I'm in need of careers advice - please!

[BetteDavis01]

I'm currently a SAHM with two pre schoolers. I'm now starting to look ahead to when they start school and I want / need to work.

DP and I have no local family support so school drop off and pick up will befriend to me as DP has a full on, full time job.

My interests are gardening/horticulture and I'm also interested in becoming a counsellor; seeing clients from my home.

I plan on becoming self employed as I need flexible hours.

Can anyone out there give me some honest, frank advice about my career options if I decide to pursue either of these routes?

All advice appreciated.

Thank you.

Depends on your goals. What matters? Earning money? Long term career? You could quickly build up some local gardening work if you don't mind graft- several lady Gardeners around here. Counselling is a long slog to qualify - combine? Look at bacp. Get a horticultural qualification?

I suppose I'm looking for money first, but job satisfaction, a close second.

Start your research now. Look int local networks. Local wire groups etc. research what options are available.

Look into courses as well.

Thank you twenty ten x

I would second looking into courses - try your local adult education college for starters. Ours runs a huge variety of courses v cheaply, so you can see how it feels when you're doing your case studies etc. Also that puts you in touch with others in the same field which can really help in the early days and give you some confidence. Best of luck!

This site will give you an overview of these two (and many other) careers:-

nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobfamily/Pages/default.aspx

Good luck! Could you volunteer /do work experience? Just ask ! Flower arranging/ weddings etc?

Another thought- search for moocs on the web free courses on the web by universities! Gets the brain in gear- psychology etc?

I work in horticulture but am full time employed. A gardening round would be a good way to start, but it is very seasonal and so you would need to find something to fill the winter months as there won't be that much work around (unless you are specialised in something eg apple pruning etc). Having a specialism would enable you to charge a bit more, too. It is also not for the faint hearted but it does mean you can eat lots of biscuits. It also means working alone a lot so you've got to be OK with this.

What I would suggest is studying for a qualification such as the RHS level 2 certificate. This is usually the minimum qualification required for many paid gardening jobs and having this would mean that if you wanted to take on a part- or full-time hort job once the kids are older, you would find it much easier to find a job.

HOWEVER! Don't for a minute think that you will make lots of money in gardening, especially part-time. Many people baulk at paying a gardener more than £10/hour (£15 at a push in more wealthy areas) and you will have to pay tax and NI out of this, and possibly supply your own tools if the client doesn't have any.

Despite all of this, I love my job, love being outside even on days like today. I sleep like a log and am the fittest I've ever been.