To ask what you do for work?

[Biscoffnutellatoast]

I’m early 20’s, and to be honest am a bit stuck on career choices. My dream is to become a forensic psychologist, however the current job market in this subject is terrible, and I’m paranoid about wasting time and money, over several years for a degree/s which I will end up not using!

AIBU to ask what your career is?

Sahm - yes its work!

Nanny. If I had my time over, I definitely would do something else.

Senior lecturer in Nursing. The job situation isn’t great at the moment. Lots of redundancy.

Social worker but moving into inspection.

I work in corporate Learning & Development. It’s fun and interesting and I feel lucky to do it but the money is not amazing since most jobs are in London.

I'm a civil servant, case working decision maker at the moment. In my opinion best in the terms of job security and a garaunteed pension at the end of it.

Nurse started 35 years ago. Now in primary care & love it. Major downside is pay.

Used to teach. Another vote for dont do it!
Am now a copywriter. Fab work/life balance.

I work for a Civil Service Arms Length Body. We are full of ex teachers!!

Accountant. I'm the financial controller of the company I work in. Accountancy can lead to a lot of career paths but I stayed in Industry liking the debits and credits and financial reporting.

I'm a cook in a school. I love it.

I work in financial services, in a risk assurance role - essentially reviewing processes. I get satisfaction from improving things, and like the investigative element of the work. It pays well too, considering I don’t have a degree. And I’ve found it to be really flexible from a work/life balance perspective.

I'm a foster carer for adults with mild learning disabilities. I currently have a lovely 29 year old lady who lives with us and is part of the family. I doubt it's something you would consider at your age to be honest. However it's perfect for me as I'm mid fifties and starting to wind down.
The pay is very good. Its income tax exempt and there are 46 paid days holiday a year. I love how rewarding it is. I'm out and about a lot with the lady I care for, but have quite a lot of free time as well.

I manage a (engineering) design team in an engineering company. It offers good work life balance and a decent salary. I sort of fell into the role coming at it sideways from a specialist role in another part of the company.

Retired teacher now an exam invigilator on a casual basis. Whatever you do, don’t go into teaching if you actually want a life!

Lawyer. I wouldn’t say don’t do it, but I would say go into it with your eyes open, and pick the right kind of firm, as there are so many toxic firms/partnerships out there that are founded on pure greed.

Love my current job! But I’ve had a couple of shitty ones too.

Remedial hypnotist. Absolutely love the work but the marketing side is tough.

Medical Secretary in the NHS.....I don't think I need to bother to say don't do it

I started my career as an editor for a medical communications company before moving into writing. Years ago it was very interesting what you could write about. Lots of medical education, papers and attending events. I got to travel the world extensively. I’m not sure that’s the case anymore. I eventually moved into market access communications which is very interesting but extremely competitive for consultants like me. There are many consultancies and agencies trying to get all the work from the pharmaceutical companies. I’m not gonna say don’t do it because it actually served me while having a family. I worked in an industry that was extremely flexible way before Covid and I don’t regret that. Enabled me to work from home when my daughter was little and spend a lot of time with her. The pay is decent, especially if you work up to Director level or cross over to the pharma industry (I never did this but know many who did). But I think AI is going to change the medical writing industry completely. Also working in the pharmaceutical sector can be soul destroying because you see what pharma execs really think of patients and payers. They are ruthless.

Why not consider a NHS funded doctorate in child and adolescent psychotherapy or in child and adolescent psychology. After a couple of years of practice, you will be able to branch out into forensic psychotherapy/psychology.
or look for other NHS funded courses maybe?
i know the educational psychology doctorate is really badly funded.

Manager of a specialist antisocial behaviour team for a housing association. Investigating allegations of antisocial behaviour and enforcing tenancy breaches.

Behaviour Change Practitioner for the NHS.

I own and run my own dog-walking and pet-sitting business.

Teacher. Don’t.

i did briefly work in accountancy but rejected it as boring, I didn’t want to be clock watching. Teaching wasn’t boring but was too far the other way around- far too much work and after a while stressful.

Author. Really love it. Only started writing in my late twenties after a completely unrelated degree