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Mature study and retraining

Talk to other Mumsnetters who are considering a career change or are mature students.

Original poster

PGCE PRIMARY

18 replies

Cats345 · 02/02/2023 19:32

I am in total need of some advice and help. My career situation is complicated and I completely lost on what I want to do with my life (I am 26 years old). So, I studied for a law degree, where I successfully gained a 2:1 (lower end). After doing this I then went on to study the MSc Nursing (Pre-Registration) course because my chances of gaining a training contract were minimal and I just don't feel suited to a career in law). Anyway, I successfully passed the first year but ended up leaving due to numerous reasons including the lack of support from university, anxiety etc (last year was pretty rubbish for me). The good news is that I am now in a place where I am so much better and back to my usual self again. The bad news is that as previously stated I am lost on what I want to do career wise and I am now consider doing my PGCE Primary as I did some work experience before Covid started which I really enjoyed.

OP posts:
mdh2020 · 02/02/2023 19:49

If you are set on becoming a teacher have you thought of doing Teach First or Schools Direct where you spend most of your time in school and one day in Uni?

QueenofLouisiana · 02/02/2023 20:08

Most primary schools and training providers would look for a degree in a subject linked to the national curriculum, so check out the requirements when you apply. Even where we don’t have straight national curriculum degrees, there is usually a strong link. So I have a degree in linguistics but training as a primary English specialist.

We definitely need people to join the profession, but are you sure you want to do this job? It’s not a job to do because you don’t know what else to do. What did you enjoy about the experience? What would you hope to do? What would you hope to get out of teaching? All of these are questions to think over when you consider the job.

if you are certain, I hope all goes well! Good luck.

QueenofLouisiana · 02/02/2023 20:09

*trained as a primary English specialist.

UnicorseTime · 02/02/2023 20:10

I really wouldn't if you already struggle with anxiety. So many leave with mh issues...

Original poster
Cats345 · 02/02/2023 20:15

UnicorseTime · 02/02/2023 20:10

I really wouldn't if you already struggle with anxiety. So many leave with mh issues...

Oh gosh, I have seen a lot of this come on TikTok, it's so sad😥

OP posts:
Original poster
Cats345 · 02/02/2023 20:15

mdh2020 · 02/02/2023 19:49

If you are set on becoming a teacher have you thought of doing Teach First or Schools Direct where you spend most of your time in school and one day in Uni?

I haven't no, are they quite competitive?

OP posts:
Original poster
Cats345 · 02/02/2023 20:16

QueenofLouisiana · 02/02/2023 20:08

Most primary schools and training providers would look for a degree in a subject linked to the national curriculum, so check out the requirements when you apply. Even where we don’t have straight national curriculum degrees, there is usually a strong link. So I have a degree in linguistics but training as a primary English specialist.

We definitely need people to join the profession, but are you sure you want to do this job? It’s not a job to do because you don’t know what else to do. What did you enjoy about the experience? What would you hope to do? What would you hope to get out of teaching? All of these are questions to think over when you consider the job.

if you are certain, I hope all goes well! Good luck.

Thank you, I've managed to secure some more school experience to help me decide as I don't want to waste anymore student finance. X

OP posts:
User9088 · 02/02/2023 20:21

The job market varies hugely area to area but if there are TA jobs around where you are (and you can afford to be a TA just now) a term doing that can be a great way to see if teaching is for you.

Original poster
Cats345 · 02/02/2023 20:24

User9088 · 02/02/2023 20:21

The job market varies hugely area to area but if there are TA jobs around where you are (and you can afford to be a TA just now) a term doing that can be a great way to see if teaching is for you.

Something to look into, thanks very much for your reply :) xx

OP posts:
Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 02/02/2023 20:27

I have a law degree. It didn’t seem to be a problem when I applied for a PGCE. I know many people with non-National curriculum degrees who teach in primary schools.

Have you considered TAing for a year? It will give you a realistic idea of what it’s really like in a classroom. And, at least in my area, schools are massively struggling to recruit TAs.

CoffeeWithCheese · 02/02/2023 20:33

Honestly? Wouldn't recommend it if you're already struggling with anxiety - teaching absolutely shredded the fuck outta my mental health (I did about 15 years off and on between contracts and supply). I went back to uni and retrained over the last few years and I'm now a Speech and Language Therapist and bloody love it - originally planned to work in paediatrics, or special schools - but I work in adult learning disabilities and I get to use lots of the things I was strong at in terms of thinking creatively, communicating etc - but it's just like night and day comparing how supportive my colleagues and boss are to how teaching was focused on ripping you apart so much of the time.

Galarunner · 02/02/2023 20:35

Did you get any credits for the year of nursing you did? If your mental health is better now how would you feel about returning to completing your nurse training. Also your mixture of law and health might make a quite a good combination for teaching in Further Education, ie health and social care, criminology? Also I know getting a training contract is very difficult, but have you considered paralegal work?
Think carefully about your existing qualifications before leaping into another potentially stressful area?

Original poster
Cats345 · 02/02/2023 20:45

Galarunner · 02/02/2023 20:35

Did you get any credits for the year of nursing you did? If your mental health is better now how would you feel about returning to completing your nurse training. Also your mixture of law and health might make a quite a good combination for teaching in Further Education, ie health and social care, criminology? Also I know getting a training contract is very difficult, but have you considered paralegal work?
Think carefully about your existing qualifications before leaping into another potentially stressful area?

Hey, thanks for your reply, I completed the first year of nursing I would have one year left to complete if I went back (I went straight into second year of the course) xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Cats345 · 02/02/2023 20:46

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 02/02/2023 20:27

I have a law degree. It didn’t seem to be a problem when I applied for a PGCE. I know many people with non-National curriculum degrees who teach in primary schools.

Have you considered TAing for a year? It will give you a realistic idea of what it’s really like in a classroom. And, at least in my area, schools are massively struggling to recruit TAs.

Have you finished your PGCE now? How are you finding teaching?

OP posts:
Original poster
Cats345 · 02/02/2023 20:47

CoffeeWithCheese · 02/02/2023 20:33

Honestly? Wouldn't recommend it if you're already struggling with anxiety - teaching absolutely shredded the fuck outta my mental health (I did about 15 years off and on between contracts and supply). I went back to uni and retrained over the last few years and I'm now a Speech and Language Therapist and bloody love it - originally planned to work in paediatrics, or special schools - but I work in adult learning disabilities and I get to use lots of the things I was strong at in terms of thinking creatively, communicating etc - but it's just like night and day comparing how supportive my colleagues and boss are to how teaching was focused on ripping you apart so much of the time.

So sorry to hear about your experience with teaching and I hope you are a lot happier with doing Speech and Language. I will certainly take on board what you have said xxx

OP posts:
Galarunner · 02/02/2023 20:52

If you have one year to go I would consider completing your nursing qualification. Nursing is a very versatile qualification. It isn't just hospitals but community work, private work, aesthetics, school nursing, chance to work abroad . My husband is a nurse, it's not an easy job, but it can lead to lot of different options.

Original poster
Cats345 · 02/02/2023 20:55

Galarunner · 02/02/2023 20:52

If you have one year to go I would consider completing your nursing qualification. Nursing is a very versatile qualification. It isn't just hospitals but community work, private work, aesthetics, school nursing, chance to work abroad . My husband is a nurse, it's not an easy job, but it can lead to lot of different options.

Something to consider, thank you so much xxx

OP posts:
Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 02/02/2023 21:25

I finished my PGCE about 8 years ago. I gave in my notice this time last year… now I supply. When teaching’s good, it’s very, very good, but when it’s bad it’s awful. A lot does depend on your school, and on your class.

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