Advice for a single mum please

[Ppeter500]

Hello

just wondering on the advice people would give for a single mum with young DD.

currently working part time as DD is so young, only in an admin role.

only GCSE qualified with level 2 in secretarial. I left college after L2 as I was offered a job in central London, and was too good to turn down so unfortunately I didn’t obtain L3 qualifications.

sincd becoming a single parent I’m more determined than ever to make a career for myself and DD.

I have thought of two options:

HR - I have management experience so the training would be pretty easy. Good distance learning options available, and I’m sure can live a comfortable life with comfortable salary. However, it’s just not something I have much passion for it would just be a means to an end.

quantity / building surveying - I work in construction and love having so much knowledge. Would love to do building surveying but have flirted with the idea of quantity surveying too as I hear it pays slightly better. The only issue I have is that id have to do a uni course which means part time attending a campus which I really don’t think I can arrange the childcare for. I looked into distance learning with UCEM and Sava but they are extremely expensive options and I’m just not quite sure I have the money to fund them options.

im pretty open to other career ideas. I feel quite strongly about having a qualification rather than just going for other jobs without having anything behind me. So if anyone has any suggestions for other well paying careers for single parents, please do comment!

but in terms of my actual question, what route would people go down?

Hello OP, I've just seen your post, so apologies for the delay in responding. I'd always suggest going for the career that will allow you growth and to use your knowledge base. There's some useful info here on becoming a QS- have you looked into apprencticeships, rather than the degree route?

https://www.goconstruct.org/construction-careers/what-jobs-are-right-for-me/quantity-surveyor

I think it would be quite a big jump from GCSE to any university level course. Could you look for an intermediate qualification that bridges the gap and gets you into studying again - and that would perhaps require less day to day time - so childcare would be easier to arrange?

Really you need to speak to a dedicated careers professional who can take you through all your options and help you find the best route.

There's a few things that need clarifying.

Do you have gcses or do you have a level 2 equivalent or both?

How old are you?

You say you work in construction now but as what?

So if anyone has any suggestions for other well paying careers for single parents, please do comment!

There are many well paying careersI could suggest but most, if not all, need more than level 2 qualifications.

If you can't get to a campus due to childcare that's not ideal.

It will be quite a jump to go from gcse to degree / professional qualifications.

What do you want to do?