mums whom are students....

Oldernotwiser

RosaBernicia wrote: »

Have a look at the NHS Careers info http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details/Default.aspx?Id=120

(I know nowt about IT so can't help you there I'm afraid )

I understand there is still a shortage of midwives at the moment so you would probably be much in demand if you do choose this route.

There may be a shortage of midwives (as there is of physiotherapists) but that doesn't mean that it'll be easy to get a job. There are many careers where more staff are desperately needed but that doesn't mean that there are vacancies. You shouldn't choose a future career on that basis.

alwaysonthego_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

There may be a shortage of midwives (as there is of physiotherapists) but that doesn't mean that it'll be easy to get a job. There are many careers where more staff are desperately needed but that doesn't mean that there are vacancies. You shouldn't choose a future career on that basis.

I know loads of newly trained nurses, midwives and teachers who are struggling to find a job.

surfsister

mumslave do you have a local uni or college or are you very isolated? if you have email them about access courses/get prospectuses in post and you can check what's available. many english unis do access courses often free and with child care free or low cost. Also libraries/citizen advice may have lists of courses and know about finance. You may not be much out of pocket with cheap/free child care and grants/loans to help. Also you may have time for yourself while children cared for as social events not just work. There`are also free It courses around you just need to find the. there is an online list somewhere try googling.

I'm in England so think your system differs from ours.
I'm second yr degree now and it changes your life but is hard work.
have you considred social work as fees paid for some in some care type degrees.

good luck!

Oldernotwiser

surfsister wrote: »

have you considred social work as fees paid for some in some care type degrees.

The only degrees where fees are paid are those in health related areas - fees for Social Work degrees aren't paid for you.

The OP has indicated no interest in social work/care, nor has she said that money is an important factor in her choice.

Floxxie

I would also consider whether a future career in midwifery or IT (or any other area) would suit you with 4 children. Several of my friends are midwives and although they work part-time, their shifts are 10 hours long and are not the same days every week.

I don't want to put you off but I know several people, myself included, who have trained for a vocation and then been unable to take up a career in the area beause of the limitations of childcare and the hours required by the employer.

Oldernotwiser

Floxxie wrote: »

I would also consider whether a future career in midwifery or IT (or any other area) would suit you with 4 children.

You're surely not implying that women with children shouldn't have careers, because your post certainly reads like that!

alwaysonthego_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You're surely not implying that women with children shouldn't have careers, because your post certainly reads like that!

One of my friends has four children and she manages perfectly fine to do her Midwifery degree and commute 140 mile round trip to university.

I have two young children and I also manage perfectly well, I always have my work done on time and I have never missed a lecture yet. Although I am not saying it is easy, it takes alot of careful planning so I can balance my family life with my uni work. Obviously if my family started to suffer then I would have to take a step back, but I think I have got the combination right.

mumslave

Well put it this way, I WONT be staying at home forever, I couldnt. I am not a 'maternal' mother would you believe, in that I am not fully satisfied by my children, as much as I love them. By the time my kids are all in school, I will only be 30 years old (5 years time) so it makes sense to me, to try to get some training in a field behind me or at least nearly completed by then, rather than just return to work in a job I will have no enthusiasm for. I believe having some sort of study on your CV looks a lot better than a near ten year gap stating, sorry was raising children on it, too lol.

I havent really thought much about it since I made this post, due to new year celebrations etc, but I do know I am absolutely determined to do SOMETHING this year, even if it turns out to be a higher course with the ILA grant I have. I will be phoning careers scotland and now I have this new netbook...I am going to pop on the OU website right this moment.

Thanks very much to everyone for their advice, I really appreciate it

nikki2804

Hi I left school at 17 and went straight into employment. After having me son in June I went back to college studying an HNC in Beauty Therapy. I was lucky enough that my local college was piloting an evening class of this. Only difference will be the course takes 2 years, after completing this I can go to Uni (they have childcare on campus) and go on to be a lecturer.

Anyway, my point is that there is always a way to get what you want. Scotland offers ILA grants etc, worth checking up on things like this.

What I will say though, is stay away from 'learn at home' course's like Advent and HLC. Overpriced and pointless. OU though is good, but check out local colleges too.