Career change mums - what did you do? Post Reply

[mommydearest]

Dear Nappyvalley members,

I have a 2yo toddlers and hubby and I are currently TTC #2. I have been working in investment banking for a few years, I was lucky enough to be able to take a year off for maternity leave after which I came back to my old job.

After a year back I am fed up, I am not ready to stay at home, I want to work, but I don't want to do this anymore. I have been looking for something else for some time, and I have also been talking to a "coach" to see if I can get more clarity but I find myself lost not knowing what to do to find where I fit outside investment banking.

I start looking for roles and I usually end up applying to IB related positions because I don't see what else I can do.

I have my list of trasferable skills but I am struggling to move forward after this.

So my question to you is, what did you do after your maternity leave? How did you achieve a career change? to what areas did you move?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated, i feel lost and need some light.

thank you

[coldatchristmas]

Hi
This is a bit of a personal question but it is important, do you need the IB money?

The reason I ask is I have a lot of friends in the City and they've all tried to "break out" and almost none (!) has managed it as they talk to me about looking for other jobs that "only" pay around a £150k!

The one who did manage it has a partner in PE so could afford to do anything

[mommydearest]

Hi,

actually, no, i don't need the IB money. I am fully aware I am gonig for a pay cut. I am very lucky that I have the choice to stay at home, but that is not something I am prepared to do just yet.

I want to continue working.

I have purusued careers in other areas whith much less pay, but since I have no direct previous experience, then I am not even considered.

[Zaczac]

Do you fancy to start your own business? Or it's too much?

[BalhamMumWorkingFT]

Do you want to leave for a better life style like less hours or is it more about doing something different?

What sector? Would you re-train? Taking courses and re-training will also help develop a new network of people interested in doing what you want to do.

A friend of mine was a retail buyer and decided she wanted to teach school. She worked in a school as a volunteer for a year, then took some courses (1 1/2 years worth) and became a teacher. And now is getting her masters to become a school phycologist. Another is going back to school for a medical degree...

Usually you can find courses which can fit into a busy schedule. They both had kids and a job while doing classes... but their husbands stepped it up massively at home too.

[AbbevilleMummy]

My advice would be to stay as you are as your trying for your second.

My experience has been that having a second child was a game changer in so many respects and I feel totally different about everything having had number 2.

You will get a whole year of maternity leave to consider your options and research them and also taking a different career path whilst trying for a baby then being pregnant, then going on mat leave is putting a lot of pressure on yourself so if I were you I'd just take my time, keep the status quo, have another baby and then think about what I wanted to do with my career and newly enlarged family.

Good luck xx

[coldatchristmas]

if the money isn't an issue I'd look to do one of two things.

either take a complete change and move into a "worthwhile" sector, charity work etc.

the only problem with that is people I know who work in the charity sector all have the same issues about working with idiots and office politics and all seemed annoyed with their roles, they just get paid very little.

the other thing is to start your own business. I'd be inclined to take the banks shilling until you have number 2 and then go and do your own thing.

That'll give you the satisfaction and stimulus that you seek without all the "hassle" of a job.

[supergirl]

You can also retrain for a job in an industry you are passionate about.

I did 6,5yrs ago a career change and did a postgraduate diploma. It coincides with my arrival in the UK. It was the best thing and the hardest i have ever done. Cant believe the pay cut i took (this industry doesnt pay well unless you wirk for yourself), but i am lucky to be able to work (part time) in a creative industry.

Find your spark and go for it. You are lucky as money seem not to be an issue.

Sx

[lalectrice]

Why don't you work-shadow some people in different professions for a few days to get a sense of what it's actually like doing something unrelated to the field you feel a bit stuck in? I'm a teacher and a number of friends or friends of friends have shadowed me at work whilst considering a total career change. One of them had been a City financial analyst for years and is now about to qualify as an Economics teacher. She's training 'on the job' so is being paid a wage, and she loves her new role.