I'd like to think it's always possible to start again. Sorry to hear of your difficulties. Anxiety can be a real hindrance(daily exercise, even if it's just a half an hour per day can be a great help I've found). All the best, whatever you decide to do. Here are some further options ... Running your own business/self employment can be a great option. It was for me. Or for a complete change, in the caring fields, they're always looking for nursing staff, support workers/aides for children and adults with SEN, there's the Fire Service or Care Worker(Ambulance Training Services). Depending on your interests, you could try your hand at a writer's course (you may be a natural author), perhaps try your hand at acting(can help your social skills and confidence levels) in addition to more permanent and secure work. They're always looking for staff on Hayman Island(many and varied jobs), off the north coast of Australia. The pay is great and you receive free accommodation, so long as you don't mind long separations from those closest to you for between 3-6month stints(and a tan!).
Saw this just today which prompted me to respond (and these jobs do not require a degree):
Air traffic controllers: £59,228 Average Salary
To become a fully qualified controller, you will need an air traffic control licence, which you can gain by completing an approved training course.
Marketing and sales managers: £57,276
To become a marketing manager, you will need experience as a marketing executive and have a good industry knowledge. As a sales manager you will need experience in sales, with a good record of achieving targets.
Police officers (inspector and above): £56,931
Before being accepted as a trainee police officer, you need to meet eligibility criteria which can vary, but in general you will need to be a British citizen over 18 who is physically fit and passes all background and security checks.
Public relations manager: £49,384
Public relations is a very competitive industry and many employers will expect you to be qualified to degree level, although this is not always essential. Alternatively, you could join a PR firm as an administrator, publicity assistant or information officer, and work your way up to PR officer with experience.
Personnel and training managers: £49,242
To become a personnel manager, you can start working in a company's HR department, and study part-time for the CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice (CPP). Training managers often join the training department from other departments in a company, and work towards training qualifications.
Senior officials in local government: £44,667
You can start to work in local government as an administrative assistant and work your way up. Most employers value work and life experience, depending on the particular job.
Train drivers: £41,176
To be able to work as a train driver, you need to have a good general standard of education, including maths and English GCSEs and some mechanical or electrical knowledge. You can apply directly to train driving companies.
Insurance underwriters: £ 39,549
To become an underwriter, you can start as a trainee insurance technician or claims administrator and work your way up through the industry. You can also get into the insurance industry through an Apprenticeship scheme.
Customer Service Managers: £39,089
To get into customer services management, you can start as a customer service assistant and work your way up to supervisor or team leader then to manager or you can join a company's management training scheme.
Health services managers: £ 38,213
To get into into health service management without a degree, you can work your way up from an administrative post by taking in-service training courses. For an administrative position, you are likely to need four or five GCSEs.
*based on data from the Office for National Statistics and the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) report and job information on nextstep.direct.gov.uk
21 Sep 2011, 9:36 am
