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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Confused and lost - career question

30 replies

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 16:36

Posting here for traffic.

I would really appreciate some practical advice and honest opinions.

I am just about to begin the third and final year of my degree course - English Literature and Creative Writing. When I graduate I will be 57. I'm currently on course for a 1st.

My problem is that, despite it being so late in my life, I'm not just doing a degree as a pleasurable indulgence; people do seem to assume this and I do understand why.

I have at 10 years of working life left until my pension and would like to work beyond that. I would really like to be able to use this degree to find a job I can do well in and enjoy.

My initial thought was that I could work as a self-employed editor or proofreader or something along those lines but really, my heart just isn't in it. I have actually already done that for a while and I don't enjoy it at all.

I have a long work history in mainly administration/office type work but due to various factors I have not worked for an employer since 2014.

I would like to work with children in some capacity. I did think of doing the PGCE with a view to being a primary school teacher but then I thought who would employ me when there are so many younger people apply for the job?

I feel I am going to have become self-employed, whatever I decide whereas I would really prefer to be an employee. I feel very jumbled up and confused and quite hopeless about it all.

The 2 years I have done have taken their toll on my health although nothing majorly serious, but I am not exactly looking forward to this next year. This is compounded by having no solid goal or real hope of achieving anything with it anyway, because of my age.

I wonder if I do push on and complete it, is there a conversion degree that would mean I can work in some capacity with children? If not, what else - I will consider other possibilities.

What do you think? Sorry to be so vague. No one definitive question here. I just wanted to put my situation and thoughts up here to get ideas and general feedback and any practical suggestions.

I did try the uni careers guidance but they look as me as if to say 'career? surely you are retired now?' lol.

The whole situation is making me feel very down and hopeless.

Bottom line - I just want a viable, definite, realistic goal to aim for and make it worth the while.

Thank you for sticking with me and apologies for grammatical errors and typos as I'm sure they will be there!

OP posts:

Rudeppl · 13/07/2021 16:46

Congrats on reaching your final year OP I think going into a career at your age is always a little tough. Would you be willing to complete a masters afterwards to make yourself more employable?

Original poster

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 16:48

Thank you, Rudeppl - yes, I definitely would! The only reservation I would have about it is the usual one that is the thorn in my side - more time and another year older! lol! Then again, I've seen how quickly a year can go when you're studying. I would really need to feel it would be worth it - back to an end goal again.

OP posts:

NumberTheory · 13/07/2021 16:57

Given your situation, looking at traditional, graduate entry level jobs is probably not going to be your best bet. You could probably do with trying to leverage your previous work experience and your life experience.

Social work might do that? Think it requires a fair bit to become qualified even after a degree, though.
What about working for a child-focused charity or a youth program of a sports team/industry group/etc? Your office experience should be pretty valuable in some kind of program management role.

If you will consider non-child focused roles, what about ESL or some sort of tutoring?

Also, While AIBU may have lots of traffic and can bring up lots of ideas, you might get more focused and realistic responses on one of the “Work” related boards.

Best of luck with the rest of your degree and with the job hunt!

NoMoreCovidPlease · 13/07/2021 16:59

The only person that can set a goal is you. It's a pretty wide degree that you are doing rather than one leading down a clear professional path. What did you have in mind when you started?

KingdomScrolls · 13/07/2021 17:00

You need a social work degree to be a social worker... What about copy writing?

Original poster

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 17:01

@NumberTheory

If you will consider non-child focused roles, what about ESL or some sort of tutoring?

Also, While AIBU may have lots of traffic and can bring up lots of ideas, you might get more focused and realistic responses on one of the “Work” related boards.

Best of luck with the rest of your degree and with the job hunt!

Thank you Number Theory.

Yes - I like all of those suggestions. I am currently learning a foreign language myself and am quite fascinated by different languages.

Many thanks I will give these further consideration.

I think you're right about the 'Work' board,

Do I repost there myself or do I ask MN to do it?

Many thanks.

OP posts:

CoRhona · 13/07/2021 17:04

I think you sound really focused and would do well working for yourself.

spotcheck · 13/07/2021 17:05

@KingdomScrolls

You need a social work degree to be a social worker... What about copy writing?

There are graduate entry degrees too.

OP
Are you sure a primary won't hire you? Perhaps try volunteering at one to see if you like it?

I also agree w children's charities, or programmes like Uniconnect , etc.

Have you thought about pastoral care in a school or college?

Conkergame · 13/07/2021 17:08

OP, have a look at “Now Teach” online. It’s aimed at people exactly like you who are wanting to become teachers after an earlier career. I’m sure they’d love to have you! Best of luck!

susiebluebell · 13/07/2021 17:08

I agree, with admin experience and an arts degree, you could easily slide into working for a charity - in lots of different capacities. There are so many wonderful charities out there!

Original poster

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 17:10

@NoMoreCovidPlease

The only person that can set a goal is you. It's a pretty wide degree that you are doing rather than one leading down a clear professional path. What did you have in mind when you started?

Hello,

I think that's the problem - I really believed a degree could help me to get a career going again and I knew I would have a good chance of getting a good degree in English. I also like the idea of writing creative fiction and gaining a portion of income from that.
I did consider being a teacher but then it felt like a reality check when many of my young, bright-eyed cohorts were aiming for the same and I felt I was being unrealistic.

My creative writing pieces always get a first but I'm not sure I want to carry on with that now. I love reading etc. but I feel I want to do something more substantial, something that makes a difference in the real world.

I sound so at sea with it all I am annoying myself!

OP posts:

belhaven · 13/07/2021 17:11

What about working as a benefits or debt advisor?

Original poster

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 17:12

@KingdomScrolls

You need a social work degree to be a social worker... What about copy writing?

Thank you, Kingdom Scrolls.

I have done a bit - I really don't like it. I would like to do something meaningful in the world and help people, especially children.

OP posts:

Original poster

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 17:14

@Conkergame

OP, have a look at “Now Teach” online. It’s aimed at people exactly like you who are wanting to become teachers after an earlier career. I’m sure they’d love to have you! Best of luck!

Thank you, Conkergame.

I have never heard of that!

I will most definitely look into that.

I am so grateful that so many people are taking the time to help me - it means so much.

OP posts:

Original poster

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 17:16

@susiebluebell

I agree, with admin experience and an arts degree, you could easily slide into working for a charity - in lots of different capacities. There are so many wonderful charities out there!

Susiebluebell - I would VERY much like to work for a charity, yes.

Thank you for suggesting yet another possibility

I am feeling more hopeful.

OP posts:

mindutopia · 13/07/2021 17:17

You mentioned an interest in teaching and that you are studying a foreign language. Could you teach English abroad? This obviously depends on whether you have children living with you or a partner you want to be close to or ageing parents or other ties to the UK. But when I was younger, I was interviewing for teaching abroad jobs (China/Japan) and I have absolutely no teaching qualifications.

Original poster

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 17:17

@CoRhona

I think you sound really focused and would do well working for yourself.

Ah, thank you

I feel like more like a knotted bundle of wires at the moment! lol!

OP posts:

Original poster

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 17:20

@belhaven

What about working as a benefits or debt advisor?

Thank you, Belhaven,

At the risk of appearing to be excited about everything . . . yes, I think I would be good at that and would gain some satisfaction from it.

OP posts:

Original poster

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 17:23

@mindutopia

Hi Mindutopia,

If I was younger and single I would consider that but, now, as a happily married home lover, I need friends and family too much to want to be away.

OP posts:

Original poster

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 17:26

QUOTE There are graduate entry degrees too.

OP
Are you sure a primary won't hire you? Perhaps try volunteering at one to see if you like it?

I also agree w children's charities, or programmes like Uniconnect , etc.

Have you thought about pastoral care in a school or college? UNQUOTE

Thank you, Spotcheck.

Pastoral care would be very rewarding and I will definitely consider it.

OP posts:

Original poster

stripeyflowers · 13/07/2021 17:28

Just to make people aware I will be back tomorrow now so if I take time replying don't think I've abandoned the thread.

Thank you for giving me back some hope.

OP posts:

OverTheWater · 13/07/2021 17:28

Look up Lucy Kellaway - she started as a secondary school English teacher aged 60ish after a career in journalism.

Not a teacher, but surely your life experiences simply bring a different sort of asset to bright eyes and bushy tails, and could well be equally valuable?

TeaandHobnobs · 13/07/2021 17:35

I would look around at your local primary schools to see if they are looking for extra support in the COVID catch up scheme - I have a friend who is going in to read with kids in a local primary as part of this; granted it is voluntary, but if you could fit something in during your final year, it would be worthy experience, maybe even help you towards a TA role?
Or look at getting an SEN qualification when you’ve finished your degree - my DS’ 1:1 had specialist linguistic skills which have been key to helping him, and there will always be a demand for SEN teachers (personally I think working with SEN kids is super rewarding).

BlueSuffragette · 13/07/2021 17:49

If you want to work with early years children, 0-5 years, you can work towards an Early Years Teacher qualification whilst working in a nursery. Your degree is ok. The course takes 9 months and is currently free. The nursery also gets a bursary grant.

maddening · 13/07/2021 18:11

If you are good at academia, why not work at the uni?

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