[~maryanne~]

I didn't finish high school. Haven't completed any further study either. I worked as kitchen hand, then strawberry picker, completed an intro to vet nursing but found it too hard to get into. Every where employs vet students as their nurses. Worked a few years as a concreter's labourer. Did the paper work side of thing for that business but wasn't particularly good at it. Started an accounting diploma at TAFE but dropped out within a term - baby at home, only two hours contact a week, couldn't organise my time or keep up etc. Did 3/4 of a horticulture certificate and worked for 2 years in a nursery which I LOVED. Thought I would work in the field indefinately but my back is buggered so I can't do it anymore. I'm currently working 9 hours a week in a school tuckshop. Money is bad, atmosphere is horrible.

I have no idea what I want to do. Tafe online would be fine, university is out of the question. I did o.k at school but I've pretty much lost any smarts I had. Lack of use, lack of confidence and maybe a beer or two too many perhaps? I have poor time management, I procrastinate. I have difficulty working as part of a large organisation with lots of red tape where the wheels turn at snails pace. Working for the school's p&c as uniform convenor taught me that.

I can't do anything with lots of lifting or bending.

I once upon a time wanted to be a counsellor. I like the teenagers at school so I thought maybe youth work, or teacher aide work, but then I think, 'I can't get my own personal life together, how could I possibly help other people with theirs?' Also fronting up to a school or other organisation looking for vocational placement scares the sh*t out of me, and I can't picture myself feeling comfortable or confident in any roles that mean talking with co-workers a lot. I'm not a people person, my social skills are poor, mostly due to being extremely self consious and lacking in confidence I think. I have a bogan accent I'm embarrassed of but can't seem to kick, and I don't even enjoy maintaining regular extended family contact or friendships, never mind work relationships.

So I'm at a bit of a loss. I can't touch type. I have never done any office or reception work. My computer skills are basic. I'm mostly on my own with two school age kids while my partner works away, so in the short term I have to fit what ever it is I decide to do around their needs too. In the longer term I'm hoping to share the work load more evenly though, so even if I can do study and placement now, and work FT later, that would be all right.

Ideas anyone?

This post has been edited by ~maryanne~: 23/02/2013, 08:31 PM

[TwinkyBear]

I'd suggest visiting MyFuture, signing up for a free account in MyGuide and taking the free careers quiz. It's fairly comprehensive and asks about your interest, skills and preferences. It's a start at least to narrowing it down to an area you think might suit you.

[Mianta]

I think your biggest problem is your confidence. You have to believe that you can do something and follow through with it.

I didn't think I was smart enough to study ever but ended up going to uni, twice and earning two qualifications, one as a nurse, another as a midwife. I am a complete science idiot but got through it. I have a feeling that other people didn't believe I could do but I did it. With little kids and a husband that was in the army, so away A LOT!!!

As a side note, my extremely smart brother (much more academic than me at school) ended up doing an apprenticeship, because that was what he wanted to do. I think he was the one everyone was banking on acquiring a degree or two but I was the one who ended up doing it. Not that his apprenticeship didn't take him places. He is now the manager of a meat department (butcher) for a major supermarket and does very well for himself as well.

My point is, confidence and complete perseverence can lead you to your dreams. You don't need to be Albert Einstein to go to TAFE or to go to uni. You DO have to believe in yourself though.

[Affogato]

Maybe community services through TAFE or OTEN? They have courses like http://oten.tafensw.edu.au/courses-and-car...rse-search/5565
You could work in mental health perhaps, depending where you are there are organisations like Richmond PRA and other places.

Confidence is difficult. Hopefully getting into study helps a bit, and you could also see a psychologist about strategies if you wanted to work on that, and maybe the thought processes that are leading to you feeling less confident with others. If you are finding it problematic and wanted to.

I hope you find what you want to do, and enjoy it!

[Gloriosa]

It does sound like its your confidence as well. Many TAFES offer short courses for women returning to work. Can you look into something like that?

[Bacongirl]

I agree with PPs. You need to work on your own self esteem and confidence. You've raised children! That in itself is a job and a career! Have you thought of being a nanny or live-out housekeeper?

Why not finish your horticulture degree? Approach some of the local nurseries or Flower Power. Explain that although your back is screwed, you can sell. Or work as a cashier. They still get asked lots of questions that I'm sure you could answer.

Or get into the buying office of the nursery?

Try your local Tafe. They have lots of free courses for women who need to upgrade or learn new office skills.

[niggles]

I think you express yourself well. Give yourself a little more credit. What a shame your back keeps you from the nursery job you loved. What was it about it that you liked? That might give some idea of where to look into next.

[MarsBarSlice]

Confidence is so hard to find but if you can recognise that is what you need, it's a starting point. I lack alot of confidence when it comes to studying and jobs. I haven't worked since July 2008 and need to make that first step and don't know where to start either. Thinking of you and hope you find what you need.

[~maryanne~]

I'd suggest visiting MyFuture,

Thank you, it comes up with a lot of things I physically can't do.

Have you thought of being a nanny or live-out housekeeper?

That would be my worst nightmare - kids and cleaning. Eek!

Why not finish your horticulture degree? Approach some of the local nurseries or Flower Power. Explain that although your back is screwed, you can sell. Or work as a cashier.

I was only doing cert 2, and the last thing I need to do to complete is lay turf and contruct paved area and concreteing. I just can't do it. My back struggled to get through the weed componant. Even if I could I guess I don't see the point apart from personal interest. Even the sales lady in a nursery needs to bend, lift and twist - they also tend the plant and unpack orders. I'm not anywhere near a degree and don't think horticulture work without a very hands on componant exists. And if it does I can't imagine it would be easy to get into.

Confidence is so hard to find but if you can recognise that is what you need, it's a starting point. I lack alot of confidence when it comes to studying and jobs. I haven't worked since July 2008 and need to make that first step and don't know where to start either. Thinking of you and hope you find what you need.

Thanks :-). I think the confidance is only going to come by actually achieving something - but I'm terrified of starting yet another thing I'll fail to finish or be bad at.

This post has been edited by ~maryanne~: 23/02/2013, 07:44 PM

[~maryanne~]

I think you express yourself well. Give yourself a little more credit. What a shame your back keeps you from the nursery job you loved. What was it about it that you liked? That might give some idea of where to look into next.

The jobs I have liked the most have all been quite physical. The thing that made nursery better than the others was that it was physical without being exhausting, it was outdoors without constantly being in the weather, and it involves such a wide variety of tasks.

This post has been edited by ~maryanne~: 23/02/2013, 07:42 PM