No STEM jobs - a career in safeguarding??

[WiseFinch]

Hi MN, first time poster here. I did post a thread on this in chat earlier but no responses and I’m wondering if there’s more traffic here, but if this isn’t allowed do let me know 😊 I’m hoping some of you lovely clever people can help me figure out what to do with my life career wise!!

Context - I’m a recent STEM graduate, I’ve worked in nurseries and with young children for a few years now during my degree, running holiday clubs etc and as lunch cover in nursery. No childcare qualifications except the standard safeguarding, DBS, and specific qualification needed to run the holiday club. I’ve also done hospitality but I will not go back to that industry for various personal reasons.

I cannot find a STEM job, and to be honest, I don’t think I want one. I’ve only got a bachelors and have zero interest in going back to university. Interviewed for multiple corporates think graduate product management type roles, had straight rejections from several and waiting lists for a few, but my heart isn’t really in it.

I adore working with children, but I’ve heard primary teaching isn’t great at the moment re pay and conditions, and an oversaturated market. I also really don’t want to pay to do a PGCE and go back to university. I’m considering a career in safeguarding or something to that extent, but I’m not quite sure what that would look like. I’m pretty sure I could manage the stress and tragic circumstances you’d encounter in a job like this, I think I’d be quite good at it. But I have no idea about this industry and how to get into it!

I love the nursery I work in, but even if i got my childcare qualification the pay is too low and doesn’t justify the money I’ve spent on doing a degree, if that makes sense. Not trying to be snobby at all, but I’m aiming for a higher paid position.

What sort of thing should I look for? I’d love a job working directly with people, I love working with children, but I’m not keen on doing further study. Would love some recommendations!😊

I’m now off to work at my under 5s Saturday club (yipee!) I do look forwards to that every week.
Thank you everybody, please keep the good ideas coming. You have no idea how much you’re all helping :)

My DH has the job I think you want - he works in school safeguarding full time, not as a teacher but for an external safeguarding provider (think local authority type idea)

BUT

they recruit from 2 very small pools to work there:
teachers who were senior leaders and DSL’s in their school
senior social workers.

The job exists, but it’s the job you move into after 20 years when you’re at the top of your profession, not as an inexperienced and unqualified graduate

I agree with everyone else - teach!

This link is SE based and does primary SCITT. There is a list of schools. Hope it is helpful.

It’s Xavier Teach South East.

Some options for you to look at.

https://www.teachlondonsoutheast.co.uk

https://www.surreydownspartnership.org.uk/Schools-Direct/

https://www.teachsoutheast.co.uk/page/?title=Primary&pid=25

https://sela-teacher-training.org

You will have to be a broke student for a year but they you are set up. Maximise your earning before September to give yourself a bit of a buffer (any work not just stem).

Teaching would seem a good move for you. As poster above mentioned safeguarding is often something you get into after working for a long time. I work in a safeguarding role but health not education and everyone in the role has at least 2 different professional qualifications plus a post grad in Child Protection as well as years of experience, so not a straightforward quick route to it.

It's challenging to get an ECT post because of the onerous new two year induction, which doesn't offer schools the same advantage of employing cheap new teachers that the NQT scheme did. Without stats on either side, we will have to agree to disagree. Where I teach, we struggle to get even decent applicants and I know of many other areas where it is the same. It certainly isn't oversaturated.

Local government social services departments have lead statutory responsibility for safeguarding children, and also adults with support needs.

You could do a post grad social work qualification with any first degree and a bit of experience.

It's not for the faint hearted but would be the front line of Safeguarding if that's what appeals to you. Pay and progression opportunities is not bad, the workload and stress levels are very high though.

I am a DSL.

Safeguarding type rolls are in high demand and most require formal training - social worker etc.

And none pay well.

It’s incredibly rewarding but soul destroying and a lot of work.

My ds worked as a recent graduate in a daycare nursery then did an (unfunded) early years SCIIT PGCE. He then taught nursery/reception in his first ECT year and is now teaching yr5 though wants to go back to EY or possibly KS1.

I really wouldn't let the thought of a 9-month PGCE put you off, if it is what you want. His was very hands-on, very different from his humanities UG degree. And some people do get funding (he applied to one school-based funded and salaried one and didn't get it but someone must have! It did look very hard work though).

If people telling you to teach makes you happy, that's a very good indication of what you should do! It is a hard career but if you're passionate and willing to learn, it can be really positive.

Teach First do work in primary, particularly in shortage areas, including London. Other training routes may be similar. Both teach first and pgce may mean you're living off student finance for another year. Part-time pgces aren't common, and i wouldn't recommend it. Most of a pgce is school placement, so you will be working as a teacher while training. You need to commit in order to make the most of it. If you'd need to save up, maybe a year as a teaching assistant or continuing in your current roles full time may be beneficial.

On the whole, primary jobs in the South East have a shortage of applicants. There will be areas where that isn't true, but most places a good teacher will get a job fairly quickly.

@ExtraOnions Would a Computer Science graduate be considered for this role?

What about pharmaceutical sales?

I know very little about this but it just sprang to mind given that you have a biology degree!

You must have passed with high grades in Biology GCSEs and A levels. Can’t you offer online teaching one to one for GCSEs level? Try sign up on Nextdoor app and advertise. Recent graduates been charging £30 to £70 per hour. Parents prefer a recent graduate since you taken the exam and know what it covers.

I did, but my GCSEs feel like an age ago and I didn’t actually sit A Levels due to COVID, and only covered half the syllabus!! That’s an idea but as I say not overly keen on teenagers 😂 Thank you!

Would you consider being a HCA on a paediatric ward and working in the NHS?

Hi everyone! An update!! I had a think and I hit apply for a couple of SCITT programmes for primary teaching sent to me by MNetters!! And on the DfE website. And I’ve got an interview next week! 😁
Im very happy. Thank you everybody.

Well done! I think I said before - the fact that you're very happy about the interview speaks volumes!

brilliant news

Last update: I got the job, I start in September 😁

Congratulations. Very pleased for you.

Congratulations. Well done. 🍾

Fantastic news congratulations and good luck! 👏👏👏🍾🥂

Amazing! Congratulations!