Career change at 30 - options?
Discussion
I've had thoughts running about in my head for a while now about a possible career change, but given the field I currently work in, I'm unsure as to my options. I have a Music degree and have 10 years experience of teaching - both one to one instrumental lessons, but more recently over the last few years as a classroom teacher in a secondary school.
For various reasons I'm beginning to think that teaching in the classroom is not a sustainable long term proposition for me (it really does take over your life - week nights, weekends etc) and I'm thinking of looking elsewhere. Hitting 30 has perhaps brought this realisation closer to home, in that if I'm going to make a career change, now is probably the time to do it rather than in 5 years (which could easily become 8 or 10...)
The problem is obviously finding a career and making the jump. I can't quite start at the bottom - I'm earning in the mid £20k region at the moment, and can't drop below £20k for a starter job in a new career. I'm numerate (A level Maths and Further Maths, AS Physics), obviously very strong with interpersonal/communication skills, working to deadlines and used to a fast paced working environment working in a school. I'm also technically minded in terms of DIY, fixing stuff, strong with IT (no coding experience though) and sound engineering equipment.
I've thought about looking at accountancy, or something based in finance. Friends have speculated about jobs in the commercial sector in corporate training. I'm not sure there are any local, stable jobs in sound engineering (broadcast engineering, radio?) and I'm not sure where to start looking in terms of finding something!
I'm not really looking for a golden egg, but perhaps some useful ideas or things I've not thought of might pop up out of a discussion.
For various reasons I'm beginning to think that teaching in the classroom is not a sustainable long term proposition for me (it really does take over your life - week nights, weekends etc) and I'm thinking of looking elsewhere. Hitting 30 has perhaps brought this realisation closer to home, in that if I'm going to make a career change, now is probably the time to do it rather than in 5 years (which could easily become 8 or 10...)
The problem is obviously finding a career and making the jump. I can't quite start at the bottom - I'm earning in the mid £20k region at the moment, and can't drop below £20k for a starter job in a new career. I'm numerate (A level Maths and Further Maths, AS Physics), obviously very strong with interpersonal/communication skills, working to deadlines and used to a fast paced working environment working in a school. I'm also technically minded in terms of DIY, fixing stuff, strong with IT (no coding experience though) and sound engineering equipment.
I've thought about looking at accountancy, or something based in finance. Friends have speculated about jobs in the commercial sector in corporate training. I'm not sure there are any local, stable jobs in sound engineering (broadcast engineering, radio?) and I'm not sure where to start looking in terms of finding something!
I'm not really looking for a golden egg, but perhaps some useful ideas or things I've not thought of might pop up out of a discussion.
Thanks for the input so far chaps, not been on the computer all week to catch up... Half term weeks are usually "real life catch up"!
In terms of what I enjoy about my current job - one of the things that I do enjoy about teaching is that I'm not tied to a desk all day. I enjoy the personal interaction (although not the 30+ disturbing knocks on the office door every lunch break!) of the job and I'm not convinced that a job on my own sat at a computer in an office is the way forward for me.
I like working on something and getting it done, and having something to show for it. One of the things I dislike about teaching is that nothing is ever finished. I also dislike the fact that probably half my workload seems extra work generated by micromanagement to prove I'm doing my job properly. I'm fully aware that a degree of this probably exists in most professions these days, but I'd prefer to be judged on the end result of a project - that sort of thing.
The Police job looked interesting, but despite being a Bedfordshire police job, and the Beds Police HQ being only 5 miles from my house... the job is in Newmarket!
Quantity Surveying does sound good however - engineering/construction interests me, and it does seem a good fit with my skills, and what I'd enjoy. I'll look further into it.
I wonder what else there might be out there...?!
In terms of what I enjoy about my current job - one of the things that I do enjoy about teaching is that I'm not tied to a desk all day. I enjoy the personal interaction (although not the 30+ disturbing knocks on the office door every lunch break!) of the job and I'm not convinced that a job on my own sat at a computer in an office is the way forward for me.
I like working on something and getting it done, and having something to show for it. One of the things I dislike about teaching is that nothing is ever finished. I also dislike the fact that probably half my workload seems extra work generated by micromanagement to prove I'm doing my job properly. I'm fully aware that a degree of this probably exists in most professions these days, but I'd prefer to be judged on the end result of a project - that sort of thing.
The Police job looked interesting, but despite being a Bedfordshire police job, and the Beds Police HQ being only 5 miles from my house... the job is in Newmarket!
Quantity Surveying does sound good however - engineering/construction interests me, and it does seem a good fit with my skills, and what I'd enjoy. I'll look further into it.
I wonder what else there might be out there...?!
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