Public servant (40) looking to train in a profession

  • Thread starter dianemc2012
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dianemc2012

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Middle management in public sector organisation- working for past 15 years- previously completed college (business degree and masters).

Now looking at study options
1. Law
2. Accountancy
3. Other...

Can anyone advise
 
why? .... a different path at this time of your career (and with the current state of affairs I think you'd be mad starting at the bottom again)
 
Public servant

Well i expect I could combine my existing work experience and for example a legal profession anf remain in my unit- but what are should i study

Also would like to have a 2nd career option in the event that i retired mid 50s etc
 
Are you looking to stay in the public sector?
If yes then are you looking to advance your career with the qualification?
If no then why move unless you are passionate about what you are moving into? (which doesn't seem the case here)
 
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dianemc2012 said:
Well i expect I could combine my existing work experience and for example a legal profession anf remain in my unit- but what are should i study

Also would like to have a 2nd career option in the event that i retired mid 50s etc
Click to expand...

There's not alot of jobs out there for Solicitors. ARe you currently specialised in an area in which a professional qualification would open more doors?
 
Career

General management here and range of skills- but nothing focused in any profession. Yes I enjoy my work but would like to have some professional qualification that I can use to allow me progress within organisation or move on/ out to private sector.
 
Law and accountancy are areas where a period as an apprentice is the norm to achieve the qualification, would this be opportunity be offered to you at your level? With both these professions there are a lot of qulaified people out there now with experience.

There are lots of other areas where you could develop skills and continue your current career path. HR / CIPD / negotiation skills may assist your current career and post civil service activities. Project management qualification or language skills are also valuable.

The most critical part is to find something that interests you so that you will enjoy learning and continuiing to develop your knowledge and skills.
 
Well if you are interested in Accountancy, the Chartered Accountants of Ireland offer this programme for people like yourself i.e. in a job already. Means you don't have to get the necessary experience at the same time as you study.

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dianemc2012 said:
Middle management in public sector organisation- working for past 15 years- previously completed college (business degree and masters).

Now looking at study options
1. Law
2. Accountancy
3. Other...

Can anyone advise
Click to expand...

Is there a specific area that you have a keen interest in?

It seems a little unusual that you have completed a degree and a masters and have been working for 15 years, but that you're looking for advice on what area of work you should try to upskill in.

Apologies, if I'm missing something.

But in answer to your question,there seems to be quite a number of vacancies in the IT area, perhaps a conversion course may help you develop skills and enter this area of work in the future.
 
I would make an observation that there is a dearth of professional accountants in the public service. (Plenty of "Bertie Accountants" but very few fully qualified professional accountants.)

I reckon over the next few years many of such accountants will be required especially for the likes of "Uisce Ireland" and other agencies due to be privatised/part privatised.

Your business degrees coupled with your middle management administration experience in the public service would be perfectly complemented by an accountancy qualification.
 

But...do you have the personality to be an accountant?

On a serious note, would there be an opportunity to work in a seperate area such as legal or financial control in your organisation for a few months to get a feel for such a role rather than ploughing head first into something that might take up a lot of your time when it may not be for you at all? Many large companies/organisations have internal programs like this.
 
What about CIPFA..recognised accountancy qualification
and very acceptable in public service.
 
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