Career change or stay in the same field?

[LilacPrincess]

Hi everyone,

I currently work as a Support Worker and have been in this line of work for about 6/7 years in a supported living environment which involves evening work, mornings and sleep in shifts.

For a while I haven’t enjoyed the job like I used to, I think this is more of the environment with my colleagues etc rather than the actual job.

(just not a good work culture, very big staff turnover, not a good work life balance and although I have set shifts I don’t want to do sleeps anymore and feel that my set shifts cause resentment with colleagues even though I have children and they know my husband works unsociable hours)

I have two upcoming interviews one is still for support Work but in a day centre so no sleeps etc just day time hours which would be great but then I’ve also managed to get a interview for admin at a GP’s office (temporarily Work in an office for my current company and really enjoyed it).

The day centre is better hours as I would only be working until 4pm which I thought would be good around my kids BUT it is less money per hour and there isn’t really the potential for o/t whereas the admin job is a bit more per hour and could be 20-25 hours per week but could involve working until 6:30pm.

I feel stuck because a part of me wants to try something new but the hours at the GP office do worry me ( I will ask how the rota works at interview) and then I think I might just be unfortunate that where I currently work isn’t very nice and the day centre could be great also.

Sorry for the waffle but has anyone ever been in a similar situation? Not that I think I would be offer a both jobs anyway but I just don’t know what to do.

I feel like the admin job would be good for progression because in the future with my support work background being significant I could go into care co ordination etc but then I also know what I’m doing with support work.

Ahhh help x

Anyone?

I moved from admin to care and then had to go back to admin due to injury. If you still love the care side of it why don't you try the day job and see how that goes, there will always be admin posts going but jobs in care with good hours don't come up all that often so I would snap it up. Working in admin in a GP surgery wouldn't be the best way to get into care coordination tbh.

I just meant having some admin experience could help with that in the future that’s all.

The thing is with the day centre is that it’s harder to get to travel wise as I don’t drive xx

Ahh I see what you are saying, I think you need to go with your gut feeling on which job will be right for you in the long run. It has to be the one that fits around you and your family. You will make the right decision, it is nice to have options. Good luck

Aww thanks very much. It’s nice to have support from others xx

Just to update you I had my interview for the admin job today, the staff seemed lovely and it went well but I won’t hear until next week.

Also the day centre job emailed me and informed me that due to changes the contract is now for 30 hours.

Which would mean working 5 days a week, this just isn’t something I’m after with such a young baby and as I mentioned it’s not the easiest place to get to travel wise either so I think doing that 5 days a week would be too much BUT I’m going to wait to hear from the interview today and go from there.

Oh good luck, I hope you get the admin job. Bit shitty about the day centre job though, if it's not the right fit ...it's not the right fit 😊

Yeah it’s a shame but because I would potentially have to get two buses to get to it at times it’s just going to be hard work.

I don’t really see how the contract has become 30 hours now because if it had been advertised as so I never would have applied.

If you want a change of career the longer you leave it the more difficult it will become to get something decent. I mean you will get something but it may not be as good.

I have had to change career unwillingly twice. It really pays to research the area you will be working in FIRST so you can see what is available. It is no good deciding on something and then finding you have to relocate unless you want to relocate of course.
What about doing something related to what you do but better?
For example nursing or social work. You may be able to study for this round your current job.
If it is just that you work in a toxic environment then just change job.
Do not give up something you like because of one crappy place

Oh just thought With the awkward journey on 2 buses perhaps someone who works there could give you a lift? If they really want you they may be willing to help especially if they live near you

I see what you are saying, it’s a difficult one because like I earlier mentioned I wouldn’t go into supported living again just because of the shifts but the day centre has added more hours which isn’t the amount I want to do really.

When it was just for three days a week I didn’t mind but 5 days is a lot and I didn’t really want to work full time. It’s so difficult.