Career change as a lone parent

[Loulovesummer]

Hello ladies, I’m just one confused mum right now!!

i returned from mat leave a few months ago, currently working 2 days a week but looking to increase once DD is in nursery in the new year.

relationship fell apart after having DD and sold the family home etc. Now I’m trying to provide for us both, currently living at parents which is amazing, but one day want to be able to have somewhere for me and DD, and also just want to be pretty independent which I haven’t done in the past.

I’m early 30s. Have worked in construction my entire career, I’ve been at my company since I left school and have just bounced around departments. Worked my way up to team leader before mat leave but it was just too stressful so decided to step down. Now doing a bit of admin.

I really want to start a career but I have no idea where to start? I don’t particularly enjoy the thought of many jobs and other roles like HR (which I do enjoy) mean I have to take a huge pay cut and also they aren’t overly family friendly - finding part time roles is hard.

is the general consensus that you wait until your LO’s are in school before changing career? And are there careers that managers/team leaders can transition into that I haven’t thought about other than HR?

im quite keen to do a course but conscious not to waste money and finish something that leads me no where further.

anyone who has been in this position or has any knowledge or words of advice, I would be ever grateful!

thanks x

What about procurement in the construction industry? CIPS qualification route etc.

@noobiedoobie thank you - I did look into this before but I’m not really sure how to break into the roles especially at my current company. Is it as simple and doing a course and then starting in a role or do you have to work your way up from admin etc? Thank you x

Have a look at roles like Buying Assistant and Procurement Officer job descriptions and see what the experience and skills needed are.

Yes CIPS Level one can be done if you're thinking of going into the field so could be done to demonstrate commitment to advancing professionally and strengthen an application.

I don't work in the field but have Researched it!