Career Change

madaminx

Hi All

Sorry if this is the wrong category in which to post this thread but I wasn't sure where else to post it.

I am now in my early 40s and a career change has been on my mind for quite a while now. As it turns out I am considering quite a radical change from Administration within the NHS to working with animals however I'm not sure how realistic my aspirations are given my current situation as I work full time, live on my own, pay a mortgage and HP on a car and all other associated bills on £21k pa.

Would love to know if anyone else has ever undergone a radical career change later in life and what their experiences were in particular those folk in my situation. I guess my considerations in particular are funding and time to study. What are the study options and those study options time allocations and payment options are.

I look forward to hearing from anyone about their experiences and any advice anyone might have regarding this type of study.

Many thanks

Slinky

Many jobs working with animals are poorly paid because many people love working with animals and do it for the love of the animals.

What sort of work were you thinking of?

madaminx

To be honest there's that many I'd love to do any of them but in all seriousness was thinking of veterinary nurse / techician / assistant that sort of thing.

Thanks for your response :-)

I know that some of these posts are poorly paid and because of my particular circumstances am realistic about what I can expect. I could do it part time - am thinking about different options of trying to incorporate my desire to do this.

panika

You could try for the volunteering for animal shelter. I know, that in my local one you can turn up and taking the dogs for a walk, play with them.

It would be good opportunity for you to get into environment, see, how the work with the animals looks like, find out about salaries

fishybusiness

Looking at your aspirations, you will need some kind of formal education, even if you spent some time in a voluntary capacity working with animals.

Practically, can you volunteer during your days off? That would be a really good starting point. Get to know the jobs, the people, and their expectations of their own job and career. Those people already working in animal care are perhaps the best source of information, and you will be able to get a feel for what kind of qualification you may need to have a paid position.

Looking past voluntary work, how often do paid positions come up in your area of the country, have you researched the job market? It is a good plan to really get a feel for the reality of what work is out there.

My daughter has just started a diploma in animal care, and she attends college 4 days a week, could you do that if you needed to? Jumping from a cosy job to maybe working part time on a lower wage, to give you time to study and also maybe keep up any volunteering work is probably close to the reality of career changes without some kind of partner's income or family support.

Career changes are not the panacea some writers and columnists will have you believe.

I did it btw, left a secure job that I really didn't like, or was suited to, completed a degree, and am still working out just how to get back to the secure income I once had. I am much much happier now, just not as well off. Was it a good choice? Yes, but a long road to travel

chatterup

I think the above comment, was a good one. If you have a passion for animals, it is worth even though your job pays more. You can work your way up, by work as a administrator since you have experience. Then go up the ladder, by going to school part-time. If you love your job, it's worth it!

dandelionclock30

My friends daughter did 2 years at college doing small animal care and is signing on the dole now. In reality you will most likeley find it difficult to get a paid job in this field as a lot of places want volunteers and those that offer paid jobs have loads of well qualified people applying.
How will you pay your mortgage whilst you are training? and if you cant get a job afterwards what then? you would loose your house if you couldnt pay the mortgage.
If you dont want to risk your house could do volunteer work as well as your current job.The dogs trust are always wanting people.

Dunroamin

Would doing admin in an animal related organisation satisfy you or does it have to be more hands on?

madaminx

fishybusiness wrote: »

Looking at your aspirations, you will need some kind of formal education, even if you spent some time in a voluntary capacity working with animals.

Practically, can you volunteer during your days off? That would be a really good starting point. Get to know the jobs, the people, and their expectations of their own job and career. Those people already working in animal care are perhaps the best source of information, and you will be able to get a feel for what kind of qualification you may need to have a paid position.

Looking past voluntary work, how often do paid positions come up in your area of the country, have you researched the job market? It is a good plan to really get a feel for the reality of what work is out there.

My daughter has just started a diploma in animal care, and she attends college 4 days a week, could you do that if you needed to? Jumping from a cosy job to maybe working part time on a lower wage, to give you time to study and also maybe keep up any volunteering work is probably close to the reality of career changes without some kind of partner's income or family support.

Career changes are not the panacea some writers and columnists will have you believe.

I did it btw, left a secure job that I really didn't like, or was suited to, completed a degree, and am still working out just how to get back to the secure income I once had. I am much much happier now, just not as well off. Was it a good choice? Yes, but a long road to travel

Hi all

Thanks for all your feedback, this is what I needed to hear. I am quoting this feedback as it touches on all of the aspects I am considering.

I live on my own so it is only my income from my full time job coming into the house, therefore no-one else to rely on if I wanted to give up job for study. I have actually discovered that there are other study options for animal welfare courses, such as distance learning.

I am considering the voluntary element as well.

It is a minefield out there. ]
#

Keeping this short and sweet as my kitten wants to have some input here and keeps jumping on my keyboard lol.

thanks again all.