How to get a decent job - any ideas?

LannieDuck

What career do you want? You're not too old to train/do a degree. Yes, it'll take you into your 30s, but you have over 1/2 your working life left to go.

Work out what you fancy doing as a career, and we can help work out the best way for you to get there.

Running_On_Empty

Well done for having a lightbulb moment.
Lots of good advice given and plenty of good role models here proving that it can be done and, more important, is frequently done.
Your attitude needs adjusting, stop whining and just get on with it! You have to put the effort in, maybe 6 years with the OU and plenty have gone down this path before you.
You seem to want a quick fix or an easy way in. There aren't any easy ways to get qualified and build a worthwhile career.
The OU was set up 40 years ago for people like you who didn't go onto the university sausage machine at 18.
Sooner you get started, sooner you finish.

mel48rose

Hi, just wanted to say that I did my nursing degree at 45 after putting it off for a few years.
I am now doing a job I love. You are never too old!!

paddyrg

A degree is certainly handy when starting out, but experience, confidence, aptitude and attitude count for so much more once you're through the door.

Kynthia

denla wrote: »

AAT and ACCA won't be easy to study if you don't have a financial related degree or a direct accountancy work background.

Not true for the AAT as I think you only need GCSEs. It is designed for entry into finance and starts at the basics. I know plenty of people who start the AAT without any accounts experience and even some who even gain the qualification before getting a relevant job. If you have a financial related degree then I would suggest skipping the AAT and going straight to CIMA or ACCA but these are harder and more expensive to study on your own, although people do.

denla

Kynthia wrote: »

Not true for the AAT as I think you only need GCSEs. It is designed for entry into finance and starts at the basics. I know plenty of people who start the AAT without any accounts experience and even some who even gain the qualification before getting a relevant job. If you have a financial related degree then I would suggest skipping the AAT and going straight to CIMA or ACCA but these are harder and more expensive to study on your own, although people do.

I did AAT level 2 first even though I could have done ACCA straight away, due to costs and time. Not sure if it's a coincidence but of 15 students only 2 were struggling... and those two did not have a degree or have prior accountancy work experience. Another student didn't have a degree but previously worked in investment banking so didn't have problems learning. AAT is basic but if you're studying in a class it's taught quickly and those who struggle will fall behind. Learn online and you can only rely on yourself when there's no instructor. I didn't bother doing AAT level 3 and went for ACCA, online learning, then had to go back to learning it through a class because it's difficult learning online. I say for anything that's science/math/IT should be learnt in a classroom.

Dunroamin

LannieDuck wrote: »

What career do you want? You're not too old to train/do a degree. Yes, it'll take you into your 30s, but you have over 1/2 your working life left to go.

Work out what you fancy doing as a career, and we can help work out the best way for you to get there.

If he graduates in his early thirties he'll have 35 years of working life left, considerably more than half!

Kynthia

denla wrote: »

I did AAT level 2 first even though I could have done ACCA straight away, due to costs and time. Not sure if it's a coincidence but of 15 students only 2 were struggling... and those two did not have a degree or have prior accountancy work experience. QUOTE]

I didn't say it was easy, just that it can be done and is done by many without a degree or relevant work experience. Obviously working in a financial environment would be best and is the aim. Completing the whole AAT qualification is hard work and not everyone gets to the end. The current level 4 is very challenging and many will struggle, but it wouldn't be worth having otherwise. Those that are AAT qualified get a lot of respect where I work.