Hi mummas, I have recently found myself single after my husband announced he was leaving. I have been a SAHM for 15 years, after finishing high school. I have no work experience, or further education.
In looking at applying to uni next year and I have no idea what to study. The amount of options is overwhelming. I'm after ideas and suggestions of a degree / career path that will be family friendly for a single mum, while earning enough on my own to support my children and myself.
Thank you all for your suggestions xx
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3 Replies
Most jobs can be family friendly but they are in high demand. People often jump straight to teaching because ‘school holidays’ but teachers are leaving the job for stress related reasons etc.
I’d suggest something like accounting. It’s the sort of career that working remotely (from home) would work for.
I went to uni as an adult with two kids and studied teaching. I’m now teaching and while the pay is good and the holidays are amazing. I work really long hours during the week. I would easily do between 50 - 60 hours a week.... we are contracted and paid for 37.5 hours!
I would find this job nearly impossible if I was on my own, my husband is a huge support and we also have family around to help.
In my area it is yearly contract after yearly contract as ongoing positions are hard to come by. When you apply for a job you are up against a lot of other people. There is next to no job security unless you find an ongoing position.
Teaching also very rarely supports part time unless you do relief teaching.... which plenty of people are so happy doing!!
In saying that I love my job and apart from the huge stress and long hours it is great. My colleagues are all amazing and no day is the same.
My advice, find something you love and go from there! Any job is stressful and you’ll make it work!! Good luck Mumma, you can absolutely do this!!
I'm going against the crowd here. I worked in tertiary ed & many people pick degrees with no true idea of what the job entails, pay, hours, location of positions or available vacancies. A huge percentage of people never use their degree or leave the industry because they can't get a job, or realise they hate it. It's a huge financial & time investment so be sure you know what you're doing.
I'd suggest getting an entry level job in the industry you choose. Even if it's doing a Certificate level course. Do not pick a course on 'that sounds good' or 'X is earning well doing that'.
Eg, teacher - to a TA course. Accountant (excellent option but not very exciting) - book keeping or do reception in a financial firm. Sometimes similar but lower quals can be used as RPL (recognition of prior learning) and reduce the number of uni course units required. Also, even with a degree, no prior work experience goes against you if you're competing with a bunch of other new graduates. If you're working for a firm in another capacity & tell them you're studying, often you'll get a job offer or at least be more attractive to another firm.
Don't discount other professions though. There are plenty of jobs that earn on par or better than some uni grads. (I did, and plan to again).