Retraining where to start?

[SuperFlyHigh]

I've got another thread running here about me walking out on a job....

But after 2 PA/secretary jobs in the past 6 years (but spent most of my life doing this) I've had gentle suggestions from friends about retraining.

I was going to retrain re payroll/HR courses to do office manager roles as I've done this in a previous job (very small office) and covered for holiday etc for someone doing this role before.

Now though I just don't know what to do... I'm 44 (just!) a few GCSEs but nothing special, NVQ 3 in Business Admin and Secretarial and Legal Secretary PA Diploma with Merit.

Ask me what I want to do as another job and I could study I suppose full time and I just have no idea.

Suggestions?

To be honest, super, you're asking a bit much on this one!

If you've spent most of your career on PA and administration work, and haven't given any info at all on your other interests, talents, potential industries, how is anyone reading your thread going to come up with any useful advice.

I could suggest you enrol on an IT course, a psychology course or book keeping but I'm really not confident that's going to actually help you. As I suggested on your other thread, if I were you I would get straight back into the temping market, try 5, 6, 7 or however many short term positions and enjoy the diversity for a while. I did that some years ago after a redundancy and I discovered new talents I never knew I had!

Sounds like you don't have the luxury of a redundancy payment to meet short term expenses so immediate income rather than courses and training could be the best next step.

daisy I was thinking more of long term options and it's mostly because others have prompted me re training (friends).

I luckily recently rented out my spare bedroom which covers the mortgage and some bills and with temping and my salary i do have my outgoings covered, I also have 6 months savings cushion which I saved for an emergency like this as well as other savings I'd prefer not to touch.

I am currently temping this week, i do have savings enough to keep me, but don't want to eat into them hugely and being a full time student doesn't appeal either! Also I am aware for my CV I need work to show there and I hate not working!

I had a few good conversations with recruitment agencies yesterday and today and something may come of this. A possible temp to perm role which I liked the sound of.

I was more thinking aloud. Hobbies include history, mosaics, shopping, traveling all those are great but you can't really plan a career round those. Or not easily. I am ebaying items this week but that's to clear clutter.

I am now thinking of an InDesign course. And maybe seeing a careers adviser.

Thanks for replying i know it was a bit of an open ended question.

What things do you like about work you've done so far? What do you definitely want more of? What do you definitely not want more of? What is it you like about history, about mosaics and so on?

How would you feel about travelling for work if the reality was hours hanging around in airports, on planes, in anonymous hotels and offices, with no time for sight-seeing for, just back to the airport again?

It can be worth seeing a career adviser, but before you do, you need to have thought a bit about why. Retraining because friends say so isn't enough - you need some reason to do it for you, not them.

EBearHug

The things I like about my work so far are the organisational and helping people aspects eg both colleagues and clients. I can't stand people being wronged and have a good sense of fairness so I suppose the legal aspect appeals to me.

I like history as its interesting and tells one so much more about life, people, politics etc relating to the past. I like mosaics because they're attractive, practical and the nipping (cutting) and glueing them or placing of them is calming...

I know I couldn't travel for work have done that a bit in the past with jobs and it was always hotels and airports.... And organising travel relating to it!

I'm not sure what I want more of in a future career but I know i can't stand boredom and like to value valued or of use to a certain extent.

One friend suggested a job to do with cats as I like cats but I can't honestly see me working for a cats home or charity.

I did think about setting up an online shop but this would take time, effort and money (I have the money for it). I'm not 100% sure if this isn't just a pipe dream, and I do also prefer to be out of the house.

You sound a really capable and thoughtful person, but I am concerned that you are darting around from cats, to mosaics and more besides, it does make it difficult to know how you could channel your energies when there isnt a lot of focus.

I'm trying hard to pick up on strengths (you have a sense of fair play, and you enjoy good organisation, ) but nothing jumps out and grabs me as something you can develop as a career. I'm hesitant to suggest law, because it takes many years to complete the years of training and then you may not get work, it's a gamble!

Going back to Ebearhug 's point, just because your friend suggests retraining, doesn't necessarily mean you should do a course for the sake of it!

OK I'll get a bit "alternative" here....how about using your administrative skill in politics, maybe see if your local MP needs a right hand person. Sometimes administration roles lead to great hands -on work experience. Or communications in your county council Offices?