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Need career advise

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I have been working in a nhs hospital aa an administrator  for 5 years then quit because I was looking after my toddler and had health issues. 
At my old job  I was earning  a  band 2 wage about minimum wage and  I got  comfortable and didn't think about moving up. I have a degree in computer.science but I didn't like programming so didn't pursue IT jobs.

My band 2 wage was enough back then but now as a single mom it's really hard to live off that wage and i would like to progress. I am really stuck on what to do next. I have a gap of nearly 3 years in my CV due to health issues but now am ready to go back to work.
 
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

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  • Marcon
    Marcon Posts: 14,453 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Amy345678 said:
    I have been working in a nhs hospital aa an administrator  for 5 years then quit because I was looking after my toddler and had health issues. 
    At my old job  I was earning  a  band 2 wage about minimum wage and  I got  comfortable and didn't think about moving up. I have a degree in computer.science but I didn't like programming so didn't pursue IT jobs.

    My band 2 wage was enough back then but now as a single mom it's really hard to live off that wage and i would like to progress. I am really stuck on what to do next. I have a gap of nearly 3 years in my CV due to health issues but now am ready to go back to work.
     
    Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
    Looking at your previous thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6217259/3-years-experience-as-an-admin-assistant-at-a-hospital-would-like-to-move-city-soon#latest I think you need to be realistic about your prospects. You've only ever had one full time job, lasting about 5 years, and before that 'struggled with unemployment'; you have a toddler to care for; you have health issues; and you haven't worked for 3 years.

    Maybe it's time to look from the other end of the telescope and start by ruling out things which aren't possible for you, whether logistically, based on health/childcare considerations, location or whatever? That should rule out a lot of no-hope job applications with the inevitable impact on your self esteem and state of mind.

    There are plenty of IT jobs which don't involve actual programming, so perhaps start by looking at what's available locally and/or as WFH - but the IT world will have moved on massively since you graduated. Could you retrain? Does your local council offer free or heavily subsided return to work courses? Would you consider something much less cerebral, such as a cleaner - round here that pays well above minimum wage, and the householders provide all the equipment.

    Very best of luck.


    Googling on your question might have been both quicker and easier, if you're only after simple facts rather than opinions!  
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