Too late to change career??

the glass woman

Hi there,
I'm not sure if I am going through an early mid life crisis or what, but I am thinking of packing in the career I studied so hard for.
I'm 29 yrs old, married, with a 9 month old son, and I'm due to go back from my maternity leave in about a months time. Hopefully part time. And I suppose it's thinking about this that is making me re-evaluate my life's choices. (btw I was thinking about writing this in the education forum, but as yet its more of a personal issue until i've decided what to do for definite)

I've a first class honours degree in Electronic Media and a diploma in Media Production and up til now I've successfully worked in that industry, but i've known for quite a while its not a very 'mother/family woman' friendly industry, and I really think i would be happier packing it in and pursuing something I had thought about in the past, which is teaching. Hardly related, i know! But the fact that i've found myself thinking more and more about it, is probably a sign that i should've followed that career choice in the first place all those years ago.

I suppose i also feel a bit stuck in a rut with work, as i know any future i have in the media industry will be compromised a bit, as my first and foremost priority is my son. Also i don't think as many doors will be opened for me because of that, also i'm one of only a couple of women in a totally male dominated workplace! But also i took some evening classes to keep me sane while on maternity leave and I realised how much i really love learning, and keeping my mind active.

So i suppose i'm wondering has anyone out there been in a similar situation, and how did you justify throwing all those years studying away, (i know learning is never a waste..) Also, how hard was it to balance college and a family? I am really hoping I could study part time..

Many thanks.

smashey

Have a look in the Mature/Non-Traditional Students forum. You're not alone in wanting to change and while it can be daunting, it can also be very rewarding.

LegacyUser

you can do primary part time

http://www.hiberniacollege.net/SchoolofEducation/HDAPE/tabid/63/Default.aspx

Just make sure its what you really want, and not just apprehension about returning to work. Also with so many people returning to teaching, you may not necessarily walk into a job straightaway..but it its want you want, go for it. dont live to have regrets

Dudess

I would say go for it if you can. Media is a horrible industry - I've worked there myself - and I really regret not doing teaching or psychology. I'm seriously considering going back to do a teaching course myself.

It would be hard work being a full-time student and a mother, and quite a strain financially in terms of childcare costs, but I'm sure you've thought about all of this. And you will have financial entitlements, plus colleges have creche facilities.

Is it primary or secondary teaching you'd like?

the_syco

the glass woman wrote: »

I've a first class honours degree in Electronic Media and a diploma in Media Production and up til now I've successfully worked in that industry

...

which is teaching.

One word: combine.

How many years do you have in the industry? Look into getting a teaching qualification, so that you could teach Media realted stuff at a college, or at a PLC. Think you need 3 years + qualification to teach that subject in a PLC. Dunno how it'd work for a college.

the glass woman

Thanks everyone,

I was actually hoping to only do the training part time, even if it takes a bit longer, it's home economics teaching i'd like to do, though i wouldnt mind primary teaching either. As far as I know home ec. teaching is only available in St.Angela's in Sligo, but i've contacted the college to see what they say.

It will definitly be a struggle, and I'd really like to continue working part time until I qualify, I know it sounds like i'm taking on too much, and I've had very tough pregnancy and maternity leave, healthwise, so that's really why I'm a bit wary of it..

I did consider teaching something in the media field, I've about 5 years experience in the industry, but it really wouldn't be my first choice

Dudess

Yeah, Sligo is the only place that trains home ec teachers as far as I know. Do you live in that area? If not, there is the option of the Hibernia College online primary teaching diploma. I know a mother of five who is doing that. It's completed by correspondence and there are workshops/teaching practicals every so often. It's recognised by the Department of Education. http://www.hiberniacollege.net/SchoolofEducation/HDAPE/tabid/63/Default.aspx

ztoical

never too late - my dad worked in the civil service for years - two kids and a mortgage but wasn't happy in his job and at the age of 45 quit to follow a dream of working aboard. He did a course in Ireland and got work with GOAL in Sri Lanka and with the United Nations development program in East Timor, Liberia and Kosovo. The difference was amazing, he loved his work and was never worried about his age.

Not saying you have to go work in dangerous spots around the world but just that its never to late to start a new carer. There are great options for mature students now and help with day care for kids.

Elmo

You should start applying for teaching jobs now. With a first class honours degree you could be teaching in your area in many of the PLCs around the country.

I don't think you can do the HDip parttime. You could do JEB Diploma in IT training parttime over 20 hours with FAS while teaching in the PLC.

The Dublin VECs (not sure if your in dublin) but they look for Pro-rata teachers around this time of year: -
www.cdvec.ie
www.codubvec.ie

Also you could start of doing night course in one of your local secondary schools and see if you really want to start teaching (2 nights a week for 2 hours, I am sure your husband could look after your baby, you can tell I don't have any children)

you could teach parttime and do your Home Ec teaching degree in the meantime.

the glass woman

Dudess wrote: »

Yeah, Sligo is the only place that trains home ec teachers as far as I know. Do you live in that area? If not, there is the option of the Hibernia College online primary teaching diploma. I know a mother of five who is doing that. It's completed by correspondence and there are workshops/teaching practicals every so often. It's recognised by the Department of Education.http://www.hiberniacollege.net/SchoolofEducation/HDAPE/tabid/63/Default.aspx

I live in Dublin so Sligo wouldn't really be an option. I was hoping I could do something online actually, so I'll certainly look into that Hibernia College course, thanks for that tip!

spurious

The Dip in DCU is a two year course and in the evening. It might suit.

Dudess

Think the Hibernia diploma got a bit of stick initially - there were concerns that it was bogus. But no, it seems to be the real deal. My mate's a primary teacher and says it's quite a highly regarded course.

AARRRGH

You can do it. You'll find the time and you'll adjust to having less money.

I plan on starting a Ph.D in two to three years. (I'm 30 by the way.)

This will mean four years of being fairly poor.

I have a plan: save around 1 - 1.5 thousand per month over the next few years, and continue building up my websites (see my sig) so they are making decent money by then.

I would love to be able to start a Ph.D immediately but I can't afford it. My current plan is realistic and will mean it will be less of a struggle.

The fact that I will be 36 when I qualify is a total non-issue for me. It does not matter what age you are. You need to live your life the way you want to.

So if you need to put off your dream for a few years, that's ok. Basically plan your career change so it will be as doable and stress free as possible.

Good luck!

jdivision

Dudess wrote: »

Media is a horrible industry - I've worked there myself - and I really regret not doing teaching or psychology

Dudess can you stop constantly condemning the whole industry. It's getting a bit tiresome. You had a bad experience, hundreds have had good ones.

Dudess

I'm not referring to my own experiences at all, I'm referring to what I've observed in general.

Plus, I'm not "constantly condemning the whole industry". That's bullsh1t. I moaned a few times recently about the fact that it's really hard to get a job in the area - that it's a case of who you know, you'll only get freelance work as it's cheaper for the employer than to make a person full-time, and they can exploit the fact that so, so many people want to get into the media, in terms of pay, security etc - all legitimate concerns in my opinion. And the pattern can be seen across the industry, if more prevalent within certain companies.

As for my own experiences as a freelancer: they were mixed, but some of them absolutely great.

LegacyUser

Some great stuff here.

I'm changing my career too at 32 and despite having some serious crisis in whether I should or not, these examples always inspire me to continue!

I'm going back to rent too, but I don't care - I cannot look back unhappy in 20 years wishing I could go back....It's now or never.

45, leaving Civil Service to work for Goal, if that's not an inspiration to you, I don't know what is.

What a man to do that - so impressive.

the glass woman

Just wanted to thank everyone for the encouragement and advice. After some long, hard thinking, I've handed in my notice, re evaluated my finances and organised a mortgage break to take the pressure off, booked a holiday in the sun for me, my husband, and baby, and am all set to enrole in college starting this september, and am going to the open day this evening. After 2 hard years healthwise i'm so excited to be getting out there and starting a new challenge!

jellie

Thats really great Good luck with it