Anyone used a career coach?

[purpledaze24]

I’m in my late 30s, part-time single mum to a preschooler & work part-time in a dead-end job I hate. I’ve recently received quite a large amount of inheritance money that has enabled me to pay off my mortgage which I’m obviously really, really grateful for. I have some left over that I’d really like to use to retrain for a completely new career/go back to university. I have various areas of interest but don’t really know what I want to do. Am I too old? A friend told me I should see a career coach but I thought they were just for high-flying professionals trying to get further up the career ladder, not for people right at the bottom who don’t even know what they want to do like me! Has anyone used one for this purpose? Are they any good? If so do you have any recommendations? Career suggestions for almost 40-year-olds also welcome! Thank you 😊

I would do some of the career suitability tests online.

Look at the areas that you are interested in and talk to people working in those areas to get a better understanding of the roles and training.

Also look for companies who promote the return to work or mid career change as they will be more supportive and look for people in your position. Some of them will allow you study at the same time.

Yes - for a career change also in my late 30’s - and I can highly recommend it/ him! It’s online as he’s based in South Africa - PM me if you’d like his details.

You are certainly not too old to retrain, especially when the pension age is creeping up and up (68 now). If you have a university local to you, why not look up their courses on the university website. Most are also running open days where you can go along and chat to staff & students. Most universities have careers advisors on site too, they may be able to offer you some advice, too.

@purpledaze24 I know a couple of people who saw career coaches and life coaches. The life coaches were pricey but helped my friend get confidence in themselves when applying/moving jobs. She doubled her salary and just had a lot of self belief via his help.

My friend who went for career coaching really found it beneficial. She was moving careers to completely another field and this really helped. She was able to set herself up as a consultant and branded herself really well. The coach was the one who guided her and she's really doing well.

I think consider whether it's a life change you want, or whether you have a career in mind. Brainstorm a bit, then use that to decide which type of coach to see.

Absolutely encourage you to educate yourself if this is your gut feeling. Don’t worry about the age. I see learning is a life-long journey. I took a master degree 5 years after bachelor. at the time I was late 20s also had the feeling of if I am too late to study. But I follow my gut. I simply resign my job and go for a one year full time education. There was time daunting, due to no income and the temp unemployment after master degree.

But the year with a mature mind set changed my perspective on certain things that I continue to these days. I was so glad I did masters because these days the playing field of bachelor degree is not enough and you do need to keep up your skill set to compete. Besides, learning itself may stimulate and inspire your next career choice!

Yup I retrained in my mid 30a . No regrets. I tried some things out- did some
work experience. In schools and healthcare and would
highly recommend doing this if you have a few ideas …..

I then worked as an unqualified version of what I am now for a while
before retrnimg to university.

the government has a careers questionnaire which might give you some ideas too x x

Yes, I’d say a dedicated adult career coach is a good investment, as long as you don’t feel you’re being fleeced.

I used one about three years after a Law degree and a couple of brief paralegal positions in the City. I sort of knew what I wanted to do next, but a panoply of personality and skills tests + conversations with the careers advisor across about two weeks really helped me to decide. (Thinking about it I wish I’d Aldo used one after my MA in a different subject decades later.)

You can of course work through psychometric tests by yourself - but it’s the challenge of having someone else make you articulate your aspirations that pushes you to take the next steps. (Because you won’t want to waste the money you’ve spent!)

And no, you’re definitely not too old.

Might be worth browsing the Mature Study and Retraining board, here:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

to see how other people have approached things, and how they’ve fared.

Have 3 friends who used career coaches to great effect - would def consider this. Not as much a fan of life coaching tbh and haven’t seen the same success with that. I think it’s def not too late to retrain but a career coach can help you ensure you are happy with the part you go down. Try to get a recommendation. Best of luck it’s a great position to be in!

Thank you all for your helpful replies :) @Pinko1 I’d love a whole life change! But am pretty tied down with sharing custody of young DS and having to stay living in the same place, restrictions on hours I can work or be away from home etc so I think starting with the career change is the best (only!) option xx