Not going back to work as such but need a bit of help/direction! Come and tell me about your fab careers!

[welliesundermeballgoon]

I have been working in a callcentre enviroment for the last 3 years, after I was made redundant from my previous position.

I had left school with GCSEs and walked into an OK job, which I managed to develop into a decent career after a few promotions etc.

That all went out of the window after being made redundant however, and I was feeling like I would be trapped in a dead end job I did not like so I decided to go to college part time to get further qualifications.

2 years later; I have just completed a foundation degree in Business Management (chose this as it seemed to be the best one to create promotion possibilities without having to decide a definite direction) I don't feel that there are any chances of promotion in the organisation I work for now though due to an 'embargo' on recruitment!

I am at a cross roads now, as I need to start and make decisions on where I want to go....

For a start I need to decide whether to carry on and do a 3rd year to top up my FDA to BA hons (my marks have been quite good so should be in line to get a pretty good degree- i hope ) or to go in a totally different direction....

Jobs still seem to be non existant in my area, I just don't know where to look, or where to aim for.

I want a career not just a job, I have toyed with the idea of looking into teaching Business Studies in FE but not sure if there is any scope with this.

I have also considered leaving my FDA as it is and going in a totally different direction maybe NHS?> as any higher qualification would stop eligibility for a bursary.......

I know that no one can wave a magic wand and tell me what to do, but I am really interested in any ideas on sectors etc where a career could be carved out.

I want to do something challeging & interesting- I suppose I am limited with the (lack of) qualifications I have?

I feel like my FDA is pretty worthless as it is and I have left all of this too late and it will be impossible to get a good career I know I have years ahead of me (I am late 20s) But I am feeling really disheartened at the moment

OH dear I am sorry at how long this has turned out to be!

I have my Fingers crossed that somebody can provide some inspiration!

TIA

I am also in my late 20's and decided this year to go to college full time to get my highers to do the nursing degree course at uni next year i feel the same scared at lack of jobs etc but want a career i hope to be happy with, no one can see what the future holds you just need to do what you feel is right and hope it pay's off. Good luck

Have you considered chartered management accountancy? I think you may be exempt from some of CIMA (see CIMA website) esp. if you do the BA. You can start looking for training contracts now. Well paid, predictable career path, steady work.

I am an occupational health advisor. You need nursing as your first degree, then specialist training to become an occupational health advisor. Another year, or 18 months following nursing degree. Work is pretty fabulous. No shift work, office hours, flexibility to work from home, you work autonomously. Opportunity to become self employed. There is always work available in this field. In fact compared to other branches of nursing, quite well paid. Starting salary after qualification is around 33K. Lots of part time work if you prefer.
In fact, having a nurse degree is a good start to getting lots of different job opportunities.

Having a degree DOES NOT affect your eligibility for an NHS bursary. If you are interested in nursing and you have a degree you can now qualify in two years instead of three by doing a Postgraduate Diploma. The NHS pays the fees and you get a bursary just like undergrad nursing students. I'm looking into doing it at the moment. It's offered at various universities around the country - Kings in London, Southampton, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Sheffield Hallam, Northumbria in Newcastle and Nottingham (Derby Campus) are the ones I remember. After being in practice for a year you can top it up to a Masters degree, which enables you to move up the career ladder quicker.

Also you could complete your degree and apply to work for the NHS as a manager. They have a training scheme for graduates, with a good Business Management degree you'd be an excellent candidate.

Don't worry, I'm also in my late 20s and not established in a career, you are not the only one!

Wow thanks so much everyone for all of that info!

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply!

Coconut Occ Health is actually something that was lingering in the back of my mind, and I think that it would be really interesting!

leicestershiregirl That info is particularly helpful as I am in North East, so Northumbria would be perfect!

Thank you so much for all of the advice!

I am really excited now to think that there are so many options which I had pretty much written off! I really can't thank you all enough! I love Mumsnet me

I have just spoken to Northumbria Admissions and entry requirements are 2-2 in Science or Healthcare related discipline Back to the drawing board!

Oh and thanks Fish I will have a look at link!

Sorry about that - hadn't looked in detail at the course at Northumbria and didn't mean to get your hopes up. I'm thinking about doing the course at Glamorgan and they ask for a 2:2 in a healthcare-related subject but they said they would consider an application from me as I have experience (from working as a healthcare assistant), so maybe Northumbria would do the same? Some other unis, e.g. Southampton, only ask for a 2:2 in any subject.

Obviously there's also the standard three year nurse training course, but if you don't mind training for three years what about an allied health profession like speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or podiatry? All of these make you eligible for an NHS bursary. (But I work with physiotherapists who tell me that is way, way competitive). Check out the NHS Careers website for inspiration: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/