Gradual career change into Social studies/Care

granty1892

Hi,
Looking for some advice if possible, I currently work in the finance sector and have done so for the past 15 years. I’m 34 but my long term aspirations career wise is not to stay in the finance sector all my career but go into some form of social care/counselling.
As I’ve gotten older and more mature I’ve noticed that my desire to grow in the finance sector or move up the career ladder has decreased and my desire to ‘give back’ has gone up.

Now I’m not talking an immediate hand in my notice tomorrow job but more a gradual study into social care as I know the salary starting off isn’t great plus I have a family/mortgage etc

Has anyone studied this on a part time basis or something along those lines?
Has anyone got advice for someone looking to get into working with people from maybe damaged backgrounds, addiction, underprivileged backgrounds etc
Is there a course or volunteering anyone would recommend?

Thanks

Bakedwhite

Hi there, not much advice for you as in I'm in similar situation, trying to make informed choices and diversify my career a little. I will share some of the fruits of my research so far. I guess firstly you have to decide if its psychotherapy/counselling or social care you want to head towards. There are lots of part time degrees from private colleges for both. My sister is currently studying with PCI, this is specific to psychotherapy/counselling. You can then specialise in addiction etc. It is a very expensive route but you do end up with a well recognised university degree and my sister is finding it amazing. I've come across a few good social care trainings online which seem to be university standard, like Chevron training, it seems to be a cheaper option also.

I'm also currently volunteering with 50808, a text service that offers crisis support. I've found it a good way for me to personally get a taste of the counselling landscape. I'm also doing an online certificate course to introduce me to counselling, so I know if its an actual area of true interest, which it is. There are so many certificate trainings, I'd highly recommend doing one. You can't use it per-say, but it helps when applying for further courses to have shown an interest by completing a certificate and it definitely helps with personal development. So it's a win/win I think.

Wishing you good luck with it.

granty1892

Bakedwhite wrote: »

Hi there, not much advice for you as in I'm in similar situation, trying to make informed choices and diversify my career a little. I will share some of the fruits of my research so far. I guess firstly you have to decide if its psychotherapy/counselling or social care you want to head towards. There are lots of part time degrees from private colleges for both. My sister is currently studying with PCI, this is specific to psychotherapy/counselling. You can then specialise in addiction etc. It is a very expensive route but you do end up with a well recognised university degree and my sister is finding it amazing. I've come across a few good social care trainings online which seem to be university standard, like Chevron training, it seems to be a cheaper option also.

I'm also currently volunteering with 50808, a text service that offers crisis support. I've found it a good way for me to personally get a taste of the counselling landscape. I'm also doing an online certificate course to introduce me to counselling, so I know if its an actual area of true interest, which it is. There are so many certificate trainings, I'd highly recommend doing one. You can't use it per-say, but it helps when applying for further courses to have shown an interest by completing a certificate and it definitely helps with personal development. So it's a win/win I think.

Wishing you good luck with it.

Thanks so much for finding the time to write such valued advice. Is there courses you recommend? Cheers

pmrc

I'm also doing an online certificate course to introduce me to counselling,

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What is the name of the college you are doing the course with?
Is it QQI level 5?