Have you made a late career change? How?

[DragonMovie]

…and what?

Posting for a friend who really wants to leave teaching and is in her early 40s. She’s been a florist, journalist, teacher. She is creative and arty - great communicator.

She’d consider anything and is london based. Obviously would ideally like a salary that one day would at least match teaching but is willing to accept a pay cut in the short/medium term. Have any of you done this? How? Are you glad?

Thanks!

Bump!

I haven't done this, but how about play therapist?

I'd love to do that but I don't have the background or experience for it. Your friend would though.

Considering the same and hurtling towards 50! Still a lot of years left at work to fill …..

This is what your friend needs - the Mature Study and Retraining board:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mature_students

Yes. In my mid 50s. Had worked in publishing years ago, then over a decade of various here-and-there jobs that had to fit round childcare. Earlier this year I ran out of money and had to apply for UC, where I was obliged to jobseek (even though they were relatively reasonable and acknowledged that it might take me a while, at my age, with no relevant professional qualifications, to find anything). Applied for a job in an industry I had some interest in and had done a little bit of freelance work in an associated role... got the job and absolutely love it. Though I also love my own side-hustle, which I have not given up.

OK, I wonder if your friend might be interested in my line of work.
It's funeral admin. Not everyone can handle it, obviously, but people who have admin skills and empathy and resilience (which teaching would definitely give you) tend to be good at it if they are comfortable with the idea.

Sooo many great ideas here - thank you!! And general encouragement and positivity. Definitely going to pass it all on to her including that other thread!

Thanks!!

Art classes for home Ed students, sahm Mums to take babies along too, for retired people etc. All done during the day...
Maybe doing that alongside supply work for 3 days a week

I had 2nd dc I left civil service well paid career and now I’m a TA with 3 months off each year. Money is ok it pays the bills but without CTC and the £7 WTC a week I’d be fucked. Battling hard to pay off catalogue debts before dc finished secondary school in a few years else I’ll be screwed

I am in my 50s and I have 6 months left before I am a qualified counsellor. Has taken 3.5 years but I hope it will be worth it

@Enko do you mind me asking which qualifications you did and whether it was full or part time?

I, too, have qualified as a Counsellor…four years studying a Level 4 Diploma with the CPCAB. The first two years are one evening each week at College, three hours. The last two years are one full day at College, plus a voluntary placement, plus 30 hours of personal therapy.