long term unemployed any career options

Marcon

Grumpy_chap said:

The OP does not tell us what their health / disability concerns are and whether that impacts the choices they will have.

Nothing is impossible, but moving into IT will not be easy.

With a degree in English, teaching is an obvious choice, but this does not suit the OP.  Other careers that will fit well with the OP's qualifications include HR, charity administration, proof reading / editing, journalism.  Maybe doing piece work administration tasks.

Can the OP enquire at Job Centre Plus?  They often offer support such as aptitude assessment and can offer training to support development.

Proof reading is poorly paid, laborious and extremely hard to break into unless you have the right contacts - ditto editing. OP hasn't mentioned having any qualifications - just an English degree. 

You have hit on a good idea with journalism, or at least one which is easy to put to the test at little or no cost. OP, get yourself a copy of the Writers and Artists Yearbook and read the good advice in that, then submit a few articles to publications which accept submissions from freelancers. Be prepared for silence/rejection and don't let it get you down. Persistence and a thick skin are always useful attributes in this particular field!

Grumpy_chap

Marcon said:

OP hasn't mentioned having any qualifications - just an English degree. 

the_mixer said:

I have an English degree 

I rather took the OP's statement that they have "an English degree" to mean they have a degree in English and suggested jobs with a link to that skill-set.  However many years ago, the fundamentals will all still be there.  Of course, it is not simply the subject matter of the degree, but also the proven ability to process data etc. that comes with the same.  A degree in English is very definitely a qualification of good standard.

Brynsam

Grumpy_chap said:

Marcon said:

OP hasn't mentioned having any qualifications - just an English degree. 

the_mixer said:

I have an English degree 

I rather took the OP's statement that they have "an English degree" to mean they have a degree in English and suggested jobs with a link to that skill-set.  However many years ago, the fundamentals will all still be there.  Of course, it is not simply the subject matter of the degree, but also the proven ability to process data etc. that comes with the same.  A degree in English is very definitely a qualification of good standard.

I don't think many people would see an English degree as any sort of 'skill set' - just an academic qualification in the same way as many other arts degrees. The fact advertisements very rarely make any reference to needing a degree in English says it all.

[Deleted User]

Like OP, I am in my early 40s, with a degree (and MA) in English literature.  I have an extremely patchy work record after the age of 30 and chronic anxiety.  

A year or two back I managed to get myself on to a Data Science MSc course - although this proved to be short-lived.

I had a few things in my favour: no children or caring commitments; able to get to central London; and some money to throw at the problem. Against me was that I had zero programming experience, and a B in GCSE mathematics from 25 years earlier.

First I had sessions with a life coach.  Then I took beginners programming classes at a further education college.  I soon identified Python as the language to learn.   I went to an open day at Birkbeck, who have an MSc they say is aimed at career changers or people returning to the workplace.  

Then I took more courses at the further education college, and found that the tutor was very kindly and looked over the guidance notes from Birkbeck and helped me prepare for the entrance test.

I also went to some data science talks I found on MeetUp.

I put in my application, using my writing skills to concoct a compelling (if exaggerated) personal statement.  When I went for the entrance test I was a wreck, underprepared as well as unused to the crowds.   Fortunately the invigilator said at the beginning that if anyone wasn't ready, they should leave before the start and come back another time. 

So I got up and left, put more work in, and went back the next month and passed the test.  

Unfortunately once I actually started the course, it all unravelled.  Birkbeck were very understanding, as I'd declared mental health and disability issues from the start.   But the fact was that it had taken me two months of cramming to learn enough to pass their entrance test.   Yet we covered more material in the first fortnight of just one module.  I think the entry test was at GCSE level, but in practice the course was full of IT professionals, mathematicians, statisticians looking to advance their careers. 

And unfortunately my anxiety soon tipped me into paralysis   Unlike 20 years ago I couldn't sit in an empty room or a library and just lose myself in work.  The constant mental chatter and gnawing physical dread overwhelmed me.  

Although I could have deferred, I quit the course at the end of the first term.  And that was the end of my attempt to get into data science.   

Of course all the resources for this field are available online.   But there were advantages to an in-person course in a pre-Covid world.   For example I got talking to one of the professors about my situation/difficulties, and he said that at the end of the first year I should talk to him, as he'd know of some paid work I could do.  I also chatted to a few coursemates (though most people rushed off home straight after lectures), and there were online chat groups where people on the course communicated (Slack).

Sorry if this is not a story that ends in success!  But there's at least one positive aspect which is it shows how we can move forward step by step... Even if we're aiming at the wrong thing, and sometimes have to start over.

[Deleted User]

I met a guy last year who works at a tech firm as a sales director.   He goes on jollies with the clients, tells them what the firm can do, and communicates with the techies about what the clients want.   He's 30 and making close to 6 figures.   He'd been in recruitment previously.   

Not a job that the OP or I would be able to get!  But a good use of an arts background.

[Deleted User]

I wonder if it might be possible to retrain to a non-mathematical role in the field of insurance?

HouseTargaryen

As others have said, an entry role is more realistic. Therefore the company is just as important as the role. Lots of companies advertise internally first, so if you get your foot in the door at the right company, promotion will happen if you work hard and smart. 
I know someone that was also out of work for a long period, not too disimilar to you in that they have a degree and some sales experience. He studied finance at the open uni as well, not sure what level I think PG and is strong with IT despite no qualifications in them. He got a part time admin role with a firm, then moved to admin in their finance team and then an internal position for a finance officer came up and he got it. He said he'd have 0% chance of getting that role if he wasn't an internal candidate. 

MovingForwards

Without knowing more about your work history and health it's hard for anyone to say anything but general ideas and comments.

My concern for you is being out of work for 5 years and wanting to plunge into a high income / high pressure job. Potentially that will undo any progress you have made in able to return to work.

I would also suggest dipping your toe in, settle back into working and see how your health copes with it, then look at working upwards.

I've taken a slower pace of life due to health reasons and gave up my then career; I've not had a break from work.

I mentally went over every job I've ever had, wrote a mental list of what I enjoyed / thrived in and what I really didn't want anything to do with again. Then I looked at various job adverts to see how I could transfer the enjoyable skills into what the company was looking for and could adjust my CV accordingly.

One job got me a foot in the door and talking to various people gave me an idea about how interviews are expected to go, to turn it into a job offer; one person told me exactly what was needed and I landed the next job I was interviewed for. I'm now looking at what I'm doing in my job, monitoring my health and contemplating taking the next step on the ladder.

Like one of the other posters, I tried to do a degree, but dropped out just before the end of the first year. I've got this far without one and I'm not competing with 20 year olds, I've got 20+ years of employment behind me at various levels all waiting to be used in one way or another.