Advise on a career change

Oldernotwiser

sdt1986 wrote: »

Im in a slightly similiar position, I want to go into something that I'm going to enjoy but just don't know what. (I know this doesn't help) Hope we both find something GL

Have you seen a Careers Adviser to discuss your options?

briona

gamma wrote: »

I guess my questions are - is it worth taking such a knock in pay for a good while and starting low doing something you love - or stay unhappy and earning more?

Last year I decided that after 10 years working in one industry, I wanted a change. Having always been interested in teaching, I spent my evenings and weekends doing an online TEFL course. This allowed me to carry on earning while taking a sort of 'taster' course. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I realised that this really IS what I want to do – at least for the next few years – so next month I am off to Barcelona to take the CELTA course (the 'gold standard' of TEFL courses), and from there, who knows?

So, to answer your question, I would say yes. However it's a bit more complex than that. Consider the following:
• Do you NEED to earn your current salary to maintain your lifestyle?
• Do you have a partner or children to support?
• Do you have a mortgage? And if so, what percentage of your new salary would this equate to?
• How will you support yourself when studying?

My earning capacity will drop from 40-50K to about 14-16K but I have no mortgage and no partner or children to consider. Right now, the opportunity to live and work abroad is more important to me than my earning capacity.

Briona

Annie_Other

Have you considered voluntary work? This would allow you to use either your existing skills or to try out new things.

The voluntary sector itself employs over 500,000 people so there is plenty of opportunity to develop a new career.

Maybe working for the benefit of others would motivate you more than working for a 'profit' making company.

Annie_Other

PS you don't have to give up your day job just yet, you can volunteer or start training for something else for just a few hours a week.

steviewander

I would second what Briona wrote.

I did a career change 5 years ago from e-learning design to hairdressing.

I was able to do this because I had savings, no partner or children to support nor a mortgage. If it wasn't for these factors I wouldn't have changed careers as I would consider myself fairly risk averse.

5 years on, I am much happier in hairdressing. Money was not the motivating factor, rather it was need to go into something more tangible, creative and people orientated. I got what I wanted and financially I am a little better off.

My advice would be very honest and clear about your reasons for wanting to change careers and secondly look realistically at your personal circumstances and support network to figure out if it is a viable option.

Good luck.
Steve

Mrs_J_3

Make the change. You will be happier for it even if you may be poorer!

As for teaching, look very carefully to see if there are jobs in your area. In Scotland there are huge numbers of newly qualified teachers with no jobs, so do your homework as to wether there is a demand for the subjects you would teach before you go down that route.

Good luck!