Retrained after kids, 39 and can’t find work

[Livinthedream84]

When my youngest started school I went to uni in my 30s to hopefully start a career. I got a good degree, I did a masters then a PGCE. Teaching jobs are thin on the ground where I live and I couldn’t cope with working 80 hours a week for 35 hours pay.

It was crippling so I decided to look for jobs that were related to my degree. No luck. I’ve searched for jobs related to my masters, they all want 3 year experience. I’m now sat thinking what the hell do I do because my kids are growing up and I need a job??

I’ve applied for unskilled work and it’s just either I don’t have experience, I’m over qualified or they just don’t get back to you. I’ve been asked about gaps in employment before uni and raising a family doesn’t seem to go down well as an excuse.

I guess I’m asking for ideas on what to try next? Has anyone been in this situation and been successful in finding work?

@silveroak I only tried to swap sectors once - I wasn't viewed negatively per se but there were many jokes/barbs about how loud my voice was/teacher voice; so I can imagine there may well be prejudice out there. Thing is, I do feel somewhat institutionalised. I have skills but do not know where I would transfer them - the couple of job changes I tried weren't for me so inevitably I do drift back to education and children because that's what I know.
Sadly, education jobs - whether teaching or admin or pastoral - are the ones that work around family too. There may be some truth in me not being able to hack a 49 weeks a year job, given the job prospects for mums without support.

With a health related qualification I'd recommend you look at pharmaceutical companies for clinical research associate positions. It's research trial auditing patient's notes. Some pgarmas have in house CRAs, others outsource to dedicated CRA companies who manage and oversee clinical trials for the pharma company

Similar situation here although my MA was in 2009 and then I didn't work for a time. Would love to find something related.. following with interest and good luck OP! :)

@SilverOak They would say I was “teachery” which basically means bossy and frumpy and woke.

To be fair, I wouldn't hire someone who was bossy and woke because it sounds like they would be difficult to work with. Frumpy is subjective so that doesn't bother me but the other two are huge red flags.

[quote ButYouJustPointedToAIIOfMe]**@silveroak I only tried to swap sectors once - I wasn't viewed negatively per se but there were many jokes/barbs about how loud my voice was/teacher voice; so I can imagine there may well be prejudice out there. Thing is, I do feel somewhat institutionalised. I have skills but do not know where I would transfer them - the couple of job changes I tried weren't for me so inevitably I do drift back to education and children because that's what I know.
Sadly, education jobs - whether teaching or admin or pastoral - are the ones that work around family too. There may be some truth in me not being able to hack a 49 weeks a year job, given the job prospects for mums without support.[/quote]
Not all education jobs work around family obligations. FE and HE certainly don't.

And there is a legal requirement to give employees four weeks' holiday a year so that would be 48 - not 49 - weeks.

Thanks some great advice again :)