To retrain as a mum with 2 kids?

[Sarah9024]

Hi.just that really? I currently earn £1000 pm part time and want a better career, I’m currently in facilities management but with becoming part time the prospects have diminished and since becoming a mum
I have decided I want something different..can anybody recommend any worthwhile degrees which can actually help you get a decent job, just some general advice would be lovely.

@Sarah9024

I’m also worried that by the time I have finished my maths GCSE I will be 32! I’m worried I’m getting too old

Absolutely not too old. Good luck OP

Do you have support with kids ?
If so midwifery could be a good fit but does include shift work.

I did an Environmental Health degree. Its opened so many doors.

I will speak to my manager tomorrow to see what my options are within the company. I have a really good relationship with him so hopefully that will help!

It would be lovely if I could gain qualifications whilst working! So I can do my maths GCSE and by the time my youngest starts school next September I will be more available, so ideal timing really.

I am going to get my maths GCSE regardless

Love the idea of being a midwife but I’ve heard so many negatives! Long hours…ticking time bomb for things to wrong for you legally as you are so overworked? Not desirable to me at all

Do you have any pharmaceuticals companies near you @Sarah9024 they always facilities roles and they pay well with lots of progression. Lean and sigma training would be beneficial too you if you tried for a job in pharma too!!

Thank you so much for your all your help! You have really boosted my confidence. Not been on mumsnet very long and I think it is wonderful!

I’m also worried that by the time I have finished my maths GCSE I will be 32! I’m worried I’m getting too old

No no no! I left school at 16 and went back to studying at 32 with two pre-schoolers - did an access course at my local college and then a degree, PhD and have been a Professor at a top University for the last 11 years doing something I love but would never have thought of studying when I was 16 (not that I had any choice about leaving school!).

Quite a few of my students at all levels are mature.

Why dont you investigate the prospectuses of various Universities or Further Ed colleges to see what's on offer as it might give you some ideas - as soon as I saw my UG degree in the prospectus I said 'What! You can study that? It's a thing?' I had no idea!

As others have said some careers like accounting can be studied for whilst working. Ditto some good careers in hospitality through day release etc.

Love hearing these positive stories!

@Mytholmroyd that is amazing! You must be so proud

Sarah9024 not proud - fortunate to have had a supportive partner, family and fellow students/colleagues and lucky maybe to have got a break. But I see this sort of story all the time.

And there's a big shortage of archaeologists in the UK currently - lots of jobs!

I retrained at 43. It’s isn’t too late.

Can I ask what you did @Luzina

@Mytholmroyd what made you do it? And was it as hard as you thought to get there? How did you earn money and do your degree? Did your partner take control of finances and the kids? Is it a risk if your not married…sorry for all the questions haha

@Sarah9024

I read that the OUdegrees aren’t as respected by employers? Is this true?

I don't think that's true. From what I've heard employers are usually impressed you have the motivation to study independently, especially with all of the other commitments you tend to have as an older student. I am using my degree to hopefully go on and do a postgraduate diploma which won't be with the OU. As long as I get the classification required to do the diploma, they don't care what uni I get it from.