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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Advice for a single mum wanting career change

3 replies

Ppeter500 · 04/03/2025 10:13

Hello

using AIBU for traffic, sorry.

just wondering on the advice people would give for a single mum with young DD.

currently working part time as DD is so young, only in an admin role. Does pay well and DD’s father has reduced child maintenance payments (going through CMS), so really need to try and get myself prepared for the future.

only GCSE qualified with level 2 in secretarial. I left college after L2 as I was offered a job in central London, and was too good to turn down so unfortunately I didn’t obtain L3 qualifications.

sincd becoming a single parent I’m more determined than ever to make a career for myself and DD.

I have thought of two options - one is based on experience and the other is based on what I feel would be a good career:

HR - I have management experience so the training would be pretty easy. Good distance learning options available, and I’m sure can live a comfortable life with comfortable salary. However, it’s just not something I have much passion for it would just be a means to an end.

quantity / building surveying - I work in construction and love having so much knowledge. Would love to do building surveying but have flirted with the idea of quantity surveying too as I hear it pays slightly better. The only issue I have is that id have to do a uni course which means part time attending a campus which I really don’t think I can arrange the childcare for. if I leave it and wait until DD is in school then I’m another 3 years behind and the course itself takes 5 years. I looked into distance learning with UCEM and Sava but they are extremely expensive options and I’m just not quite sure I have the money to fund them options. Also looked at degree apprenticeship but these aren’t flexible and mean I would have no option but to work full time which just isn’t feasible at the moment.

im really open to other career ideas. I feel quite strongly about having a qualification rather than just going for other jobs without having anything behind me. So if anyone has any suggestions for other well paying careers for single parents, please do comment!

but in terms of my actual question, what route would people go down? I’m really not scared of hard work and I’m extremely determined. I just feel a bit messy in my mind at the moment with trying to figure out how I can make everything work. I just don’t want to rely on a man again financially in the future.

thank you so much and again so sorry for using AIBU!!!!

OP posts:
BlossomBlossomBlossom · 04/03/2025 13:42

Regardless of where you post, if you actually want the combined wisdom of hundreds of posters who have changed, or are in the process of changing their careers, you really should spare a little time to browse the Mature Study and Retraining board.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/maturestudents

That’s what it’s there for.

(I do see that you posted there this morning and haven’t had any replies yet. But there are countless threads there already started by people needing a new start either’only’ GCSEs. If you read some of those threads you may gain some idea of options that apply to you too.)

Mature students: Distance learning, retraining and mentorship | Mumsnet | Mumsnet

Welcome to Mumsnet’s mature student forum. Discuss everything from starting adult courses to retraining and distance learning or even seek out a personal mentor.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

BlossomBlossomBlossom · 04/03/2025 13:48

(with ‘only’ GCSEs …)

Hankunamatata · 04/03/2025 14:03

Go speak to your nearest uni about quantity suv degree. They can give advice about funding, childcare etc. If theres an access course or A levels/btec you need. You may be better going full time as a student.

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