I don't know where to begin

[RowMumOfThreeLand]

I am a mum (35) of 3, youngest being 2 and I work part time at a well known supermarket. But I am desperate for a career. Not straight away, but something I can start working towards now for when the kids are a bit older.

The problem is I don't know what I want this career to be! I don't know how to work out what I want. I have basic GCSEs but that's it.

I have an interest in health, legal work, numbers and generally just helping people. Can anyone please give me any ideas on where I can start in planning my future? Thank you!

Court usher then onto court clerk?
Health care assistant then onto nursing associate then nurse?
Phlebotomist?

Could you contact your local hospital- most run work experience placements (not just for school age) - go and see what it’s like to be a nurse, occupational therapist, radiographer etc - there are more and more healthcare apprenticeships these days that mean you learn ( and earn) on the job rather than needing higher qualifications to get into university. Good luck!

Here in lreland you can become an accountant by doing an apprenticeship course. So work 4 days a week and in college on the fifth so you learn on the ground and get paid all along.
Or any apprenticeship leading to a good well paid in demand job.

A local health charity?

Honestly there's loads that you can do. I think that you need to concentrate on finding out what would really interest you - your ideas so far are very different! Have a look at eg the NHS careers website. Think about apprenticeships.

Some areas do free careers counselling for adults. That would be worth seeking out.

@RowMumOfThreeLand National Careers Service https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

There's also the OU. You can study something that interests you, or an "Open" degree where you can mix and match different subjects. There's good funding available, and academic support for people who haven't done that sort of thing before.

Team/Personal Assistant?

I would suggest by writing down the jobs that you would not like to do

Then some jobs that you might like to do

Then do some research

Would you need qualications ?
Would the hours suit ?
Would you need to commute ?

Hope this helps

Start with your employer, do they have a route in to management? You don't have to stick to it but you can gain transferable skills.