HELP!!! I dont know where to start

SingleMummy

Hey,
not to sure on where to start, so ill start with what i am doing now. I'm a 32 year old woman currently studying an Access to Business course to go onto University next year. I am hoping to do a degree in Law and Business management.

The problem I'm having is I have no office experience I haven't worked for 10 years plus due to been in a violent relationship then having children. I'm at a point in my life were I want more form life. but I don't know where to start, I haven't really got anything to put on a CV, I haven't used Excel since school but have found some great online courses I'm going to complete.

Any help or guidance will be really appreciated

Thank you

agrinnall

When you say office experience do you mean working in an office or do you mean MS Office? I ask because you mention having used Excel.

If it's MS Office then I'm not sure that it's something you need to worry about at the moment, by the time you have finished your access course, and certainly by the time you have your degree, I'd expect you to be very familiar with at least Word and Excel, and quite likely Powerpoint, and maybe other parts of the suite too.

[Deleted User]

I can't use Excel either, beyond 'basic's' - turned out it was a pretty unspoken part of my current job.
Believe me I'd always actively avoid job ads that state "must be proficient in excel" and the likes.
Even so.
I passed my review recently as my employer recognises it is more important, fortunately, I am able to pick up a phone and speak to customers.
1 day a week is absolute hell. The rest of the weeks time is dealing with a phone so in my mind this shouldn't be much of a battle, unless my colleagues really aren't happy about it.

Fireflyaway

You could gain some skills through volunteering. Not only does it show work ethic but the fact you can show up on time, get on with people etc and they can give you a reference once you do find a job.
There are lots of videos online that show basic PC skills and some libraries and adult education centres run free / cheap courses. Then how about going to an agency for some short term assignments? You might get some basic admin / reception work for a few weeks.
Most uni courses don't require full time attendance so speak to the person at uni who can help find you a work placement.
I think its so cool you are doing this!

IAmWales

Deleted%20User wrote: »

I can't use Excel either, beyond 'basic's' - turned out it was a pretty unspoken part of my current job.
Believe me I'd always actively avoid job ads that state "must be proficient in excel" and the likes.
Even so.
I passed my review recently as my employer recognises it is more important, fortunately, I am able to pick up a phone and speak to customers.
1 day a week is absolute hell. The rest of the weeks time is dealing with a phone so in my mind this shouldn't be much of a battle, unless my colleagues really aren't happy about it.

What?!!!

Single, I'd recommend volunteering also. You can pick up skills, get a reference (after a decent length of time) and make friends at the same time. It can sometimes lead to paid employment too. If you're looking at law perhaps CAB or something in welfare rights or advocacy? Look at smaller local charities too, often overlooked, but they'll give you more chance for autonomy and to tailor your skills.

I taught myself Word and Excel, practice is the best way to learn. And if there's something you can't work out, Google will know the answer.

Diggersailing

You might like to consider things like school governor and other Not For Profit roles, where they can be after people with enthusiasm and willingness. I have observed how such areas can then provide training which can look attractive on your CV.

xapprenticex

why law and business management? do you want to work in law? do you want to start your own business? are you just doing a degree for the sake of doing a degree?

Think long and hard about the reasons why you are going to probably end up with student debt for the rest of your life.

if you want office work, you really dont need a degree, if you need one to get into what you want then fair enough but everyone does degrees nowadays, so it wont necessarily make you stand out from the crowd. actual experience will do that.