Would love some ideas on careers to look at - starting from scratch

[LaneBoy]

Had posted this in Chat as well but thought here may be better!

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I had a long boring explanation ready but basically (still long sorry!) -

Stuff I’ve been thinking about (based on what people have said I’m good at):

• Therapy - possibly counselling for adults with adhd/autism (I am diagnosed with both)
• Occupational/play/art therapist for children
• I’m interested in things related to education, especially SN education due to ending up home educating my DCs, but I couldn’t be a class teacher
• Children & Family Centre type roles, but not sure if that’s just because I’ve spent a lot of time in them lately!

Physically I’m limited as I have fibromyalgia and similar - lost my library job due to this and since then have only tutored and edited a bit. I am doing much better now but I’m pretty sure I would need to avoid full time even if it was quite a gentle job. Sadly due to the conditions I have I don’t drive either.

No degree (had to stop when I got too sick) so would be looking at something either with a specific degree, degree plus postgrad or vocational qualifications I guess?

I really just wondered if anything springs to mind with the stuff I’ve mentioned, maybe similar jobs that I’ve not thought of?

Thank you!

Lane "knowing" you i think something like a play therapist or a role in a children and family centre would be great!

I do rate open uni if you are looking at distance learning

Thank you that :)

lane I agree. Something with kids maybe.

Or have you considered the library again? Would they take you back

Thanks em :) I do miss things about the library but it’s too physically demanding TBH (a lot of shelving, deliveries etc). Not sure if they’d take me back anyway mind as my attendance was pretty bad as I got sicker! 😳

There is a trend for messy play at the moment, but that would be difficult to pull off (hire of hall and transporting equipment) without driving, unfortunately.

Or a similar art/music group for toddlers. Play therapists tend to be based in hospitals or hospices IIRC. Could look at local charities to see if they provide any services to groups of children (eg young carers) that would use a play or art therapist or volunteer to get some experience with a specialist school?

Some kind of subscription-type service for a monthly art pack? You come up with the ideas and the materials/instructions and mail them out. Or teach a class in a craft centre, if you have one locally - again this would probably require you to provide the materials but you might be able to get them delivered to the venue if they would hold them for you. If the library you used to work in runs events over the school holidays, could you volunteer to run one? They always seem really popular, making craft items related to the theme of the summer reading scheme?

I'm not arty at all btw, these are all things I've done at other places! Good luck with the planning stage for your career move.

Yy to the children stuff but I wonder if that's something to build up to.
What about looking at agency work where of your have a flare up you are not committed to a role so can choose not to work. Please do research agency work further though.

We take on administration agency staff at peak work times.
Or a role where you can wfh of you get a flare up. Civil service type role?

look at your local authority jobs pages or their offer for children with SEN may give you some ideas.

Lane could you do on line tutoring? I have a feeling that sort of thing is going to really take off with the social distancing rules and when parents suddenly start panicking that their dcs need to catch up with work.

Yes to online tutoring. I think that’s going to step up seriously soon.

OP, I would look to do the counselling or autism therapy where you may not require to be there physically but could support people online.

For the circumstances you give, I would be looking at doing something that could be done in person but also easily could be put online.

Just coming back to suggest an Etsy store for your art work as well!

Think you’ve misunderstood the thread, lala :o

Thanks all. Appreciate the ideas!

Really do hope to start the tutoring again. I think you’re right that need might increase now, and I’ve spoken to a few people whose DCs have started dabbling on keyboards in lockdown and say they’d like lessons after (obviously no guarantee).

I like the idea of a job that I can do from home if health is bad. Maybe it’ll be more available after this as it’s shown just how much WFH is possible? I just don’t want to only WFH if that makes sense - definitely want something that gives me space. And actually as the tutoring, selling creations etc takes confidence I haven’t built back up yet I think I want to be employed by someone who will tell me what to do :o

Love the idea of agency as well - since DH can’t work now it’s totally doable with childcare needs - and I’ll have a look at the other suggestions too.

Thanks :)

I reported Lala's post as spam last night, surprised it is still here tbh!