Thinking of re-training & wondered what paths others have taken to pursue 2nd career?

Mics_chick

I used to work in IT until I left on maternity leave with my youngest child just over 6 years ago.

I have only ever worked in IT but never really enjoyed it. However when I returned to work after maternity leave with my 1st child I quickly grew to loathe it with a passion!

I haven't worked since my 2nd child was born coz I was diagnosed with PND (post-natal depression) just 2 weeks after he was born.
My recovery has been slow but I've got to the point where I realise it won't improve any further unless I actively go out and make something happen

I would like to train as a learning support worker, ie, a teaching assistant type role but specifically focussed towards kids/adults with additional needs.

I was going to get some help finding courses,etc from the Job Centre but that was withdrawn shortly after I was referred coz of the gov't cuts.
I've only recently been using the adult service offered by Connexions to try to fill this gap. I'm not sure how that will pan out yet as it's too early to say.

I know that my specific story isn't going to match anyone else's but I'd really like to hear from others who have re-trained to see how they've found working in a different environment?

Thinks like:
What did you used to do and what did you re-train to do?
How old were you when you re-trained and then started to work in your new career?
Have you felt more fulfilled in your 2nd career than your 1st?

Cheers Gail

AnonymousForObviousReason

Use Connexions whilst you can, I think they are also under the shadow of the Axe.

I think for the third post running I'm going to recommend visiting your local college but for a slightly different reason. Whilst they may be able to find you a course, the vast majority have an Additional Learning Support team that work with people in general and teams which specialise in teaching these types of learners. They may be able to offer you an insight into the job and I know some take on volunteers.

Good luck

ohdamnit

Just a v specific point but learning support worker roles are v competitive to get into, usually because you don't need a lot of experience/qualifications and the hours match up with term times. Hence they are highly desirable positions.

Good luck though.

I did know someone who left IT and went to become a full time teacher, and said he was glad he did (has been doing it 5 years now)

briona

Hi Mics_chick,

Having recently changed career, here's my penny's worth!

What did you use to do and what did you re-train to do?
I used to be a graphic designer. I am now an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher.

How old were you when you re-trained and then started to work in your new career?
In mid-2008 (just before my 31st birthday), I started to think about changing career. To make sure it was the career I was bored of as opposed to the actual job I was in, I changed jobs. But I still felt the same. In early 2009, having researched my chosen career (EFL teaching), I did an online 'taster' course in my free time to see if it was for me. Last year I did some further training (CELTA for those who are interested) and then at the grand old age of 33, went to Vietnam for the summer to start my new career...

Have you felt more fulfilled in your 2nd career than your 1st?
As I mentioned above, I spent a summer working in Vietnam, and I've been working in Portugal since September. Next year I am considering a move to Eastern Europe. Why am I telling you this? Well, I love travelling, and my new career gives me opportunities to do this that my old one never could. I also work less hours (around 21hrs pw as opposed to 40hrs) so I have more free time. The cost of living in both Vietnam and Portugal is far less than in the UK so while I earn less, I save more. Then of course there's the job itself. Having worked predominantly with computers for 10 years, it's quite nice to work with people (although there are days when I would happily have my computer back again!).

****

If you are planning a career change, I would advise lots of research, e.g., how long will it take to retrain? How much will it cost, and is there any funding? Will the training fit around your current job? Can you do a 'taster' class/course before committing to the new career? What are the job opportunities like? Do you need to earn X amount to maintain your current standard of living? etc.

Changing career can be very rewarding, although not usually financially as you will probably be starting at the bottom of the career ladder (quite a scary prospect if you've been near the top for ten years!). FWIW, despite the ups and the downs (of which there have been a few), I am very happy that I changed career. That said, as a single woman with no dependents (other than a cat who has been rehomed with my brother!), and no mortgage, making big decisions about my future was easy.

Hope that helps,

Briona

Oldernotwiser

When you talk about the adult section of Connexions, do you mean Nextstep? https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

As far as I know, their services aren't being cut.

Mics_chick

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

When you talk about the adult section of Connexions, do you mean Nextstep? https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

As far as I know, their services aren't being cut.

I'm pretty sure that's what they're called ONW

I think Anon's comment about this service being "under the shadow of the axe" is possibly just speculation...?
These days I think you could say any and every public service is in this situation coz they are all experiencing cutbacks to some degree.

I found it a valid comment coz I hadn't thought of it myself and it's made me think I should follow up quicker than I would have done 'just in case' things do change.
I felt I had a while to sort myself out coz I probably wouldn't be starting a course until the next academic year but I'll just be more expaditious now

Mics_chick

I appreciate your reply Briona - this is exactly the sort of info I was looking for :T

Plus Ithink your advice about how to research it is invaluable

briona wrote: »

Then of course there's the job itself. Having worked predominantly with computers for 10 years, it's quite nice to work with people. This definitely struck a chord with me Briona coz I worked as a computer analyst/programmer approaching 20 years

****

If you are planning a career change, I would advise lots of research, e.g., how long will it take to retrain? How much will it cost, and is there any funding? Will the training fit around your current job? Can you do a 'taster' class/course before committing to the new career? What are the job opportunities like? Do you need to earn X amount to maintain your current standard of living? etc.

Changing career can be very rewarding, although not usually financially as you will probably be starting at the bottom of the career ladder (quite a scary prospect if you've been near the top for ten years!). FWIW, despite the ups and the downs (of which there have been a few), I am very happy that I changed career. That said, as a single woman with no dependents (other than a cat who has been rehomed with my brother!), and no mortgage, making big decisions about my future was easy.

Hope that helps,

Briona

Oldernotwiser

Mics_chick wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that's what they're called ONW

I think Anon's comment about this service being "under the shadow of the axe" is possibly just speculation...?
These days I think you could say any and every public service is in this situation coz they are all experiencing cutbacks to some degree.

I found it a valid comment coz I hadn't thought of it myself and it's made me think I should follow up quicker than I would have done 'just in case' things do change.
I felt I had a while to sort myself out coz I probably wouldn't be starting a course until the next academic year but I'll just be more expaditious now

I think that the Connexions service probably is threatened but the Nextstep service is completely different (although it does operate out of Connexions premises in some places). Up until I left a couple of years ago, it wasn't even funded by the UK government but by money from the EU.

AnonymousForObviousReason

Mics_chick wrote: »

I think Anon's comment about this service being "under the shadow of the axe" is possibly just speculation...?

The comment about connections (youth) was because I interpreted the 'adult part' as service that deals with 19-24 learners with difficulties/disabilities (looking at the post the numbers don't add up for this). It wasn't a comment about the Nextsteps.

Sorry for the confusion.

Mics_chick

AnonymousForObviousReason wrote: »

The comment about connections (youth) was because I interpreted the 'adult part' as service that deals with 19-24 learners with difficulties/disabilities (looking at the post the numbers don't add up for this). It wasn't a comment about the Nextsteps.

Sorry for the confusion.

OK thanks

SonjaLiK

I don't really have much valuable advice to give on this subject but/cos I am actually in a veeeeery similar situation, Mics chick.
I am 35, been self employed for the past 7 years and are thinking about becoming something like TA as well.

I am not sure though, researching the subject, if it's better to try to find a job and then train or take on a course first and then look for a job. Any thoughts?
Also, does anyone know if being foreign would be a dissadvantage?