What can I retrain as?

[Spookygoose]

I’ve recently been made redundant with a very generous pay-out. I hate my old career and don’t want to go back to it. I’m now able to afford to retrain/do an undergrad or masters in a completely different area. I really want to do this, I’m in my early 40s though, so time isn’t on my side, so I’m looking for something where I’ll be qualified for a career straight after graduating. I don’t mind if I have to start on a fairly low salary if it’s something that I can work my way up in in a reasonable amount of time. I’m not interested in nursing or teaching. I’ve considered social work but ultimately decided it’s not for me. I’m open to any suggestions at all!

What do you like?what are your aptitudes?
NHS ? occupational therapy? Speech and language therapy are all 2 year post grad degree with clear career progression and shortage

Physio, 2 year fast track-great career, lots of different avenues to go down including no nights, part time or own business (for MSK).

I’m a physio and wouldn’t recommend it at the moment. I adore my job (B7 ICU specialist) but the graduate market is a very different place to what it was 30 years ago when I was starting! DD was wanting to follow in my footsteps but the amount of physio students graduating into a world of unemployment in the past few years due to NHS recruitment freezes is very alarming. Yes there is always private practice but in order to be a good, well rounded physio you really do need a few years of NHS rotational experience throughout all settings behind your back.

What about an EMBA? Depends on your experience, but I’m so envious, what an amazing opportunity!

Early 40s is nothing btw. See a career coach.

Thank you :) what’s an EMBA?

I’m interested in working in mental health, I THINK. It’s something I feel strongly about but I’ve never worked in this area so unsure whether I’d actually enjoy it or not. I’m considering occupational therapy but again very unsure. I’m open to any suggestions at all, I’d like to try and expand my options

Occupational therapy works in mental health so worth looking at this

Are you specifically looking for a career in health or social fields? As there are other career pathways such as accounting that might be worth considering

No. My niece graduated this year in physiotherapy. The university warned the final year students that there were very few jobs available for new starters. My niece was one of the very few that got a job.

I’m open to considering pretty much anything at all. I’m rubbish with numbers though so I’d probably be a useless accountant!

I have worked with people with mental health issues and other complex needs (things like alcohol and drug addiction, people who have gone through the criminal justice system) and it can be quite draining if I am honest.

There is also a lack of funding for these type of services so you often work within teams that are stretched by high workloads.

So my advice is that I would start by volunteering or getting a part-time role with a charity/community projects that supports people with mental health issues to get an idea of what it can be like to support type of this client group.

Basically don't jump into a degree without doing your research and making sure this is something that you would really enjoy long term.

Best of luck with whatever path you choose.

Just in case you aren't aware there are exception courses where you would be eligible for second degree student loans for both tuition fees and living costs. Outside of this list you would not usually be eligible for student loans if you already have a degree. In some cases there are also non repayable bursaries. These tend to be NHS type jobs but Occupational Therapy is on the list.

Thanks for your advice. Would you say working as a mental health support worker would give me a good idea of what working with people with MH conditions as an occupational therapist would be like? (If you know). A lot of these jobs I’ve been surprised to see you don’t need any experience for, they are pretty badly paid but I’m surprised they’re taking people on with no experience. Guessing it’s got something to do with how underfunded nhs mh services are.

If you’re interested in healthcare, radiography is a good career. I did my radiography degree as a mature student and have now moved into sonography.
There is such a shortage, you can name your hours and interviews are a quick chat to make sure you’ll fit in (they know you’re qualified from your degree/postgrad). Loads of agency work to top up NHS wage too.
If sonography doesn’t appeal, you can train in CT, MRI, mammography, cardiac etc. Very varied.

@Spookygoose

To follow up on my previous message, yes you could get a job as a key worker with a charity that supports people with mental health issues.

I have worked in projects commissioned/funded by the NHS but run by charities to help people with complex needs get volunteering and job opportunities or go back to education. We also ran in house training courses and mental health support sessions and social events for them. I even worked on medium security mental health units through these roles where some clients had served prison sentences. It gave me a good understanding of what it is like to work with these client groups.

You could also do it part-time while you study for your degree.

Because these jobs are demanding but not well paid there should be some vacancies.

In the end it was not for me long term but there is no doubt that it is an interesting field.

OT work in mental health. Inpatient,community, local authority. OTs I know are generally happy in career.

I was going to say radiography too. Specifically diagnostic radiography.

Hi @Spookygoose, did you decide on anything yet?

No not yet. Still very much thinking about it!