To be quite wealthy but want to start at entry level in a corporate job at age 40 with 2 very young children?

[MLCMomma]

We have 7 figures plus in investments and assets. Combined with my husbands income there is no financial need for me to work and he is ok with this but will support whatever I want. We have two very young children. Over the years I have never known what I’ve wanted to do and have bounced around job wise and you could say I have not been successful in having a career. I have been a SAHM for a while and whilst I love my children, doing this long term is not for me. I would love to give another shot at a fulfilling career a go. The field I’m thinking doesn’t require extensive qualifications and I often see many jobs available, especially entry level. I imagine I would start on a very low wage and work amongst people much younger than me, but in the long term there is a clear direct path to progress. It would also mean my children would be in nursery/school probably from 8-6 which I don’t really like the idea of. There may be options to WFH since Covid but this is not something I’ve looked into. Sometimes I think because we have money I’ve lost drive and ambition, I’ve always wanted a successful fulfilling career but it hasn’t worked out for me thus far but I really want to give it another shot. I think if I worked PT progression would be hard/limited. Would it be crazy for me to do this when there is no financial need whatsoever? To sacrifice my children spending more time at home with me whilst they’re young? To be burnt out constantly and have very little time to myself? Is this just a dream and the reality is not so great? If I wait until my children are in senior school I will be closer to 50 and that’s too late.

I would say, first secure an interview, then come on here for advice. As far as I know, most entry level jobs are kept for the younger, just graduated types and you would most likely fall at the back of the list, especially if it does not require much skills.

Have you investigated looking into something you can freelance in, or be self employed in to work around the dc instead.

I don't want to start my own business either. I like the field I'm considering and working a corporate job

@rubicscubicle This is my fear. Do you think I'm pretty much screwed now?

I would think about studying round the children to get any relevant qualification and be around for them a bit more whilst also preparing yourself for a better job longer term. Is this an option in the field you are looking at? I studied for AAT exams as fitted round the dc more easily

I don’t think you’re crazy, no. I don’t ‘need’ to work financially but I do need to for my mental health and well-being and we are all happier as a result!

I do a PT job that pays far less than I used to earn, and is so minuscule in comparison to DH’s income and our combined savings that it’s barely visible to the naked eye, but I enjoy the job and it’s a job that makes a positive contribution to the local community, which makes me happy.

I had also reached a point where I had been a SAHM for a long time and felt it was also good for our DC to see me working.

So I wouldn’t necessarily rule it out if I were you BUT personally I would avoid putting very young DC in nursery for those hours on a FT basis - that just sounds gruelling all round. Maybe consider hiring a really good nanny so they can be cared for at home? And outsource as much other stuff (cleaning, gardening etc) as you can too.

7 figures plus is presumably a minimum of a million pounds and if its more than 7 a minimum of ten million.

At that level you have the luxury of choice. If you want to work to help fufil yourself then why not. If you don't like it, you can just as easily walk away.

With your assets and income you could look at a full time nanny. With what you've got you should be able to afford a full time nanny so your children could be at home and have more individual attention.

You're in the very fortunate position where it's entirely up to you and you can change your mind about it at will.

PS Prepare yourself - people on Mumsnet can get quite stressed when others talk about how much money they have.

Give us an idea of the field you're interested in... many many corporations have "return to work" type programs for people in exactly your position. It's also a good time to ask for part time work as large corporates seem desperate to hire women and be seen to offer flexible working. Does your DH have any contacts he can leverage for you??

I work full time in a corporate job. My kids go to breakfast club at 7.30 and then get picked up by an after school nanny so they're at home. We all have dinner together every night and it works for us. I'm hoping to get promoted next year which will be as high as I want to go in my current company and I'm going to ask to drop down to 4 days a week after that.

I say go for it.

I don't necessarily agree with @rubicscubicle. A lot of bigger corporates have women returner schemes, for example, which is exactly what you may be looking for as a former SAHP. And any company who is serious about diversity should have considered that age is also a 'thing'. Although I agree, you wouldn't qualify for a graduate scheme, but that's fine - there's more than one way to skin a cat.

Give it a go - why not? Be prepared to work hard and get your hands dirty. You'll stand out for the right ways if you already know how to navigate a workplace, etc. Just make sure your DH's 'support' translates into actual practical stuff like doing school runs, covering days when the children are off sick, etc and isn't just lip service!

There are lots of really fulfilling high powered voluntary jobs which you could do and still spend plenty of time with your children. Charities are always looking for trustees, being the chair of a big charity can be fairly high profile if you want a challenge and have the finance not to work. They aren't paid but get expenses. You could make a real difference in a field you have a passion in.

Oh the trustee idea is a good one, you'll be doing good as well as fulfilling your own ambitions.

What is your skill set though? What education do you have?
I would be wary of taking an entry level job just because you'll be taking the opportunity away from someone starting out who also needs the money. I know this sounds awful and actually you do have the right to those positions as much as the next woman, but it would bother me.

@horseymum

There are lots of really fulfilling high powered voluntary jobs which you could do and still spend plenty of time with your children. Charities are always looking for trustees, being the chair of a big charity can be fairly high profile if you want a challenge and have the finance not to work. They aren't paid but get expenses. You could make a real difference in a field you have a passion in.

Most Charities want Trustees with relevant qualification and experience, legal, financial- senior expertise in the relevant sector.

To have a 'high powered' voluntary job you have to have 'high powered' expertise.

Big charities are major businesses-being the Chair is not the Vicars wife doing a few hours a week any more.

I envy you having the choice. As someone who needs to work to keep food on the table I would love to be able to stay with my kids. They’re only little once. Can you wait until they’re in school so they don’t have such long days at nursery?

We have a similar financial setup to yours from your description and I wouldn’t do this, no, unless I was hugely passionate about the role I wanted and progressing within that career. Otherwise I’d be finding ways to develop my career around my family and aim to work more hours, if that’s what I wanted, once the kids were much older.

Not everyone will agree but I think it’s an enormous privilege to have one parent home some of the time, rather than both working 8-6 with the associated after school clubs, holiday clubs, mad dashes round the shops in the evenings grabbing something for dinner, horse trading over school illness etc. I think it makes overall family life much easier if finances allow. So in your shoes I’d think about roles that are a bit less full-on at this stage.

Can’t really comment on the job part without a sense of what we are talking about, but on kids I cannot underline enough: GET A NANNY. a brilliant one who you pay well and love. It’s the answer to childcare stress and works brilliantly with the right person. We have two very big careers and a really good and fulfilling family life, and it’s basically possible because we have a wonderful nanny (who does not live with us).

N o need for daycare, you could afford a trained nanny at home.

I work at a very senior level in a well-paid job 6 figures). I’ve recently returned to the private sector after being in the public sector.

In your position, I’d think of a long-term plan and maybe see a career consultant. My kids are now teens and their childhood now seems very brief. It would be a shame to put them in full-time nursery for an entry level job. If I could go back in time, I would have taken longer maternity leaves, but at the time even taking 6 months felt like a lot. In retrospect, I should have done at least a year each time.

I have a friend who did a degree then PhD at the Open university while her kids were young and has gradually increased her hours over time.

There is no need to rush into a decision.

@Whatwentwronghere I hope my post didn't come across as ignorant and boastful and I know how fortunate I am. I'm also had parents who really really struggled financially and worked extremely hard when I was a child so I know your hardships. And your children are and will be so grateful for everything you've done for them. I have thought about waiting until primary school but I fear I might still feel guilt at them being there for long days. I'm also personally not overly keen on the idea of a nanny. I think I would rather they're at school with friends which is probably not the common choice

‘We’ would be no longer in the event of divorce. You would get a settlement - share of assets, maintenance for DC and any share of your H’s pension for you all uncertain - and your H would retain his personal earnings ability.

I therefore disagree that you personally don’t ‘need’ to do paid work. Your situation will enable you to pay for the best possible childcare (nanny IMO!)

Can you do a part time internship?

Thanks for the replies. It's making me think that perhaps my heart really isn't in putting them in nursery and school 8-6 for an entry level job. I think I should let the corporate career dream (which is probably very much a dream) go, and find something PT that gives me more balance with the children, and then I can review things when they start senior school

You have no CURRENT financial need to work. That could change v quickly.

The challenges/guilt working FT hasn’t got easier for m as DC have got older, but I have retained my personal earning ability.

Your posts make it sound like the best idea would be part time for now and once the kids are older then focus on longer hours. Maybe you can also study in the meantime if you want to - since money is plentiful for you you could choose any course you liked from a financial point of view.

Not true that all graduate type of jobs ate reserved for young ones! My friend started a month ago a trainee job, graduate scheme. She is in her late 40's. She has to pass lots of exams in order to qualify but she loves it. She is a single mum and deliberately chosen this field as she can partially wfh.

@Fere

Not true that all graduate type of jobs ate reserved for young ones! My friend started a month ago a trainee job, graduate scheme. She is in her late 40's. She has to pass lots of exams in order to qualify but she loves it. She is a single mum and deliberately chosen this field as she can partially wfh.

Would you say what field your friend is working in please

I think that if this was really something that suited your skills and would make you happy, you would have gravitated towards it during your 15+ years in the workforce before having children.