Working on my 5 year plan-help making decisions

polkadot

I have a 4 year old son, and am 7 months pregnant with my second.

I was educated in South Africa up to matric and worked until my son was a year old, building a career in call centre work. I started as a "bum in a seat" and resigned in 2006 to come to London-at this point I was a quality analyst.

My husband works in IT and we had a "reasonable" salary. We made the decision for me to be a SAHM until the children (we were trying for number two) were at school full time.

Now that DS starts reception in September, I have started to think about what happens when number two goes. Im having my tubes tied when I deliver as we're happy that two is enough. (not that thats relevant but I know people get curious sometimes )

I didn't do maths in my final year, and investigating job options now-Im not sure that I have "an equivalent to a GCSE".

As Ive not worked in the UK before I realise I might have to start over again-so thought whilst I still have a dinky baby that can be kept busy on a playmat whilst I take an hour or two a day for assignments or study-whilst the other one is at school-I should be finding something to study...Im just not sure what would be a "good all round qualification" to help me get a foot in the door when DS2 heads off to school.

I wondered if anyone might have an opinion or advice to offer please? Im definitely more customer service orientated that sales, pretty picky in the details and want to wear my "high heels" again

Kate78

Have you seen the careers advice site? You can search different careers and find out which qualifications you need to get there.

There are also listings of what courses are available locally and funding you may be eligible for.

Of course this may change as I know you're looking for a couple of years hence, but it should give you a good idea of what's out there.

There's another good one called Advice Resources, it has a great CV builder tool which is a good starting point if you are creating a CV from scratch.

If you didn't finish maths (don't know anything about SA quals, sorry), a maths GCSE or Adult Numeracy Level 2 qualification would be worth doing, and you probably won't have to pay for it.

Hope that helps and all the best with the remainder of your pregnancy, it can't be much fun in this hot weather at the moment!

polkadot

Thanks Kate, will have a root around those sites-Im not too concerned about funding as planning now means I can factor it into the budget.

I just want to do something that will mean I can rebuild a career as the children grow-once they're both full time I think Id go out of my mind sat waiting for them to come home after them keeping me busy for so long.