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Mature study and retraining

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

Original poster

What can I do with my degree and experience

11 replies

LoveSick64 · 12/06/2023 15:04

Hi everyone,

I was training to be a primary school teacher at 18, but had to leave after a year. Fast forward 19 years and I did degree with the OU in Childhood and Youth studies (1.1) I have worked as a TA in a special needs seconday school but was not happy being a TA, I wanted more.

My degree doesnt translate into a subject that I can do a PGCE...

I was thinking of going into social work, doing Masters.

Are there any other options.

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
welshmercury · 12/06/2023 15:09

what subject do you want to teach as at secondary school now the maths and science is being taught by non subject specialists due to the shortage of qualified teachers.

Original poster
LoveSick64 · 12/06/2023 18:43

@welshmercury I would love to do English. I have an English Lit A Level but I was rejected by Scitt for not being strong enough in English. I was devastated because I felt I let myself down in the interview...

OP posts:
SurpriseSparDay · 05/07/2023 12:31

It doesn’t sound as if you have a sufficiently broad knowledge of career options to make a decision. In your place I’d look for some proper grown up careers guidance. It may cost a bit but would be your best investment at this stage.

Hopefully someone else may be able to suggest a good place. Face to face would be by far the better option.

Original poster
LoveSick64 · 05/07/2023 16:27

Thank you @SurpriseSparDay that's a really good idea.

OP posts:
Rummikub · 05/07/2023 16:40

would you be eligible for a PGCE?

Or consider teaching in FE on childcare/ health and social care courses? There are FE based PGCEs or work and PT study.

SurpriseSparDay · 05/07/2023 17:31

Decades ago I paid (or was gifted) a fortune to a careers service in Barnes. Over the course of about two or three weeks they put me through numerous IQ and personality tests. (Scored close to zero on Admin skills.) The results essentially confirmed what I’d already decided on, thankfully. But it was extremely helpful to have outside help and knowledge to clarify things for me.

The job market is constantly evolving - never more so than now - and there are probably careers you’ve never heard of that might suit you perfectly. Definitely give it a try.

Original poster
LoveSick64 · 07/07/2023 18:19

@Rummikub I am eligible for a primary education PGCE but I prefer teenagers...I wish my degree was in a core subject...

OP posts:
Rummikub · 08/07/2023 00:41

I’ve known of primary teachers making a move to secondary but with an EBD/SEMH specialism.

A post 16 PGCE could be an option. https://studylink.com/institutions/university-of-huddersfield/courses/cid-si-139177

Rummikub · 08/07/2023 00:43

Lots of pastoral type roles in FE that you can do without a PGCE.

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 08/07/2023 01:26

Any of the paediatric options in medical fields? Audiology, speech therapy etc. Most of them would require further training though.

Dotcheck · 08/07/2023 01:32

Mental health nursing?

Well-being practitioner at a college/ school

Youthworker

Health and Social Care or PSHE teacher?

Careers Advisor ( need additional training)

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