career rut - what to do next?

[TheCatThatDanced]

I feel in a real career rut right now. In my 40's and just feel stuck.

Am a trained Legal Sec/PA in other fields and worked as Legal Sec for past 8 years before leaving one toxic small company (journey was a nightmare anyway!) and contracting as EA/diary manager in government. I've shied away from smaller legal firms as I know the atmospheres can be so cliquey.

My deliberations are between Project Management or also training to be a paralegal which was the career advice I was given by a former tutor.

Am quite lucky that I have wraparound childcare in place and live near the train station so that's never been an issue

I'm now working in central government as an EA/diary manager to a DD and the atmosphere is nice but everyone seems concerned about their jobs (probably due to PM leadership race etc) and anything I do people jump to finish it. Just heard the Director's EA is 'unhappy' and wants to do Project Management so my 'ongoing contract' which started last month is now going to finish probably end of July. My DH is understanding and luckily we are not totally dependant on both our salaries but of course we have mortgage to pay and bills etc.

Am also wondering - should I apply to central government roles - I don't really want to work in central government though?

Nowadays to be considered credible as a Project Manager you need some form of track record - an accreditation eg PMP MSP is also a big plus etc.

The way to achieve any track record in public sector will vary depending on the govt dept, however it invariably requires you to start at the lowest end of the scale such as a junior PM who often is similar to an EA, having to do a lot of the basic admin-type tasks, and then progress up the grades from there. I have seen EAs progress to PM quite successfully, but you need to have a mindset of "what value can I bring?", be willing to pick up anything and everything to get noticed and have patience because it can take several years to get anywhere.

You definitely need to hone PM technical skills to become senior (eg scheduling, task allocation, resource planning, communication with senior stakeholders, budgets)

If you don’t want to work for central government, then it probably isn’t the best idea to apply for jobs there. Could you work towards becoming a PM elsewhere?

In terms of becoming a paralegal, how long would that take and is that workable for your family (especially financially?) How likely would you be able to get a job in the sort of firm that you’d be happy with?

thanks both for your answers.,

daisychain01 - I was looking into doing a form of project management training,

JoJoSM2 - I have actually worked in a similar role to paralegal whilst contracting and the training would take 2 years. Ideally train on the job but not 100% necessary. Actually, I've been told that more and more legal firms are taking on legal secs with paralegal skills/qualifications which is partly which swung me towards this route. My family are happy for me to do this as it's online training and I can afford it.

I think more likely I will go down the paralegal route.

I also have another idea for starting my own business but that's another story!

A lot of ideas :) The paralegal route sounds quite interesting and a better option. With the business, is it just at the idea stage or would you be able to start implementing things soon enough? It sounds like you could be in a pretty good position for starting a business if you're ready enough with it.

JoJoSM2 - the business I feel it could be an on the side thing not a proper business.

Strangely enough my brother wants to open a cafe with ball pit for kids etc (he's a fairly new dad baby will be one soon!) but other side of London with not many of these cafes.

He has a friend who could help set this up and has the capital for it - I make - apparently - excellent cakes but unsure if I want to do this every day plus do family work.

I know all about from working in a solicitors how many small business fail within their first year.

Haha I've got an 11 month old and my NCT pals and me do bemoan the fact that there aren't many soft play cafes that actually have food of the standard that you'd want to eat if it wasn't for the soft play

So perhaps your brother is onto something ;)

But yes, it does sound like a lot extra for you to do on top of your other commitments.

I’m going back to work full time in September and am wondering how the heck I am going to manage the childcare and house... any tip tips out there? My DDs are 8 & 6yrs and both at school. Term time seems ok but it’s the holidays that are really worrying me. Any advice?

@Whippetchick

Maybe post in childcare for some ideas? I think people tend to use holiday clubs and take time off around each other to cover all the holidays.

Thank you, I accidentally posted on your post.

JoJoSM2

Did I tell you that in the part of London (think very trendy) where his 'friend' who has the capital etc wants to invest in it would be a canal/river boat setting - e.g. on a boat?!

My DM and DB think this is 'fine' - my DH and I are thinking shock horror and foreseeing accidents in the canal....

What would your honest opinion be as a parent of an 11 month old on a canal boat with cafe and soft play/ball pit as opposed to dry land? Disclaimer - I myself am fine with water!

Sounds very trendy/unique... I suppose I'd need to see how secure it is. If anything, I'm suprised that there's enough space on a boat for getting around and parking buggies especially if you get several NCT gangs, each 5 mums+babies strong...

JoJoSM2 - thanks for your comments! Totally agreed - where on earth would you park buggies?!

I can just see an accident somehow and my DB's lovely child friendly play cafe being in local news for having kids drowning...

The area is very trendy and the man stumping up the money strangely enough has a company and charity where he designs and builds playgrounds for kids and animals - separated of course!

DB is naively thinking that the premises they want (not a canal boat/barge) is owned by the local church but has remained empty for ages so thinks they could get it at a reduced rent. Dream on... I've worked for lawyers with businesses, could be some negotiation but not a knockdown rent.