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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

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Original poster

High earning single mums - what jobs do you do?

70 replies

Roobear23 · 04/09/2017 09:36

Not crazy money just enough to live comfortably on as a family of two in Devon.

I'm a single parent and not in employment at the moment but I would like inspiration for jobs as I feel there is so much out there I just don't know about it.

I would consider so many things, my background and passion is in working with children and families however this is not well paid and my motivation now is to provide for my son (14mo) as best I can.

Info on what you do and how you got there would be fab. Thank you.

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Original poster

Roobear23 · 06/09/2017 22:12

I don't have much in savings any more however I have looked into it and there is quite a lot of help for study.

Social work is something I am really interested in and after some research, there is the possibility to apply to train whilst in employment with children's services with the council, so yes this is a really good opportunity.

I have looked into lots of things within children and families I had been looking for other suggestions to keep open minded so thanks so much for all the ideas from you all 😊

OP posts:

ClemFandango11 · 06/09/2017 22:17

I'm on 55k per year as a Scrum Master in the South West. Very rewarding, ideally you need to have a background in Software Development, Digital Project Managment or a related IT field. Then there are qualifications that you get that are specific to the job role.

I wouldn't normally post, but I felt compelled due to the lack of responses! It is possible to pull in a decent wage and be a single mum. The key is to have great childcare in place. Also take whatever training and development opportunities come your way, careers do take time to build, so it's worth starting small and working your way up.

I started in a call centre and took a secondment to go into software testing, and started gaining qualifications and experience from there. That kind of thing is easier to do in a local authority or large organisation so long as you have supportive management who are interested in see you progress.

So no. No sugar daddies or prostitution here...

ClemFandango11 · 06/09/2017 22:31

I think training whilst working in the council is a fantastic idea. As a pp has said, talent tends to rise fast in local authorities. Often management training schemes available to those who are interested. A few years of making ends meet can lead you to a rewarding career that pays well. Also it's a good opportunity to work on the inside, see if it's what you are expecting.

Original poster

Roobear23 · 07/09/2017 21:36

@ClemFandango11 thanks for the post, it's great to read your experience and more ideas to look into

OP posts:

Fatcatonthemat · 10/09/2017 22:38

I started as a social worker over 15 years ago and it's led on to jobs in the nhs in management which I'd never have predicted. My current job earns £60k in the nhs, and I manage to juggle it as a single parent despite having to work away from home at times (I get some flexibility to work from home to balance it out). It's stressful trying to juggle work and home but I know I'm far luckier than a lot of women with the flexibility I get. Expect to work hard and not get promotions overnight, but the prospects are there! Good luck.

kittensinmydinner1 · 11/09/2017 06:59

The civil service (central government) is a fantastic employer if you have children. The opportunities for progression are huge, but as ALL jobs above entry level are advertised internally first, you need to get your foot in the door to access them. Most entry level require 5 GCSEs but not always and are basic AO (admin officer) jobs in the Courts, Job centres, Tax Office, Ag, Fisheries & Food etc and are available across the country.
Once you are in, there is a positive encouragement to 'progress'. Many people don't bother as it's a very comfortable job. But if you want to, it's there for you to do but you must be pro-active. Put yourself on courses, get yourself a mentor, join the accelerated progression programme. Apply for promotion whenever you see a job you fancy.
I started in a Jobcentre as temp AO (21-26k now) but had climbed a grade before I had been made permanent. I am Grade 7 and earn £60,500 in a really interesting job (policy, which sounds dull but really isn't ) . It's taken 14 yrs , 12 as a single parent .
When they were small and childcare for three was too costly in holidays , I worked term time only. One of the many perks that anyone can ask for. ( and a Pension too !) .

cushioncovers · 11/09/2017 08:00

Kitten interesting post. Thanks.

Kingsclerelass · 15/09/2017 01:44

Or you could think about skills that will be in demand for the next 10 years.....

Nutritionalist definitely, therapists, midwives ( not sure about the pay) teachers (v hard work & needs to be a passion). Anything with languages attracts a premium, computer coding (def not my thing).
Virtual pa is interesting if you're organised, good at self-promotion and want to work for yourself. And you can start gradually.

I do hi-tech marketing and it keeps me and Ds, house and medium car in reasonable manner, but been doing it for 20 years.

Still open to idea of sugar daddy though. Except he'd need to be really old

Want2bSupermum · 15/09/2017 03:35

I'm not a lone parent but I earn enough to support my family if DH walked out and didn't want to support us. I'm an assistant controller of a broker dealer. I'm a CPA (i.e. qualified accountant - need to ICAS/ICAEW exams) with 6 years of public accounting.

You like working with children. Have you thought of setting up a tutoring service? I also agree with suggestion of educational psychologist.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 15/09/2017 05:07

Retail Project Manager been with same company since I graduated.

Location could be your limiting factor. I dream of moving to Devon but the work just isn't there for me.

pameladoove · 20/09/2017 12:51

Interaction designer - prob about £60k equivalent (I do freelance contracts)

I hate the presumption that single mums couldn't possibly have a good career

Fishinthesink · 20/09/2017 13:19

Voluntary sector? I'm a senior manager and earn about 55k. You can progress quite quickly - fundraising is a good area for rapid progress and you can get entry level jobs reasonably easily. If you're passionate about young people you could look for a charity that works in that area. Maybe get in via volunteering if you're able?

Plus side is it's usually pretty flexible with good WFH options etc.

NameChanger22 · 20/09/2017 13:22

I work in the civil service. The hours are good and flexible. However the pay is terrible i.e. not that much over minimum wage and there is no career progression at all where I work.

wannabestressfree · 20/09/2017 13:29

I am a teacher and run a PRU for the naughties.

VioletCharlotte · 20/09/2017 13:36

I'm a single Mum and I earn £45k a year. I work in Communications. I've always worked, even when my children are little. I think the longer you're out of the workplace, the harder it is to progress your career.

I've studied for professional qualifications whilst working which has helped me advance.

I am very lucky in that my parents live close by and supported me a lot with childcare when DC were younger. Otherwise it would have been very difficult.

Original poster

Roobear23 · 20/09/2017 21:35

Loads more ideas, thanks so much. Starting voluntary work next week with Home Start as it's a charity I've been interested in for years and think the experience will help my return to work. Really appreciate all your input.

OP posts:

Garlicansapphire · 20/09/2017 21:39

I have a high earning job. I'm a sole parent (XH is solvent and good parent).

I dont work in a well paid profession - charity - but over 20 years worked my way up to a national CEO job. Through a lot of hard work and determination, effort above and beyond the 9- 5. I never had any expectations on salary for years, I got here through commitment and drive, not because I thought it would earn a whack.

Stinkbomb · 20/09/2017 21:45

I'm Head but f Finance but it's taken me 18 years to get here & to a decent salary. Am a single parent with 1 DC but I still have to be careful about paying for my divorce providing for the future for me & my DC that I'm not complacent and need to make sure that I plan for the future even more than I would have before.

Compelled · 20/09/2017 21:50

Marketing is a good profession for women, as wages better than some female dominated professions. I am a single mum and support daughter in private school and earn just below the £100k.

KnightsOfCydonia · 21/09/2017 01:45

I have 2 part time jobs, I work as an estate agent and as a driving instructor, while I wouldn't consider myself "well off" I am very lucky to have lots of family support (so can work full time without paying for childcare) as well as a supportive XH, who pays his fair share of maintenance, and will switch days etc if work requires it for either of us.
I am also aware that being in the north the cost of living can be significantly lower than down south, so while I am comfortable here, I'm not sure I would be with the same jobs in another area.

DuchessMinnie · 22/09/2017 19:02

I work in sales/business development and earn just into a 6 figure salary. I get to work from home and write a lot but then I also have to scrub up nicely and go and present bids to potential clients.

It's hard work as the girls I work in is v competitive but I feel I can organise my day around my workload so I can usually manage to get to important school meetings and parents' evenings.

MrsMontgomerySmythe · 22/09/2017 19:11

My salary is very generous - well into 6 figures net.

I work in a very niche area of HR and have spent 20 years as an expat.

It has been a combination of hard hard work, having a niche job and good luck. I am blessed and give thanks for it every day.

I now earn more now than me and my ex h did together a few years ago.

Mooey89 · 22/09/2017 19:13

Not single mum any more but was for a few years, senior social worker. 30k because of the authority I work for, my old authority I was on 34k but I moved because the commute was too much with a small baby on my own.

So not loaded, but it was enough for me and DS to be comfortable.

Carbohol78 · 02/01/2018 17:03

I am not LP anymore, but was, I am in a niche trade, I am MD of a Company I set up. For me I found a sector people didn’t understand and put myself forward as a consultancy solution they couldn’t live without

Consultancy is scary, but saved my sanity and the only way I could work as a LP, as I charge enough for a day to cover only working 2-3 days a week, but come out with my old wage of just under 6 figures, working 5 or 6 days a week and cover holidays etc

I miss the security of a salary and employment rights, but I am far better off financially and so are my family due to heavily reduced hours

NorthernSpirit · 02/01/2018 21:10

What are you qualified to do? What do you have an interest in?

Don’t agree with @KarateKitten - ‘the sooner women get the same focus and start, value......’

Our mums didn’t have the opportunities we had / have but girls do have opportunities now. They need to work for it (just like men).

I worked my arse off at school, have a good degree, a masters and have worked hard to get a good job and be promoted. I hold a senior position in a big firm, earn almost double my OH. If you want something bad enough go out and work for it.

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