What do I want to be when I grow up?

[UselessExLondoner]

I have no idea!!

I'm already grown up! Just turned 40, but still don't know what to do when I grow up.

Currently, I'm a SAHM but my youngest starts secondary in September and I'd like to get a job or start studying for a job/career. But I have no idea what. Can anyone make any suggestions?

Would like:
Good salary potential, £50k + don't mind starting low as long as it is possible to work my way up.
Possibility to be part time and/or work from home some of the time.
Not too much stress (some is good, I don't want to be bored!)
To either get qualifications while working or get a degree first

Don't want to:
Teach or work as a health care professional.
Work in a physically demanding job (bad back).
Work weekends or evenings (though occasionally is fine).
Work in retail or restaurants.

Pre children I worked in retail in supervisory/low management positions, but only for a couple of years.

As a SAHM, I have organised small events for school PTA, as well as done a couple of stints as treasurer and secretary.

I passed my GCSEs with Bs in maths and English. I have two A Levels (Sociology and Psychology) but only got 'D's as I was lazy and also kept getting called into work, which I prioritised as I liked the £££. I actually enjoyed both of them but liked Psychology more. I got a D at AS level in Law, I did like it but I was lazy at revision, so never bothered to do the last exam to get the full A level in it. I got an A in AS level Critical Thinking which I enjoyed but it was mostly common sense so no revision was needed!

Possibly too much information there!!

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Hopeful bump

Accountant?

Thanks for the suggestion. I will have a look into that. Not sure how good I am at Maths though.. it's been a while! Possibly doesn't matter too much maybe as I imagine there are computer programs to do the actual maths bit! 🤷🏻‍♀️

I am almost 40 and just retook my maths gcse last year.

Im now doing an access to social work course and hope to go to uni next year, it’s never too late - if you need maths, re do it! Most colleges should offer it, mine was a free evening course.

@UselessExLondoner you really need the Mature Study and Retraining board! Plenty of inspiration and ideas, here:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

If you'd like a 50 grand a year job you might want to start by gaining some more qualifications, either professional, academic or vocational.

Oh! I see that's already been suggested! There's also free courses on linkedin

Social work ?

"When I grow up, I want to be an old woman"

Thank you, I will have a look.

Definitely. I just need to figure out what I want to do so I can pick the right qualifications/ training.

@UselessExLondoner I’m going to leave this here, because it’s quite old so you might not see it otherwise. Take a look:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students/4362811-NEW-BOARD?reply=111242646

Civil service? Lots of degree level apprenticeships about, and the potential to work your way up to earn £50k relatively quickly.

Definitely not for me. I know a couple of social workers, who are lovely people, and they are highly stressed as there is just not enough of them.

Data... go in as a junior into a data consultancy and train, or do a boot camp and then join. Fast progression, big salaries for senior roles, hybrid working.

Have a look at the qualification to become a cost lawyer. You don't need a degree to get on the course. Lots of costs firms will pay for the training or you can self fund.

How good are your IT skills?
You could consider financial services. You don’t necessarily need any qualifications for entry level position at around £22k per annum and the potential is there to do professional qualifications and work your way up.

With lots of cats!! And be a little bit crazy too. Sounds perfect to me. Just need to get a good job so I can feed all the cats. 😁