AIBU to ask you to help me become a high/higher earner?

[VivaForEva]

I’m in my mid 30’s and currently work in a nursery earning a pittance.

Alongside this, I am doing a BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting) degree through the OU.

DH earns £45k a year in a public sector role with a set rate of progression. His pay will always go up bands/increment levels, but it’ll be very much a gradual rise.

I have two years more to do of my 6 year degree (part time) and I really need some advice on how to use it to become a reasonably high earner? I know it’s not as simple as getting a degree and walking into a job and I’m totally content with beginning on the bottom rung of the ladder, as long as I’m working towards something more.

I just want to be able to offer more to my children than I can at present and really want to better myself.

Im very grateful for any advice.

The first thing to be aware of is that high-earning roles (particularly at initial post-qual level) are rarely family friendly: you're unlikely to walk into a £60k role that also allows you to do the school run.

However, the world is changing and things may be different in two years.

I'd recommend getting yourself in with a big firm for at least two years after you qualify, if possible - even if you don't stick it out, having a Big 4 name on your CV will help.

It's been a long time since I left university, but is 'the milk round' still a thing?

Oh, bloody hell, hit return too quickly.

Look into grad schemes - again, going back to Big 4 (E&Y / Deloitte / PwC / KPMG): a lot of them have DE&I targets to hit, so will be supportive of older grads / parent entrants / returners etc.

Start now and look at their criteria - they look for top-notch academic results, obviously, but they'll also consider other aspects in terms of previous experience and so on, so get ahead now.

Have you thought about starting your own business?
Own hours and the potential to make a lot of money.

What do you class as high earning? x

It sounds like you are on the right track. Get a job related to your degree. Get your employer to pay for the next set of professional qualifications.

Get good childcare in place.

Good Luck.

If you work for a local authority I’d look at progressing through their management structure. You may be private sector I realise but worth mentioning. It tends to be more flexible and good pension, sick pay etc.

Your husband is a relatively low earner, to be fair jus above average which is 38. Not exactly rocking the world, is he. I guess that’s why you want to do better, so you’re not skint for ever.

what’s your degree in, can it be used for other things?

I would look to change jobs now into something that supports your intended career move, and gives you practical experience to support your qualification.

I work in Learning and Development and started in a part time role, obtained a professional qualification whilst working, and am now moving into a strategic, head of department pathway that can eventually pay 6 figures. I'm not there yet, but I'll get it in a few years. A lot of the roles are remote or hybrid, so still allows for family life.

@Keepyourmummysboys why so harsh? Don't think the OP deserved that. OP didn't for a moment suggest she thought her DH was a high earner or 'rocking the world'.

Dickhead

Absolutely no need

So is finance/accounting what you ultimately want to do?

where in the U.K. are you approximately? (Region?)

@Keepyourmummysboys - hope you feel better for that post.

This is quite a patronising response given you’re not even capable of reading the OP properly…

Oh cmon,,,,this isn’t net mums, do we need to pretend? If so. Sorry. I Misunderstood,

@Keepyourmummysboys i don’t know if you meant your post to come across rude? But at no point did I say DH was a high earner. He works really hard, as do a lot of people who earn around that figure. It may not be a lot of money to you, but to many it is a good wage.

I would like earn around the 80k bracket in future. Again, a high salary to me, but maybe not to many others. I know this will take time to achieve, but I’m prepared to work hard to get there.

Where are you based?

you’ve got huge options with your degree, but might be hindered by where you live.

Good for you, being with him shouldn’t hold you back, but you’re unlikely to earn it in nursery care, so you need to get into business,

OP I would look for an entry level role in accounting and move to that now. They will hopefully help get you through an accounting qualification (either ACCA or CIMA). Your degree may give you some credits towards those.

You will always be able to earn a decent amount as a qualified accountant.

DH is in the armed forces. We are currently stationed overseas, but would be considering buying a house in the north of England in time for our eldest starting secondary school. I appreciate that London would give me more & better options.

@Keepyourmummysboys - so you came on MN tonight to leave unhelpful posts on a number of threads - maybe pour a glass of wine or watch TV instead.

You could look at following a legal route to becoming an Ilex/solicitor. If you have the drive and ability you could do very well.

Pretend what? Pretend to have read the OP? Or pretend to not be lowlife scum? Or pretend to actually answer the question?

OP has a household income that is well above average, your statistical analysis is as poor as your reading ability. I’m sorry you‘ve made a fool of yourself.

@Sparklesz I’d have no idea what I could start a business doing. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'd get yourself out of childcare for a start. No one earns much doing that.

You'd be better with an apprentice or trainee finance / business type role to complement the degree.