Career change advice pls (from the arts)

[soundsaround]

I am looking for advice on a career change.
I don’t know how realistic it is, and how transferable my skills are.

I am currently working in the arts. I studied at a specialist school and have a degree and have reached the top of my field, performing at the highest level. The industry was on its knees pre pandemic having endured so many cuts, and now as a result of the pandemic and brexit, it has become an almost impossible career to continue. The ever decreasing pay has meant I am struggling to provide for my family. There was a week not so long ago, when there was an article in a Sunday supplement about my successes, and that same week I had to go to the food bank for the first time!

So that’s the background, and quite frankly, I would like a job that pays really well. Perhaps this isn’t going to be possible, maybe my skills aren’t transferable, maybe I’m too old (44). Like so many people I would love to run my own business and have a couple of ideas, all of which would need considerable investment, time without a salary, and a huge amount of risk, non of which I can afford . I also have a large debt which is so hard to keep of top of (40k)left from the 4 years where my child care costs were almost as much as I earnt.
So don’t judge me, but I’m sick of being underpaid, I just want money! My children have never been on a holiday other than to wales, I can’t afford to give them so much of what I would like to. I know I’ll never be a home owner, but I really need to earn a lot more!
My career has meant I have had to be be incredibly organised and have excellent administration skills. I am very outgoing, get on with people, and actually one of the skills I am most proud of is I feel I can talk to anyone about anything. I have always had to work extremely hard and have enormous focus to get to where I am, and you certainly need to be resilient in this industry, with lots of knock backs along the way.
But that is it, am I to lower my expectations and get a job that doesn’t require any qualifications?

Any advice gratefully received.

There are salaried routes into both teaching (Teach First) and social work (Frontline and Think Ahead) if either of those options appeals. Resilience, ability to listen well and get on with all types of people, and capacity to cope with a mountain of admin are crucial to both! And teaching in particular would allow you to deploy creative/artistic skills.

You’re not unreasonable to want a change but I’m not sure what job you’d get without qualifications that pays really well. Have you thought about tutoring in the arts?

Thanks both. Yes tutoring in the arts isn't really a route I want to go down for a few reasons which i won't go in to, but I'd really like a complete change, but perhaps it's not possible.

Have a look at NHS administration OP- I used to work in theatre and now work for the NHS, and I really enjoy it (a massive bonus is the much more family friendly hours as well as the regular income)

It’s absolutely possible - there are loads of things your skill set would transfer well to, but none of them are going to be megabucks, at least initially. Look at admin roles, marketing, universities

£40K debt, 2x DC? What’s your situation I terms of the DC’s father?

What’s the business idea? Can you add ply for funding?

Life Coach? Dare I say it, Influencer? (Not necessarily in the realms of beauty, but look at your skills…. performance, success, drive, focus, etc… You can actually market those.)

Don’t have a lot practical advice to offer but just wanted to sympathise as a fellow performing artist. I am really sorry you’re having to take this decision, and I share your frustration on how the UK has managed our industry over the past few years. I think it’s disgraceful to let such an important part of British culture virtually disappear, and hugely disrespectful to artists to constantly underpay them. Good luck OP, with whatever you do next

Arts uni administration I'm sort of assuming you are conservatoire trained? It's steady work. Reasonable pay and a great pension. If you don't want to teach you could get an admin job.

Arts admin roles