Career change

[unsuresounsure]

I've already posted in chat but not had any responses as yet so thought I'd post here.

I've namechanged for this. So I've recently started thinking about changing career in the next few years as my DC2 starts school next year.

I currently work part time and earn 24k in the public sector. I enjoy my role but it can be quite emotionally draining due to the nature of the work.

I'm thinking of changing career paths and was thinking something in finance. My current role involves some financial advising, better of calculations and support with applications for benefits amongst other things I'm really good at dealing with people from all walks of life and thought that these are all good transferable skills for something like mortgage advice.

I've researched and know I'd need a professional qualification CeMAP. This would be doable to study and work once the youngest DC is at school.

I'm a lone parent so flexibility at the moment is key and that's why my current role works well, but I'm thinking about the future and my earning potential. I'm currently at the top of my pay scale and the only way I could increase earnings is by going full time and that option currently isn't available in my organisation and the extra earnings would be eaten up by childcare costs anyway.

Any advice would be appreciated. Am I living in a fools paradise or could I make this happen?

I think, with careful planning, you could make it happen, unsures. I really hope you do, it's quite an exciting prospect.

Thanks @Rachelover40. It's the careful planning bit that I need to get right. I'm the sole breadwinner so there's no wriggle room for messing up.

Hi

You can definitely make this happen!
It sounds like you are researching carefully which is a brilliant start. If you haven't already, speak to some people who do the type of roles you are interested in. I really recommend you think in detail about why you want to the change and why towards this particular role. Once you have your answer, ask why again. And then again. It usually get's quite tricky but it really helps get to the true underlying motivations which we are often not even aware of. But once you know this it is much easier to make sure it's the right thing for you right now, and it will help immensely when things get a bit tough on occasion (which, let's face it, they will) and you are asking yourself why you are doing this. You then have a good answer :-) And it can help you not just picking something because it seems better due to a vague idea in the back of your mind, just to find it's not what you expected. It also really helps in future applications and interviews. People connect with your why, and it makes you stand out from all the more standard answers too.

There are some brilliant resources out there like books and podcasts. If you are trying to find the time for everything, these might be a nice start (both available as audio books, easier with kids around)
The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller
Do less by Kate Northrup

Oh, and if you are struggling with connecting with people in the roles you are interested in have a look at Wait, How Do I Write This Email?: Game-Changing Templates for Networking and the Job Search Paperback – 22 Oct 2015 It is really good!

Good luck! You can do this!

Thank you @Theresa17. These are great recommendations. You're right I do have to ask myself why I want to do this type of work. The answer I think is that my current role is simply emotionally draining but satisfying in the results I get on behalf of service users. The financial side of it I love. The hand holding and absorbing some of the emotional difficulties of service users, I don't. It's just so overwhelming at times. I'm not paid enough for what I do and unfortunately in the public sector, negotiating and increase in pay is simply not an option.

So part of the motivation is money. I eventually would like to earn more and don't have the option of this in my current role. I also have a spot of imposter syndrome. This is something I really need to work on. I need to work on self belief. I often feel that I shouldn't be where I am workwise which comes from my childhood being a poorer child from an ethnic minority. I honestly feel that there aren't many opportunities for people like me and I should be grateful for what I have. But I want/need more and actually I've worked incredibly hard and am deserving of what I've got.

Sorry that kind of went off tangent but gives a bit of background as to my nervousness around changing career.

@unsuresounsure I don't think this is going of on a tangent at all! That's exactly the stuff that holds us back. A lot of the time it's the voice in out head. Impostor syndrome is sooo common! The fact that you recognise it is a really good start. So you can look at at it from that angel and think "Oh hello, you again. I hear what you are saying, but I also know you are wrong and I will do this anyway."
I loved the book "The big Leap"by Gay Hendricks. Really helped me recognise how I limit myself sometimes. Of course no magic solution, but I found it very helpful.
Besides the money, what else attracts you to finance? Have you had a chance yet to speak to anyone working in something you are considering? There are quite a lot of roles and many do have options to train part time before you start or there are more and more apprenticeships available (they are open to adults, not just school leavers) and some actually pay pretty well from the start.

@Theresa17 it's only recently I've been able to put a name to those feelings of self doubt. I'll definitely have a look at the books you've suggested.

I'm attracted to finance because I actually get a bit of a buzz working with figures. I hated maths when I was younger but have found the money maximisation I do in my current role really satisfying. So thought if I feel like this in my current role why not try it in another more financially focused role without the emotionally draining part.

And yes when I was arranging my last mortgage and shopping around different deals I spoke to a mortgage advisor and asked her how she got into it. She said it was really quite easy, she got a job in an estate agents then they offered to put her through the CeMAP. So I've had it in my head since then which was 2 years ago.

I also had a chat with a careers advisor at my local University and they said it would be easier to get into than some of the other roles I was considering.

It's either this or becoming more specialist in the area I currently work in and looking at charities. I think I'd need a post grad in law for this though which is more expensive. I'm still paying student loans from over a decade ago and don't want to take out another loan for a masters degree.

@unsuresounsure It's sounds like you are doing brilliantly! You are really laying the groundwork, which a lot of people skip. Yes it's scary and stressful at times, but you are doing things that mean you are giving yourself a really good chance for success. As you already said, now it's probably the impostor syndrome that could stop you. Don't let it! I find asking myself if I think I would regret not trying it helpful. If the answer is yes, it tends to give me a bit of a boost to be brave.
If you ever feel it would help you to talk about this on a video chat or something, just message me. This is kind of my thing so I would be very happy to help.

Things to consider is whether you'd wa t to set up as your own independent business, in which case, you'd need to also understand the intricate part of self employment and the financial impact of starting the business. Or whether you'd be happy employed by a mortgage company.

You might want to investigate whether it is common to employ people with just the qualification or do they expe t some work experience. If so, would they consider thst your current experience apply or would they look for work experience for a bank/accounting firm for instance. If the latter, could you get such experience.

And finally, sorry for stating the obvious but have you consider that this role almost inevitably demands working on Saturdays and often longer hours during the day?

Thank you @Theresa17. And @swingofthings thank you for the pointers. I would eventually like to have my own business but it feels like a dream and not an actual reality.

I would like to get the experience first and then take it from there as I can't foresee the future.

The long hours and weekend working has been considered and that's why I'd like it to be something to do in the future when DC are older and more independent. It's the balance of timing I think I will struggle with, but it's something I'd like to at least have a go at.

@unsuresounsure Our conversation gave me some inspiration and I made a little document with resources that will hopefully help you keep a positive mindset. I couldn't upload it as a pdf, so it's two images, but I hope it's still readable for you.

I hope you find it useful.
Good luck with everything :-)

Thank you @Theresa17 that is so kind of you. I'm definitely going to use this. It's giving me the kick up the arse that I need. Thank you again

You are very welcome @unsuresounsure! Glad you like it :-)