How did you choose your career?

[LoveMyGirls]

I already work so techinically this isn't a going back to work thread.

Lately I've been thinking about having a career in my 30's, I'm currently 28 and I'm a childminder and whilst I really enjoy what I do and feel I am doing a good job I think I will eventually want our home back and to work less hours and to earn more money but I can't decide on what I'd like to do next and wondered if any of you have any idea's for me?

I'd like to think about it now so that I can find out about training/ financing a new career etc.

I've been a mum since I was 17yrs, I started my childminding business when I was 24, I have previously worked as a carer for the elderly and disabled as well as working in offices/ hospitals, shops and pubs.

I'm good at looking after children, art, multi tasking, cleaning & advertising but I have no formal qualifications really. I have 1 gcse in English and a ECDL (computer course).

Thing's I have considered have been medical seceretary, mural artist and art teacher.

I'd really appreciate any idea's on which direction to go in as I don't really have a clue. I know that I get most satisfaction out of helping people and that is definitely what drives me.

I pressed post too soon.

As it says in the title I'd also like to know how you chose your career.

Thanks

Bump for the morning

If I was you I would probably look into NHS jobs especially as you have some caring experience. A couple of my friends work in NHS, one made a career from a nurse to a clinical coder, earns good money, got all training, gets 30+ of annual holidays and uses a discounted staff nursery for her kids. Sounds much more attractive than my skilled city job with inflexible hours and 22 days of annual leave :) Good luck!

I decided after having my dd that I wanted to be a midwife, to get some experience in the maternity field I got a job as a neonatal hearing screener which was fab. I also did a course with the OU introduction to health and social care, because my A levels were a few years old and I needed proof of recent study.

I think with your experience you could possibly look at getting a job in the NHS as a play specialist/nursery nurse /maternity support worker. most of these roles do training on the job.

you could also look at art therapy combining your interest in art with helping people?

Thanks, I've had a look and it suggested occupational therapist which I do feel would suit me, I looked into the busary and it said I could get up to £9,300 ish would this be right? Are you taxed on a bursary? The new government worries me as well tbh.

By the looks of it whatever I do I need to gain some GCSE's first or I could try to get a job as an occupational therapist assistant and then train part time but I'm not sure how easy it will be to get a job for a while.

This is a bit scary but exciting. I'm not sure how I feel about going to work for someone else again, working outside the home full time again. I know DH would support me 100% and my dd's are getting older now (aged 11yrs and almost 5yrs) I know I don't have to do anything yet but it's still a bit WOW!