Am I doomed to have no career?

[OwlInTheMoss]

Does anyone have any suggestions of what I could do to earn some money?! I feel pretty useless right now.

I am in my 40s with 2 kids. Ideally I need to work flexible, part time hours to fit around the family's needs including one child with ASD who often needs a lot of my time. Working from home would be perfect.

I work hard and am friendly and learn quickly. I like doing jobs that feel like they make a positive difference to the world in some way. I'm interested in plants and literature and art and people and making things.

I did well academically and I have a language degree from a good uni, but don't speak any language well enough to use for work.

Pre-kids I did support worker type roles, but these are too emotionally heavy for me now.
I did admin jobs as a student which was ok, though my knowledge is out of date.

The last few years I've been working as a gardener, which I absolutely love, but I've done something painful to my back, am currently off work, and I just don't know that this is going to be a suitable career option in the long term.

I don't need or want a high-flying career and DH earns enough to carry most of the financial load, but I definitely want to be contributing.

Feels like I am wafting about getting nowhere and constantly going back to the drawing board.

I was in my 40's when I did the degree.

If it’s the money that’s the main driver this may not be right for you, but as a not for profit / charitable thing you could perhaps set up a gardening project with vulnerable people / adults with learning disabilities / care-leavers growing fruit and veg for delivery boxes or to sell on a market stall??

That's a great idea @Oblongogo !!!

And a list of what the plants need and when eg prune here at this time if year. Gardening is overwhelming with the knowledge needed.

This sounds interesting, how could I message you on the app though?

Write.

I was in a very similar position. Had been out of work for a number of years caring for my sons with complex disabilities. I started volunteering for citizens advice which I loved. Then a paid role came up as a volunteer supervisor which I applied for and got. It's part time, flexible and fits round my sons care needs. I love it

Yoga.

it will strengthen your back so you can keep gardening; over time you could train to teach and transition.

I'm a garden designer and there are plenty of us around but the market really lacks labour, at least where I am. I really like the idea above about outsourcing your labour and upscaling your current business, I can see that really working. You would be the expert with the knowledge and experience but get in younger blood to do the work.

I could also recommend contacting your local landscaping companies and offering your service re plant knowledge and planting plans. You can learn to draw them yourself pretty easily.

I think you would need to be self employed to achieve the level of flexibility you need, in all honesty.
I’m part time and largely WFH in my job in financial services, but I was full time in the office for years before and the flexibility I have is down to my experience and seniority. Flexibility is a two way thing in my industry too; for example every third Thursday there is a conference call I am expected to on, despite the fact I don’t work on Thursdays. I get the time back in lieu, but I have to be on that call.

Cat fencing installer

I was going to suggest virtual PA - or book keeper.

I think garden design will be tough given the time limits.

I know a couple of people that do this, one of them works for a variety of Media companies (the industry she used to work in), the other one is more a personal PA helping out sole traders or people who are so caught up in work or kids that they don’t have time for admin.

The other option is book keeping - I think (check) - there is a demand for this from small businesses and sole traders.

I don’t think you are going to have an actual career no - but I don’t think you want one? It sounds to me that you want to be a housewife / mother with a bit of decently paid work on the side. Having some clarity about this will help you get to where you want quicker.

Any garden designer I know (three or four) has a diploma in it - plus they do a lot of the physical work too.
Get yourself a good physio - 40 is no age - the woman who just did my garden and has just got her diploma (mid life career change - she was a photographer who ran a gallery) is mid 50s! Seems it is something you enjoy.

Thank you all so much! It is really helpful to have lots of perspectives and ideas. I feel a bit less hopeless about it all.

Once we get through Christmas I will sort a physio and try and get my back a bit stronger.

I do really love gardening. It makes sense to try some of the additional gardening-related ideas alongside what I already do. If they take off I can reduce my manual gardening hours.

I'll definitely do some research on the other options too. Luckily winter is a quiet time for me so perfect for resting my back, thinking things through, setting some goals etc

I found my career by chance, it's quite a niche role but I get paid circa 70k. Nothing to do with my English degree or what I was interested in generally, I just found a job I thought I would enjoy and been at the same organisation for 18 years now. My advice would be just get a job that suits your skills ( so you're good at it) and work your way up.