44 year old grad - what could I do?

alyth

Not sure if this is the right page, so please move if it is suitable elsewhere.

I'm 42 and going into 3rd year of uni (in Scotland). For two years' I've had a gameplan that everything I have done has been aimed at achieving this goal - I want to go and teach in China. I've done my TEFL, studied in China, have mandarin lessons every week via skype, built up contacts in China through friends, and everything was going well.

Un/fortunately, I've met someone - it's still early days but we're getting along well, but it's got me thinking - if I do decide to stay in Scotland, what on earth could a middle-aged woman do with a history degree? I was a PA for 20 years before going to uni, I live in a fairly rural area although I could relocate to a city, but just from searching through job sites, etc which I've not done for 2 years, there is nothing out there!

I'm able to go on and do a masters which I would love to do anyway, but even with that extra qualification, the chances of getting a job as a curator/lecturer/archivist are extremely slim. I had thought of doing my masters in library studies but libraries are being closed down all over the country.

Just wondered whether anyone had graduated in their 40s and what sort of employment they were able to find?

getmore4less

what does this prospective partner do?

There are opportinities in the far east for more than just TEFL.

I think you need to hold onto that dream for a bit longer

In scotland there is a bit of a market for cruiseship historical tours, but that means Greenock, Edinburgh or invergorden. the former being better since you can cover both from one location.

Season is quite short but with the right setup money could be quite good of each visit

pickpocketlocket

Civil Service Fast Stream - they have placements in Scotland that could involve overseas travel, so you could use your language skills without making a permanent move?

alyth

I don't want to lose sight of my dream, but I think meeting someone whether it works out or not has just made me question what would happen if I decided to stay in Scotland for another reason, perhaps if my parents became ill or something - it's just a bit of a jolt out of my world of studying and following the plan and made me question what other options would be out there.

I had never even thought of historical cruise ships - I've been looking at things like Historic Scotland, National Trust, National Museums and Libraries of Scotland etc this evening so I really appreciate that. And again Civil Service is not a thing I had even though about - my mandarin is now conversational (as long as it is spoken slowly!) so again thank you for that suggestion.

princessdon

Can you teach TEFL in UK - there is a market in University towns for mandarin to UK teachers (not for students) but some bring their families and will pay.

RosaBernicia

Have you looked at Information Science as well as 'pure' library studies? This could be relevant for other jobs eg. I know a company who take on info studies postgrads for biomedical literature research.


Rosa xx

alyth

I can teach TEFL in Scotland, there are a few unis that take summer students - in fact I am sure my own uni do - will look into that - again thank you. And Dundee Uni do a postgrad in Archivist Studies sort of thing, which I had been thinking of doing.

I suppose I'm just worried that when I graduate what will I do - like most students no matter what their age!

Voyager2002

Another vote for TEFL within the UK: you could specialise in English for Academic Purposes and in Chinese students.

Can you read/write Mandarin? If so, there is probably an endless supply of free-lance translating work around.

Civil Service Fast Stream only accepts a minority of applicants (there is a three-stage selection process, and I have never managed to get past the written tests, while the fact that I have a PhD suggests that I am of reasonable intelligence). However, the Department for International Development (DfID) does most of its administration in Scotland, so there are more jobs there than elsewhere in the UK.

dandelionclock30

If I was in your shoes I would still go to China thats a fantastic opportunity if you really have the option. If a partner is serious about you then they can either come out on visits or do something over there themselves.
Partners come and go, make sure you are putting yourself first, you only live once and you may meet someone better out there.
My cousin graduated with a history degree, he got a high 2.1. He was then unemployed for 4 years, then did office temping for a while whilst working in a museum voluntary. He now works at a university as a libary assistant but this was before all the cuts. Getting into libraries as a staff member or museums etc is really hard.
If your mandarin is o.k you could always try to get work in a chinese takeaway whilst you are looking for something more suited to you.

Owain_Moneysaver

Library and Archiving is a rather specialised subject - although there are outlets other than public libraries for such skills; as a former PA you might find work as an assistant/researcher to an MP for example.

I'd suggest for your postgrad study you look at something with rather wider relevance to education, include a TEFL qualification if possible, and that gives you entry into adult and community education, the third sector, etc. That might be a postgrad diploma rather than a Master's.

Anselm

In my opinion, go to China. You never know, you might not be with this partner in another month and China offers some fantastic life experience. And if you find you're both serious, what's to stop you seeing each other in scotland or.China?