Edit I am a woman, and childfree by choice 🙂
Hey everyone,
I'm hoping to get some advice from people who might have been in a similar situation or have experience with different career paths.
I'm nearing 30, and honestly, I'm starting to feel a bit lost when it comes to figuring out what I want to do career-wise. I feel like I should have a clearer direction by now, but I don't, and with my current job being a fixed-term contract, I'm starting to think more seriously about my future.
A bit about my background: I currently work in auditing in a business role on a 6-month contract, which finishes in March next year. I'm not sure whether my contract will be extended, so I'm trying to use this time to figure out what my next move should be.
Before this, I spent around 5 years working in supervisory and quality control (QC) roles, and I've also worked for a government agency. So, I've got a reasonable amount of work experience across different areas, but I still don't feel like I've found a career I want to commit to long-term.
One of the biggest challenges is that I don't have many formal qualifications. I grew up in a pretty rough environment and had to start working young, so I left school at 15 and never got the opportunity to gain NCEA qualifications or go on to further study.
A few years ago, while working, I studied part-time and managed to complete a Level 4 Certificate in Business Administration. I'm proud of myself for getting that done, but now I'm wondering whether I should study something else that could open up better opportunities.
Ideally, I'd like to find a career that:
Pays well and has good earning potential long-term.
Offers job security and opportunities for progression.
Doesn't necessarily require a university degree.
Has qualifications I can study towards while working, rather than having to give up work completely.
Allows me to build a stable future without constantly worrying about whether I'll have a job.
**In terms of the actual work, I'm honestly pretty open to anything.** I don't have a particular industry or dream job in mind. I'm happy to consider different types of work, whether that's a trade, a technical role, a government career, IT, a specialist business role or something completely different.
The main things I'm looking for are good earning potential, stability and a career I can build on over time. Ideally, I'd prefer something that doesn't involve relocating, as I've recently moved to Christchurch and would like to stay here for the foreseeable future.
I've considered building on my existing experience in business, auditing, supervision and QC, but I'm also open to starting fresh if there's a worthwhile opportunity that doesn't require years of university study.
I guess I'm just feeling a bit behind in life and worried about spending another few years working jobs without actually building towards something more secure.
**For those of you in New Zealand, particularly Christchurch, what careers would you recommend looking into if you were in my position?**
Are there any qualifications, diplomas, apprenticeships or industries you'd recommend that offer good earning potential without needing a university degree? Are there any career paths you wish you'd known about when you were younger?
I'd especially appreciate advice from anyone who has changed careers in their late 20s or 30s, or who has managed to build a well-paying career without traditional school qualifications.
I'm not expecting to find a magic solution overnight, but I'd really appreciate any suggestions, personal experiences or advice on where to start.
Thanks in advance! 😊
