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Original poster

Have any mumsnetters changed career direction?

41 replies

handlemecarefully · 01/12/2003 15:25

Have any of you actually taken the plunge and successfully changed your career?

If so - how did you identify what you wanted to do (rather than just a vague being disaffected with what you were previously doing), and how did you set about making the transition?

I've been in my career for circa 13 years (immediately post graduation), and whilst never thrilled with it I am incredibly turned off by the whole thing now! Don't want to waste my life any longer!

OP posts:
jac34 · 03/12/2003 21:19

I've been in my present job(I'm an orthodontic technician) for about 15 years, about 5 years ago I went P/T and now only do it 3 days a week.
However,in September my DS's went to school full time, and I felt lost at home after being so busy, so I started helping out in the school, doing arts and crafts with my sons reception class. Well,I really enjoy it and have been thinking of training as a classroom assistant. I love my present job, but just want a bit of variety, so would perhaps only do it a couple of days a week.
So in effect, go back to work full time, but in two different jobs !!

pupuce · 03/12/2003 21:41

handlemecarefully.... whilst I earn a fifth of what I use to earn (and get loads of tax credits ) - I am FAR happier, I see my kids a lot more, manage my affairs, get up at 7 and have breakfast at 8 (in my old life I use to be in train at 7:30!).... shower at 8:15-30 and ready by 9.... at a (usually) leasurely pace!

lalaa · 03/12/2003 22:00

Oooh I do like this thread.
I've changed three times - two pre dd but with her in mind. First worked in London in quango doing policy stuff and government liaison. Also a bit of HR admin, which led me into HR. Decided I hated it after 10 months of running my own team, so swapped internally into cause related marketing (don't ask - I was REALLY lucky). Moved out of London and into mainstream marketing. Found myself in a job that was just completely wrong and felt that I just couldn't work in marketing any more so left with no job to go to because didn't know what to do. Got pregnant (!). Decided to train as a counsellor and have done 1/3 of that so far with 18 month break for dd.

The absolutely fab thing about training to be a counsellor is that it's part time so you can work too. I'm now working part time doing stress free marketing in public sector. Knowing what I'm aiming at and what my goals are keeps me sane. Should be qualified with own practice by the time dd goes to school.

For those who can't work out what to do, I recommend 'Authentic - how to make a living by being yourself' by Neil Crofts - you can get it on Amazon. Fab inspirational book by someone who saw the light, gave everything he knew up and got a life.

Empress · 02/02/2004 20:55

feel v inadequate reading about all these changes! I've been in current job 3 yrs, 12 with same employer, its admin, its not exciting, but I now do it only part time & my non-work time is full of other things I want to do (literacy support, part time college work + children/ domesticity). so I tell myself i'm happy with the balance but that doesnt mean my heart doesnt sink every time I walk into the office! but feel unable to leave, due to salary & other perks. Could be a lot worse. or am i kidding myself??!!

kagsie · 03/02/2004 10:05

I go back to work in April and will give it a real go -I like the cash!- but am also considering retrainng as a teacher (which was my first choice when I went to uni years ago but I failed maths O level!!.

you might like to know that there are two services that can advice - the learndirect helpine which advertises on TV is staffed by qualified careers advisers who can help point you in the direction of local services or courses, if you know what you want, and it is free. Secondly, the local careers servie, or sometimes called the Connexions Service isn't just for young people. They often have very skilled adult guidance counsellors who will spend time with you going through your opetions and promting ideas. Learn direct will advise or look in yellow pages. sorry about spelling - dd just woken and screaming!

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 03/02/2004 12:03

I see this thread has been resurrected. Since I started it off I've decided to quite work for a bit after child 2 is born and then retrain as a physiotherapist when ds (the youngest due in April) is about 3....so plans on hold for circa 3 years but at least a definite direction!

OP posts:
Original poster
handlemecarefully · 03/02/2004 12:03

that's s'pose to say 'quit' work not 'quite' work

OP posts:
JennH · 03/02/2004 13:25

I have just applied to do a nursing diploma, and i am currently an aux nurse, so not so much a career change as a career enhancment.

kagsie · 03/02/2004 14:49

Heavens - the spelling on my last entry was terrible! Panic had set in! It is worth talking to people who are qualified and impartial. It's such a difficult step to take, it's important that it's the right one. The Learndirect and Connexion Services people are all nationally qualified and can help with job search, interviews CVs etc, drawing out strengths and also presenting in a way that doesn't look out of date (there are trends in CVs that give age away!). Its not just for people leaving school and I really recommend it.

LadyP · 03/02/2004 18:19

Well done on your decision, HMC. Hope in 3 years time you are much happier in your career

GenT · 03/02/2004 18:40

May be a silly question, but kagsie, do all teachers have to take O levels?

When I learn to drive and my business is where I want it to be, I want to take up teaching part-time. Who should I contact about that? Do you know?

Posey · 03/02/2004 21:19

I gave up my nursing career when I had dd nearly 7 years ago and knew I would never go back. Felt totally liberated by the idea of starting something completely new. Spent a couple of years in a pre school between dd and ds and now a SAHM again (but helping out in an informal way at the pre-school and dd's school when they need it)
I am now contemplating what I will do once ds is at school and am seriously considering doing a degree. Just need to decide what subject

For a very big change, dh must be up there - engineering graduate who decided to become a journalist. Started as a cub reporter and noe deputy night editor of a quality national newspaper.
So my advice is go for it. Life is too short to spend so much of it in a career you dislike.

bobthebaby · 04/02/2004 00:10

I spent 5 years at Music College and got a masters degree and then did some marketing jobs and, ahem, sort of lost my job whilst pregnant. Now my son is nearly a year old I am starting up a my own business teaching flute from home. So I've come full circle really. I don't regret the experience of full time work and the money was fantastic...but now I have my son it's meaningless and no amount of money would make up for having to leave him with someone else each day.

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 04/02/2004 08:41

Absolutely Posey,

Life is too short to hang about in a career you don't like. My favourite phrase is "Life is not a rehearsal" - I remind myself of that to kickstart me into making changes.

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kagsie · 04/02/2004 17:50

GenT, you will need to meet basic requirements but how you meet these can depend on what age range you want to teach, how you want to qualify and partly your age. It is usually expected that you will hold Maths and English O level equivalent (O levels and CSEs are now GCSEs), but there are equivalency examinations and assessments that you could do. The Teacher Training Agency have a good wqebsite, including a quick quiz to recommend starting points - \linkwww.useyourheadteach.gov.uk/routes_into_teaching/index.php{}.

kagsie · 04/02/2004 17:53

sorry - that link didn't work - you get the idea!

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