Hi everyone😊
I am about to hit 40 and am considering re-training to change careers, but am really struggling with making a decision.
I have been working for myself (from home) as a greetings card designer for the last 7 years, but I’m very bored & feel like I’ve come to the end of the road with it and want to do something else. Before this, I had a variety of jobs which were mainly retail/customer service/office admin roles. I have GCSEs & A-levels but didn’t do a degree as there was nothing in particular that interested me.
I don’t want to work in an office, in retail, or sales. I am quite introverted (INFJ) and although I’m quite good at talking to people 1-on-1, I don’t really like groups, chaotic environments, or being stuck with the same people all day. Fortunately, I don’t need to earn a high wage - I’m not bothered if it’s minimum wage if it’s something that fulfils me. I really like helping people; when my Dad passed away, I spent around a year helping my Mum with all kinds of things, from the admin of his estate to clearing out the house, selling stuff, gardening etc and have never felt so fulfilled in my life. However, I wouldn’t consider being a carer – I wouldn’t be comfortable washing/dressing someone etc and have friends that burnt out quickly doing that work.
Jobs I have considered are:
Counsellor/therapist – this is something I have come back to on and off since my early twenties. I have been in therapy myself over the years and have always felt quite envious of their job. I’m very interested in why people do what they do, and spend a lot of my spare time reading psychology blogs etc. I understand it can be difficult to find paid work once qualified, but would also have the means to set up a private practice from my home.
Phlebotomist – I like the idea of short chats with people 1-on-1, and doing something ‘good’.
Occupational therapist – perhaps it is a bit late to retrain in this? It also seems hard to find out exactly what the job involves on a day-to-day basis; the explanations are a bit vague…
Postie/courier – appeals as it’s active, on your own but still interacting with people.
Whenever I’ve done career/personality type quizzes, they always list counsellor, occupational therapist, writer, graphic designer. I’m very good at and enjoy problem-solving (except for figuring out what to do with my life..). In my spare time I enjoy harassing my cat and all the others in the neighbourhood, fantasy shopping on Rightmove, reading, gardening & driving.
So I guess my question is: does anyone have any input on the above careers, or do you have any other suggestions of jobs which I haven’t considered?
Thanks for reading!