I’m always really amazed by the level of and varied advice you can get from these boards so I thought I would see if anyone could help me with some career advice!
I have worked for a finance-related news provider for the past 15 years. I’m early-40s. I started full-time, then quit and worked for them as a regular freelancer when my two older children were pre-schoolers and have recently started back with the company part-time. The two older DC are in primary school now and DC3 is almost 2.
I’m regretting it going back to same company. I’ve gone down a level in terms of rank and salary which has really knocked my confidence and my sense of being valued, and I’m itching to do something different.
While I was working freelance, I did a course in creative writing for children which I really enjoyed, and even though I’m not really close to writing my own children’s book yet, it’s put the seed in my head that I would much rather be working on editing books - particularly children’s fiction - rather than financial news. I am also considering the possibility that I might like to be a publisher.
But how do I make the move into children’s publishing when all my work experience is editing finance news? I feel like there are many skills that are transferable, but is there training I could do, a course, more skills that I should look to gain? I feel like I could be studying as well as doing this job and I want to feel like I am doing something positive in terms of changing my future prospects. I just feel stuck in a job that I no longer enjoy and not much chance of career progression.
Is there anyone who works in children’s publishing that could give me some useful advice or pointers? It would be so much appreciated. TIA.