Late 30's and never had a career

[whoiskad]

Hi all, I'm 37 and always had jobs in admin or front facing reception, I really enjoy my current job and am happy at work but I'm conscious I've never had a proper career as such, I live in the south east Chilterns area and every man and his dog has a career or side business it seems! I'm feeling the pressure to grow up and start planning for the future as hubby says! I have no idea what I want to do or study or even what I would be good at. Does anyone else feel like me? :)

What is a career, and why does your husband feel the need to tell you to grow up? Lots of people have "careers" in admin or reception. You like your job. What's wrong with working at something you enjoy? "Careers" can be vastly overrated, and the only reason to "climb the ladder" (which I assume is what he means) is because you want to do that for yourself. Not for anybody else. And certainly not unless you think it will make you happier or more fulfilled. Some of the most miserable people I know have careers.

Admin can be a 'career' there are many different levels of it. I worked in admin and reception roles for a very long time. Mostly part time when my kids were small. Age 40 I started full time again and the admin role I was in lead to another role that is more technical. I now have what I would call a career as my other jobs were just jobs to pay the bills at the time. I have doubled my salary in the past couple of years, almost 44 now and have further to go if I want to.

So if you want to move into something else it's not too late, but also there is nothing wrong with doing admin permanently either.

Have a look at Facilities Management. It is a relatively new career. It involves managing usually outsourced services for corporate business.

For example overseeing security, catering, cleaning, garden maintenance, porterage, building maintenance, reception etc.

If you are good with people, like admin and quite happy with change of duty at short notice you will thrive.