drhewitt

Hi y'all,

I'm 32, moving back to the UK next year (I live in the US) and am wondering what to do in terms of work. I have a wife and two young daughters to support so I can't be too choosy.

I have two degrees, Business Management (but no management exp) and a BA in English. Currently, I design and produce competition newsletters for subscribers in the UK and USA. I'm fairly good with MS Access and VB.

In the UK I worked briefly for the NHS as an HR assistant, and then as a technician for a local university. I studied in the US shortly after moving over.

My interests lie in editing/editorial work.

I looked at some UK job sites and the pay seems pretty low for almost everything unless it's an executive job.

Any advice would be appreciated.


PS - Excuse the spelling mistake in the thread title - I just woke up. (for should be to)

Jokerman

Could be time for a career change. Have you thought about doing an online Editing course, or similar? Get a job and study in your free-time. This is what I am doing , and it's working out pretty well. I just need a job now til I qualify. Arrived back in Blighty on Thursday!

drhewitt

Thanks for the advice and good luck!!! I'll look into online editing courses. I took Journalism and some writing courses as part of my degree but could use some more experience.

Where did you move from?

Jokerman

NZ.

cornishvellan

By law in the UK, you do not put your date of birth or nationality on a CV anymore.

Chorlton

You're making me feel old! I dont think 32 is an age where you need to worry about new careers. I think its becoming quite popular to have a second career. I'm sure maturity and experience counts for a lot, and you're at an age where health or retirement arent issues for the employer to consider

Erica P

Just think of it in these terms - you probably have another 33 working years left in you! You could fit lots of career changes in if you so wish!

islandergirl

32 is pretty young really, if you look long term you are working for 40+ years.

However if you do want to change careers you will often have to go down the ladder a few rungs until you get some experience in your new field. I did this myself recently and it has taken me 12 months to get promoted back up to the same salary. It was hard making the move, but I had a longterm goal in mind and it sounds like you do too, but you may have to compromise a bit due to your single income situation.

Editing work is a pretty specialised skill set, here in Aus a lot of the jobs in that field believe it or not are in the public sector, the Government issues more publications every year than say the Bible - strange but true. Editors are also employed for websites - have you got certification in the most popular website building tools such as MS Frontpage etc?

Re salary I am also struggling to get a feel for the UK market as most of the jobs are either subject to negotiation or have a salary range so wide as to be meaningless, can't help you there, it's frustrating.

Dave_Was

This is the one point where I think that recruiters can be of some help. In my field you need to use specialised recruiters. These recruiters are walking the fine line of trying to get you the most money as possible, for their own commission, and not trying to price you out of the job. So they should know how much you should be trying to aim for.

Again this is for markets where the recruiter specialises in.

Good Luck.

Sue1

Hi my OH retrained at the age of 36 for 2 years so it can be done and he did part time work as well hard work at the time but worth while in the long rum. Good luck

bjddavies

I went back to Uni in my 30s. It will cost a lot of money but so far it is worth it for me.

If I was in your situation I would stay in the States though.

quoll

Gosh no, 32 is about the prime time to think of a career change - still young enough to have the get up and go needed to make it a success but old enough to bring a sense of maturity and worldly experience to a new venture!

I didnt start my last career until I was 34 (I think) and DH at nearly 60 is heading off in that direction right now. The DS is looking to a change of direction when he will be 34 in a few years so, no 32 is just fine!

Erica P

Just wanted to say the in my post should have been a . I had aimed to send a positive post to you but it looked like I was laughing at your predicament which I definitley am not! Sorry

mackinnon

I hope not.....I'm 32 and just started uni!

Of course you're not too old. Better off working for yourself though.

JAJ

It is not a criminal offence to do so and if your CV shows that your experience is in foreign countries, I would think it quite advisable to show "British citizen" for nationality. (if you are British ... )