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.

Well done on being accepted onto the degree - a huge step!
Maybe with a couple of extra evening or weekend shifts you can make ends meet while studying.

Certain people (person) on this thread clearly have huge envy of those of us with a tertiary level education and won't give up until you say you're dropping out.

As someone who has employed people, I would be inclined towards a 32 year old over a 21 year old. Behaviours in the workplace, general attitudes, soft skills such as how to compose a professional email, how to make calls and answer the phone, how to be resilient. These things come with experience.

This sounds like the thing to leverage - if you have two potential customers already to do freelance bookkeeping. Lots of small businesses and community groups need someone to do a couple of hours a week on payroll, chasing invoices and then once a year sorting tax out. And it sounds like you have the experience, interest, skills and network to do that. And it’s not as vulnerable to AI as a low level accountancy job within a company.

There does seem to be almost no acknowledgment on this thread of the value of a degree for education.

Like @IrradiatedHaggis I see no reason why the OP isn’t as entitled as any other human being to experience that.

Whether she has access to the best university education available - and whether she can make the three years work logistically and financially are different questions, of course. But the blanket assumption that she has no business even considering a degree is very hard for me to understand.

@Karma1387 if you do go to the Mature Study board I would urge you not to be put off by the number of threads with only a few posts. Look instead at the vast number of people starting threads - all wanting to make a leap into something new. Of course there are challenges and risks in any new venture - but studying for a degree (if it’s not utterly mediocre) should be a singular intellectual experience that you can’t get anywhere else.

Would you be able to fit in the required study and assignments along with childcare? If not you would be throwing good money after bad, with the risk of having to drop out

Some people do actually do this, class student loans as their income bit witj the intention of never paying them back.

With your experience, could you not get your foot in the door at a retail store and progress? While also studying if you really want to ? An initial lesser pay bit the opportunity for promotion? Xx

Unfortunately I can't do the hours needed for Retail management (can't to earlies, lates or weekends) otherwise I would go back to retail management in a heartbeat as I love it.

I work nights as just a customer assistant in retail but I can't progress unfortunately.

I suppose whether you pay them back depends on what you earn although with the new loans I believe the earning threshold is only 25k now so anyone earning more than minimum wage full time will start paying it back.

That’s what I did when I was 39 and husband had left me with a 6 and 1 yr old. Business management then à PGCE and went straight into teaching at an FE college. Student loan plus maintenance, plus childcare grant and then benefits in the summer holidays. Taught for 10 years then staff with the police and now I’m a PA for the SLT.

Best thing I ever did.

How do you have the qualifications to get on to an accounting degree with poor A-levels? Aren’t A-levels or an access course a prerequisite for getting on to any decent course?

It wouldn't be easy but possibly doable but one of those things where you don't know what you can cope with until you try it.

I applied in clearing and was accepted with my A levels.

What about a TA job, money is not great but the hours are good and you get all the school holidays. I know your children are young but you could use this time to study.

Almost every university that exists has a contextual admissions policy, depending on the course. This has been the case for decades. In OP’s situation, her having relevant work experience and (perhaps) being over 21 will have advantaged her.

Unfortunately the pay just isnt enough with childcare costs too. I earn 13k in my part time job with no childcare costs. Ta is only around 3k more but would have to pay for childcare too.

To be honest they didn't even ask about experience. I just submitted my GCSEs and A levels and was accepted.

Look for a degree apprenticeship. Accounting is one of the ones that comes up.

https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk

Can you? On what basis? You need points usually credited from qualifications. There are flexible routes but you will need proper advice. And to be sure you are suited to/will enjoy your proposed career. I would see a careers advisor/talk to your local college.

Yeah I check this daily. I have applied to around 20 apprenticeships with no luck so far.

I have already been accepted to university through clearing. Just trying to decide if its the right decision.

I did similar. I did AAT Level 3 and volunteered which got me a part time admin job with some accounts work. I did have prior office experience which helped. Once in the first job, with a year or so experience, it was easier and I got fully qualified over several years. If you do similar you’d need a very supportive partner or family. But exams aren’t everything and a degree is definitely a waste of money.

Just be aware that the economy isn’t the best and it’s tough out there for many professionals and new entrants.

I don't have a lot of support. My career and kids is for me to juggle but I will do what I can.

Then it would have been because you’re classed as a mature student, if your A-level points are lower to what’s officially required.

Have you looked into degree apprenticeships?

Yeah I technically should have needed CCC but I imagine a mixture of a mature student and it being clearing they accepted a CCD.