I want to go back to work but I’m not qualified to do anything really…

[questionableunderstanding]

I have been a stay at home mum for years, I have 3 kids and the youngest is now 1. I want to go back to work soon but I didn’t have a career before kids and struggling to know where to start. I have an art degree (hind sight is wonderful, would not do that again) and did seasonal retail work previously but I was very young when I had children so I don’t have loads of experience. I want a job I can progress in. I don’t know if I would start now or in a year or more but I need to have a plan so I can make it happen! Any advice or experience would be appreciated, thank you.

Following as i am in the same boat x

When you talk to people about their work, what strikes you as interesting, even if you don’t want to do that job?

What do your close friends think you are good at?

Given that you have skills from raising children and your art degree, are you interested in doing more of that in some form (teaching; paediatric health or social careers; art classes for children; holiday activity business) or would you like to go in exactly the opposite direction and never see a child at work??

Thank you for replying!

I don’t know if this is too vague to be helpful but I want to do something where I can earn well. I don’t think I would be great at starting a business like children’s art classes or growing that. I want something with straight forward progression. I don’t want to go back and do more education to retrain but I would 100% retrain on the job. Maybe this is a bit of a fantasy!

I don’t really mind what I do as long as I don’t hate it. I don’t think I would be good costumer facing particularly

I think that’s a great start and wish someone had pointed out that it’s fine to choose jobs for the earning potential when I was a youngster.

Of course, it depends what ‘earning well’ means to you??

Dp’s son is a trainee accountant, his starting salary wasn’t thrilling (£23k or so) but it’s a very structured progression, he has worked hard and done well and in about 3 years his pay has almost doubled. He did need to prove his mathematical ability to be recruited. He got the initial job through a good local recruitment firm, they are always worth talking to.

How about an open university course? You can see if you’re eligible for student finance and it’s all done online as far as I know

Another friend’s son did an electrician’s apprenticeship for about 6 years, he worked for a firm until fully qualified and could have continued but has chosen to start his own business. He does all sorts of domestic electric work including solar installation, EV charger installation etc. Always seems very cheerful and busy!

I’ve seen jobs in schools like art technicians you could apply for. Term time only too!

It strikes me that a visual sense like yours might fit with electrical work. I literally can’t draw anything (and have done art classes that prove it, although I enjoyed them) and I also don’t have any ability to ‘see’ practical or 3D tasks. Do you do anything practical at home like painting, shelves etc?

23k is a great starting point! I'm definitely thinking long term earning potential and not expecting to start above minimum wage. I can do maths, so I wonder if accounting would be an option! I am not sure I would be any good at electrics or DIY, it’s really not something I’ve ever been naturally good at and I’m not particularly strong ha!

Ok good call! Potentially useful page here https://www.aat.org.uk/career-in-finance/changing-career?utm_term=&utm_campaign=Career%20Changer%20PMax&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=1908286997&hsa_cam=20843285948&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20847143641&gbraid=0AAAAACPQ1B6E-ZFEhLOQXOx8ndMxxUMFG&gclid=CjwKCAiA3-3KBhBiEiwA2x7FdJPuw0EkfvYzjftNijxpm7oljCB0ux32NosRvsSkHBMtF9ybIUL8HhoCGSgQAvD_BwE

Positions like art techs, and teachers seem quite competitive. Most of the art world jobs seem to be and I don’t have the experience to compete right now.

Thank you all for the ideas!

You could temp for a while and try out different local companies? You might find something you love?

I wonder if I should just talk to a recruitment agency and see what they suggest

I say 1000% to an agency. Go with an independent one with a local reputation if you can, rather than a national one. Smaller firms are likely to be a better bet imo.

Temping would be a good start! Also suddenly very aware that I could seem very stupid being so out of practice if I do find something to start

I would see if there are any hopefully free computer courses at local colleges so you can get up to speed on the various common packages used in business to help sell yourself

Front of house/welcome host in an art gallery?

The pay isn't great but it would give you some experience and you might find it enjoyable, even just part-time.

ETA: Your retail experience will come in handy as you'll have worked with the public, which is really the only experience you'll need.

You may find it helpful to browse the Mature Study and Retraining board (Education topic), here:

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

I don’t mean to be negative about this but surely front of house at a gallery is an extremely competitive position with quite little career progression and earning potential?

My retail experience was mostly night shift and not very much customer facing things.

l really want to avoid doing speculative eduction, I also will not be entitled to student finance again and don’t wish to add to the huge student debt I already have.

If anyone has any experience of managing to what I’m hoping I can do it would be amazing to hear how you did it!

I got a job in care when I was in this position. I figured if I didn't like it, it would at least get me back into work and would be easier to get another job if I already had one.
Actually really enjoyed it though.
I did try working in a school for a bit but that was not for me and I went back to community care again. It's a really varied job.

It may be worth considering a role as a financial services administrator as well if you're looking at finance/accounting. I started working for an independent financial adviser firm in 2016 as an administrator (min wage) and moved into a paraplanning role (£25-30k salary) over a period of about about a year and a half as I was completing my studies (funded by the firm), I qualified as a financial adviser in 2018 but chose not to actually move into that role until 2020 (due to having a baby). Since then my earning potential has increased due to bonuses in addition to salary, which can vary depending on location.

I do have colleagues who are completing their studies but intend to stay in the paraplanning role so theres potential for salary improvement there too as they take on additional responsibilities within their existing role but in a qualified position.

I'd recommend reading up on job description and the studies involved (CII R01-06 are usually the preferred route but other examination bodies are out there). The studies can be quite intense but I had no previous experience before working there and I have gained additional qualifications to those required, I just had a drive to learn and you do pick up a lot when exposed to it everyday.

I don’t mean to be negative about this but surely front of house at a gallery is an extremely competitive position with quite little career progression and earning potential?

It's a foot in the door back to work which is what I thought you were looking for? 🤷‍♂️

It's not that competitive, no because they often use agency staff especially during Summer months when they're short staffed.

The money's not great but realistically, what are you expecting to earn when you're not qualified?

That was me 2 years ago! Retrained when my 3rd was 1 (also during a massive extension at home 😁) and am now in my second year in a job I’m loving! 😃 recommend but the guilt of putting the kids in after school club etc is there. I miss 3 bedtimes and work a Saturday too but that’s because of the industry I chose.

Some really useful answers that have given me things to look and to think about thank you! It’s hard to find a starting point from basically nothing

A school mum friend was in exactly the same position and accidently became a face painter. She charges £40 per hour and is always busy. It's not going to be full time but a very nice earner in the meantime. Is this something you would consider?