Careers with a shortage of applicants?

[Looseleaf]

Hi
I'm racking my brains as want to train for something specific to have a useful 'skill' and focused career.
I'm considering law but nervous of its competitiveness (I have a good degree but would need to study for 2 more years with no guarantee of work at the end of it it seems).

I've researched becoming an actuary and would enjoy the challenge but didn't do maths A'level (did economics) so would need to do this first. And although I've always loved all academic work i haven't done any advanced maths and I'd probably find it hard!.

Does anyone work in an industry with a shortage of applicants? It just might help as I think about what to consider as I don't want to train unless confident of jobs the other side.
I have broad interests and loved all my subjects at school so really quite open and trying to be as strategic as I can when have wide interests!

Agree not law, is opposite problem more people with the quals then jobs, many are taking para legal work as can't get training contracts.

onelittletoddle they would tend to be advertised on specialised websites such as pharmiweb or with pharma recruiters. As most work is outsourced the jobs will be with CROs not the pharma themselves and they also advertise on their own websites . These are based all over south east mainly M4 corridor, Hertfordshire , Cambridge. For experienced people lots of home based opportunities reporting into Europe as well. The difficulty is getting into it as Really pointed out.

Thanks jossys yes, had a look at the website and it seems all the jobs are for experienced people like Really pointed out.

For example, a statistician has to have a working knowledge of statistical methods used for clinical trials and observational studies. Not just any other statistical field.

So cheered to have some ideas! Thank you so much- am going to re-read more slowly and think about it all.

There are loads of free resources on the net to help you identify strengths and suitable careers - have a look at free versions of Myers Briggs or 16pf. Get some volunteering experience/ work shadowing too - to understand the workplace now. Network. Get on LinkedIn. Talk to contacts in all industries. Ask for insights. Make it a job to find what you want.

Great advice, thank you twentyten

I currently work freelance in publishing but am thinking about getting back into an actual career once my youngest starts school in 2 years time so I was thinking of going down the marketing route as have done similar stuff before and can do a distance learning marketing qualification in about 6 months.

This is my current plan but no idea if it will work out! I really worry that after getting the qualification I still won't be able to get an actual job.

Look into IT jobs in your area, barriers to entry are higher than they used to be but it's still well paid with plenty of career options and the British computer association training courses aren't expensive in the scheme of things. Downside is it'll most likely be fulltime and depending on exactly what, stressful/extra work around project deadlines.

onelittle there are entry level opportunities as well for sure. I just saw an ad today for a company looking for grads but who also consider a-level qualified folk (maths/ science/ computing) for training opportunities.

Good luck with your search looseleaf- looking for a career change also but it is hard to get that first 'in'

Hi Jossysgiants - I've PM'ed you.

jossy, I have a physics degree and a MSc in Computational Physics. I used to do scientific programming. I would be interesting in learning to be SAS programmer. I suppose a lot is confidence and finding a way to freshen up my programming skills.

Have you thought about logistics & supply chain management, looseleaf? It's an area that you can get into with any business degree, or even without a degree, and they have a shortage of applicants. It's not often an area that many women are drawn to, but actually is very suited to the multi-tasking skills that we have.
They are so keen to get new people into the industry that the NOVUS Trust are working with some very large companies to guarantee graduates a job after they finish the courses they've set up at the university of Huddersfield. I've written about it in my latest blog, which includes links to all the professional organisations where you can get further info. See bit.ly/1p8GEpV

Oops, the link copied wrongly. Sorry! Should be: www.dragoncareerassociates.com/blog/heres-a-management-career-youve-probably-never-thought-about