Career shift: getting started

• Contact the student services section of your local college or university to find out about courses and financial help available for mature students. They have funds of their own as well as information on educational charities and other organisations that make grants to people who would otherwise find it impossible to return to learning. Even small amounts can make all the difference.
  
  
• Your local college should also be able to tell you more about Individual Learning Accounts. These give 'starter incentives' of £150 and discounts of up to 80% to help with the cost of training. You can find out more about which courses are eligible on www.my.ila.com.
  
  
• Investigate voluntary work opportunities in your area. Relevant experience can be just as valuable as qualifications and many voluntary organisations offer training. The contacts you make through such work can be a great help towards a career shift.
  
  
• Think wider. If the job you really want is out of your reach there will be other areas of work that offer the same satisfaction but are easier to move into. If, for example, you desperately want to be a vet but do not have the qualifications/time/money to do the necessary degree courses, look at other work with animals. This might be veterinary nursing, work in kennels, catteries, stables, zoos, animal welfare organisations or training guide dogs for the blind. Broadening your original idea could throw up some interesting options.

Good luck with your shift!

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