If you have changed careers totally, can you tell me about it.........I need inspiration!!!!

[puff]

I spent 10 years in marketing/PR. Then went back to University and afterwards went into teaching, then had children and have been a SAHM for 4 years.

Now, although I don't like to admit it, I've had enough of being a SAHM, but I don't want to go back to working with children (much as I love 'em). The marketing career was great, interesting, plenty of money etc, but also did as much of that as I wanted to.

So, I'm thinking what now?

Tell me what you did .

still looking unfortunately, don't know that I will ever know unless I ask myself some tough questions.

Have you tried the Myers Briggs personality test and been to a Careers Counsellor as they can guide to what you enjoy doing, more than you can think of on your own sometimes!

I am currently on thinking about Midwifery but think is quite hard work and not that creative for me so keep posting someone will come up trumps.

I gave up the civil service after 7 yrs and became a childminder. I work with several other C/mers from my house ...but I don't think thats what you're looking for

What are your hobbies - or what do you reading about?

I moved from managing nurseries, to working in the health and social care field.

Love it so much less stress!! and so many more challenges for me now.

I moved from managing nurseries, to working in the health and social care field.

Love it so much less stress!! and so many more challenges for me now.

I moved from managing nurseries, to working in the health and social care field.

Love it so much less stress!! and so many more challenges for me now.

I moved from HR Management to Pre-school Worker. I hope to end up training others in this area which links back to the training aspects of my HR Role. I guess this isn't a career change for you though

Hattie, what sort of thing do you do?

are you a people/things or data person

do you like working in a team/alone or as a manager?

do you like working indoors/in a factory/ in a big building with plenty of room to walkabout?

do you like to have set tasks or are you more at home with making it up sometimes?

do you want to make something/offer a service/ motivate others/ help disfortunate people?

and what is your love..cooking/reading/history/rocks/languages/art/music/writing/pyschology/dancing/sports/caring for others/helping people achieve their own potential/gardening/counselling others/talking about problems freely?

Sorry to go on but have done this before and would be willing to help as spent many years questioning and looking at a huge range of careers accountant to nurse. Please keep posting and hope you're not offended by all my questions.

outdoors I meant

Hi, Ilovehorses

well hello Hercules

How are you?!

Hi Puff...if you take a look at the thread about my new website that's what I've done - set up my own business !!! Had a background in Sales (15 years, scarey !!!) ending up as a European Sales Director for an electronics company. Was going back to work "at 6 weeks" when DS was born (going to get a live in and more- what WAS I thinking ????(blush) now 4 years on couldn't be happier ! It's hard work (I am involved in a couple of other things too ) but love working for myself. I work when I want, still manage to get some good time with my, growing-far-too-quickly little ones..and don't answer to anybody except me !!!!!

Puff, I've gone from Business Manager in Pharmaceutical MR to SAHM/freelance pharmaceutical Market Researcher. What I'd love to do is be a fitness instructor (step or aerobics classes) - just been looking for a course actually but just decided I haven't got time yet - will wait till kids are all at school.

Is there something you love doing that you turn into a career?

Dh also totally changed jobs when we moved up north from London - he was doing data input boring job but training to be an IT helpdesk bod (and not making much money) and turned to IT recruitment consultant when we moved (thank God - now earns a nice wad!)

I am good tonight thanks, children painting stones and me chilling here. How are you too.

Steppy = can I pinch your idea

I wouldn't - but I see you are a step instructor too - fancy telling me how you managed that?

Fine. I am right arent I?

Well.........what I really want to do is study a 3 year degree at The London College of Fashion - a BA in Make Up and Prosthetics for the Performing Arts, then be able to work in the industry. We live in London, so are in the right place.

However, I'm 40 and am thinking they won't want to bother with me, what with all the "bright young things" who would also apply. Plus, not sure if I'd get any work at the end as I'm not sure how ageist the field is IYSWIM.

Phew...... there I've voiced my dream !

are you right hercules? what with?

I'd put money on it, hercules

I moved from doing ocean science to research on fish vaccines and immunology, then to inspecting fish farms and now managing trials on bone disease in humans. I think I have become addicted to changing careers

Hi Gobbledigook - I trained in 92 (blimey that time went quickly !) as an aerobics intructor then went on several STEP workshops with a company called "Fitness Professionals" very good workshops etc etc. There are several ways to become an instructor either evening classes (our college runs a 1 year course one evening a week), condensed courses or a combination of the two...I havn't got fit pros website on me but sure you can locate it on google...beware thgouh !!! Most fitness instructors have got knackered bodies (my achilles are shot to pieces from years of abuse !!!) and if you love getting the buzz from going to a class you'll find that goes as you can never walk into a class without thinking "I like that move" or I don;t like that music...'tis great fun though....and, surprise surprise, lots of the women that come to my step class come to Funky Mamas !!!

Puff, but you have years and years of life expereince which the "bright young things" don't !!!! Go for your dream ! !!!!