To retrain in my 30s with children

[SundayGirlB]

Well, child but I intend to have another, DS is 1. I'm early 30s.

Work in HR and while it's given me a lot of confidence (something I lack) and skills it's not really my thing. I live in Kent and don't want to commute to London anymore and local HR jobs are few and far between anyway.

Re money, I want an investment that will pay off so am open to ideas that aren't funded but funded also good! I have a first in Eng Lit and a CIPD level 5.

Things I've considered: teaching, social work, nursing, law, psychology. People seem to retrain as accountants but that leaves me cold and I wasn't great at Maths.

Thoughts and experiences please! I am probably going to be working for a loooong time and want the time spent away from my son to be worth it! As always I'm unsure of what would be a good career move.

I should add that I am actually a nurse and enjoy my job but I have always felt anxious when friends/family have started the course because the culture of a lot of places isn’t great and new people aren’t always treated well. It can be very tough emotionally when you’re newly qualified too because support isn’t always what it should be. Can be very rewarding though.

What about doing hr in the public sector? Might be more jobs outside of London local to you.

@Ducksarenotmyfriends think a poster above has now summarised what needs to be done. I came into it from an advice and guidance for adults via a DWP return to work programme so I was already IAG level 4 qualified.

I work in a school with an attached sixth form so fairly lucky in that I'm based full time in one setting. I also cover all careers events like mock interviews, careers fairs, speed networking etc ..... obviously pre lockdown. It's lovely to be in one setting where I can build up a rapport with students, this allows me to be more accessible to students and more "normal" if you like. Previously, I worked for an EBP where I was in and out of a different school each day which I didn't like very much. I also support PSHE provision and delivery relating to careers, so have quite a diverse role.

Yes, I think that's fine...as long as you are clear what you want to do and are passionate enough about it to slog through the lean years of re-training and getting started.

I had dc1 at 31, did a PhD after than, had dc2, and I have an excellent and well paying career that I love in my late 30s. But if I hadn't been really driven, I'm not sure it would have been as easy and if it had been something I didn't love, it would be harder to be happy now. Lots of jobs will be moving remote (I commute to London, but I'll only be doing it 4-6 days a month in the future instead of every week).

And importantly, will you be able to cover childcare and take another maternity leave? I planned my work and timed my 2nd pregnancy around being able to take a full year's maternity again. Childcare just was covered by my income for a few year's with nothing much left over, but it was fine, because it was time well spent and I earn a lot more now. But it's important to know you'll actually be able to afford that.

Sorry I've been quiet today - looking after DS and redecorating the kitchen!

@mindutopia i'm not afraid of hard work and have studied whilst working full time previously so know that with organisation and focus I could do this. I am very lucky that I don't need to work due to DP so it gives me 'space' if I want to retrain. Childcare while studying may be tight but parents would help. Though I want to make sure it is worth the time sacrificed with DS. I would have to think hard re when to have another child and retrain, this is my biggest concern right now.

Lots of food for thought here. Wish I'd done it earlier!