[mmk]

I need a new career. My job pays extremely well and is very flexible but it has also sent me crazy. I drink too much, take too much medication, and I am still nuts. My GP would love to see me leave, as would the psych. The only thing keeping me there is the money and the lifestyle that it means that we have as a family. As the psych said the other day though, I can't keep it up for the next 30 years. The place is just way too toxic...

I decided at 34 that I would like to be a chiropractor, however there is too much contact time and it's just not possible for me to take that much time off work. I would've enjoyed the study though, and the fact that I'd be helping people and every person is a different 'case'.

The psych suggested pharmacy, because I have an extremely over active mind. I can be talking to someone while reading something and thinking about something else, all effectively. I never studied and got HD's in the year I went to uni (accounting - way too boring for me). I'm not actually qualified to do anything though with a bit of paper, other than a cert 3 I will never use and a diploma of accounting that I would prefer to never use.

Pharmacy does appeal to me because of the drug interactions and the study etc, plus the opportunity to move rural but still get well paid. My husband also works here, but he manages to cope with just medication. It's bad. If I had another job and we could move then he could get a normal job and we could live a simple life but still have our toys. It's not an option for him to study, but he could get a job anywhere (mechanic).

Any suggestions for a job I could study for online with minimal contact hours that pays well that would suit someone with a very over active mind? I've had a look at one of those 'what job should I do?' questionnaires but they list soooooooo many jobs. Of which chiro and pharmacist were two. I'd also love to be a teacher but couldn't take the pay cut unfortunately...

[SplashingRainbow...]

When I was considering changing careers I did a series of 1:1 meeting with a career counsellor (private, not govt funded).

It involved a lot of scientific tests to determine my strengths, weaknesses and aptitude. It was extremely helpful. I think you'd have to make sure it was a qualified counsellor with access to high quality resources but I highly recmend the process.

[Fossy]

How much are we talking $$$?
My friend is a pharmacist in a small town, he works shift work, including nights until 10.30, his day shifts start at 0630, and weekends. Have you thought about that aspect of pharmacy? He earns good money, but not outrageous by any means.

[mmk]

How much are we talking $$$?
My friend is a pharmacist in a small town, he works shift work, including nights until 10.30, his day shifts start at 0630, and weekends. Have you thought about that aspect of pharmacy? He earns good money, but not outrageous by any means.

60k for 119 days (worked it out the other day for tax), so roughly 2 days a week. It's shift work, but it's only 8 hour shifts. I would be expecting 90k for 50ish hours, which would be enough if we were in a rural town and not got the mortgage we've got now. I used to work up to 70 hours in an old job so if I was getting 120k then DH wouldn't need to work living rural. Am I in the ball park?

[beaglebaby]

Studying pharmacy is a huge commitment, you don't only have the years of study (and it is full on study) you also have to do 2000 practical hours while you study. Part time I think you'd be looking at at least 6 years. Once you're out the pay isn't actually that great either. I was looking at doing it as a postgrad, even then I wasn't sure I'd ever pay off the uni fees!

Perhaps dispensary assistant would be a good stepping stone/trial - you don't need a uni degree just a certificate and then you could work out if you really want to put all that time into studying.

[MinkyMonkey]

Studying pharmacy is a huge commitment, you don't only have the years of study (and it is full on study) you also have to do 2000 practical hours while you study. Part time I think you'd be looking at at least 6 years. Once you're out the pay isn't actually that great either. I was looking at doing it as a postgrad, even then I wasn't sure I'd ever pay off the uni fees!

Perhaps dispensary assistant would be a good stepping stone/trial - you don't need a uni degree just a certificate and then you could work out if you really want to put all that time into studying.

I have spent 10 years working in (retail) pharmacy and it really doesn't pay as well as you think. The massive over supply (after decades of under supply) of qualified BPharms has drastically changed the rates of pay. I have many close friends who are Pharmacists and the ones that started out for the money have branched off to something else and just locum for the extra cash.

The degree is not a walk in the park either - four years FT with lots of contact hours/ unpaid experience + a year very poorly paid as a pre-reg.

This post has been edited by MinkyMonkey: 02/12/2012, 10:52 AM

[little lion]

I have some questions to help your decision making ...
Do you want a profession or a more broad career path? A lot of online degrees lead to more general jobs, not professions as such where you need registration etc.
What is it you find stressful about your current job?
Have you looked into other health options? Dentistry?

[lizzzard]

I've always believed that instead of looking for the lifestyle aspects of a career, it's better to think of what you're really interested in content wise...in my experience even a small number of hours and lots of pay don't make up for a job I hate (and conversely, I'll be happy working long hours for less pay if I really like the job itself). You've described a pretty wide array of careers in your post...what are you doing now (content wise), and do you enjoy it - aside from the lifestyle?

[jewel2]

University of New England does a Pharmacy degree that is the only one in Australia you can do distance learning.
You can also do it part time or on-campus.

So this may fit in with your plans. My son does the course and its very good.

We live in a large rural coastal town and it is always looking for pharmacists. So depends on what areas you live in regarding job prospects.

J

[SarahM72]

No matter what you study, as a new graduate you are not going to be paid much (comparatively speaking). So I'm guessing, based on your OP, that you'd be taking a fair pay cut in any case, at least to begin with. Are you prepared for a couple of years on graduate pay?