Taxis 2008 diary..here we go

taxi73

Have been on my course today and got 50/50 right on the english test and 47/50 on the maths test..so am pleased with that.
We are doing full days tomorrow and thursday and then sitting both exams next week.The instructor has to come out in the car while we pick passengers up as well.!!!!
At least it will be out of the way soon.DH has suggested that I do a degree in something so that if anything happens to him I will be able to cope financially.I think this is a good idea but I am 44 so maybe it's a bit late to change careers...I am thinking maybe a degree in accountancy as they seem to make money and I could work from home.
Then age isn't a barrier..what do you all think?
Have you any suggestions on a useful degree with good earning prospects?

hypno06

44......blimey, you are ancient :rolleyes:

And 50/50 too - you olduns aren't sooooo slow then :rolleyes:

Of course 44 is not too late to change career.....nor is 54.....nor even 64........

As for what type of degree - I always say the best one to do is one you have a genuine interest in - no point in doing a degree just because it will get you a good job, because otherwise you will find it difficult to get motivated to do the "everyday" slog work.........this is one reason that I didn't get on with my cert ed - because although I loved teaching, I hated the course and couldn't get motivated to do the essays and stuff.

Why not send off for the OU prospectus, and have a look through and just see what takes your fancy?

mizmir

Well done on those test scores and good luck on the rest of the course. Re. doing a degree - what kind of thing are you interested in/do you enjoy? If it is accountancy then go for it. You can change career at any age - lots of people do at you (our!) age! In fact when I mentioned my plans to my accountant last time he said I would be surprised at how many clients were changing direction in their forties! Go for it! (but don't underestimate the time involved in doing a degree).

taxi73

That's good idea Hypno...I have been on the OU site and it also looks like I can get full funding as well.I think I will send off for the prospectus and I'll also go to our local college as well and see what university courses they do.

hypno06

OU starts in February, whereas the colleges will start in Sept/Oct........whichever way, you have a little time to choose, but if you want to look at doing something with a college/uni, you will be best to apply asap.

taxi73

Thanks Mizmir..the problem is I'm not interested in anything in particular.I really don't want to work for an employer though if possible unless it's super wages.
I also have to be careful what I choose as stupidly when I was younger I got a couple of criminal convictions...obviously spent now though but don't want the embarrassment of having to reveal those to an employer!!!
I would like to be a criminal psychologist or probation officer or similar but am sure that I wouldn't get a position or forensic scientist.
I am doing a computer course after this that the training team have offered me..it includes spreadsheets and everything to do with word and all office programmes so that should be a good start to something!!!
I really could do with some ideas.

taxi73

Thanks Hypno ..I am thinking of starting in 2009 as I already have my holiday booked for jan 2009 and it will give me lots of time to give this serious thought.

Seaxwyn

Hi taxi, well done on the 50/50! A+ student!

My sister's partner has just finished an Accountancy degree with the OU and she is older than us! She plans to work from home doing bookkeeping for charities. I could ask her for any advice if you want - or pass on any questions.

And I'm nagging my OH to start a teaching qualification -he's 58!

mizmir

Ok - first things first. Think about hobbies/social activities (stuff you choose to do in yur spare time), things you are good at (not just like maths but "ordinary" stuff talking to people, making people laugh, listening etc), skills you have (e.g. cooking, driving, photography etc). Make some lists. Note down everything - however small it might be. Then see if anything jumps out at you - or post them here and we will see what we can come up with. I agree with Hypno - you need genuine interest in something to do a degree and it may be that some other kind of training is better for whatever it is you want to do (I have 3 degrees for my sins but in the end what I want to be doing has involved hands on training and a professional body assessment not the degrees!). Good luck.

taxi73

Thanks Seaxwyn and Mizmir...would you believe I have no hobbies whatsoever(that's why my diary is quite boring)...I've just been looking at the photography degree but can't see what I'd do with that one.
This is hard to come up with anything at all.I'm useless aren't I?
I don't know what I'm good at as I never do anything...I need a life!!!...I guess I am good at listening to people and I'm definitely a good driver.Apart from that nothing sticks out.I like reading.
If I was slim and fit and healthy I would be interested in being a personal trainer.
It's hard to come up with anything really so will have to keep thinking.
I have ordered the business prospectus from the OU and looked through our colleges prospectus.
I really should get my backside off here sometimes and find something interesting to do with my time(nothings more interesting than MSE to me at the moment..LOL) then perhaps I will find some hobbies.
I'm sadder than I thought as I have no interests!!!.