Starting a new career - part time. Anyone done this?

[kirrinIsland]

I was redeployed just before starting mat leave, and the job really isn't for me. The job I was in is highly specialized and in closing us down they have effectively ended my career (we are not in a position to relocate).

I want a career, as opposed to a job, IYSWIM, but I have 2 under 2 so retraining is likely to prove difficult, and even if I can - will I realistically get a decent job in a new field if I can only work part time?
Has anyone done this? Any ideas as to what I can do?

TIA

I'm trying...but my situation is not retraining. More that I have no experience apart from holiday jobs. No one wants to give part time :(

A work experience placement (if you can cope without the money/a potential loss because of childcare)?

I would give your current job a chance - even if you don't love it, if part-time is more important to you, then you can make the most of it until your children are a little older and you can retrain and consider all options.

At 3 your eldest will have 15 hours free childcare available, which does help quite considerably. Good luck with it, I know it's tough x

Thanks guys!

I will stick with the current job if all else fails but wanted to take the opportunity of looking for something else while i'm not there anyway.

Have lurked on many of these threads over the years and it always seems to come down to selling stuff to your mates at 'parties.'
People who have re-trained and done what you wish to do either don't come on MN (too busy) or choose not to share the secret - maybe to avoid outing.
Hope you have better luck.
Tell you one thing: if you're into fashion and have a remotely salesy personality, House of Colour have franchises available in various locations - not mine, sadly. Think a couple of MNers have started to do that recently - but I appreciate it's not for everyone.

I think this would be very difficult if not impossible to do, especially in this economic climate.

Almost 10 years ago I secured a training contract with my ex-employer (public sector) whereby I worked for 3 days a week and had study days (either at uni or studying at home) 2 days a week over a period of 2 years. Although not strictly part time, the study days were more often than not spent at home so I did have a good work/life balance. As soon as I qualified I requested part time work and they agreed to employ me as a qualified practitioner 3 days a week.

I don't think many employers are offering training positions anymore, which imo would be the best way of getting retrained and offered a part time position but perhaps that would be something to look into?

I have since sidestepped into a different area of work and had to take a full time jobs and then request flexible working after 1 year to reduce hours.

Thanks. Unfortunately i would be really bad at sales, shame as it does seem to be where the most opportunity is.

I think you are right about training positions. That's what my last job was and i was very lucky - haven't seen anything like that recently though :(

I think it depends entirely on what you would want to do as a career. I used to work for a high street bank and if you were happy to start from the bottom and work your way up you could be part time from day one. However, anything you would do would ultimately be sales and customer service based so if that's not for you then it's not worth your while.

Do you have a husband/partner? Would he be willing to go part time if you can't afford full time childcare so you can concentrate on your career for a few years? If not it ultimately comes down to what matters most to you, a few of my friends with young children work full time and find it very rewarding but for me personally I wouldn't want my son in full-time childcare.

Do you need to earn a salary now or soon, or can you manage on your DH's salary? Some types of jobs (e.g. adult education) can be accessed either by funding yourself to do some training or by getting experience as a volunteer in that particular field and then applying for work. It really depends on whether that's financially viable for you and what kind of a career you're looking for.

We can manage on what we're earning at the moment, and we didn't want the DCs in full-time childcare so I'm not going to consider working full-time right now - but in a few years that could be an option.

Tbh it's more that I miss having a career and I miss the money. My current job is pretty dull and I don't like the thought of still being there in a year or two. However, if that's the only option then that's what I'll do.
DP works for himself so cutting his hours right now won't work.

I think, zimbah that you make a good point about volunteering - I could do something whilst on mat leave and take it from there.

I fear this may be a case of wanting everything and wanting it now!!

Charities tend to be good at recruiting part time even at senior levels. They often have limited funds and would prefer to secure someone more experienced on less hours than someone full time but more junior.

Thanks itsall I'll look in to that.

I'm in that situation a bit although there is possibility that something else may come up in the same company. The way I see it is a reasonably paid pt job with opportunity to add breadth to my cv.