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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Need a higher paying job if I want to get further in Iife

96 replies

Nooriginalusernameidea · 01/10/2022 14:22

I've got a Degree and I'm a qualified teacher. I earn about 23k doing various supply/agency jobs. I know it isn't a terrible salary, but if I want children, a home, car etc. Maybe it just won't be enough.
Partner is on a low salary too and looking for higher paid work. However I noticed that my friends all have husbands/partners on very good salaries, not sure if this was deliberate but I would rather earn the money myself.
I'm currently a TA and care assistant. I make 23k by not taking many holidays and doing long hours, so it's not ideal. I haven't had more than 4 days off in nearly 2 years.
I'm considering my ECT year in teaching (put it off for a while) but too many horror stories of burnt out teachers, signed off with stress, bullying etc.
I know it would be a lot of work but everyone seems to warn you against it.
I'm currently awaiting to hear back from a probation services officer application, so fingers crossed. It's still 23k but there's progression.
I know money isn't everything, but our rent is going up too by £200 per month in a few months.
It's a shame as I do enjoy my work and it's low stress (apart from care sometimes) but feel like I will not be able to afford things.

OP posts:
SeemsSoUnfair · 01/10/2022 17:21

BrightOrangeRectangles · 01/10/2022 17:16

Are you implying that low earners are low earners because they are lazy and just show up to do the hours?

If they want more, have an education that could get them more, there is nothing really stopping them, and they sit back and procastinate and do nothing about it. Yes they are lazy.

Oblomov22 · 01/10/2022 17:28

You know what you need to do. I simply can not comprehend why you haven't done it. Like a pp, you could easily be earning £45k for starters, once you set your mind to it.

MsJuniper · 01/10/2022 17:46

I am in my 2nd ECT year and last year was extremely intense but this year less so. Teaching is always going to be a job which requires commitment and some long hours, but it is rewarding and there is an achievable pay scale to move up.

countdowntonap · 01/10/2022 17:48

Are you primary or secondary trained, Op? There seems to be much more of a work life balance for secondary staff.

caringcarer · 01/10/2022 17:50

If you are a graduate with a teaching qualification why not get a job teaching. There is a shortage of teachers for some subjects.

washingbasketqueen · 01/10/2022 17:53

I trained as a teacher and only taught for a year. I worked in family support for a while then got a job as a SEND caseworker for an LA, starting on £32k with opportunities for progression.

Nooriginalusernameidea · 01/10/2022 17:53

I'm secondary, I only ever had 2 interviews but there were 5 of us each time so you end up thinking well why would they choose me

OP posts:
Suprima · 01/10/2022 17:57

Nooriginalusernameidea · 01/10/2022 17:53

I'm secondary, I only ever had 2 interviews but there were 5 of us each time so you end up thinking well why would they choose me

What subject?

Overthebow · 01/10/2022 17:58

Nooriginalusernameidea · 01/10/2022 17:53

I'm secondary, I only ever had 2 interviews but there were 5 of us each time so you end up thinking well why would they choose me

Only 5 at interview is pretty good odds really. You have to try hard and not give up if you want to succeed in life. Otherwise settle for what you have, but it is your choice.

stripytartan · 01/10/2022 17:58

Who earns a lot of money without putting the effort in though? I definitely worked really really long hours to get into my career. When I was 21 I started a training contract and had to leave my house 6am then work until 6pm get on the train to a study course to pass my professional exams that went on until 9pm then train home and home at 11pm ready for 6am leave house next day.

But I knew I needed to do that to get where I wanted to be, I wanted to own a house, be married before I had dc. I wanted dc. None of that may have worked out despite my efforts (it did and I'm grateful) but if you don't have any ambition then how exactly do you think a larger salary will magically come from?!

SudocremOnEverything · 01/10/2022 18:02

Nooriginalusernameidea · 01/10/2022 17:53

I'm secondary, I only ever had 2 interviews but there were 5 of us each time so you end up thinking well why would they choose me

There will generally be other candidates. I think first of all you need to believe in yourself that they will choose you!

WaddleAway · 01/10/2022 18:02

Nooriginalusernameidea · 01/10/2022 17:53

I'm secondary, I only ever had 2 interviews but there were 5 of us each time so you end up thinking well why would they choose me

Why wouldn’t they choose you?

2bazookas · 01/10/2022 18:12

If you can't face stress at work, don't become a PSO.

LIZS · 01/10/2022 18:15

If you want to maximise your earning potential do the job you are already trained to do. Pt lower level roles will not lead anywhere. You will need to compete for a position but fellow candidates will usually apply for several so it evens out.

goldfinchonthelawn · 01/10/2022 18:17

I think any well paid work involves some high stress levels and long hours in the early days. ECT year is very stressful but then you will command much better nmoney, even as a supply teacher, surelyt, so you could control your life-work balance. Or you could do tutoring which pays better and is not so stressful. Two hours every week night and three on Saturday mornings during term time would bring you between £12,500-£25k working just 13 hours a week for 39 weeks of the year depending on what subject you specialised in (£25-50pph)

Nooriginalusernameidea · 01/10/2022 18:18

I can face stress, care work can be very stressful despite its low pay. It's more the way teaching seems to take over your life. It's true I passed my PGCE but that was on a reduced timetable. It seems to vary so much depending on the school.
I do need to just believe in myself more and have more confidence

OP posts:
Nooriginalusernameidea · 01/10/2022 18:22

Would be really interested to hear from anyone who is or who has been a PSO too! Prison officers now start on approx 30k so I've been considering that too but the danger element puts me off ..

OP posts:
AloysiusBear · 01/10/2022 18:24

What's your degree in? Is it from a reasonably well ranked university and 2.1 or higher?

If so, if its really important to you that you earn more, can you look at graduate schemes that have much better potential for high earnings long term? Accountancy schemes, management schemes at big corporates like unilever or GSK?

You are going to spend the next 30 years repaying student debt, why not aim a bit higher and your money's worth from your degree?

SavingsThreads · 01/10/2022 18:25

I would do your ECT - 69hrs a week with proper holidays is a better balance than 2 jobs with only a few days off at a time, surely!

After a few years of moving up, if you're finding it too much it's easier to move into something comparative - local council, civil service, probation/prison service, recruitment, university administration etc.

SavingsThreads · 01/10/2022 18:26

*60hrs a week sorry. Though having been a TA and supply you'll be more prepared and can do less

Nooriginalusernameidea · 01/10/2022 18:27

Degree is in MFL, from a high ranking university but a 2.2. PGCE was a 2.1/Merit though not sure how much that counts.
When you put it that way about the holidays you're right. Being agency, I get 12% holiday pay in my hourly rate. I would lose money if I took a week off at any point.

OP posts:
goldfinchonthelawn · 01/10/2022 18:28

OP, don;t even begin to consider prison service if you think ECT year is too stressful for you! Hmm

Nooriginalusernameidea · 01/10/2022 18:30

It's more about number of hours than stress, but admittedly I have no idea what the probation service could be like.

OP posts:
AloysiusBear · 01/10/2022 18:32

Even with a 2.2, from a decent uni I'd be applying for something like accountancy or management training schemes where you start on 30k and progress to 50 or 60k within 3 or 4 years. It will take 15 years to get to that type of money in teaching/probation/local councils, if you ever get there. PwC take graduates with 2.2.

Puffalicious · 01/10/2022 18:34

OP, you might love teaching, you never know. I do. However, I'm in Scotland where conditions are way better. I do work hard, but after 28 years at the chalkface (secondary) I don't do anywhere near as much prep as i did when i was younger, and can mark really quickly. It's about looking long term. I also only work 4 days and still earn £34,000: life balance.