Career change after children - your experiences please!

[DraggleTailedWench]

When I tell people my plans they just go quiet. Any advice seems to steer me towards a no-career path part time job. Are they right to make me feel crazy? I want to know what other people have experienced if they sought a career change after having or while having a young family. Did you study? Did you start at the bottom rung in a company and work up? Was it a good idea?

What I'm thinking of doing...
DD is 8 months and I'm planning on starting an MSc in the autumn part time. She'll be in nursery for a couple of days while I study. Planning on another DC in a couple of years. I don't want to be a manic career woman, I imagine having a part time professional job in about 5/6 years or so after study and possible full time work for a short period to establish myself.

I can give more details if you want them but right now I just want to read as many different cases as possible to hear what it is really like trying to handle career change and family! Thank you!

DD is 18 months and I have just finished a full-time BSc. I took a year out whilst having her, and had started the course as a means to doing something I was interested having worked in the same profession for the last 10 years.

It's do-able, but hard to focus on assignments. Saying that I am thinking of returning to study...

Thank you for replying! Do you mind me asking if you did any part time work to fund your study at all and did your DD go to child care at all? I'm guessing she must have done if your BSc was full time? At the moment DD is registered for a couple of days at nursery when I think I can get most of my study done.

Study must have worked quite well for you if you are thinking of going back?

Any more career change experiences out there???

No, I didn't work p/t. DH works 2 p/t jobs and managed to fit his schedule around mine. So days I was at Uni we had either him looking after DD, his mum looking after her (my parents are both deceased, and no other family nearby), or in nursery (one day a week). WTC and child benefit covers nursery fee, but no extras.
My Uni did have an attached nursery/creche but they didn't have the days free I needed childcare. Shame as it would have been cheaper.

I reckon if you don't try these things out you never know. If you try you can either succeed or fail. If you fail, then there are always other options. If you never try then you'll spend your life wondering 'what it?'.

Thank you, that is really good advice. I was reading another thread earlier about full time work or SAHM and I was really encouraged by the replies to that one telling the poster to go for it too.

Any more career change experiences from anyone?? Anyone out there changed industry and tried to establish themselves with a young family?

Anyone???

I haven't done it yet, but I want to (DC2 now 10mo, have been SAHM for 3 years after redundancy) and am happy to bump the thread for you.

Thank you!! I'm sure it must be common, it's just no one except DP seems to think its possible. I'm told 'it's quite a commitment' or 'are you sure a small pt job wouldn't be better.' So to hear from those out there who have changed successfully would help loads!!

My DH thinks I should become a mumpreneur, but I don't think I have the energy (certainly not until DC2 starts sleeping through) or passion for that. I've had a couple of ideas, but it's so tough to get something off the ground in this economy.

I always planned to retrain after DCs, but I don't yet know what to do. And I'm not sure DH has any great enthusiasm for me studying for a few years whilst not bringing in money.

Well, unless there are any career changers on tonight I guess that's it. Thanks Poppy for your help. FWIW, if you have a good idea then why not give it a go? It would be so good to have a business from home while having young children. I hope you figure out what you would really like to do too. I feel a bit of pressure on that point because this feels like the last chance for me to make a go of a successful and lasting career. I hope I'm not making a mistake because there will be so much time and money wasted if I am. Time will tell...

Hi, I am trying to change career (not an 'accountacy to lion-tamer' scenario, but something that involves using some of my skills in an entirely different sector). Like you I am doing a part-time MSc. To answer your other questions, my DD does her funded 15 hours (she is over 3) and I also do a little bit of part-time work for extra income and to keep my hand in with work. The first year is now over and it has been really hard work squashing all that in actually, many 5am study starts and little relaxation in the evenings! However I have really enjoyed the chance to spend more time with DD while still feeling that I am making progress towards my goal.

While many people do look at me as if I am making things hard for myself (especially as I had a wellpaid and secure job beforehand) I am confident that I can make the switch. However, the biggest thing to bear in mind IMO is that it is harder to work flexibly when starting something new than it is to take advantage of goodwill you've built up over years. I'm expecting to have to work FT and possibly further from home before at the beginning, in order to build up my experience.

Don't be put off by other people's lack of imagination. If you have a clear idea of your goal and can explain it rationally to yourself, then go for it!

I am slightly different from Pendulum in that I stayed in the same industry (law firm in fact) and but switched roles from a fee-earning client facing role - which had long and unpredictable hours - to various internal business support role. Various lawyers in my position have moved around to do HR, Marketing, IT, Knowledge Management and Compliance utilising their knowledge of how lawyers work from their time in the trenches in their new specialities.

As I stayed in the same law firm, I used my specialised skills as a lawyer and the goodwill I earned in that role and high initial pay as a springboard to getting a role in another department which even after a discount would still be pretty well paid. And I kept all my maternity benefits and full employment rights.

I tried various roles and now found one which I like and want to develop into a career. I have just accepted a better paying role with another law firm in my chosen field.

Thanks Pendulum and blueshoes. Both your experiences are an interesting read.

Pendulum - I feel like I am listening to myself speaking as I read what you say about having had a secure job and knowing that you will have to work FT to establish yourself. Good for you to go for it. I do wonder if there are career changers out there who are 10 years down the line and whether they either regret what they did or was it worth it.

I'm thinking it would be worth it as there are many many years ahead when kiddies will be grown and I will be in work.

Am lurking with interest, and would be keen to find out how you all chose the direction for your new career? Speaking as someone who did not flourish at school/university (I discovered boys!) and never had a clear idea re what I wanted to do, I now find myself at almost 37, 2 x DC later, and still have no clue.

Only that sense of 'no clue' is now a source of increasing frustration and anguish, particularly since DD2's birth, 4 years ago!

I have wasted time and money signing up to too many courses and decided it's not the area for me (copywriting, journalism and now PR). I am also consumed with the awareness that my children will not be small for long, and I don't want to be working in a part-time, fill-in job in ten years' time. To all you ladies who have a clear vision - but now need to overcome logistics/finances - all power to you. I think you've overcome the hardest part!

I went part time after DD1 and completed a Open University Sociology degree, then I had DD2 and I start an MA Social Work in January. I will be 40 next year, and am changing from office junior to qualified Social Worker.

Everyone I talk to are very supportive. I found this direction for my life by trial and error - I did a business studies NVQ (v boring) but I liked the business culture aspects, so as I have always been interested in people (yes, I will talk to you at the bus stop...) I did Sociology. This showed me the inequalities that blight people's lives through no fault of my own so I looked for a way to make a change.

Wish me luck for Jan......

Interesting question - it's a pity that more people who have successfully made the leap aren't available to inspire - maybe they're too busy. But clearly from the posts here it is not an unusual tack to take and that is encouraging.

Personally I was in a good job pre-children (decent pay but long hours) but couldn't see myself still doing it when I was of mature years! So I have done my degree (totally different field) and had my two children all at the same time (can't muck about in my mid-30's it was do both together or not do one of them, so thought I'd knock it all off at once)

Anyway, degree done and as soon as dc2 is 6 mo or so I will be trying to get my first post-qualified job. Will have to be full time I think in my field.

So I haven't done the career change successfully yet, as no paid employment has actually happened, but I do have the kids and qualification under my belt, so once I get a position I think it'll be onwards and upwards and then I'll be supporting my family in a sustainable career with a proper career path into my dotage and that puts me in a good position to keep my family going strong.

I will be going into my new career with no further requirement for maternity leave so although I am a late entrant into the arena I won't have to take a career break so can concentrate on making progress.

Think Big I say.

I haven't yet but I'm on the process of doing it. I'm due to start a Bsc in September on a field totally different from my current job. I'm doing it full time, although as I only have 2 full days with lectures I will continue to work part time. My DS as just turned 3 and will be at nursery, with a childminder and sometimes with DH who works freelance.

Some people may think that I'm a bit crazy but most are supportive. It will take me 3 years to finish the bsc and assuming I get a graduate position straight after, it will be 2 more years for to get a professional qualification.

Ignore my grammar, posting on the phone

Chilled I have just finished my full time BSc with ds who was born just after 1st year exams. It is certainly do-able so I don't think you're crazy. If your dc is old enough to go to nursery that's a big help. Good luck.

Thanks jenner I'm quite looking forward to it. I agree that the no need for career breaks is an advantage. Good luck for you too. With your positive attitude, I'm sure you'll soon find a job

I've done it TWICE. First time was when DD1 was about 3, and I became a journalist. It was a real slog but I did well through the years and got good opportunities for advancement. Then 2+ years ago I decided to re-train as a solicitor. My daughter was 12 when I returned to college. In the midst of my studies, and in my late 30s, DH and I decided to expand our family. So I was pregnant and having babies while studying. Our youngest is now six months old. I achieved a Distinction in my studies and start as a trainee solicitor in September. Whilst not easy, it absolutely can be done. I should add that I have been able to accomplish this later life career change with the support of DH, but he has also re-trained in the past year, so we have supported each other. My first career change (to journalism) was in the wake of leaving my first husband, so I was a single mum with no financial or other support from my ex. Either way, if you are determined, you will do it.

consort you're an inspiration

Wow Consort that is quite a story! Mine is a lot more tame, I came back to work full-time about 2 and a half years ago when DD1 was in Year 1 and DD2 not far off starting Reception.

I came back to a new job with a new company, but still doing my old role IYSWIM (finance). We have an after-school nanny to pick up the girls from school, help with homework, take them to clubs, activities, playdates etc. They are usually fed and watered and in their pajamas or close to it when I get home from work which is lovely because we can spend some time reading or playing before bed.

I guess my main advice would be to get your childcare sorted. For me there is nothing more stressful or distracting than knowing your kids are not happy or at loose ends. It makes me very unproductive and therefore unhappy at work - which I usually love!

Good luck OP - do what you think is right for you and don't listen to the nay-sayers.

Hiya
You should go for it - deffo.
I have just finished the first year of an MSc. It was blinking hard work and I really had to rely on my OH for support. But I did it. Changing career is such a positive step. Also having had a previous career puts you miles ahead when searching for your new career.
Good luck

OOOooo Consort that's very inspiring, pleased to know embarking on a new career is possible as a mature person with kids to consider, as someone who hasn't yet got that first job I find that encouraging.
Also Hearts it's good to know there is career opportunity after children, sometimes it seems daunting, to think of the logistics involved.
chilled - Thanks - I try to be positive so hope it helps in the end - I am sure you'll never regret your choice so don't listen to the nay-sayers, some people just don't see the vision or ambition and are alarmed at the 'risk' - personally my motto is Fortune Favours the Brave.

To consider the extreme of that attitude I remember the old middle aged person who I worked with when I was 18/19. She had worked for the supermarket for years and clearly liked the stability. I was a check-out girl and when I told her I was leaving to travel round Oz she flipped her lid and tried to talk me out of it, "how could I throw away a safe secure job for travelling, and what job would I get when I got back?!"

Needless to say I went to Oz and haven't looked back, and at 18 I should jolly well think I wasn't burning too many bridges! Cosy jobs can be over-rated and the what-ifs would never go away. If I had listened to her I'd still be at the supermarket now! People who advocate not stretching yourself are the slightly less extreme version of my supermarket lady.

Great post jenner