical companies, magazines, computer game companies, travel agents...

What do you love. What sets you a light?
Also think of a future proof career. Ine that isnt easily outsourced to AI

I'd live to be the German woman ship captain who was at the centre of the refugee rescue

Thanks for the replies. I think I’m scared of ending up spending more time studying business when I’m not massively passionate about it, but find it easy and do well at it.

If I had my time again I’d do something medical, but don’t know of a route from business to medicine.

I’d also like to help people, maybe not on the seas (although massive respect to the lady you mention, who I hope avoids prison) and I need to still be based in the UK so the kids can finish school.

So health service routes with MSc conversion would be ideal.

You could become a researcher specialising in health issues! You don't need a medical background to do that.

What about therapy or counselling related areas? If you’re interested in medicine, could this be a way of helping people? Or health and social care related fields? Lots of managers needed there I would imagine.

You need to find a quiet few minutes and think if you could be qualified in something tomorrow and have no financial worries, what do you see yourself doing. How are you filling your days? Then work back from there.

Theres’ a huge need for business heads in the NHS. GP surgeries are already businesses. Check out MSCs focussed on management in medical settings? Or check out NHS Jobs and see if there is anything you fancy.

Or do a year as a Helathcare Assistant in your local hospital in lieu of training and see if anything takes your fancy?

Do you have a CV that focuses on your transferable skills and relevant achievements rather than your business experience?

What do you love doing? If you read, what do you love to read about? If you watch tv what do you love to watch? What hobbies do you have? What themes run through all of it? As an example since a child I have always loved books where people change their lives dramatically, especially if they set up some sort of new business venture. Now I work with startup businesses helping them to get investment and realise their dreams.

Sorry, I’ve been out all day with the kids so just reading all replies now. Thanks for all the responses.

Therapy/Counselling are not something that I feel I could do, I think I’d get too upset.

NHS business jobs is a great suggestion! I’m definitely going to start looking at available jobs and job requirements. Thank you!

My CV is solid with lots of project management and business experience. I’ve been lucky to work in a wide range of industries and can apply what I did there to the health sector.

I sat down last night and wrote out all my interests and what ifs (as in: if I could rewrite time, what would I do differently/study instead?) and it is the health / sciences I’m drawn to.

This has been so helpful to focus my mind and help me move toward making a decision. Thanks

Hello,

I am a zoology graduate and have been working as a TA for 8 weeks and I am looking to start a PGCE next September.
I have been invited to attend an interview for SCITT (secondary) and the activity (15 minutes) states I will be presenting to a mixed ability group to review teaching and learning within the school context, designed to engage students in a discussion about teaching and learning in a secondary school. I understand its asking for pupils views on teaching ect however, I wondered if anyone had any advice on how to make the activity fun and engaging? Any ideas will be greatly received :-)

Thank you

The first thing to do is to decide what you like.
You can't decide what course to do because you don't know what you enjoy.
Press pause on the Masrers idea and spend a couple of months really looking at things that interest you. You couldn't really start before January at the earliest now.
Get excited about something. Otherwise you will find yourself in the same position in a few years time.
Start by writing down everything you enjoy and everything you are good at. Include absolutely everything, even if it's just making the perfect cup of tea. Explore that.
What do you hold strong opinions about?
Explore that.
When you have got 3 or 4 areas that really inspire you, then start looking at courses in these areas.
If you still have no idea, perhaps a masters isnt the way to go.
Look at other opportunities. I you can afford to take a year out, could you intern or volunteer somewhere?
Changing course is great, but if you don't have a new direction you are just lost.
Good luck