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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask whether you changed career after having kids?

18 replies

Ori82 · 17/08/2020 13:32

Hi MN's

Collective wisdom needed pls. Did you change your career after having children? If so what did you change from/to? Did you have to re-train to do this?

I feel a bit stuck in a rut after having my kids - I work part-time in a job that's not at all related to my degree so looking for some inspirational stories! It's been a long time since I studied and the prospect of re-training is a bit daunting TBH. My littlest is just 21 months old, my older one is 6.

OP posts:

Camomila · 17/08/2020 14:11

Yes, I used to be an Early Years Professional but knew I didn't want to do it when I had my own DC (because I'd never get a break!) so I'm retraining for social research/data analysis type jobs.
I'm currently on the 3rd year of what was meant to be a 2 year MSc but hyperemesis with DS2 meant I had to push my dissertation back a year.

ILoveFood87 · 17/08/2020 15:39

I changed careers but didnt want to re train so volunteered for a charity organisation when my son was 5 and started school. I did this for around a year when a space in the company became available. I applied and got it even though I have zero qualifications in it. They employed me as I had the experience and proved I could do the job. The fact they didn't have to train me probably helped! I've been with them 5 years now and am working my way up. All my collegues have degrees I don't even have GCSE's.

ILoveFood87 · 17/08/2020 15:40

I was a hairdresser before having my son.

alula · 17/08/2020 15:58

I was in retail before having DC1. Stuck it out until he was 3 but I hated the hours and working weekends. Was a SAHM for a while then I became a 1:1 teaching assistant. Didn't go back after mat leave with DC2 but definitely want to return in the future as it's a great job to fit around family.

greythrow · 17/08/2020 16:23

I used to work in admin, became a midwife after having my kids. I did have to retrain, but luckily I got straight on to the degree course (3yrs full time) without having to do an access course first as i had recent study.

Honestly deciding WHAT I wanted to do was the hardest bit, after that it was just putting my head down and, well, doing it but at least I had the passion driving me forward. The year or so of soul searching and feeling undecided on what I wanted to do with my life etc was horrible. I really thought hard about what my motivations were, what I wanted to do etc.

luzzbightyear · 17/08/2020 16:28

Solicitor to teacher. 13 years ago and I'm still wondering whether I made the right move.

TempestHayes · 17/08/2020 17:44

Retrained in software development. 3 month full-time bootcamp.

spanieleyes · 17/08/2020 17:47

Civil servant to teacher. Part time PGCE over 18 months.

Willbob · 17/08/2020 17:55

Airline cabin crew (long haul with very nice trips) to senior librarian after first dc to sahm after second dc. Thinking of doing an ou course as previous uni time was nearly twenty years ago.

Original poster

Ori82 · 17/08/2020 18:01

@Willbob

Did you retrain to become a librarian at a senior level? I have seen some librarianship courses which look interesting. Did you enjoy the work?

OP posts:

CHIRIBAYA · 17/08/2020 18:14

Don't bother with librarianship training. It was once a worthwhile career but has been dumbed down over the decades and is either very poorly paid or done on a voluntary basis. There are rewarding positions out there, but they are rare as hens teeth. A real shame.

niceupthedance · 17/08/2020 18:16

Was a journalist and retrained as a social worker... then had to stop that as it was too hard with DC. Still work in related field for a charity.

CatToddlerUprising · 17/08/2020 18:18

Teaching to Civil Service, I don’t regret it for a second

Dorisdaydream2 · 17/08/2020 18:21

Following with interest!

howells · 17/08/2020 18:24

Yes, I used to work in the pharmaceutical industry (desk job but in a scientific/technical role). Retrained in accountancy after youngest started school. It was pretty intense and there were lots of exams! It’s worked out well though 🙂

LadyPlasters · 17/08/2020 18:31

Currently admin in a rehab for people with drug and alcohol addiction... which has now inspired me to retrain as a counsellor (been studying for 2 years, about to enter another 2/3 years part time)
Been waiting my whole 39 years of life to know what 'I'm good at' and this is it... youngest ds now nearly 7 so time for me to concentrate on myself

MissSmiley · 17/08/2020 18:58

I ran a design company with my stxh for twenty years (degree related), I retrained as an accountant and now work full time doing that, I have another 20 years of work ahead of me but the regular income suits me much better as a single mum of five, my kids are mostly at senior school now

Willbob · 17/08/2020 19:07

@Ori82 no I didn't retrain but my first degree was in mathematics (relevant to understanding required material).

I think if you want to work at a senior level in a public library (not necessarily public facing) you don't always require relevant qualifications as these libraries are increasingly becoming free internet cafes with many redundancies and reduction in offering. However if you want to work in a more specialist library or even a public library in an academic town/city the qualifications are likely required.

I would say think about where you want to work and contact them and ask. I enjoy working with the public as a rule but don't think I could stomach working in a public library full time.

@CHIRIBAYA, did you get scolded for late return?

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