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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want an entry level job that pays 22k

94 replies

Floandmash · 22/09/2019 08:37

I am feeling incredibly low at the min, and need some advice.
Around Christmas time, I will have completed my first year of teaching (nqt), and after lots of thinking I have decided to leave teachingonce I have officially passed nqt in January.

Anyway, I have a first class 5-11 primary teacher degree, BA. I'm looking for a job that I won't have to take a pay cut (22k) entry level, that will accept me without a subject specific degree. I have never really worked outside of school, other than retail jobs/BASIC admin 4+ years ago.

So do you have any job suggestions for me that pay around 22k, and have decent future prospects (as a teacher I would have probably never earned more than 33k, which I would be happy with long term!)

I don't really want to have to do a master's, but it is an option for me if I can't find other work.

I am currently working in the north-west.

Thanks

OP posts:
EskewedBeef · 22/09/2019 08:41

Teach yourself a programming language, get certification, and become a junior programmer.

Fairyliz · 22/09/2019 08:42

Sorry but I think you might find it difficult outside of London. I have DDs in their early 20s both started on about £19k which seems the going rate.

Coldilox · 22/09/2019 08:44

When I left teaching I joined the police. Not for everyone though.

BusterTheBulldog · 22/09/2019 08:45

Grad schemes? Normally a September intake though but you need to be applying now.

dowehaveastalker · 22/09/2019 08:45

Maybe a junior co-ordinator role - events planning etc with a view to a larger role? In my office - junior roles start at more than 22k, I’m in London.

katewhinesalot · 22/09/2019 08:46

Accountancy?

Inferiorbeing · 22/09/2019 08:46

I'm considering leaving teaching (only just started nqt but thats another story) and I'm looking at HR/accounts roles but I do have an economics degree

Twinkles72 · 22/09/2019 08:47

Corporate training or learning and development. Indicate that you are gradually working towards your CIPD.

pisspants · 22/09/2019 08:49

I would try to find a local government job op. There are lots of entry level jobs in this where if you put your head down, work hard and get to know the right people there you could quite quickly be on higher pay. I have seen lots of people in their 20s move quite quickly up the salary scales in my local authority who have started in the benefits team.

BunloafAndCrumpets · 22/09/2019 08:49

What sector are you hoping to work in?

I think I'd apply to lots of grad schemes if I were you. They will open over the next six months. In the meantime, get work experience doing what you hope to be doing - even if just for a week, or a lower paying job in that industry, it might help you make a good decision and also get your next job.

Have you looked at the civil service / ofsted?

Hope all goes well for you.

purpleolive · 22/09/2019 08:50

Something like HR? Roles might not be quite £22k at the start depending where you are but long term prospects would be good. Museum/libraries can be great environments for ex teachers although you'd only be looking at £22k+ after the postgraduate qualification really.

Original poster
Floandmash · 22/09/2019 08:50

Thank you for the suggestions, would I need to try and get work experience before applying for these roles, or further training, I don't know where to start it feels.
I'm worried I won't be taken seriously with a BA education, although I know teaching has lots of transferrable skills.
There's no chance that I could be an accountant, my maths skills are hardly up there Blush

OP posts:
milliefiori · 22/09/2019 08:52

I see a fair few entry level jobs in London for around that salary in corporate writing dialogue for chatbots or marketing blurb etc. If you are accurate, succinct and creative you might get a look in. They care far more whether you can do it than whether you have a related degree.

Grasspigeons · 22/09/2019 08:52

Civil service or local authorities are good for working your way up. Any museums or visitor centres needing an education outreach person?

Original poster
Floandmash · 22/09/2019 08:52

Civil service is a great suggestion, at the moment around me a lot of the civil service jobs seem higher paid/experience but I will keep my eyes peeled.
Am I not too late for graduate jobs, it's been just over a year since I graduated.

OP posts:
LadyFlumpalot · 22/09/2019 08:55

I don't know what the grads start on in my place (I'm not one) but I do know that by the time they leave the grad scheme they are in the mid to high £30k range... that's software/hardware engineering and all the stuff that comes with it. I'll PM you more information if you'd like it?

slug · 22/09/2019 08:55

How tech savvy are you? Try looking at learning technologies or academic development. You won't waste your degree and a teaching background is a teaching background is a positive step into the profession

PhilCornwall1 · 22/09/2019 08:55

Teach yourself a programming language, get certification, and become a junior programmer.

This isn't the work of a moment either, it takes time to "self teach" and be useful in a commercial environment.

Original poster
Floandmash · 22/09/2019 08:58

I'm not afraid of technology, so I wouldn't rule anything like that out. But I definitely don't have experience with anything programming related, wouldn't say no to learning though.

@LadyFlumpalot a message would be great, thank you!

OP posts:
Dyrne · 22/09/2019 08:59

Agree most grad schemes start on that, and you don’t need to be straight out of uni to apply to a lot of them either. Have a look at the requirements - I agree that something in Training/Learning & Development would probably suit well.

Original poster
Floandmash · 22/09/2019 08:59

@slug how would I go about learning something like that?

OP posts:
badgermushrooms · 22/09/2019 09:02

Have a look at the local authorities near you and see what jobs they're advertising in their education department? I career changed into local government (though I wasn't a teacher first) and it was all about transferable skills.

Bayleaf25 · 22/09/2019 09:03

An admin / professional services job in a university (especially the one you went to). Once you have some experience you are more likely to work your way up into something paying more.

Appletreehouse · 22/09/2019 09:04

Graduate jobs are not just for people fresh out of uni. I entered the civil service on a graduate job (not a generic fast track scheme just a mass recruitment for a new role they wanted a degree for so was called 'graduate job'). I was mid twenties as were most of my colleagues, many were older and their degrees were several years old.

Public sector likely to be a good option for you as you'll have lots of competencies and real work experience you can use in your application. You'll also likely be good face to face with people (?), a skill that's required for lots of public sector front line roles. Start as an EO/officer grade then can quickly work up two more strategic or management roles if you've the aptitude for it

Invisimamma · 22/09/2019 09:10

I started out as a policy and engagement officer for a medium sized charity on £24k. There are lots of jobs like this about at the moment, although pay does seem to have dropped slightly. A degree is required but not specified what subject (mine is history), I have lots of extra voluntary work expierence though.

I'm now with a different charity doing development work on £30k (pro rata).

I use the good moves website to job hunt, but think this might be Scotland specific.

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