AIBU to consider a degree instead of full time work while struggling to find a job?

[Karma1387]

I'm hoping the hive mind of mumsnet may have some suggestions on what I should do to improve my life.

I am looking to return to full time work (if I can afford to) after my maternity leave ends but the job market just seems super super tough. I need a 9-5 Monday-Friday job but everything I find online wants people with years of experience.

I want to improve my kids lives but it is looking impossible at the moment. Am I better off going and doing a degree and praying the job market is better in 3 years?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I feel a bit stuck but the world is crazy expensive and I have a lot of debt and I know the longer I'm not in a proper job the harder it is going to be to get into one.

Thank you. I do already have the level 2 books but I wasn't sure if it was the right things or not.

Thank you for the confidence booster 🙂 I don't want to earn thousands its DP who is chasing the big career and money. But I want to give my boys a good life and that requires more than a 2 day retail job.

Where are you on maternity leave from and why aren’t you going back there? You might have to pay back the maternity pay if you don’t return.

I have actually applied for that payroll apprenticeship in Duxford 🤣 I don't expect to hear anything but it is great pay for an apprenticeship and hybrid which is even better!

I am going back if I don't find something else. I have until mid January (if they approve my holiday to extend my mat leave) to find something else. It is just a 2 day week retail job and no I don't have to pay back my maternity if I don't go back.

This is someone with poor a levels, no money and childcare responsibilities, who missed the boat at 18 to 21, and now thinks borrowing massive amounts of money will help her earn a decent sum when she's 32ish.

Its a hell of a gamble. If it goes wrong and you fail your course, get a 2.2 or 3rd, can't get a job quickly, get poorly, then all you've got is debt... With responsibilities for 2 children.

Teaching is v v v hard to get into. Competitive. With bad a levels, no one will welcome you on a B. Ed course... There are hundreds, thousands of people out there wanting those places because the job market is bad. Plus, most ways into teaching are post grads, PGCE courses, so the chance of getting on a B. Ed course is v v low.

I'd think of something else. Try by all means, but I thing teaching providers can take their pick now. And again, someone with 2 kids is less likely to complete than a keen 18yr old or forest BA graduate...

Work, save some proper money in the bank., then maybe take the chance to do a degree. But borrowing the money, noooo way.

Teaching isn't something I want to do. I'm not a big fan of the uk education system but it is something suggested on here and I welcome all suggestions and input right now.

Could he not pay for your life then for 3yrs? If he can pay your fees and he earns well, then I'd say go for it.... It's the go it alone borrowing part that kills it, with childcare on top. He will need to do that too...

What about working in a nursery or setting up as a childminder?

This is an idea. Sensible hours, you can set your rates, increasing demand... You'll always have work provided you can drive to clients homes...

God no. Our finances are fully combined already so there is no spare money for him to pay anything. He is aiming for the big money he isnt there yet although he earns a good wage (and it probably isn't big money hes aiming for by mumsnet standards)

Do you like children? Sorry, more accurately 'other people's children'...

The cost of bringing my 2 kids to work with me outstrips the pay unfortunately.

Unfortunately my house isnt big enough to be a childminder and you can only look after 3 children which my children already take 2 of those spots so it wouldn't work even if we had the space. When the kids are older if I haven't found a full time career and if we have a bigger house then it may be an option.

🤣 not particularily but I have explored nursery work just the financials don't work out.

Urgh then it's going to be nearly impossible. Most graduates struggle badly without parental help... He's the equivalent of the parent input in your world, so if he can't contribute you're really going to find it hard...

It's like being an 18yr old financially with no parental help... Then the costs of maintaining 2 kids on top.

Somehow you need to save some decent money before any degree plan is viable at all... Getting in debt for a job that may well go to the 21yr old free and easy graduate is a baaaad idea....

Yes, people on here will say 'follow your dreams...'... They won't have to log on to the Student Loans website and watch as 30k becomes 36k before you've even graduated, then 39k, then 42k each year... It's painful. And yes, it's cancelled when you're dead... But that 9% extra income tax really, really bites too... It's a noose. You'll earn a bit, a 'bit' more as a graduate, but you'll lose that 9% every pay cheque...

It's a mess.

I’m surprised you put this thread on AIBU, @Karma1387. You may not have been aware of the Mature Study and Retraining board? I’m also surprised by the response you’ve had here, but perhaps that’s the new reality. Anyway - maybe spend an hour or two here:

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

Better to have a steady wage than a pipe dream.... The financials really won't add up if all the stars fail to align...

Unfortunately with nursery the cost of having 2 kids at work with me literally strips the entire wage 🙈

And once they are at school I couldnt juggle the hours. Hence looking for a 9-5 job.

I haven't seen this board so thank you!

If you're working (at all) you might be eligible for universal credit.

If you're studying full time (my DD is at uni 11 hours a week which is classed as full time) you won't be eligible for any UC support.

You'd be better off keeping your current job and looking for one with more hours. The next academic year start is 11 months away, you can definitely make a change to your employment in the next year. If not, revisit in 12 months.

Depending on your household income you might not be eligible for the full student loan anyway. The cut-off starts VERY low for reducing the award. Full maintenance loan is not much more than £10k and works out at the equivalent of 16 hours a week at national minimum wage - probs not much more than you're earning now if that. Plus you'd have the task of getting to uni, sorting kids, studying...

Not entitled to any UC sadly due to our income.

Just a warning OP, students don’t get funded childcare hours unless they work and earn over £203 a week.

I would be keeping my 2 night a week job so that isn't an issue.

All the doors seem to be shutting then, other than borrowing as much as possible, getting some kids of undergrad degree and crossing fingers...

Somehow, you will need to find money from somewhere to have any chance at all. With 2 children, I just haven't a clue how this will work...

Really, really look into the pay and conditions of any 1st graduate job you might get... You may get a shock about competitiveness, long hours and poor pay. Even the glamorous jobs people expect to be paid well in, law, accountancy, doctors, you may get a shock how low the numbers are and the grovelling involved with the bosses.

Also, you'll probably need to run your own car to get to that job, etc...

You need money. From somewhere. All down the line....

I'm not sure where you are seeing all the doors shutting? I have had some very helpful suggestions on here regarding the AAT and basically to just keep applying for full time jobs.

Any job I go for is going to be poor pay. I accept that with changing careers. The long hours part not so much which is why I will take the advice of just keep applying for jobs and do my AAT on the side and if I don't find a job then we will just muddle through until the debt is gone then things will at least be a bit better.

A degree with a year in industry is a great way to get your foot in the door.