Stuck in a job rut

[SarahCrowcombe]

I am really struggling and wanted to seek advice if possible.

So, I am a fully qualified teacher and Forest School leader. I taught for 4 years but left last year because the job was destroying me.

However, I am really, really struggling now. I’ve taken a marketing-type job for a charity which I’m finding very slow, demotivating and dull, and I’m not loving the work environment or management. I miss the kids, and buzz and joy of a school environment but know I shouldn’t (and don’t want to) go back - it made me ill.
I’m also really struggling financially - I took a big big pay cut (now on £20,000 instead of £33,000) to take the job hoping that I’d only be in it 6 months before I moved on. But I am now utterly stuck - I desperately need a better paid job (I’m not asking for a wild salary - £25,000+ would be great), or at least a job that has progression. This one doesn’t at all. I’m applying endlessly (multiple applications a week) and getting to interview only to be told I don’t have the relevant experience. It’s exhausting.

I don’t have the money to retrain as something else (pay cut, mortgage, bills etc), and I’m running out of time - I’m 30 and want to try for a family fairly soon. It also doesn’t help that I seem to be limited to remote, because where I live is very rural and seems to be a desert for jobs. I also need a proper permanent job for the maternity, not a fixed term or temp contract like tutoring or supply teaching.

The situation is making me feel really low -
I’ve never struggled with such low moods before, and I feel totally stuck in a rut. I have great A-Levels, a good degree in Geography from a very good university, a postgraduate qualification, and experience in a well-respected profession. But I can’t seem to get anything at all - even minimum wage jobs!! It’s SO demoralising. I never expected to be 30 and in this position!!! What can I do? Thanks so much x

Have you tried applying for jobs in a similar environment to a school but not teaching. Ie admin roles although they are quite low paid.
You could try admin roles in childrens services or adult services for LA. They are very challenging but rewarding. Slightly better paid than school admin roles.
Have you registered with recruitment agencies ?

Hi OP,

I can really relate to your email as I am in a similar situation and like yourself, wondering how I will manage financially on a much reduced salary. Like yourself, I also left a relatively well paid job as a teacher in Ireland and got an administrative job in a university. Now I'm wondering if I made a huge mistake! While I never felt fulfilled as a teacher and suffered from stress and anxiety at times, at least I was financially more comfortable. Not to mention the holidays were fantastic!

Given that it's not possible to turn back the clock, I guess I've resolved to try and do my best in this role, get the experience I need and use it as a stepping stone to a better paid job.

I agree with the previous poster's suggestions to look for a better paid position in the education sector as no doubt you will be gaining transferable skills in your current role, even if you feel demotivated and unchallenged. All experience is good experience as they say, at least that's what I'm telling myself!!!

Hope that's of some help.

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for all the wonderful support, and your amazing suggestions! It was also really comforting to know that I wasn't the only one feeling this way.

I am so sorry to have not replied earlier - I was in such a rut and really struggling.

I have an update: My current job situation got worse in November when my Line Manager quit, and the company didn't replace him. So I am now doing his job on top of mine (but not being paid for it). I have been doing a lot of research about what I want to do with my life, and I am leaning towards the role of a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. This isn't set in stone, but it is what interests me at the moment. And, as of Tuesday this week, I have a job offer! The new job is in Student Support at a University (I can't wait to be back in a more people-facing role). The pay is significantly more, amazing maternity, 35 days of leave, and hybrid (ticking all the boxes)! Whilst the particular role still isn't want I want to do, the University do this amazing programme where they open their apprenticeship programmes to their staff as well - you will continue to be paid as you are, but they help rearrange your timetable to allow you to fit your studies in. And the good news is, when I was looking down their list of apprenticeships, I saw one for a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner!!! So this suddenly opens the door to me because I would be able to train to do this whilst still earning!!

Anyway, my plans may well change, but this is the plan for now and it feels good to have some direction and something to work towards!

Thank you so much to everyone, and I wish the best of luck to those who are feeling similar - I think there is light at the end of the tunnel, even if it is a less conventional route.