what job can I do?

[Katherine]

I've always been one of those eternal students. I did a degree in Psychology followed by a masters in health pyshcology followed by a PhD hoping to get into clinical. But I then met my husband and had my 3 kids and now cannot face the prospect of 3 yrs clinical training.

For the last 5 yrs since finishing my PhD I've been running a website from home. I've learned a lot about websites and its meant I've been flexible with the kids but now I'm fed up and I want to earn some money instead. I'm sick of beeing broke and I feel isolated at home.

I think I'd like to go into teaching but I've left it too late to apply for September - all the primary places round here are full and I can't do secondary because psychology is not a curriculum subject so I have to apply this september for next september. But I want to do something now.

I've thought about a classroom assistant but all the schools have volunteers round here (thinking of doing that for expereince but would like to earn at least part time!) so doubt I'd get paid for it.

Any other suggestions on what I could do! Its a rural area so its not like there as masses of opportunities out there.

I've got a child at school and one in nursery in the afternoon and the baby (8mths) who I would have to arrange childcare for.

Despite my degrees I feel totally unskilled and inadequate. I'm shy and lack confidence. Thats why I need a job - something to give me a boost.

Who has some ideas on how to sort out my life?

What would you really like to do ????

You sound like me except i have no qualifications at all.

Katherine
I often think that some of the best jobs to combine with parenthood are those that you can do by the hour.

E.g. nutritionist, homeopathy, hynotherapy, accupuncture, counselling, personal training, speech therapy etc etc.

What I'm not sure is what qualifications you need for any of these and whether any of them appeal!

For most of these services in teh South East you are looking at around £50 per hour. You can also choose to do term time only and school hours if you need to.

I'd like to be a speech therapist.

Soapbox - I've thought of speeech therapy but its very competitive training so not on the cards, certainly not this year.

Councelling might be an option but would require more training and I'm not sure I can do that. Teacher Training would pay me - but anything else I'd have to pay to do the course and can't do that and childcare as I'm broke.

Really I want something I can do with the qualifications that I've got or without any qualifications at all. Maybe I should just go to Safeways but that seems a bit daft.

Katherine - Speech therapy training is competitive ?? How do you mean ??

What about management training or marketing - they both need at least an understanding of physology. Or can you get into advising companies on occupational stress - big at the moment?

To be honest the only phsycologists I know are in research which seems to lurch from one underpaid project to another with very little job security!

WHat about secondary school classroom assistants. Our school has many paid LSAs and no volunteers at all for this. I am sure there is a thread about this (becoming a LSA) somewhere already on MN too.

where abouts are you? cause i've been looking at jobs for my sister-in-law. I found a job in west wales working as a phsycology assistant for a child psycology unit. why not look with the nhs? the job even said it was a route into clinical psycology

Is there a college nearby? Colleges use Learning Assistants, useful with a psychology degree, and you don't (strictly speaking) need a PGCE to teach in a college.

I have a psychology degree, started out as a learning assistant in a college, taught some classes part time, then the college assisted me through a part time PGCE.

If you are interested in teaching, classroom assistants are a great starting point. You get to see a wide range of teaching styles and get to see what works and (more importantly) what dosen't work, gain confidence with small groups, and then get to try your hand in a familiar environment.

What about writing. You could try to freelance and write combining your quals and your skills (mummy). There are quite a few freelance journos on here. Pick up a few magazines and get a feel for the kinds of articles. Start by writing letters to the editor of Parenting magazines about recent articles they have published or whatever etc. Then when you've had a letter or two published suggest that you freelance for them. I'm sure they love to publish someone with a PhD. You shouldn't undersell yourself. My DH often feels rather frustrated about not having a Masters or a PhD.

Nutcracker _ I thought about speech therapy becaue I did 2 yrs of linguistics as part of my degree and loved it. I approached sheffield our nearest uni about a course but they had 250 applicants for 25 places. Plus it would be full-time on campus which would cause havoc for childcare.

Just been talking to someone else about working as an assistant at college for students with learning dificulties this would really appeal to me but haven't been able to track down a specific job yet. Trouble is I really need to get some experience at primary level but I suppose the secondary and college would at least fund the childcare to volunteer for primary schools.

Ausiesim I'd love to do writing but I need something a bit more secure now. I've been earning a bit from my website but I want something that will allow me to contribute more to the money pot so we can work on the house and which is also be more rewarding and get me out more.

Been looking at a couple of job descriptions for education care officers (which I think is like a classroom assistant anyway). Don't think you need qualifications for all of them so will look out for one nearer home.

I think I will probably move away from Psychology now. I've been out of research for 5yrs now so thats a lot of catching up to do and I've never found any jobs in this area which are really suitable. I'm in Derbyshire by the way.

Everything I look at seems so daunting though which is daft because I'm intelligent and have done all sorts of things but just goes to show how much you loose confidence when you are stuck at home all the time. Also realistically maybe I should be waiting till Septebmer so that DD will also be in school and then I only have to think about childcare for one - oterhwise everything I earn will go on childcare. But at the same time I want to get out there now...........

I also did psychology degree and masters before/whilst having my children. I always wanted to go into clinical psychology but now, like you said, just can't face the training. I also rule out anything such as speech therapy that i fancied if it seems competitive and daunting. I don't really know why as i am confident, i just think having children sometimes seems like you can't compete, obviously not true, but i know the feeling. i think i didn't want to have to put all my energies and thoughts into training when i do enjoy having time in my life for my kids. i am considering doing the post graduate trining for social work (dipsw)in september, not necessarily to stay as a social worker but the qualification seems to open doors into various fields. I went to see a careers advisor at our local adult guidance service and was really surprised how useful it was, i think partly just to speak to someone new about it who had fresh ideas and lots of knowledge. anyway, good luck with whatever you decide on.

Katherine, you don't need any experience to work as a Learning Assistant in a college. Believe me, I've been there!

My suggestion is to ring the local colleges and ask to speak to the head of Learning Support. Explain about your qualifications and see if there are any positions coming up next year. Now is the time colleges are starting to recruit for September. Check if they do evening classes. Occasionally they may have a student who wants to take an evening class who has a disability of some kind e.g. visual impairment. They may want an occasional or part time support worker to assist this particular student. Once you are on their payroll, it becomes much easier to find out when jobs are coming up and to gain more and more part time work.

Have you thought about Advice work? I worked briefly for the employment service helping the long term unemployed into work. It's really rewarding and requirtes no other experience than a healthy dose of common sense.

granarybeck - we sound very similar. I hadn't thought about Social Work at all - do you get a grant for doing the training? I suppose teaching has the advantage of the holidays but its always good to think about other things.

I've found a job as a classroom assistant in a local special needs school. they want level 3 NVQ but I'm hoping the degree will be equivalent. Trying to pluck up the courage to ask for a form now. Its full time though so would be a bit complicated. Told DH last night expecting him to be really excited but he seemed really relucatant and started going on about how important me being here for the kids is and how DD2 is still too young. Really shocked me as usually he's making me feel like I'm not pulling my weight. Very frustrating. Feel like I can't win.

A level 3 course is equivalent to A levels. A degree should be acceptable, especially if you indicate that you're willing to study for a NVQ while you are working. It's a work based qualification, so there should be no problem.

Grrrrr. Have phoned up and explained about degree instead of NVQ - they sounded really keen on me but mentioned that the pay is dtermined by NVQ qualification so the council would pay me less. Seems so unfair and not sure it will stretch to cover the nanny but chatted to DH about it and at least he's getting a bit more into the idea now. Closing date is Friday though so need to get my skates on. Never done a CV for a job before!

katherine, i'm doing a post doc at Sheffield and just wanted to say that if you were considering coming here to study the univeristy's nursery is brill!! my DD goes, there is a waiting list but as a student you would jump the queue. just thought i'd let you know.

also meant to add that there are reduced fees for students i think plus there are LEA grants for childcare available, did use them myself but these things were suggested to me when i DD first started at nursery and i was doing my PhD

yes there is a bursary for doing social work training plus fees paid and additional funding for childcare, travel etc. I did the nvq3 last year, was only one evening a week at college (plus working in school etc) and if working for them lots of authorities pay the fees. If you get the job it seems worth doing the nvq anyway as it is a vocational piece of paper that lots of employers ask for at various levels of jobs in education/children and families field. i actually did it whilst childminding (as my placement).

not a bad idea as I would probably get more money then. can I go straight to level 3?

Well I filled out the application form last night but now I'm wimping out. Gave DD2 her last feed for the night and I just thought she is so gorgeous - why am I trying to get away from her. DH doesn't really want me to do it and I'll give most of my earnings to the nanny so why do it?

Also having seen the school it felt more like a hospital. I want to help kids that are struggling like DS with dyslexia, but special needs in this case is far more serious. I won't be following the curriculum and will be spending as much time on personal care stuff as actual learning. Made me have a good think.

All my reasons for going for the job are just as valid but maybe this job isn't the right one. Think maybe I should volunteer at local schools this term, spend the summer with the kids and then look for work to start in September when DD will be at school too so just baby to worry about. Then do that for a year and hopefully start my teacher training the following year. A good plan I feel.

Or am I just wimping out!

Feel like I'm all over the place with this one. One minute rowing with DH that he's not backing me and then changing my mind altogether. Don't know whether I'm coming or going. Clsoing date is tomorrow.

Apply anyway. If they offer you the job you can always turn it down.

Thats what DH said but I feel bad wasting their time, them getting references etc and an interview will still be stressful. Feel like I'm going round in circles here,

Well I didn't apply for the job in the end - just felt it wasn't the right one. But I have decided to look for work in September and I have started volunteer work in a couple of local primary schools, a morning and an afternoon each week for this term to get some expereince. There is a job coming up in a nearby secondary school for a part time psychology teacher for AS level from September which would be ideal so I'm applying for that one.

Done my first morning in a school and loved it so this really is the way I want to go.

Thanks for all your suggestions.