If you changed career completely after having DC(s), what did you do?

[BabCNesbitt]

I don't mean those who did a sideways shift in their previous career, or who used their old skills in a new role (eg employed to consultant) - I mean, if you started something entirely new, whether after retraining or otherwise, what did you do?

(I'm nearly 38, DC nearly 2, and I didn't have much of a career to speak of before, so I don't have 10+ years of professional experience in anything to bring to any new job! Hence my scrounging for ideas. )

[CelticPromise]

I'm a lawyer and have just applied to retrain as a midwife.

[Justtrying]

Marking my position as seriously considering a career change.

[WinkyWinkola]

Fascinating to read these. Marking my place. You lot retraining are amazing.

[MyPantsAreGreen]

Lots of ex lawyers here. One myself and inspired by all these stories to give retraining some thought. Is it difficult to get onto graduate schemes? Not exactly a recent one myself.....

[HeadsDownThumbsUp]

This may be a silly question, but why so many lawyers? Is the legal profession genuinely far less family friendly than other (vaguely comparable) sectors?

[loopsngeorge]

I was a marketing manager in travel for seven years, but knew I would do something completely different once I had kids. I was lucky enough to have two part time jobs working from home fall into my lap, both of which are using skills from my past including - at last- my modern languages degree!! I organise language courses for European teachers and also work for a statement writing company.
I was planning on going down the TA route, but always scoured our local paper for interesting looking jobs and it paid off.

[Mandy21]

Can only speak of my own situation as a lawyer and lawyer friends. City - completely un-child friendly in virtually every specialisation with very limited opportunity for part time (or even full time) roles that meant you'd see your children during their waking hours. Regions – slightly better but still very against any type of work life balance (they claim to, but you're almost guaranteed to be passed over for promotion if you work part-time / leave at 5pm). But its not just the hours – I know there are other stressful jobs but in my specialisation (one area of litigation) the consequences of missing a deadline are massive. There is a requirement to juggle days quite frequently to fit in with Court appointments, you never know what's going to land on your desk and therefore be certain of what time you can leave. Even if you do work part-time or leave the office at a reasonable time, you spend your non-work days / evenings checking emails. The pay can be good, but for most solicitors other than the most senior /successful / driven people, it's not as much as everyone thinks and frankly, generally not worth the stress! Having said that, I'm still here....

[BigPawsBrown]

Am a lawyer too but childless. Now freaking out......

[rosalux]

Another lawyer here. Hoping to retrain in housing, possibly law possibly not, but intrigued by civil service jobs especially for HMRC. Any more information from anyone on the reality of graduate training schemes?

[Hermione123]

What do you reckon the limit for grad training schemes is? Would you apply in late 30s?

[Mandy21]

I guess it depends on your own circumstances and whether you can commit to an intensive 4 year programme (if you're talking about the HMRC one mentioned above). But if you mean whether you'd be too old or not offer the same as younger graduates, I think its quite the opposite. I think alot of employers are now seeing the value of "mature" graduates and all the qualities they bring with them - certainly I think skills people have acquired as lawyers / accountants / just general life experience / maturity are really valuable.

[purrtrillpadpadpad]

Great thread. Pre DC I was senior IT type person, 24hr on call, often at my desk at 10pm fixing something that I may or may not have sent into an infinite loop and killed everything but the stress really, really doesn't suit me. I also really don't like fake corporate environments. I'd like to do something that matters on a bigger scale, but I don't have a degree so I would be starting from scratch.

[Sprogstersmum]

I was going to post the same question! Previously worked in magazine publishing and am now volunteering as a TA and studying for a childcare course but not 100% enjoying it all. Like working with the kids but find it depressing to be a dogsbody at the bottom of the pile again. Would ideally like a part time role in publishing and am applying for both publishing jobs and TA roles. Just feel such a failure for not having a 'career' anymore. I worked so hard for it and then threw it away. It's been the best thing for my DCs and I wouldn't have wanted to miss these years with them but now they're both at school I feel useless.

[scrummummy]

I was a teacher pre DDs I retrained as a IT Project Manager and I love it -i do have the advantage of being married to a programmer so for the first couple of years could ask him-
I used to spend all my time outside work thinking about lessons writing lesson plans worrying about students. now I contract work 830-5 dont worry about work -that often- outside work and get paid over £1k take home a week.
I love the fact that I have a good impression on my DDs. mummy goes to work in IT (they love computers) and either mummy or daddy are at home as we both contract and we have a great pt nanny.
I initially started my new career as I wanted my girls to go to private school but now, even with school, we can save money, not possible with me being a teacher.

[schmalex]

What training did you do to become an IT project manager scrummummy?

[scrummummy]

Prince 2, Certified Scrum Master, PMBOK

then later
Certified Scrum Practitioner and Certified Scrum Trainer and Certified Scrum Coach

luckily teaching has lots of transferable skills. Developers are no different to students everyone just need telling what to know and knowing you have their back

[scrummummy]

that should be "what to do" but know also fits

[schmalex]

Thanks scrumummy. Were you able to get a job with those qualifications but no experience?

[AtiaoftheJulii]

Had a few admin jobs (not career!) pre dc, then sahm/HEor for many years. Have been tutoring maths(very) part time in recent years, and have just sent off my UCAS application for a nursing degree.

[HappyHippyChick]

I was a PA prior to having my dc. I am now a science technician in a secondary school. Pay isn't great but hours and holidays are and mostly stress free!

[TribbleWithoutACause]

Those who are training to be MW's, how old are your children? I'm in a situation where I want to retrain.

[ILoveWoollyStuff]

I did a teaching degree but never made the grade, so spent 10ish years plundering about in admin. Went back to work after mat leave for 7 months having made my UCAS application whilst I was off. I started my degree in Occupational Therapy in September and I love it.

[MajesticWhine]

Used to work in IT, now retraining as a psychologist.

[evelynj]

interesting! I was an operational manager, (managing banking/finance dept), then after DS was turned into a business analyst & now had dd 4 months ago. about to apply to be a childminder & concerned about the newness after 12 years of same company!