Career Advice

Jd23845

Looking for some advice on what to do in life.

After a marriage breakdown and not really having much of a life I'm now 33 work in a boring office job which I hate and, after finding out I can't have children, I really want to build a good career.

The problem, I have no idea where to start or what even interests me!

I want to be able to earn a decent at some point however as I've moved back home I can accept a lower salary at the moment.

I've got 10 GCSE's and that's about it, I'm quite active and really like analysing and investigating things.

I would even consider staying in my current job or something minimum wage / low paid whilst studying a degree, provided I could get a student loan.

I did think about the RAF however I'm not sure I'd cope being away from home.

Thanks.

Nictom80_2

What are your interests?
What are your good/bad qualities?
What kind of hours do you want to work?
What kind of work environment do you want? Office or out & about?
Do you like to work on your own or as part of a team or a bit of both?

System

Earning good money isn't everything. I had a job which paid a reasonable amount and I've taken a 40% pay cut when I changed jobs for a far better working environment and to get my life back. There are plenty people in jobs with good salaries who are equally as miserable as you.

You can qualify for a student loan. What about becoming a Crime Scene Investigator for the police?

cheeky-peach

Have you thought about the RAF Reserves? It's a way to get involved and see if the military life is for you without committing to full-time RAF. Although, I can't recall what the maximum age of joining the RAF Regulars is either.

StaffieTerrier

Tarambor wrote: »

Earning good money isn't everything. I had a job which paid a reasonable amount and I've taken a 40% pay cut when I changed jobs for a far better working environment and to get my life back. There are plenty people in jobs with good salaries who are equally as miserable as you.

You can qualify for a student loan. What about becoming a Crime Scene Investigator for the police?

Scene of Crimes Officer is very competitive and requires a degree in Forensic Science or related biological/chemical sciences.

matttye

Police officer?

Fireflyaway

Well the NHS needs mental health nurses!
Is there a dream job you have thought of but never realistically thought you could do because there are usually multiple ways to go about it? 33 is not too old to retrain and there are plenty of access courses where you study at college for a year so you qualify for uni that way instead of doing A levels etc.
Think of what you like and what you don't. Do you want to work directly with people? Would you work outside? Do you like technical stuff?
The idea of RAF reserve is a good one. I think any of the services are more a way of life than just a job. There are some websites that ask these questions then make carer suggestions based on the answers.

Houseplant26

Hi there,

Firstly, I'm sorry to hear about your relationship ending, and the discovery that you can't have children. If the latter is something you want, or might want one day, don't forget that there are other ways to be a parent, such as adoption. If and when the timing was right you may well make an amazing parent, foster carer etc. I hope you don't mind me addressing this point first it's just that you did and that is obviously affecting all aspects of how you are feeling, including about work.

Remember a job doesn't define you, and no job or career choice will ever feel totally perfect! Don't chase money, just try to do some research to see what seems interesting, and then maybe voluntary work experience in relevant fields. Further study is totally an option but you may find you don't need to and could work your way up. Probably worth gaining some
experience first either way to help you decide upon study, and to make it more likely you'd be accepted onto a course. Don't forget the open university, and free short courses online are also a thing! I want to learn a language, and anthropology and might try to use those one day.

Good luck, try to remember you're a unique and special individual and that we all struggle to find our place after a difficult time.