Changing career advice?

[TheGoogleMum]

Sorry in AIBU for traffic as I'm sure I've seen good threads on this before.

I'm looking to change careers as I feel like I will never progress where I am currently. I have tried but sadly my face doesn't fit with the right person who is head of my department and unlikely to move on. I actually suspect he is slightly sexist but he is smart enough to make it impossible to prove. After jumping through all the hoops and being clearly the best candidate on paper I have been rejected again and someone with for less experience chosen so I think it's time to accept this career is not advancing ever

I have an MSc but unfortunately in a very niche subject (healthcare/science related), my job is in the NHS I have to have attention to detail, good communication skills, IT skill (I haven't done any coding though unless you Cound html as a teenager!), organisation, delegating work, not directly managed others but have led the team when senior staff are absent, working both alone and in a team, training new staff, anatomy knowledge, some basic physics knowledge, project work (but no big projects or project management training), being adaptable, working to deadlines, awareness of patient safety, some work with quality system.

I like the idea of doing something in tech, (although I'd consider anything that could earn similar but get me away from this person stopping my progress!) but I don't really know where to start.

Also I can't really afford to give up work to study or earn significantly less (my full time salary is around 40k - top of band 6, though I'm currently part time!).

Am I stuck if less income is a hard barrier or is there anything I can do?

I'm mid 30s so it does feel a little late to retrain but I'm aware others have done this sort of thing even later in life

Sadly DH earns a little less than me so I can't just fall back on his income (also we have kids so hard to top up with extra working)

About to be on maternity leave so that might give me some time for non full time training if needed.

Please be kind to me, I am a bit emotional today

You've got a good range of transferrable skills which are relevant to a lot of things. I'd say you have a pretty good starting point for a career change into many areas, but it might take a while as you're a bit 'jack of all trades' at the moment.

I'm in a similar situation and I think my best advice is to try and narrow down what you want to do. 'Working in tech' is definitely achievable but it's a massive area! What is it you want to do in tech?

Are there any opportunities in your current role to do more of what you want to be doing/ more tech stuff?

A good start might be to talk to HR or your manager and see if you can take on any additional responsibilities in something that interests you more.

It's never too late to retrain and your maternity leave might be a great opportunity!

Thank you for this. I was thinking even though its niche I must have some transferable skills here. I appreciate I can't just jump into a different job on 40k though!

I already do have extra training in the software we use so have more responsibilities and can set up tasks and checklists for the team to complete. I don't want to just do more of it where I am as want to have promotion opportunities and it has become very clear they prefer to promote others so i am feeling unappreciated.

Unfortunately the obvious next step for me was the job I've just been rejected for and there's nowhere else to go, and I very much feel the wrong choice has been made. I can't do this job in another hospital as its at certain hospitals only and too spread out (DH won't move and we are near my parents which is convenient for childcare)

Well I don't know why you weren't chosen for the job but I've had a similar experience and it absolutely sucks to know you're the best candidate but someone else has been promoted because (for example) the manager likes them more.

It sounds like you know your worth and you should move on.

I think in your position I would stay in the job but work on increasing skills and getting experience in what you really want to do (even if that involves doing a bit of extra work in the evening etc.)

I've taken on some volunteering which I do in the evening which is teaching me a new skill, for example. Once I get more proficient in it I will probably leave my current job to work in this area.

You might have to take a bit of a salary cut though, that is expected with career changing, although tech jobs are generally quite lucrative so you might get lucky.