Starting a career from scratch wanting ideas

[VolvoT5]

As per the topic title really. Has anyone has started a career from scratch or re-trained with minimal experience a bit later life; 30s or 40s maybe. If so what route did or would you go down and why?

I have little interest in a high flying career but something a bit more than minimum wage and a dead end job with little security would be nice. Though I have no problem with starting low and working up.

It seems like there are plenty of courses and training providers out there but having investigated a few many seem like cons mainly designed to make the providers money. I've considered things from University courses to LGV driving to learning a Trade but I'm not so sure. I'm thinking preferably something with the ability to go self-employed as I prefer to work alone, under my own direction.

I'm wondering about AAT accountancy or I.T.... something like CompTIA. Has anyone done similar to get a foot in the door?

[VolvoT5]

andy-xr said:

I didnt really get that from your opening post, it read a bit like 'I'm bored, what do you do, can I do that' and that's no way to spend your time, money and effort for something that you might not believe in (and will probably get bored of mid-way and then not compete it)


Find something that actually excites you and figure out how to make it pay at least the bills and then a bit more

Meh, that is a fair assessment to be honest. Very little in life excites me, that is the issue.

[VolvoT5]

condor said:

I went from 14 years in engineering to 14 years in retail management. That was starting a new career from scratch. Similarly, another career change, I've been a self employed dog walker and house sitter for the last 7 years.

Round here currently, the most in demand self-employed folk are gardeners. It's a summer job, obviously, but if you're handy with a mower and chainsaw then there's plenty of work available.

Nope, very few gardening skills unfortunately.

Retail work is pretty much open to all and yeah it can be possible to start low and work up... but around here it is mainly 0 hours. Plus a customer facing service role would not suit my personality at all.

[VolvoT5]

swerni said:

Sales only turned into a career for me about 8 years ago, before that it was just something I did until I found a real job.

IT is changing massively, it's not an industry I'd be looking to get into.

When you say changing can you expand? What about web development / design?

[VolvoT5]

burritoNinja said:

I feel IT is hard to get into. I have nearly completed my computer science degree and I hold some professional certifications such as CCNA, Network Security and also ten years experience within web development

...

Sounds tough, but then every industry sounds tough these days. What you are saying seems to reflect a bit on the research I've done in that many of these roles want tons of experience and professional certs even for entry level. I'm wondering if CISCO CCNA 1 is worth doing as it is something offered by local colleges or even via the Open University, not that I've any real interest in going down the University route again.

IDK, I think I am more of a fixer than an inventor or creator.

[VolvoT5]

burritoNinja said:

...
That is where a Masters degree comes in very useful for gaining employment. Plus all the contacts you can make. I would advise that you go join local user groups for whatever technology you have a passion for. Also join the IEEE and the likes. It looks great on a CV and you really get to meet up and know some of the best engineers/developers in the business.

Yep, that is the issue. I don't have a 'passion' for anything in particular. I enjoy using computers, enjoy occasionally playing around with a bit of web design and I've done some study in the past but no real passion.... well not to the depth required probably.

I should probably think again.

[VolvoT5]

Foliage said:

https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/what-magistra...


Id be interested in working in the court system, once ive had a few more years life experience

Doesn't pay anything? Also I'm too soft, I would be falling for every sob story and be letting everyone off everything!

Sigh. I have no realistic ideas whatsoever. I'm not after becoming the next Branson, just something reasonable that is a bit more than a minimum wage skivvy.

[VolvoT5]

swerni said:

At the right moment, I want to (if I can ) become a postman.
It's the best exit strategy I have at the moment.

Hmm... not a bad idea. I enjoy walking and fresh air in all weathers. Not great money or very mentally stimulating though.

[VolvoT5]

Podie said:

Sparky or plumber would probably be a decent option.

If you're a desk bound type, project management.

Yes this interests me too but how the hell to achieve it. Traditional apprenticeships seem to be aimed at under 25s. Some other routes in such as electrical domestic installer courses seem like a good way to achieve a qualification and lighten your wallet, but not actually be able to get a job because they all want the time served variety.. and I doubt doing such a course over 35 weeks would provide sufficient experience or confidence to go self employed.

[VolvoT5]

sparks_E39 said:

I've just been left a couple of grand by a grandparent who sadly passed, seriously thinking about buying a Van and a mower/gardening tools and getting my name out there. I just don't know if it will bring in enough.. I need to really earn £22-£25k minimum... I'm 29 and a bit fed up.

I think it would take a while to establish any business. I don't know what area you are from but in my area I don't see how clearing £500 a week average all year around would be achievable just from gardening because there are so many people advertising similar services. But maybe if you are going to branch out into handy man, man with van, etc, etc.

[VolvoT5]

I'm seriously considering signing up for an AAT level 2 certificate, has anyone got any experience?

[VolvoT5]

chrisb92 said:

Yes, I lost my job last September (aged 23) and decided to start afresh and I started AAT level 2 in January and I completed it about a month ago, and start level 3 in September.

It's quite easy, but necessary to give you a good understanding of the basics in accounting. I'd recommend it

Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know about it!

Hi, thanks for the input. I'm only 30 btw, I don't know why I put 30 - 40s in my OP!

Well I have no experience of accounting whatsoever, but I have been working through a free taster tutorial which I have found reasonably interesting. I've studied at University level before (but dropped out) so I know I can study, but I think level 2 appears to be the right starting point based on my lack of background experience.

I'm torn between the idea of attending a local college (circa £1000 and takes a full year) or distance learning via Kaplan or similar agencies which appears to be slightly cheaper with perhaps the possibility of completing in less than a year. Some sources even suggest it is possible to just buy the books, home study and pay for the exams separately.


Anyway, how did you go about it college or online learning and have you managed to find any work or work experience?

I have to say I'm also confused at the number of accounting qualifications and professional bodies out there. But my understanding is you can do AAT 2 & 3 which are for assistant or bookeeper roles, but only by moving on to AAT 4 and MAAT or possibly some kind of conversion to ACA is what is required to be a full accountant.

[VolvoT5]

swerni said:

At the right moment, I want to (if I can ) become a postman.
It's the best exit strategy I have at the moment.

I've actually applied for a couple of postie jobs now and I'm waiting to hear back, fingers crossed. I was surprised that the money is reasonable enough for the level of skill involved (basically none), though apparently they have a high turn over of staff ?

Also considering investigating getting a class 2 or class 1 LGV license. I'm very decisive.

[VolvoT5]

Petrolhead_Rich said:

Quite a few people I speak to in transport say it's getting difficult to earn good money now, according to them the market is over-saturated with foreign agency drivers, and with modern rules and regs like CPC to worry about it's a bit of a nightmare apparently.

Posties are well paid because most people see it as a bit of a dead-end job, I guess in summer it's not too bad (apart from getting attacked by dogs), but I would imagine winter is a bit harsh. On the plus side, plenty of exercise and fresh air brings health benefits

Well the ones I applied for are 25 hour contracts so you are never gonna get rich, but then I guess there is a limit to how many rounds you can walk in one week before exhaustion sets in. 25 hours would leave time to do something else though. But yeah I get what you are saying it is quite dead end.


As for transport, well I keep hearing mixed things. Some lads saying they passed their test and a year later are in decent jobs earning well....... but plenty of old timers online are saying what you just said - the money is rubbish, there are too many regulations and foreign drivers these days...

[VolvoT5]

crazy about cars said:

Sorry OP, I'm getting mixed signals here. Do you want a new, more challenging career or do you want an easy job you can get into which earns lots of money?

Not sure if you are having a dig or not but I don't think I ever said I wanted lots of money for an easy job, or a challenging career.

Mixed signals is quite possibly because I'm not sure myself. I have a lot of ideas floating around but none of them sit entirely comfortably or are practical.