Dont know how any of you can help me as I am so clueless myslef BUT.....

[becaroo]

...I would really like to start training/working towards a career/job now that my youngest ds is 2. In 2 years he will (hopefully!) be at full time school and I would like to be able to work P/T or job share.

Thing is....I have absolutely no idea what I want to do.

Afte my A levels and prior to the dc I worked in various mind numbing office jobs which I hated.

Didnt go to Uni as my family couldnt afford it (student loans were just coming in in 1990 I think) and I had no idea even then what I wanted to study...I applied for a different course at each one I applied to!!!

I have got 12 GCSEs and 2 A levels in History and Sociology.

I started an OU degree before I had ds2 but only managed to complete 3 short courses before ds2 came along.

I am interested in history/art/literature and am computer literate.

What on earth could I do? To complete my OU degree would take a few years yet and would cost approx: £3000. Worth it?

Have you considered talking to an adult guidance careers advisor (via Connexions or Careers Wales, depending on where you are)?

Think about what you enjoy - and see if there are any volunteering opportunities in the field? That way you get a feel for things, rather than having to decide straight away.

If you are intersted in history and art, why not volunteer at a local museum?

Literature - bookseller? You don't need a uni degree for a job in Waterstones etc, although it might help. Librarian? You do need a specific degree for this.

What course are you doing? A degree in itself, unless it is going to be specific to a vocation, is not going to help that much, in terms of getting a job, in this economic climate (unless you want to be a teacher, doctor etc).

If you have £3,000 available, then I guess do something uni wise - however, I think you need to decide whether you want to do a degree for it's own sake ie: out of interest, or whether you are looking for a job/career.

Thanks for your advice hairy

Thats just it, I havent go £3000!!! I would have to use the payment plan from the OU to do it.

I am already a volunteer/member of the scouting movement (assistant beaver leader) which I enjoy and am joining to W.I. to see if that spurs me on to any new interests.

A job in a bookshop???? sigh. Heaven!

Youth worker?

Blimey you were up late last night!

hmm...not sure. People have been telling me for years to train to teach/be a TA but it seems to me like that should be a vocation i.e. something you have always wanted to do and it isnt in my case.

I want to find something I can do that I love/find interesting and that will earn me a bit of extra money.

sigh. Not easy is it?

I run kids cookery classes and have licensed out the business - www.craftycooks.co.uk works really well around the kids, term time only if you want it to be and you choose your hours