New Career Direction

Hello Jalisia...

You are a credit to your children and yourself. Many years ago i started an Open University degree as i wanted to better myself...i completed the first year and thoroughly enjoyed it, I wanted to continue but was told by the X that i couldn't as we couldn't afford it...meanwhile the X completed his Masters to better his career, this cost a lot of money...and this will be one of my counter arguments come the settlement, I realise now that this individual really held me back!
So now i find myself wondering what is it that i feel really feel passionate about?
This is a work in progress and i am seriously considering the University route as i already work at one and i could fit my job around a degree...this is your time now.

I am struggling with this myself - what about counselling or mediation?

Thank you all so much for your replies - lots of great ideas.

Jalisia

Great advice from Mitchum.

The thing is, you can now get a student loan no matter what your age is. And, like younger students, you only start paying it back when your income reaches a certain level.

There are also 24+ loans available for other qualifications. Some professional qualifications can be covered by these.

And apprenticeships are supposed to be open to all ages so you could try that route.

I have a colleague who was widowed a year ago, made redundant and has now enrolled in a performing arts course to fulfil a long held ambition. I made a career change into education post divorce. Took a teaching qualification, then a Master's (despite no first degree). A few years on my children are independent so I took redundancy and have been enjoying a grown up gap year. Much of the time has been doing voluntary work with students and teachers in India. In the last ten years I have also worked in Africa and China - something I would never have thought possible.

I guess what I am saying is that although you do need to earn a living, now is also the time to choose how you do it and lay foundations for your future.

It may help to visit a local careers advisory service to go through what you are good at and see what options may be available.

It is scary. But it is also a great opportunity to assert yourself .

Movingon. I wonder if the credits you got from that first year could still be used towards a full degree?

Hadenoughnow

Yes great advice indeed thank you all - Hadenoughnow you are very inspirational with all your ideas - you certainly have made the most of your life - turning all what seems so negative into positives - I truly am inspired by all of these suggestions/ideas - thank you