Feeling past it

[0amb0]

Hi

New to Mumsnet so please be gentle!

Looking for a little advice please - I'm 44 next month and have a 3 year old who is just about to start pre-school (hurray!).
My career before my daughter arrived was Management in Restaurants / Hospitality - I know pretty much everything you need to know about fast food!

I obviously put everything on hold but feel it's time to start getting my career back and get a bit more of ME back but I'd like a change of direction. The hours in my previous roles are naturally anti-social and I've no real wish to back to getting home at gone midnight - I've done years of that!
I'm thinking of maybe doing an Open University course to get my brain going again, maybe gaining a qualification that could take me in a different direction but here's my dilemma - what sort of courses should I consider and what industry does a 44 year old stand a chance of being recruited in?
Any advice would be gratefully received 

Becoming a school teacher?

New here too but I changed careers and direction to fit a working life around home life at the age of 41. I don't think you're ever too old to make life fit your needs. But have you considered trying to blend your current skill set into your 'new direction'? Something like food management in a private school? The hours would work, early starts but you'd be out to pick-up your child at 3pm. Lots of catering firms out there but I know Holroyd Howe careers.holroyd-howe.production.rawnet.com

I would be tempted to set up a small business using your existing skills...
You should have more control over your destiny.
Or maybe teaching in some form, again, not necessarily full time, but by offering after school clubs in baking skills etc more free lance style work.
There must be a world of opportunity in digital skills as well I would have thought. I think if attempting to re-skill them you need to be looking into the future not into old traditional type career paths.

I think you have to go with what you love. Starting to study at 44 will be a challenge around family life, so make sure it is something you look forward to doing, and want to study every day, not something you feel you 'ought to'.

I've been interviewed today for a Community Support Worker vacancy, if successful they will put me through NVQs Level 2 & 3 in Healthcare which would open up a lot of options. I feel I need to do something worthwhile and make a difference to someone, no matter how small.
Find out Monday - thanks to you guys for replying x