To wonder how to break back into my old career after 20 years.

[mrsbaffled]

I used to work in data analysis until I left to have my children 20 years ago. I was an expert in my field. I was unable to return to my original job as my children have SEN and would never have settled in a nursery or childminder. I chose to be a SAHM and when they were older I ended up in an unrelated field which I have really enjoyed until recently (been there ten years).

I now feel it’s time to move on and feel the call back into data. I have a very good degree and feel that I have ‘wasted’ it. Last year I did a codecademy python course to refresh my coding skills.

AIBU to wonder how to get back into the field. I would like to break back into data science - would it be worth doing an MSc, more courses like Codecademy or just try applying for jobs? I love learning, but don’t want to spend time on something that I don’t have to.

Thank so much in advance - I feel at a bit of a crossroads at the moment … if I don’t jump now I feel like I will never do it and be stuck in what I am doing now forever.

Go on sites like Indeed and put in your criteria I.e full time / 30 miles of Surrey / data analysis / £39k upwards. I would apply to all the jobs that appeal whether you think you’ll get them or not, it would be good to start speaking to people in that field again and can advise you on whether you’re still up to scratch and what you’d need to do to become fully qualified again.

Could you volunteer at the HQ of a big charity? Then you will have some recent office experience.

Not sure if these will help to make sure your skills are up to date / relevant.,,,
https://dfebootcamp.theskillsnetwork.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=+Bootcamps+%7C+Search+%7C+National+%7C+Exact+%7C+Oct%2722&utm_id=Generic&utm_term=skills%20bootcamp&utm_campaign=Bootcamps+%7C+Search+%7C+National+%7C+Exact+%7C+B2C&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=6408359036&hsa_cam=18569162280&hsa_grp=145890501721&hsa_ad=627675145679&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-969328941241&hsa_kw=skills%20bootcamp&hsa_mt=e&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-62tBhDSARIsAO7twbbbQUoJE4KXi822M90n8wPXsDIHYoRT8Cedj3iTYzqogx9Z7clUeDQaAjmQEALw_wcB

you Still have good skills, just go for it. Things like cloud ai blah blah have change but the essential practice is the same

what have you tried already? Are there any experts in the market that could advise you e.g. recruitment agencies that might be able to suggest the demands in the role and whether any upskilling would be required before returning?

I think try applying. Have a look at the job descriptions. It's better to learn on the job than doing the wrong course.

My friend did this with planning. Senior planner then sahm for years then low paid fund raising jobs that fitted around children for about 15 years. She took a temporary job in planning baptism of fire but the youngsters helped her with the tech and the senior people appreciated her gravitas and how well she dealt with clients. Got her eye back in and just started a very good job at big name company. Helps that’s there’s a shortage I think.

@MajesticWhine I learnt on the job when I started. I wouldn’t mind going back into something quite junior to build up skills.

What's your second career? I think your best shot is finding the crossover between your old field and your new field. If you can find a company that needs knowledge of both, you would be highly valuable. Then you could use that job as a stepping stone to move more towards the data science side.

@Careerdecisions I have been browsing job adverts but the roles I have seen need experience… Which I DO have, just not recently lol!

Look at women return to work schemes; lots of the big financial services companies run them, similar to intern / graduate schemes, and it’s usually a 3ish month placement in big companies that give you the experience, try out new skills etc. With your previous background, python training etc, i’d predict you’d have a lot of interest

@TheaBrandt what a great story! Thanks

@LittleMy77 thanks - off to google that. Thank you, I wasn’t aware that was a thing.

Definitely start applying and emphasise your skills update. If you get no interest, offer yourself as an intern to a really strong company you'd like to work for.

I don’t mean this rudely to the well meaning PP but PLEASE do not volunteer anywhere just to gain office experience! You don’t need to work for free to atone for prioritising your family’s needs, and it’s not as if the office is some mythical landscape that you need to acclimatise to - most likely you’d be WFH some of the time and any office time you have would be spent on Teams calls with WFH colleagues/clients anyhow!

I had over a decade off as a SAHM, with the odd contract here and there and managed to get back into a decent role in the financial services sector I’d been in previously - although of course not at the level I would’ve been if I’d stayed working. At interviews, I spoke frankly (and unapologetically!) about being off, stressed my commitment to restarting my career, doing whatever courses/learning etc was needed. You can re-learn whatever skills you need on the job - don’t settle for the most junior role!

Do what men do. Be over confident and muscle your way back in. You did it then you can do it now.

Have a look at returner programs - a lot of big banks and insurers have them. Even if you didn’t work directly in those industries. It may get you in at a higher level than trying to enter as a junior.

I took 6 years off to sahm then set up on my own using my previous professional skills - last year I earned what I was on when I left the City.

Totally agree about not working for free or under valuing yourself. Hate this cringing “imposter syndrome” shit women are supposed to have. Fuck that! You are as good as the men that stayed. Brazen it out

Are you familiar with programmes like python and NLP ?

These are often the nice to haves now on top of data expereince.

@Youcannotbeseriousreally I will have a look at NLP. Thanks

The civil service are keen to employ data analysts. Would that work for you?

….just to add to my post above (can’t edit for some reason!!): while I didn’t get in at as high a level as I would have been had I stayed throughout the baby years, I still returned to a more senior role than I was on before, on almost double the salary. Please don’t undersell yourself, you have professional qualifications that just need a refresh - things don’t change half as much as people would like you to believe, and certainly not to the extent that you wouldn’t be able to pick it back up again. Good luck!

Check out shecodes. They do data training that results in a job with a big employer I believe

Agree look at returners programmes (there's a website or two that pull them together in one place if you Google) and also consider Code First Girls - their "degree" programme data stream (4 month programme, 2 hours per evening with projects/homework/final group project) but make sure to apply for ond with company sponsorship and a job at the end. Or any of the other streams if you want to make more of a sideways move while using your existing skillset.

This. A lot of the big banks and accounting firms do it. Barclays and Morgan Stanley are two places to start