What do you think my next career move should be?

[Lizzie523]

Quick rundown: I studied literature & journalism then went into PR & was promoted to marketing manager. At this point I moved abroad & taught English for 4 years. Moved back home to UK and to my surprise fell right into a well paid marketing management role again.

But after 2 years I don't feel any passion for it and find it a bit soulless though the pay check is decent. Following an unexpected bereavement and inheritance I was able to buy my first home last month. So I'm thinking- do I need to work full time anymore? What could I do that I find fulfilling on a part time basis (even if I return to full time in a few years)?

About me: I'm a writer in my spare time. As a hobby yes, but I've had stories published in decent publications and I have finally finished a full draft of my novel. My dream would he to focus on this for a while.

I loved teaching and helping kids, found it very fulfilling, but have been put off the stress of teaching in schools here in UK. I am a comedy/theatre performer in my spare time. I'm also on the board of a feminist organisation and care strongly about womens rights.

Basically I am absolutely clueless. Career coach recommendations also welcome!

Charity fundraiser- doing grant applications etc. Flexible and rewarding and you need good written skills.

@MissMarks do you have any more information on this?

It is probably worth mentioning that I currently work with a charity at my marketing organisation and it is probably the most fulfilling part of my work.

The other thing is I'm not dead set on staying in the UK. It has been a year since I've been back and then covid happened. So i never had a chance to settle back in properly. I would at least like to do something that is transferrable to other places.

Having done some theatre and choreography with the kids I taught, I thought maybe I could do something along those lines but no doubt I would need more qualifications.

I know I want to make a change and want to do something I enjoy but I'm stuck.

Have a look on good moves jobs. Often have fundraising roles.

I'm also in marketing management in a niche area having career changed into it from a more technical area in same industry (which was totally wrong for me) and find it totally soulless too. But it pays well. For me my ideal world will be to quit entirely and go into editorial work as I enjoy writing (but dont think I'm that good - I'm more a technical writer), which is generally very low paid. And I can only dream of doing it when kids are grown up uni paid for etc.

Since you are in a good financial situation, could you do more freelance charity marketing (for organisations that you believe in) and supplement with content or copywriting, or other way round? Also script writing or theatre production (possibly online productions?)

You did ask for career coach recommendations, so...I’m a career coach and lots of my clients are in the same position as you! If you’d like an hour’s totally free career coaching by Zoom, no obligation, then PM me. Full disclosure - I always offer a first session free and then it’s up to the individual to book again (when there would be a fee) or not as they prefer 😀

What about supply teaching? Set yourself a target for a number of weeks you want to work then use the rest of the time to concentrate on your writing.