career change ideas - mid 40s

fishybusiness

There are RHS gardening qualifications that you can do via distance learning, so I should probably get on with those and then in a few years time I’ll be in a better position.

You don't need this to get in to gardening work.

Most self employed gardening work will be maintenance plus some planting and maybe a bit of design.

Of course if you had eyes on working for the National Trust et al quals will help, plus extras like PA1/ PA6 spraying quals and some chainsaw training.

I think you'll struggle to match your 35k gardening, although rates vary around the country, that equates to a lot of hours and the work is somewhat seasonal so you would really have to push your summer hours to make up for winter.

Ja7188

Gardening/landscaping is actually what I’d love to do and I’m having a dilemma whether to pursue this as a career or keep it as a hobby and stick to office work

I've known a few people try to become full-time gardeners and unfortunately it didn't work out for them - they just didn't get enough work and had to top up their earnings elsewhere.

Rather than dropping your regular working hours (which you might then struggle to increase again), you might want to firstly try to get work on evenings and weekends and see how you get on.

fishybusiness

I've known a few people try to become full-time gardeners and unfortunately it didn't work out for them - they just didn't get enough work and had to top up their earnings elsewhere.

Definitely a possibility, first year with some advertising I should think will bring enough work for part time income, but.....much investment needed in equipment so another source of income likely needed to survive.

Second year a bit of the same but more can be taken as income, third year is the year we found our feet and had enough work for the year and we were sorted with equipment.

Amara

Ja7188 wrote: »

I've known a few people try to become full-time gardeners and unfortunately it didn't work out for them - they just didn't get enough work and had to top up their earnings elsewhere.

Rather than dropping your regular working hours (which you might then struggle to increase again), you might want to firstly try to get work on evenings and weekends and see how you get on.

I know someone, who started gardening business and three months later had to refuse jobs, as was too busy. I live in wealthy Yorkshire area, so there's demand here. Suggestion is good, start weekend and you'll see , how is working for you.

Fireflyaway

Maybe use your age to your advantage. Roles such as social work, counselling or community development are good because life experience is really valued. There is a lot of satisfaction in helping people but the pay isn't always great! Some roles can be done with no formal qualifications where as others will need training so there is choice in what path to take.

FirstTimer4Me

No intention to hijack the thread, but seems most appropriate to post in.

I work in the freight industry as a senior manager, worked permeant nights for over 25 years, so nights is my preference.

I've recently recovered from a nervous breakdown, and although back at work, I no longer want the responsibility or pressure of my role, unfortunately, I don't have a sympathetic employer.

The problem is, how can I get a lower position job given my CV clarifies my work history with the roles & responsibilities I've held for many years?

I applied for a job as a hotel night receptionist, not surprisingly, I didn't get it, although I received an acknowledgement stating I was over qualified.

Although I'm 60, salary cut is not an issue.

bugslet

Hi first timer

You might get more responses if you start your own thread, a lot of people will have seen Andrew's thread and think they have nothing to add, so you miss some advice.

In reply to your query though, is there a possibility of a different position in the company you work for now.

The other thing is that it can be a numbers game, especially changing sector so don't be too disheartened early on.

As the owner of a haulage company, it wouldn't bother me seeing soeone wanting to change, but I'd want to know why. At 60 you have the perfectly reasonable excuse of wanting to work but slow down from a pressurised job, so I'd not be afraid to tell the truth with a positive spin.

Good luck.

Samsung_Note2

andrewf75 wrote: »

Gardening/landscaping is actually what I’d love to do and I’m having a dilemma whether to pursue this as a career or keep it as a hobby and stick to office work

Ok so its not quite the same but construction plant ops pays well upto a grand a week or Ground works,can often gain skills and transfer that to your prefers career.

FirstTimer4Me

Hi bugslet

Thanks for your reply

bugslet wrote: »

In reply to your query though, is there a possibility of a different position in the company you work for now

They wasn't very supportive during my difficult medical period, I'd rather just get out.