I'm 30 and want a real career with good earning potential. Is it too late?

prosaver

prosaver wrote: »

you dont need to a teaching qualification to teach.
my son had one and i was shocked.

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Amara

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

Local technical college.

Didn't he need practice? Was collage enough to get qualification and start work for himself?

jobbingmusician

Well, you're literate - a good start! How about https://www.open.ac.uk/request/prospectus?CATCODE=LAW

I understand that law is mind-numbingly boring to study, but those who flourish still have good employment prospects.....

DCFC79

lincroft1710 wrote: »

May I make a left field suggestion? Rather than have a specific salary in mind, look to do something which you will enjoy doing with a view of progressing up to an acceptable level.

I echo this advice, think about what would anything interests you.

Kynthia

Other people haven't had it easy, it just always looks that way to outsiders. Most people go through stages of assessing what they want to do with their life multiple times during their working years. Many people retrain in something new in their 30s, 40s and even 50s as they have to or realise they've picked something they don't want to do any more.

30 is no-where near to old to start a career. So you don't feel like you can get on an apprenticeship or graduate training scheme. Stop feeling sorry for yourself as the majority of working people haven't been on one, plus you haven't even tried and might be surprised. One reason that colleges and universities like mature students is because they've chosen to be there, are more mature, really keen to learn and work really hard. Therefore you might some employers would take to you for this reason over a recent or current teenager, many of whom are immature, don't have any work experience and might not have the passion and life experience you have.

I agree with those saying that a trade usually does people well and they are rarely out of work. However I don't know how you get into it and the pay/demand may depend on where in the country you are. I know people who are struggling to find roofers and landscape gardeners to even quote for jobs as they are so busy in the South East. Sales can earn you good money in some places, if you have a natural ability in it. I wouldn't rush to do a degree until you have found something that you are sure you want to do and are working in that industry, as failing a degree or being a graduate with no experience is very difficult.

Good luck. I have a family member that did the AAT and then CIMA in their late 40s after their children had grown and is now loving their new career working as a Business Partner in a manufacturing firm.

tiger_eyes

Have you considered self-employment? You may find clients prefer to deal with a 30-year-old rather than a fresh-faced 21-year-old.

xapprenticex

jp2016 wrote: »

From my experience, even with plenty of entry level experience, you need to be a graduate now to even be considered for a management scheme/position, unless you have previous management experience (which I don't). I've worked for companies like Next, Tesco, Marks & Spencer etc and right now the only way to become a management trainee is as a graduate, usually with a 2:1 or better.

Even if I bit the bullet and completed a 4 year degree (I don't have A-Levels..), I've heard that even with experience and a 2:1 or a better it's very difficult to get a good graduate placement. Would they even consider a (then) 34/35 year old with a patchy CV over a "fresh out of uni" 21/22 year old with a spotless academic record?

At this rate I just can't see myself being able to earn enough to afford my own home which is my dream. I really don't mind renting but there's no security in it. I don't want to be moving every 2/3 years because the landlord wants to sell or whatever other reason.

IMO, the house thing isnt all its cracked up to be, you wont own the house till its paid.. if you live long enough to pay it off that is, and when you do, you may be on your way to a nursing home :money:. Unfortunately that's life for most of us who are not an only child who have a house passed down to us.

I'd focus on the things that really matter which are family and a good work/life balance. with that you'd be happy with an average job you enjoy in an average house, owned or rented.

christaitfife

I had a good career, but horrible circumstances, bad people and depression messed it up for me. I am back at the bottom (or close to it anyway). I work in food production (we put veg in bags... it is exciting as you think!) and I don't like the job. I have been doing it for six months and have been promoted twice! I am in a low-level supervisory position but I see real potential in working my way up the company. I could really see myself in a managerial position within a year or two (if I can stick it out).

My point here is that you can find a career in nearly any field. You don't need to go to uni, you just need to prove that you are good at what you do an have the ability to do what is asked. Instead of a complete career change why not look at evening classes? If you work for a large employer why not call HR and ask if they offer training and development opportunities?

Oh, and lots of money is nice, but remember to put your happiness first. Salary isn't everything.

bugslet

jp2016 wrote: »

Never considered it before (it sounds quite lonely!) but the earning potential looks good, I'll research it a bit and see how much it suits.

I never found it lonely, radio on and it was a mix of regular drops so I knew the people and new places, so someone new to talk to.

Where I am now, 80% is double manned, but we are an unusual firm.

bugslet

jp2016 wrote: »

It's so frustrating/depressing how difficult it is to make the right choice. The lack of opportunities for someone my age or older without a degree (or even with one..) is really disappointing.

I mean, I have almost zero chance of getting an apprenticeship. Graduate schemes are 99% going to pick the fresh faced 21 year old graduate who went to a private school over me.

I've even looked at "school leaver"/traineeships (they are aimed at school leavers but are apparently open to any age) and get the impression that they are never going to take a 30/31 year old with a patchy CV and no good qualifications over an 18 year old.

Everyone seems to just have it so easy. I am really keen and ambitious, but it just doesn't feel like there are many opportunities or doors open for people my age with my circumstances.

I can say "I want to do this" or "I would like to be doing this" and show all the eagerness in the world, but because I'm 30+ I just won't be given a second look.

I mean, let's say I completed a degree in business management at a good university, and achieved first class honours, there's no way a FTSE 100 company are going to give me a chance with my crappy CV over someone who is 21. "Why didn't you do this when you were 18/19/20/21?" "Why have you worked intermittently at retail jobs during your 20's without really getting anywhere?"

Probably wouldn't even get the opportunity to answer those questions. It's just so frustrating. I might as well give up on being successful or having a good career is the impression I get from society.

I know it's tough when you are feeling down, but that is such a negative post.:(

You seem to be looking for the perfect job to focus on/degree to take and maybe you will hit on it, but at the moment it's just coming across as analysis paralysis.

It certainly wasn't easy when I was young. 3 million unemployed when I left school and I started my 'career' as a forklift driver. A few months before my 30th birthday I started working for myself and 25 years later, still am with 22 employees. The first few years were brutally hard and badly paid.

Stop fretting about the big companies, find one you like and apply. Both of my managers earn in you intended wage bracket, neither of them have a degree. If either of them were to leave, and I had a choice where the only real difference was that one of the applicants had a businesz degree and the other didn't, I'd take the one without a degree every time. I find that people with business degrees aren't flexible enough, too cookie cutter. ( Not saying that is right, it's a personal opinion). I think you need to broaden your thinking a bit.