changing direction aged 33

[mogwai]

Has anyone else totally changed direction at this age or older (not THAT old, I know)?

I currently work in a well paid, secure job in the NHS. It's ok, occasionally stimulating, but it doesn't press my buttons. I went into this career because I had no back up from my parents and didn't have the guts to take a risk. I stick around because the hours and location are convenient and the pension is decent. This sounds even worse since I've written it down!

I have a good degree, excellent spoken and written communication skills and am remarkably organised. I am totally reliable, have an eye for detail and am stickler for punctuality. I do a very thorough job. My areas of expertise are the psychology/language/linguistics field.

I'm interested in people, property, media and events organisation.

Bored to death by current job....where the hell do I start?

Where abouts are u located?

What about moving around within the NHS? Lots of good management careers to be had. Get yourself a mentor - go and ask a director, they'd be flattered.

Could do a psychosymetric test for a few ideas,my dp is at University-he is 37,never to old to start a new career

Speech and language therapy sounds ideal for you. let me know if you need more info.

Speech and language therapy sounds ideal for you. let me know if you need more info.

I'm a speech and language therapist

Morning paper that's an interesting idea

Do you mean one of the directors of the NHS trust?

Went for lunch today with some people I used to work with (since changed jobs). One of them was missing, he has moved into management and is always busy. This guy was a bit of a joke. I can't believe he's now in management.

Just got me thinking, if I stay in this job forever, I'm likely to implode.

Checky, I'm in the north west

Hi, I don't have any ideas for a career change, but would say if you want to do something different you're never too old.

My father packed in his job as a teacher after 25 years, and worked in a factory packing shampoo bottles for 6 months while he decided what to do...he retrained as a psychiatric nurse at the age of 50. It's never too late.

Mogwai, yes one of the Trust directors - do you know any? Or just contact one that sounds friendly or is approachable by reputation - or even one that isn't! NHS management offers a good career structure and decent money. And a useful line in cushy non-exec work when you're old and retired! ;)

You could even write to the chief exec and ask if he would recommend someone to mentor you as you would like to progress into a management career in the NHS - he/she would undoubtedly help and probably be impressed.

Morningpaper, do you think I should consider this while I have just gone part time? I've a six month old baby, will hopefully have another in a couple of years time.

I mean, would they take me seriously as a part-time employee? What do you think?

Mogwai I would say that probably the answer is yes - the NHS seem very flexible with family hours for part-time workers. I think it worth pursuing now, certainly putting together a plan of action and see where you get. You could perhaps have management training alongside your current job.

oh, i was thinking of retraining as a SALT (previoulsy worked in business) but you say you're bored..my problem is a get bored easily too, maybe the answer is academic. i don't know what to do next. already worked abroad as well. problem is will have to go back eventually as baby is already nearly a year. any ideas? my dd says when i go back we'll be able to pay in more domestic help but i'm also worried i'll end up doing all the babycare, house stuff and go to work especially at weekends.. sorry i should start a new thread about my 500 topics in one message!

there's nothing wrong with the career for the right person, piccolo, I just don't think it's 100% right for me.

My boss is an arse, which makes me wonder how people like her end up managing departments. Today I found out she had screwed up my returning to work after maternity leave. She didn't inform HR in time for them to inform payroll, who have now made an emergency advance into my bank account but my pay is drastically reduced this month. Just what I don't need on Christmas week. She also failed to tell them that I'm reducing my hours in January.

It's just the lastest in a long list of sloppy ineptitudes that drive me crazy. Nothing worse than sloppiness from the people above you, and it's not the first job I've had with similar problems.

As for the boredom, yes, I don't feel very challenged, nor do I feel I'm using my skills to the best of my abilities. I don't feel good at the clinical side of things (don't even feel particularly interested any more, so not motivated), but I'm aware I have many skills and qualities that this job simply doesn't tap into.

I started a copywriting course before I was pregnant. New Years resolution is to finish that off.

Morningpaper, thanks for your advice. I've been thinking about it all day and will act on it in the new year!

Property finder, developer , party planner, wedding planner, personal shopper.

you could start any one part time to get a feel for it. i hear they have formal mentorship programmes in property and events management

Yes, I started studying again last year and now on the way to being a beauty specialist. I have done all my nvq's in business studies, and I'm a trained PA, I'd just had enough and it took me ages to finally decide what i want to do.

Good Luck

hmmm property finder...how do you get into that? I'm really into property. A valuer who came to see our house last year was quite surprised how closely I followed the local property market. I knew most of the properties for sale on our side of town, how long they had been on for and whether they'd been for sale previously.

My idea of a thrilling internet search is "righmove"!

I also think I'd be good at being one of those lifestyle organiser people. You know, the person who helps very busy, important people deal with their home life through sorting out bills, holidays, presents, cards, insurance renewals. That kind of thing. Sort of like a PA. Are there agencies for that sort of thing?