What can I do next?
Discussion
January has been a slog financially and motivationally.
I’m on the lookout for another job to hopefully earn a bit more but I’m stuck.
I feel like I don’t have any discernible skills and I don’t have any qualifications that can help when I look at what’s out there.
My mind is defaulting to similar admin jobs when looking/applying so I feel like I’m blocking stuff out that I could potentially try but I don’t know.
I do admin now and have done for a while, I’ve worked in retail, in a warehouse, as a teaching assistant, as a counsellor (ultimately didn’t qualify).
I don’t have a degree, just A levels and a level 3 qualification (counselling).
What can I do next? I’d like to learn new things to either broaden my abilities and employability or specialise in something. I’d honestly give consideration to most things, I need help seeing them. What’s out there for a completely average person with average experience in average entry level jobs? What can I teach myself at home when not at work to add strings to my bow?
I’m on the lookout for another job to hopefully earn a bit more but I’m stuck.
I feel like I don’t have any discernible skills and I don’t have any qualifications that can help when I look at what’s out there.
My mind is defaulting to similar admin jobs when looking/applying so I feel like I’m blocking stuff out that I could potentially try but I don’t know.
I do admin now and have done for a while, I’ve worked in retail, in a warehouse, as a teaching assistant, as a counsellor (ultimately didn’t qualify).
I don’t have a degree, just A levels and a level 3 qualification (counselling).
What can I do next? I’d like to learn new things to either broaden my abilities and employability or specialise in something. I’d honestly give consideration to most things, I need help seeing them. What’s out there for a completely average person with average experience in average entry level jobs? What can I teach myself at home when not at work to add strings to my bow?
The unhelpful answer is that only you can decide.
But if it were me, I'd circle back to the Counselling thing. You appear to have previously embarked upon studying for this. OK - you failed the first time round but you started the journey so why not take a second look? Look at why you didn't qualify and reapply yourself to it. It's the one thing on your list that could be deemed a 'career path' rather than just a job.
If not...
Learning something at home is not to be sniffed at but I'd suggest it worth you looking at embarking on some form of structured learning with a qualification at the end it. Take a look at what adult evening courses are offered at local colleges and see if there's something that floats your boat there. This will make you much more employable than doing a Udemy course on something at home because it demonstrates proven commitment to something.
But if it were me, I'd circle back to the Counselling thing. You appear to have previously embarked upon studying for this. OK - you failed the first time round but you started the journey so why not take a second look? Look at why you didn't qualify and reapply yourself to it. It's the one thing on your list that could be deemed a 'career path' rather than just a job.
If not...
Learning something at home is not to be sniffed at but I'd suggest it worth you looking at embarking on some form of structured learning with a qualification at the end it. Take a look at what adult evening courses are offered at local colleges and see if there's something that floats your boat there. This will make you much more employable than doing a Udemy course on something at home because it demonstrates proven commitment to something.
I know this is usually my default answer to any question such as this, but have you considered starting your own business?
If that feels like too big a leap, taking on a franchise is a great way to start off working for yourself, but not by yourself. There are about 1,000 different franchised brands in the UK, and there is usually something for everyone, whatever their skillsets or interests. Funding is readily available (assuming you haven't got some sort of disastrous credit score, but even then...)
Let me know if this might be of interest and I can signpost you to more resources.
If that feels like too big a leap, taking on a franchise is a great way to start off working for yourself, but not by yourself. There are about 1,000 different franchised brands in the UK, and there is usually something for everyone, whatever their skillsets or interests. Funding is readily available (assuming you haven't got some sort of disastrous credit score, but even then...)
Let me know if this might be of interest and I can signpost you to more resources.
Many commentators are suggesting that typical admin roles could be a thing of the past very soon as a result of the massive strides that ‘AI’ is making.
That leaves the non-processy roles (for now at least), still needed to be done by humans, and that includes anything where empathy may be required.
Therefore, as StevieBee suggests, unless you have an utter distaste for it, counselling may not be a bad place to head. Teaching Assistant similarly.
Good luck!
That leaves the non-processy roles (for now at least), still needed to be done by humans, and that includes anything where empathy may be required.
Therefore, as StevieBee suggests, unless you have an utter distaste for it, counselling may not be a bad place to head. Teaching Assistant similarly.
Good luck!
Have you considered a career in healthcare? NHS? There are all sorts of jobs out there and not necessarily in or related to counselling. If you can't afford to go back to studying then go for a role in the NHS: admin, porter, anything. That will get you in the door for degree apprenticeships which are mostly internal / biased towards internal candidates.
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