To give up this "easy" money?

[DietC0keandLime]

I currently work for a fairly small manufacturing business, when I joined the office was an absolute mess and the business on the brink of collapsing, so I was given a profit share in the business as an incentive to help turn it around, but I don't own shares or anything like that.

The business has really grown over the past ten years since I started, and I have ended up being paid really well these past couple of years for what I do (around £50k, the role would normally be about £20-25k if not for the profit share) and I think that would continue to be the case for the next few years as well.

The owner of the business is really lovely, but I don't actually like the job for the most part, I find it really stressful, my mental health has been quite bad for the past year and I think it is a big contributing factor. There's nowhere for me to grow within the company, and I feel like I'm just fed up.

I really want to completely retrain in something different, I have a career in mind but I would need to go back to Uni and do a full degree to even get started in it, which would take 3/4 years and the maximum salary I could ever realistically earn would be £40k. Probably this industry would be more demanding and have it's own stresses, but I think it would be more rewarding as well.

I'm 35, no kids, but DH isn't supportive. He can't believe I'm even considering it. He thinks I've dropped really lucky with my current job and I'd be crazy to give up the "easy" money. DH earns around £70k, we've made good financial decisions in the past and we only have a small mortgage and have an additional joint income of £1k per month on two rental properties we inherited. I don't expect him to support me through Uni, I would get a loan to cover my half of the bills and have a small amount of savings too.

I'm grateful for my current job, I really am, I feel guilty for thinking about giving it up but I hate the thought of still being here in five years time. It's like Groundhog Day.

I need some perspective please. What do you think, WIBU to change careers?

@DietC0keandLime

What appeals to you about teaching?

Seriously, take a look at Occupational Therapy. You could work in a school setting with children without all the angst and planning of teaching.

Also, I've had two or three different careers over the years. Each one has given me something different (both positive and negative). I can't say than one particular job gave me everything and I have been 100% happy.

I have done challenging and interesting work but been very stressed and overloaded.

I have done a stress free job that paid well but I was very bored.

I have done a very creative job (one that lots of people want to retrain in) but been very low paid.

Everyone is different and what one person finds stressfull another will find exciting and challenging. You won't actually know if teaching is right for you until you do it that's why it would be good to get as much relevant experience as you can.

“I just feel really lost and empty with my life as it is at the minute. I've tried every which way I can think of to add meaning and fulfillment but nothing brings me any joy anymore. “ Oh OP, this is the heart of the issue. Until you feel stronger and happy in yourself again then whatever career you choose is just papering over the cracks

If you can get a TA job, you could study at the same time eg the Open University. You should be able to get credits from your English course if you completed the year. You'd end up with a degree even if you decide against teaching.

I retrained as Teacher. I was previously a Midwife. It’s the best decision I have made. Yes it was tough, I juggled both degrees with two children as a single parent. Yes money was tight for a while, yes there is a decrease before an increase, but is money of happiness your objective here? It sounds like you’re financially secure.
Imagine remaining stagnant and regretting it in 10 years time, when in 10 years you could be well into a new career.
Everyone’s advice will differ and it’s only opinions, ultimately only you know what’s right for you. I genuinely believe life is too short to remain in a job where you are unhappy, given the majority of us hopefully work to live, not live to work.

Go for it... after all.... we only live once right?
Best of luck to you!

I retrained in my mid forties after many years in industry and have been teaching for nearly 5 years. I love it. Yes the hours are long, especially in the first 3 years, the goals change and the pay is not great. Teacher training is tough. But... I really enjoy teaching. I would absolutely make the same choice again.

Good ideas here about retraining in something else involved with children. Schools arent always nice places to work.

Or keep your job and find fulfillment outside work.

Is it possible that your dissatisfaction is about your husband (who is unsupportive and not understanding by the sounds of it) more than the job. Is he otherwise wonderful?

I've had several jobs and wouldn't give up on an easy 50k one lightly. All jobs have their shit sides.

Teaching is very, very hard and emotionally draining. There are occasional joys, but if you’re in a school with poor behaviour and lack of ambition, it’s one of the worst jobs you can do. I would love to swap lives with you right now.

I’ve been a teacher for 12 years (Secondary English) and love it!
The pee thing is true 😛 but I think you need to get some work experience in a school to know if it’s for you or not.
I would recommend completing the English degree then doing a PGCE. If it does turn out that teaching isn’t for you then at least you will still have the English degree, which is going to be more transferable across professions. What are you going to do with a Primary Education degree if you don’t subsequently end up going into teaching?

With DH earnings and rental income you have 82k PA, that’s very good incomings?

Retrain and enjoy the new chapter in your life.

I was going to suggest reducing your hours to say 3 days a week and then going volunteering in school would that be possible ? Are there jobshare teaches assistant jobs ?

OP, perhaps you could think about doing your degree with the Open University part-time. They do offer Primary Education. They might also take your completed first year into account and allow you direct entry to the second year. You could then look at a PGCE after that. It would be hard work, but you’d be on the track to a teaching career without giving up your income.

Could you save hard for the rest of the year and sign up for uni in the next academic year?

its really not up to your dh if you already have income and he's on 70k thats loads.

You may not agree with this suggestion it my advise would be to get pregnant and keep your current job and have a baby. You might regret not having a family and it might be the change you are looking for.

@DietC0keandLime

Thank you for all the responses, I'm reading them and listening to what everyone's saying about not going into teaching.

I don't know what to do. I feel so lost.

Going part time in my current role isn't an option, I've already asked the question. If I went part time at any other job, or as a TA, it wouldn't be enough money in the long term. TA jobs in my area are all basically part time roles too. I feel like I would be in too vulnerable a position and I would have to rely on DH for money, which I don't want to do.

Another career would be a possibility but I've no idea what. I've just always wanted to be a teacher, it's always been in the back of my mind and I've always regretted not doing it. I would potentially like to foster but DH doesn't want to, he grew up with his Mum being a foster carer and hated the experience.

I just feel really lost and empty with my life as it is at the minute. I've tried every which way I can think of to add meaning and fulfillment but nothing brings me any joy anymore. DH and I have travelled a lot together and had some amazing holidays. We bought and renovated a beautiful house. I've tried every hobby I have ever been interested in. I've two dogs who I love to bits and love to get out walking with. I can't even lose myself in a book or a film any more.

I'm so lucky in so many ways and I struggle to talk about this to anyone in real life because I feel like I sound so ungrateful. I have a good life, I really do. DH is a good husband he's just very money driven.

I've tried counselling and anti depressants and everything just comes back to my job every time.

How about becoming a Montessori teacher? Different much easier route, and not a well paid job, though could be if you then had your own Montessori school.

You don't need a degree to do it, the training takes a year (or it used to) and if you actually really like children and are interested in working with them, this gives an opportunity to be part of their education at the start, a very important stage in my view.

The grass is not always greener.
If urge caution,I know it's often said that life is too short to.be unhappy at work and it is true to an extent.
I'm sure you've considered the feelings of your dh,your situation should be lose his job or you had children.
Something I cannot quantify is telling me to urge you to wait 18 months to 24 months before you leave your job.

@Passenger42

You may not agree with this suggestion it my advise would be to get pregnant and keep your current job and have a baby. You might regret not having a family and it might be the change you are looking for.

For crying out loud. Why not believe the OP when she says she doesn’t want children. It doesn’t make your choices any less valid.

Have you got a degree already? If so you only need to do a PGCE and that only takes a year.
Otherwise consider studying a degree part time at the OU.
I wish I had the security you have with two extra homes bringing in an extra income. I am about to study for a masters at the OU, plus work part time, plus be a single parent.
I always feel that a spouse should support another spouse's dream where they can, and it sounds like your DH definitely can support you.

Not read all the posts but has the direct entry teaching route been suggested? You need a degree (English is good and I think you said you would only have to do two years). Then do this:
www.ucas.com/teaching-option/school-direct-salaried

Have you thought about training to be a Social Worker then side stepping into Children’s Residential Care?

Before you make any decisions, you need to go and spend some time in at least one school so that you can see for yourself what a teacher's day is like. I would also recommend going in to both a primary and secondary school, so that you can be sure you're making the right decision regarding the age group you want to teach. Everyone thinks they understand what teaching is like because they went to school. But being on the other side of the staffroom door is a very different experience, and you shouldn't be walking in blind.

I'm a secondary school teacher. I retrained in my late twenties. Almost ten years on, I lead a faculty and I earn very well indeed - much more than your current salary - because I moved into the independent sector. I've never regretted switching careers.

Teaching is a wonderfully fulfilling job in many ways, but it's also incredibly emotionally and intellectually demanding. People who aren't teachers don't understand how absolutely exhausting it is to be 'on' every minute, of every hour, of every day. There is no down time. There are no breaks. You have to be prepared for anything and you always have to be the responsible person in the room. Your day can be upended at any moment by a child having an emotional crisis, or declaring a safeguarding emergency, or a colleague going home sick and you needing to give up your free period to cover their lesson with five minutes' notice. You always need to be ready with reassurance, kindness, and the 'right' answer, no matter what kids throw at you. The pressure of that is enormous. Getting through the day as a teacher is like spinning plates while riding a unicycle. While it means there's never a dull moment, it does mean that it is not a job for the faint hearted.

I wouldn't do anything else. But you need to know what you're walking into. Teaching breaks many people. You need to be 100% sure before you sign on the dotted line.

Yes that’s true, you might be better going into the private sector.

Go for it and follow your heart!

A large income isn’t enough to keep you happy.

I gave up work to have kids, and I won’t go back to my old well paid job. I’m going to college and then uni (all being well) to get a job of my dreams that isn’t necessarily (but could be) better paying!

Follow your heart girl x

Noooo - If your MH suffers with stress DO NOT go into teaching!
Teachers burn out within 10years snd either find a part time support role or get the hell out. Schools are often venomous pits. Don’t do it!
Can you take 2 weeks out and ask nearby schools if you can go in to help out and observe as you are considering the profession.
I got out 5 years ago after teaching for 20years, thank goodness.
It’s not an easy job, it’s much longer than school hours, you spend most of your days without adult company, it’s poorly paid, it’s very very stressful.

If you've always wanted to teach then go for it or you may always wonder what if. I retrained as a teacher when my kids were young and had a horrible experience in my first year. The atmosphere in the staff room was toxic and bullying was rife. It made me ill and I had to walk away for the sake of my health. But I don't regret trying. I think I was just unlucky. Other people I trained with are still teaching and doing really well.