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How do people re-train?

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I'm only 23 and feel like I've already become bored of the sector I thought I would have a long term successful career in...(HR). Because all of my qualifications are business based I am at a loss as to how I go into anything else...

Ideally I would like to gain some experience in the research field relating to psychology but I have no idea where I would even start!?

Also, I am almost 100% certain I wont finish my degree because in actual fact I would prefer to study Psychology through the OU - but how am I supposed to afford £1200 for every 30 credits!? I'm guessing Student Finance won't fund another undergrad course when I never finished the first one?

I don't get how people can just suddenly drop one career and retrain for another...seems almost impossible unless you have endless amounts of money to invest in the education to gain the qualifications!?

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Is there a route for stepping between the two?

    There are many aspects of HR, including several that have interactions with industrial psychology so maybe one option would be to look down that line.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I did consider Occupational Psychology as a career...but with any psychology based career you need an Undergrad degree as a minimum followed by Postgrad training. The cost of the full undergrad Psyc degree with the OU is around £15,500 - that's more than my annual income! I guess I could save for a couple of years before making a start and continuing saving whilst studying but ideally I wanted to start ASAP and I don't want to start a whole other degree when I don't know how to get into any Psychology type roles? I looked into volunteering opportunities in my local area that were Psychology related and there were a lot of counselling based roles that would consider trainee counsellors but that is a whole other course/career path. I have also considered branching out into a HR role within the Health Sector that might give me options later down the line to move within the organisation to a Psychology/Counselling role-training dependent; if that makes sense?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    What about other areas of HR like Equality and Diversity (disability / heath discrimination being a part of that), have you considered specialising in that way?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I dont think I would want to specialise as I would get bored...I have considered specialising in Employee Relations but thats more because of the organisation I would be working for rather than the role itself...I've always been told I'm more employable elsewhere in a Generalist role and I like the variety...I just dont know if HR as a whole is what I want anymore...I considered Occupational Health too but you have to be a trained Nurse...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I read the Student Finance stuff the other day and it said you may be eligible even if you change courses, but you'd need to speak to them about that.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    That's really useful to know..thank you :)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    My knowledge is significantly out of date
    Changing degrees is fairly easy in the first year, but gets pretty difficult after that, unless it's a very similar field

    The boring answer is you complete your existing degree and get a job using it, and you use the money you earn to fund things that make your life interesting.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The standard way for people who've already completed a first degree and are no longer entitled to a student loan would be to apply for a career development loan from the bank. Although obviously these are on far less favourable terms than a normal student loan. As for the fees, have you looked into studying abroad? Lots of universities in places like the Netherlands and Denmark do courses in English at a fraction of the price of UK universities.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It might be worth looking into shorter, less expensive qualifications which may give you a foot in the door. I know someone who has a decent job in mental health within the NHS and I believe his only formal qualification is a 'certificate in mental health'. I guess talking to a few places like Mind or the NHS and seeing what sort of roles you potentially already have transferable skills or could be interested in would be a starting point.

    Good LucK!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thanks for the tips guys :)

    I don't know about studying/moving abroad but having been searching for jobs online, I'm considering relocating on my own within the UK...

    I have just applied for a HR role within the NHS...the long term aim is to then study towards a new qualification and transfer within...that's dependent on me getting the job though of course!

    Also looking into doing some volunteer work...as for my degree...I don't think I'll bother going back!
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