Career re training advice?

Vmclean

Hi all!
I'm 31 years old and am currently a retail manager and have been for many years in different sectors. Since all the madness of covid, it really has made reevaluate my life and what I'm doing with it in my career. However I have no idea where to start or what to do.

Does anyone have any advice about who to talk too or where to start? I am happy to re train but I will have to work alongside the training and I am completely lost on where to start or how I could accomplish this?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Sshabir

Is your education qualifications related to Retail sector?

lincroft1710

Only you can decide what you want to do.

You must have some idea of what you want. Any hobbies or interests you would consider converting to employment? What do you not want to do?

Vmclean

Sshabir said:

Is your education qualifications related to Retail sector?

So I have qualifications within the retail sector as they were offered to me throughout my career but I have also gained qualifications for a number of different things outside of work but nothing that would lead me to a career really.
I would like to do something creative or helping people, something more meaningful I guess but I genuinely don't know where to start to look or how this equates to a new career path. 

General_Grant

Try Careers advice - job profiles, information and resources | National Careers Service 

Brynsam

Vmclean said:

Sshabir said:

Is your education qualifications related to Retail sector?

So I have qualifications within the retail sector as they were offered to me throughout my career but I have also gained qualifications for a number of different things outside of work but nothing that would lead me to a career really.
I would like to do something creative or helping people, something more meaningful I guess but I genuinely don't know where to start to look or how this equates to a new career path. 

You're not alone, but there don't seem to be any magic paths you can tread to get you to a new destination. If you don't know what you want to do by way of a career, it can sometimes be helpful to write two lists:

1. things you definitely don't want to do, be they actual jobs, or just certain actions/activities
2. what really matters to you. 'Meaningful' can mean such different things to different people - and it would always be sensible to be realistic about the material side. If you've got a mortgage and you are the only person whose income ensures it is paid, a huge drop in pay, or taking time out to be a full time student, might simply not be options.

Do some googling on 'career change', look at some free online courses (try https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5960710/the-great-free-online-courses-hunt-updated-february-2019) and have a listen to some of the podcasts from the BBC on just this topic, from people who feel as you do and have made the leap.

Good luck.

bartelbe

My advice is look at job ads for the field you're thinking about before spending a penny on qualifications. Plus talk to employers and find out what they want. You might make some social contacts that can help you down the line.

I am very cynical about the value qualifications, I couldn't fit all mine on most job applications and I can't say that they have been much use. Employers rate relevant workplace experience over qualifications. Transferable skills is nice buzzword but doesn't have much reality in the UK jobs market.

Basically don't get your hopes up and don't burn your bridges.