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Careers most in demand

I have been doing office administration work for the last 15 years or so, and now want to move into something else. I have got some software packages experience such as Word & Excel. I have also got 'A' level mathematics qualification., as well as an ordinary degree (which I did about 20 years ago, so don't think it carries much value now).

Can you tell me any professions where there is a demand for jobs?

I enjoy doing figure work and was thinking of moving into accountancy. However, but think it is too late to start a career in accountacy - I am in my mid 40s.

Can you suggest any more professions?

Many Thanks
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Comments

  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    Given up on the idea of teaching then?
  • Treacly
    Treacly Posts: 157 Forumite
    Personally, I think you're coming at it from the wrong angle. Best to think about what you could do well and enjoy, surely. I'm sure there's a huge demand for morticians, trapeze artists and nuclear physicists, but there's no point in me applying because I haven't got the skills OR the inclination.
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  • redz
    redz Posts: 212 Forumite
    Just curious as to what makes you think being in your mid-forties is too late to start a career in accountancy.
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I'm reading this because I'm always wondering the same thing.

    Post #3 can't see the point, but the point is that if there's a list it might pick up on stuff the OP's never heard of/thought about.

    Of course geography plays a big part in it too.... e.g. there might be a shortage of mountain guides, but if the nearest mountains are 300 miles away that won't be helpful.

    OP, you do have a head start because you have a degree. Stop focussing on what the degree is or when it was taken - it's more valid than a lot of modern ones.

    Social workers seem in short supply everywhere. I live in a very very economically depressed area, yet I still see adverts for social workers at £17/hour for a newly qualified one! I'd look into it myself except I am not a people person and don't like kids, have nothing to say to old people who dribble and would find myself in a vulnerable position if working with those with drink/drugs problems .... so it's not the life for me. Money looks !!!!!! hot though! Oh, you also need a degree to start (I don't have one of those).
  • Hermia
    Hermia Posts: 4,473 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I agree that you should firstly think about what you are good at, rather than what professions are in demand. I also think it's a good idea to focus on in-demand skills that are transferable between different jobs. The problem with trying to pick an in-demand profession is that it may not be in-demand by the time you have gone through the training! I know a few people who went into very in-demand jobs which then went out of fashion.
  • boopopps
    boopopps Posts: 138 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Never too old for accoutancy, I have recently qualified at CIMA and we had people 50 plus in our classes. There were people 60 plus doing AAT when I did that. Go for it, your as old as you feel.

    PS if you do not want to attend classes with the younger folk, Kaplan do distance learning on line, you can even partake in live lectures on line. Home learning college is good for AAT too, again you can do it on line and have access to a lecturer to help if needed.
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  • poppy_f1
    poppy_f1 Posts: 2,637 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    thing that also you should consider is anything that is in demand at the moment may not be in demand by the time you have qualified etc
  • geek84
    geek84 Posts: 1,124 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi Folks

    Thanks for all your replies.

    Just to answer the points made by two people on this thread -

    Older But Wiser - I have not given up on the idea of accountancy. I just want to see what other options I have.

    Redz - I consider that I am too old to start a career in accountancy. I am already in my mid 40s, and by the time I finish all the accountancy exams & gained the relevant work experience (I am thinking of chartered status), I would be approaching 50 years of age. I don't think many employers would want to employ me at that age. They would probably want somebody in the mid 20s, who can stay with them for years to come.
  • Treacly
    Treacly Posts: 157 Forumite
    So geek84 - are you also nerd93? I'm confused! I thought geek84 wanted a move into a desk job in social care!
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  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    geek84 wrote: »
    Older But Wiser - I have not given up on the idea of accountancy. I just want to see what other options I have.
    .

    You said teaching in your other incarnation!
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