Educational types / Careers Advisors - after some advice pls

[CueCeeGee]

Hi there.

Just wondering if anyone could give me their opinion on what they think my next step should be?

(...and yes, I can see the irony in this: a qualified careers advisor asking for careers advice ...)

I have just finished re-training as a careers advisor. Previously, I had a middle management training role in the media, but have lots of voluntary experience in prisons /with challenging kids etc etc.

I am early 30s with three children, btw.

I am now looking for work, but as I have three under 6 yrs old, it needs to be part-time ideally. There are NO careers advisor jobs out there, so I am having to be flexible, which is fine. that's the jobs market at the moment. Ideally, I just want to work in some capacity with young people.

I have seen various temporary jobs advertised and was wondering which one would give me the best experience / look best on my CV for future.

1. Learning support assistant working with young people with emotional/behavourial problems. It appeals because I like working with the 'hard to reach' kids. This is only two days a week - pretty good for me, but is poorly paid. Have taught before, btw, at FE college and in prison education. 6 month contract, with possibility of extension for another 6-12 months.
   
   
2. TA at a secondary school. This is full-time, but term time only until August. Really close to my house. Good to get in with education types in my local borough? Also very crap pay.
   
   
3. Learning mentor in a secondary school. Much better pay but further away from home. Full-time, term time only, 12 month contract.
   
   I just seem to be floundering. I am going to apply for all of them, I guess, but I seem to have lost the power to decipher which job might be the best move for me. Spent so long analysing other people's careers that i have forgotten how to reflect on my own!
   
   WWYD?
   
   TIA

[MuffinMouse]

I agree that you are probably best off applying for all three. These types of jobs tend to be sought after and very competitive. (Don't want to state the obvious, but ask for interview feedback to improve subsequent ones etc). If I was at appplicants who each had experience in one of these roles, I would probably consider all three - and look at other factors to distinguish, tbh. I don't think the posts are hugely different in terms of a CV. I'd look at what works best for you.

Although none fit your ideal work-life balance, the term time only arrangement can save a lot in childcare, and means you can go with a term time only nursery etc. (Plus 13 weeks leave etc).

Also you will be able to pick up the children a lot earlier than many full timers..

Sorry if this is just agreeing with what you already know, but I didn't want your post to go unanswered.