Changing direction in mid-40s

[worriedwife]

My hubby is in his mid-40s and has worked in the same job sector (travel & tourism) since leaving college at 19.  He changed jobs 18 months ago after getting very fed up and depressed in his previous job.  The new job is OK but he's realised he doesn't want to be doing the same thing for the next 20 years of his life.

Has anyone got any suggestions about how he can find out about re-training at this stage of life?  We've got a young family and can't take huge financial risks (I'm still an at home mom).  He's got no ideas about where to start - he doesn't have any hobbies which he could start from and is not practical minded to re-train as, say, a plumber or electrician.  He's not the entrepreneurial type either so I think it would be better if he could find a new skill which he can build upon over say a couple of years before taking the plunge and leaving paid employment rather than trying to set up a new business from scratch.

Any ideas that anyone may have would be very welcome as I really want to try and help him out of this situation.  Thanks.

[Ouisch]

You mentioned that he doesn't have any hobbies...does he have any interests outside of work?  No matter how trivial, one of those might lead to a job idea.

For example, I was in steel sales for 20+ years, but had always had a love for trivia.  While reading a magazine once, they asked for submissions for their trivia quiz, and after I submitted one, I was offered a staff position, since my "way of thinking" (so they said) fit in with their business model.  So sit down with your husband and explore every facet of his personality, likes and dislikes - you may find an untapped resource.  Good luck! 

[acw]

Are you in the US?  I just ask because of the way you spelt "Mom".  Most users here are UK based so their/our advice might not be relevant.  (Ouisch's ideas were great by the way).  However, worry not, for there are many US users on here too who should be able to help!

[worriedwife]

Thanks Ouisch for your tip - we can't really relate any of his interests to possible jobs (music of the late 70s/80s - hmmmnn!!! - watching TV etc etc . . .)  Just getting a new interest or hobby might be enough to reinvigorate him without needing to change career - that thought has already occurred to me.  Don't want to turn into the nagging wife though . . .

BTW acw - we're located right here in the UK - 'at home mom' is just a phrase borrowed from US usage.  Perhaps I've been spending too much time on baby message boards lately!

[shimmer]

Firstly, don't worry. I'm currently studdying for an occupational therapy degree at university, and there's loads of people given up careers, have young families, etc and are studying with me. There's plenty of help, financial and other, for mature students.

Firstly, might be an idea to contact local universities and colleges-they should all be in your phone book and will be more than happy to send you prospectuses. Obviously I'm biased, due to mmy training, but the NHS is a great place to look. They even have a website www.nhscareers.nhs.uk which you can look at. There are literally thousands of different careers, and the other big advantage is they're always looking for staff!

Anyway, another way to go about it might be to pick up the local paper whatever day it is they publish job adverts, sit down together and just see if anything takes your husband's fancy. Even if it requires qualifications there's loads of ways to study part-time, night classes, etc. Like I say, local colleges can advise on this and all aspects of career. Let us know how you get on!