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

fitnessguy1

people have mentioned going self employed, maybe starting your own business? this can be quite difficult if you don't have a specific set of skills. i have looked into creating my own work/business but having the idea and plan is the hardest part. is there any business ideas you could think of to bring in an income?

socratez

To the OP, I really think that you are being negative. You are saying that you are ambitious, but without the hard work and commitment it means nothing.

Going from £0 to £35k/£40k is a big ask.

I have been in your position and it is hard to make a change but can be done with dedication.

In 2009 (aged 27) I decided to give up dead end security/doorwork, and become a mature student. It was a complete shock being sat in class next to a bunch of 18 year olds studying business! I worked hard and after 3 years gained a 1st class honours degree. I applied for a number of grad schemes, getting to the final stage of a few, but not actually securing anything. My first post uni job was working as a HR Assistant earning £250 a week.

Fast forward to mid 2015 and after a few years of very hard work and long hours, I was offered a HR management role with a £35k salary and company car (BMW). This week in a discussion with my boss he said I would be getting a £10k bonus at the end of the month, as agreed when I joined the company. This will be added to what I have already saved for a deposit for my first house.

My point is that it can be done, but it will take a lot of positive thinking, hard work and careful planning. Good luck on your journey :-)

SomeRandomGuy

OP I can empathise, you are not alone in feeling 30 is 'too late' and wondering what on earth is the best path to go down. I was thinking of starting a thread of my own because I am in similar situation, well even worse really as I have health problems, etc.

Reading your post I'm a little uncertain as to whether you are trying to find a satisfying career or if you are just looking for way to earn 40k+ ?

Outside of London few people are on that kind of money and those that do tend to be certain personalities: diplomats that can play the 'game' - they know how to suck up and take orders, they work hard and are totally committed to their profession with years of experience. I think you are going to struggle with an 'insubordinate' personality, although again I empathise.

I don't believe there is a quick way (<7 years) to get 40k - If there was everyone would be doing it. And on a side note I can't help but feel in general people online BS excessively about what they earn. I would love to be proven wrong though.

I've tried the Access + University route and but didn't complete as it didn't suit me. I can understand your reluctance to do down that path as it is very hard to 'go back to school' as a mature student, It is a huge commitment. Having said that there are degrees that can lead to a definite career path, such as the Allied Health Professions. With 4 years of study (Access + Degree) you could be on band 5, 22k a year with a clear progression path and depending on what you choose there is the chance to branch out into private work as well.

I hear a lot of people say 'go self employed'. But for that you need really desirable skills to sell or a genuinely unique business idea. There are tons of unskilled self employed people trying to make a living with ebay 'businesses' or cleaning or whatever and none of them look like they are making a good living to me........ it is minimum wage without the job security, holiday or sick pay.

gingerdad

Your main problem from your posts is your work history. You need to get a role and stick to it. Without that regardless of qualifications you'll get no where.

One of my mates started an apprenticeship at 46 and loving it.


Iv got very few qualifications like you and earn above your target I started at McDonald's on £1.80 an hour. Now marketing director for a small company.

But without sticking to something you'll get nowhere.

SomeRandomGuy

bugslet wrote: »

My truck drivers earnt between 35 - 40k last year. Can wrap that course up in a month if you pass the test - outlay should be around the 3k mark.

Now there are a lot of variations in pay around the country, with jobs starting as low as £7.50 an hour in some areas and it's not always easy to get into a good job when you are starting out, though I've started brand new drivers. Even if you have to work for the lower rates for a year, it then gives you the stepping stone to working for a better firm. The work covers everything from ttrunkers doing the same run every day/night, pallet networks, european and frankly everything moves at some point in a truck.

It may not suit, but personally I love my industry and most drivers are hard-working decent men and occasionally women. Probably not what you think of in career terms, but you did say anything!

Hi, can I ask what category of drivers are they or if someone was going to go down the HGV training route what class would you suggest?

I assume 40k is with substantial experience, working long hours or some kind of bonus system?

I looked in my area and jobs are stating £10 ph no experienced required and those which require experience are £12 - £18 ph. Working 40 hours a week that suggests a £20000 - £37500, which still sounds pretty good to me.. All the 'unskilled' work in my area is minimum wage, usually retail and often it is zero hours contract which offers no stability.

I'm very tall so I don't know if I could fit in a HGV though, I struggle with many cars.

Alarae

Not sure how helpful this will be, but given you are proficient with Excel why not move into Tax? Numbers only tends to be a part of it as you also have to look into legislation and work out the best way to utilise those numbers to create the best outcome (ie lower tax liability). It's essentially problem solving, with the details being numbers.

My current role is training to be a Tax Accountant, with my further study paid for by the company. I should complete these qualifications within three years of starting and will become a Chartered Tax Accountant upon completion. At this point my salary should be around 35k, then can only increase from there as I gain more experience.

Admittedly I'm not sure if this role required a degree or not, as my resume was passed on by a recruiter as I applied for something else with them. I believe however they may have recruited someone without a degree (i have a 2:1 in Law, from 2014) as they have also taken on a Trainee Accountant who had just left school at 19. He will get his study paid for with ACCA.

There are a lot of trainee schemes out there in Tax/accountancy, so that may be something to look into? It's definitely a career you can gain your expected salary in your 5 year time frame.

Elfbert

If you're the sort of person who needs to enjoy your work, but are very motivated and willing to get your hands dirty, I would suggest you get yourself to college and do a basic carpentry course. Then beg/plead/volunteer/shadow chippies who are set builders. Do anything for them. Get your foot in the door. You will be self employed, and on day rate, so it's not the most stable earning in the world, but if you do a bit of time as someone's mate and get some jobs on your CV then you'll find contacts and you can pick and choose what jobs you take, eventually. Once you're in 'TV Land' as it's known, there will pretty much always be work.

I know a lot of people who work in set building/props, and it's not easy to start, but if you're the determined sort who is willing to put in the hours and the graft you can get there. And it's an area you're actually interested in. You will start off on a low wage, skivvying for others, but as soon as you show yourself as able and willing you'll be in demand.

You'd need to join forums for set builders/FaceBook groups and really tout yourself.

Plus in lean times you can also work for householders doing basic shelf-building/fitting out - even building sites, if you had to. Get your CSCS so you can if you need to.

All of my friends have experience now, and turn down as many jobs as they take (things always clash!) and most of them get about £300+ per day (long days) - but remember this has to cover the times you don't get any work, too! It's not like it's £300 every day

Best of luck to you.

gunsandbanjos

As others have said unless you're in London no one is going to pay you £40k a year unless you have great experience or a unique skill.

No 30 isn't too late, I graduated at 30 with a great degree and struggled a little to get a job. I spent 13 years in hospitality before I graduated and now I work in finance. Have done this job for 2.5 years now and been promoted in that time, I'm still a fair bit off £40k though.

You need to be realistic, no one will pay you top dollar if your skills aren't worth it.

A trade is a sensible way forward for you.

hcb42

Agree, you need to stick at something

In Hospitality, GMs of hotels can easily earn six figures but they all started somewhere..

[Deleted User]

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

As others have said unless you're in London no one is going to pay you £40k a year unless you have great experience or a unique skill.

Even in London you need qualifications/skills/experience to earn good money.. it isn't a magic money pit

I know plenty of people making £50k+ outside of London (in IT)