Career change while working full time?

snowqueen555

Hi all

Stuck in a dead end job, looing for a career change, but am very risk averse. It seems the only route is to quit my stable dead end job and go and study, which is a big risk and financial gamble I am not sure i can afford.
Has anyone had any examples of being able to change careers while working?
Thanks

bermudianmark

I think this is the worse time to consider any radical change, in a few months large numbers of people will be coming off furlough and joining the ranks of the unemployed, so your stable job, albeit dead end will be in demand.

Simon11

We need far more help to advice.

What are you doing now?

Where are you looking to go in your career and study?

Marcon

snowqueen555 said:

Stuck in a dead end job, looing for a career change, but am very risk averse. It seems the only route is to quit my stable dead end job and go and study, which is a big risk and financial gamble I am not sure i can afford.

Why is that the only route? How many options have you considered, such as an adult apprenticeship? 

AskAsk

i have changed career while fully employed but it wasn't easy and it just happened at the right time for me.  i only managed to change career because i had specialist knowledge from my existing career that my new employer needed.  if you want a smooth transition, you would only be able to achieve this if you had skills and knowledge that is tranferable to the new industry, where the new employer would be willing to take you on and train you in exchange for what you can offer them when you have been fully trained by them.

Brynsam

snowqueen555 said:

Hi all

Stuck in a dead end job, looing for a career change, but am very risk averse. It seems the only route is to quit my stable dead end job and go and study, which is a big risk and financial gamble I am not sure i can afford.
Has anyone had any examples of being able to change careers while working?
Thanks

Why do you need to quit your job to study? Plenty of those in previous generations opted for that wonderful standby which used to be known as 'night school'. Nowadays you not only have the option of attending classes part time during the evenings or at weekends (or will have, one hopes in the not too distant future!), but endless online study opportunities.

snowqueen555

Not many night classes, they are very limited.

I work in admin. Trying to move into social care beginning with an NVQ but is difficult, job market is crazy right now. Applied for do many jobs, no responses.

I'm not fussy, looking for a new career path with prospects.

Savvy_Sue

snowqueen555 said:

Not many night classes, they are very limited.

I work in admin. Trying to move into social care beginning with an NVQ but is difficult, job market is crazy right now. Applied for do many jobs, no responses.

I'm not fussy, looking for a new career path with prospects.

Workers Educational Association are running lots over Zoom. https://www.wea.org.uk/find-course

Thrugelmir

snowqueen555 said:

job market is crazy right now. Applied for do many jobs, no responses.

A good reason to hang onto your current position. Not going to improve for some considerable time. 

Nebulous2

snowqueen555 said:

Not many night classes, they are very limited.

I work in admin. Trying to move into social care beginning with an NVQ but is difficult, job market is crazy right now. Applied for do many jobs, no responses.

I'm not fussy, looking for a new career path with prospects.

What type of social care are you looking for? Its unlikely you would need an NVQ right away, you could study for it whilst in the role. 

I've recruited a lot of people into care, and it can be a tough transition. That was less so if people had caring experience. Traditionally we recommended people tried voluntary work to get a taster, but a lot of those opportunities aren't around at the moment. 

Michael_Bear

@snowqueen555

YOLO. Make the change, don't listen to negative nellys. Just think you'll be working until your 67-70.(age dependent) so a couple of years sacrifice is worth it.

Can't give you a good personal example just to say I'm in a similar position and taking the leap (albeit from a pretty financial sound platform after a few years of saving).