Suggestions for career change?!

[Rainbooboo]

I'm probably looking for rocking horse poo... I NEED a career change or to retrain in something which earns more money and will be reasonably flexible with hours so I can do at least some school runs. Looking for some suggestions as to what I may be able to transfer my skills to or retrain in relatively quickly. I'm realistic that I'm not going to be able to study for 2 years then suddenly earn 50k! But I've no idea which path to take.

I've worked in maintenence planning and customer service in social housing for 13 years or so since I left uni (with a few other roles like events planning and reception stuff in between). No management experience literally a dogsbody albeit a very thorough one.

I studied Social & Cultural Studies (got a 2:1), as I couldn't decide what to study at 18. Had no idea about careers. I currently work 30 hours over 4 days earning 22k. I just feel so bored and unchallenged at work and I know I could earn a lot more and would be happy so long as I wasn't bored at work. Money is my main motivation to provide a better life and making memories with my children.

I'm interested in psychology, crime, forensics, environmental issues, humanities. I'm very warm, good with people and I like solving problems and being organised. I'm not great with numbers and don't like sales. I've been looking at the civil service or retraining in psychology but psychology seems a long old slog to get there if I do conversion course, specialism then doctorate (plus v competitive and we are fairly rural though big city within 30 minutes commute).

Dh works full time and we can afford for me not to earn at all for 12 months or probably 2 years part time but do really then need to start on a reasonable salary. Any suggestions?! If I've missed something crucial please tell me!

Nursing postgrad is a two year course. You could go into police nursing and many other roles that aren’t ward based

Interesting suggestion hadn't considered nursing due to the assumption it would be ward based. Will look into, thanks

Ps failed name change. Can you tell I don't post much

There's a gazillion roles in the NHS outside of clinical settings which could be worth exploring. In my experience of the NHS, there's general flexibility and great career progression. Have a look on the NHS jobs website to see what you might be interested in. Something in PMO could work.

What about PA? Some of them make really good money. Just seen one position advertised paying 5K/month.

Missed your replies @ReeseWitherfork and @yogz1976 hadn't considered PA at all. Had no idea of earning potential!!

Nursing is crap pay and awful hours. Don't do that to yourself.
Do you have an airport near you? What about aviation security? Good for people with an interest in psychology and crime.
Or, police administration?
Or, with your background in property, perhaps a role with facilities management? Work your way up in a commercial property company?

If you want to make money, you need to go to sectors where they make money not spend it. Property is a good place to start, in that regard. Also you can work your way up in the property industry without a degree or qualifications, just nouse.

Surveying conversion course for a year? You'd be great with your background, then go into the public sector after APC? I did work in estate management for a large public sector body, very interesting.

Was going to add, if you're going to do something like property management, do it in a sector that makes money. Eg for a supermarket chain, retail chain or commercial property syndicate. Better chances for $$ career progression.

Legal PA/executive assistant? I'm a legal PA, it's totally hectic. But the job scope is so wide, I can be doing something as mundane as organising couriers one minute and interviewing for new staff the next. Other PAs in my team have also worked abroad on secondments, setting up training in foreign offices, helping organise events in Cannes, Dubai etc. I don't always love my job, because I'm convinced nobody loves their job 27/4 (not even Santa Claus ) but I do appreciate how much variety it gives me, and how lucky I am to be in the private sector.

Update, OP?

Project planning. Do a P6 course and you’ll have a lot of doors open to you, especially with your planning experience.

Civil service could be good. More likely to be family-friendly and very varied.

Hi all sorry for delay we've all been ill and DH and I haven't gotten on very well. Had a few early nights to myself.

@Guineapigbridge yes we will have an airport nearby, never thought of aviation security. Thanks for the other suggestions. I think staying in property would be a comfortable fit for me. @Wombat64 I looked into the surveying conversion course and I think it could really work for me. Are you in quantity, building or other?

Social work? As long as you avoid children's services it can be very flexible.

@SingingSands I looked at those job titles and similar and can't find them paying more than around 28k in the area I'm looking at, not sure if I'm missing something?!

@MaverickDanger I did a little research on project planning/management after reading another thread on retraining and it does appeal especially as it seems like I could do the course or courses around work. Are you a PM? I was reading that prince2 is the course to do?

@bluejelly I've been scouting the civil service job board daily for anything suitable and possible progression. A lot of the blurb is very unfamiliar so it takes some going through.

I generally feel quite lost in terms of what to do. I've always had this problem, being indecisive. It's like I feel like it has to be the exact right thing and if it's not, it's wrong? (getting sidetracked by my flaws now).

Then I try to remind myself that anything that is a better fit for me and better earning potential is going to be an improvement on what I do NOW. There isn't just one right answer.

Anyway I'm prattling. I really appreciate the replies. Trying to do as much reading as possible so I've got time to decide before eldest starts school.

@RatherBeRiding

Social work? As long as you avoid children's services it can be very flexible.

I did the "wrong" course and ended up doing an entire commercial surveying 1st degree course, when I should have done a conversion course.

For various reasons, mainly moving to another country, I didn't do the APC but it was so interesting and there was so many different jobs after and I did do some estates surveying for the public sector.

Definitely look into it...it's very interesting!

For @Ffssleep ^, quote didn't quite work out like I expected.

I changed career just under a year ago and joined the Civil Service. Best decision ever. I started at the bottom but have already had a promotion, flexi time so very good to fit around childcare etc, decent salary and pension.

I’m in a related field, just focusing on the people side of project management. I started out 5 years ago on about 26k and now earning nearly 65k FTE (although I’m a 0.8 contract).

Project planners with P6 can start out about 30k and go up to 50-60k with 2+ years experience. With five years’ experience, you’re looking at 75k+ and more if you want to take project contracts as self employed.

PM route will be slower and possibly have more competition to get entry level. Prince2 or APM would be best. Some project assistant jobs will pay for these for you though.

@Wombat96 thanks, the varied nature of the job really appeals. I think I'd enjoy being out and about on the building surveying side more and as I say it feels a comfortable step from where I am now.

@RatherBeRiding sorry I missed your reply. I have considered social work previously but I just don't think it's for me.

@MummyFoxy I've read a lot of people saying there is good progression in CS. There are several commutable offices where we are relocating to which sounds promising. I worry about taking full time work and not being offered anything if I want part time though.

@MaverickDanger I'm a little confused by what I've been reading about P6 planning and PM's. So if I wanted to become a P6 planner I wouldn't need to do Apm or Prince2? I'd need to do P6 Primavera? Surely it's not so simple as doing some courses in my spare time then becoming one? I've read you need a thick skin. Any particularly helpful forums you could point me to? Struggling with googling much.

Very much appreciate all the replies. Things are becoming clearer the more reading I do