To ask you to help me figure out something to do

[YipYipAppa]

I've done admin since I did a business admin NVQ when I was 17 (I'm now 37). I was never that enthusiastic about the idea of admin but needed to do something and that was suggested and, as I didn't know what else to do, I went with it.

In the last couple of years, I began to get fed up of doing admin and now I am at the stage where I hate it. I am miserable for 8 hours a day 5 days a week. I'm stressed and tired, and by Sunday night, I'm already dreading the week ahead. I don't want to feel like this every week for the next 30/40/50 years.

The problem is, I have no idea what else I could actually do. I've only ever done admin. Please help me think of some other things I can do!

Some background info:

• I'm tiny (4'8") so physical jobs are a no go (e.g my DP is a gardener and I would be unable to do that as I am not physically strong enough and wouldn't be able to lift things onto trailers - even with things that I could lift, I would still struggle with being able to reach things etc)

• I do some crafts but am not very good at any of them so would be unable to make things to sell (as much as I would love to)

• I don't think my interests really translate into jobs I could actually do, eg I love animals, especially dogs, but would be unable to work with bigger dogs due to my height/lack of strength. I used to visit an older lady who lived nearby and I'd walk her (Labrador cross) dog with her but I had to be very careful when I had the lead as he could easily have ended up dragging me along (thankfully he was happy to walk alongside me).

O wise ones, can anyone give me any ideas of things I could at least look into? My sanity depends on doing something else and I've been wracking my brains but coming up empty. It's really getting me down and I would love to feel a bit more hopeful as we're rapidly approaching a new year!

How about look into training as a veterinary nurse?

Work in a cattery?

Some sort of zoo work/zoo keeper qualification? Working with fish/insects/smaller animals.
Bookkeeping qualification. Maybe a bit too much like admin, but could probably do it freelance and work as and when you want, and from home.
Fundraising for a charity.

I did think about that but I'm quite an emotional person and I'm not sure I could cope with looking after poorly animals all day - I can't make even make it through an episode of Yorkshire Vet, Supervet or any of those type of shows without ending up in tears!

There aren't many catteries where I am, and I don't have any experience with cats (I've only ever spent short periods of time with them when I've visited friends who have cats) so not sure any would be that interested in me but certainly something to think about, thank you!

I wanted to say, just because you're petite doesn't mean you can't be strong- I'm very short too and I hated being 'weak' so I started weight training.

I work a very physically demanding job and I'm stronger than a few of the guys at work now. I don't have big muscles or anything but I do have good strength, I love that my size is deceiving! So don't let this hold you back.

I would love to work with zoo animals but it's very physical work and involves lifting etc so don't think I would be at all suited to it unfortunately. It's also very hard to get into as there aren't many vacancies per year anyway.

Small animals/insects/fish - again, I have no experience so not sure anyone would actually want to take me on (I didn't even have pets growing up) and the only places around where I live that have animals (other than catteries/kennels) are zoo type places where you would need qualifications anyway. Insects wise, I am actually hoping to do a beekeeping course at the beginning of next year (after much research, including looking at the practicalities - thankfully there are certain types of hives that you don't have to lift heavy boxes with!) but that is purely because I find it interesting and would maybe one day like to take it up as a hobby (again, not many paid jobs in it, especially without experience).

Bookkeeping- a bit too much like admin, and I absolutely hate working with numbers! Maths has always been my weakest subject. I am actually self employed at the moment (as a freelance PA) so wouldn't need to be bookkeeper for that.

Oh sorry, I didn't mean to imply that petite people can't be strong, I know they absolutely can! I'm just talking about my own limitations. I know I can lift things but I do struggle to lift things over my head etc and I don't think I could do heavy lifting all day every day. I do work out so I'm not unfit per se.

I should also add that I have issues with my wrist and back (I suspect arthritis as both my parents have it to varying degrees) which means even if I wasn't so short, I would still struggle as my back and wrists start to hurt after a while, especially when it's cold.

I just want to add, sorry if i'm coming across as ungrateful. I really appreciate all of your suggestions.

I'm feeling pretty useless at the moment 🙁

There's a lot in your posts about what you can't do but not a lot about what you can, what are your strengths? I know you hate current job but are there any parts of it that are bearable/that you are good at? Do you enjoy working with people, have good social skills? Are you articulate and a good writer? Good with computers? Would you prefer to work mainly alone or as part of a team? Would you prefer something that is outdoorsy or that takes you from place to place? Do you prefer structure and a set list of tasks or to be more creative, does the idea of being your own boss attract you or horrify you? How would you feel about working outside the standard 9-5? What motivates you in a job, is it being part of a team, achieving goals, overcoming challenges, contributing to society, 'doing good'/helping others, taking home a good wage? Do you have a minimum amount you need to earn to get by and can you invest in some further study/qualifications?

You don't have to answer all these questions here and a lot of the time there's no 'right answer' but rather than thinking vaguely about hobbies and things that interest you I'd more think about your skills, strengths and preferences and then try and look at jobs that meet those things - people here might be able to help with great suggestions but if you just post things like 'working with animals' people will say every job they can think of involving animals like 'zookeeper' - no insult to the PP that said that but it's not the most practical solution as zookeeping jobs are hugely oversubscribed, poorly paid for the most part, menial and tend to require quite a few specialist qualifications - hugely rewarding too of course but not something to drift into just because you like animals. It's a bit like the threads where the OP says they or their DC like reading and someone suggests becoming a librarian, or they like history so they say become a museum curator, because those are the jobs that come to mind associated with those things, but again there is the problem of these jobs being increasingly rare, specialised, poorly paid and competitive, plus you may not get to spend much time 'doing' the thing you like, librarians don't spend all day reading for instance and you certainly can't just walk into your local museum, say you are into World War 2 and get given a (paid) job, even serving at the gift shop tends to be very competitive never mind actual curation/management roles...

Admin is such a fantastic skill and very transferable. You need to look at what else you do in that role, so support clients, manage meetings, accounts, people skills and then look at role and see how your skills fit. I honestly think with your experience there will be interesting roles out there but you need to think more widely about what you do, I can guarantee it is more than just admin.

I agree with mumonthehill.

What sort of admin do you do?

I’ve done various types and I’ve ended up working in mortgages. I absolutely love it (or usually do it’s a bit crap at the mo as we can’t give many people good news). So many different types of admin out there. Some are defo not as enjoyable as others.

Obviously I haven't just been thinking about what my hobbies etc are. I have been thinking of very little but what else I could do for a long time, even more so I'm the last few months, but I'm not going to give my entire thought process in a post or no one would bother taking the time to read it. I have asked myself pretty much all of your questions and still come up blank. I'm not expecting a miracle from Mumsnet, I am purely just looking for some inspiration.

The only bit of my current job that I don't mind is one that is becoming less and less relevant as AI has been taking over. The rest of it, I can do it and am good at it, but I can't stand it.

I will have another through your questions and see if it lights any sparks.

I'm sure you're right, but I'm struggling to come up with the answer.

I've worked on various - legal (both local authority and private law firms and everything from conveyancing to personal injury), social services, financial (again, various types of firms), photographers, cost consultants, healthcare, events. Ultimately, I find admin is all much of a muchness, regardless of the type of admin. I suppose that's a sign that admin is definitely not for me!

Project Management

Events Planner

What about a call handler for 111/the ambulance service/police?

Admin skills are a massive benefit to this role and it doesn’t require physical or manual work.

I think you need to ask yourself - What do I enjoy doing, what motivates me, I’m at my happiest when and see if your answers match with a professional area that interests you.

I have an admin role at a small homeless charity. Some of it is the usual stuff, but I can never predict what I will have to deal with - the police, bed bug infestations, chatting to our contractors about carpets - it makes the work interesting and rewarding. I learn a lot from the project workers and we have a laugh too. The voluntary sector might be worth looking at, but small local charities where you have to be flexible and to expect the unexpected.

This.

My mum is tiny, but if she punched me she could knock me out and I'm very tall and much fatter than her. She has freakishly strong arms.

Database analyst/technicians
Proofreader
Transcription
Exam marker
HR
Sales

All of these would make use of transferable skills you have.

Incidentally re dog walking, a friend of mine started a dog walking/dog sitting business and within a year had to employ someone else she was that busy. I dont thing the dog size is an issue just say to potential clients that you can only manage smaller dogs.

I was going to suggest going into tech, website design, or a coding job like Web dev or software dev but if you hate maths it may not be for you.

How about training in an aspect of the work that you've "adminned" IN, so that you'd be working at a more senior - and hopefuly interesting level - a friend trained as a legal exec & then qualified as a solicitor, I'm an accountant, HR qualifications might be an option. Being paid better compensates.
Another option (unlikely to be better paid) but might be to work for a charity whose cause you feel passionate about.

I know you are more looking for a complete switch from admin but if that's not immediately possible would you consider fraud or compliance an option as both are rapidly growing areas.

You could start with an amin based role with a view to moving to training, awareness, consultancy etc.