Diploma Higher Education - Career Advice
I'm 26 and have a Diploma of Higher Education ( pass level ) in History from a Russell Group Uni ( not that it matters anymore ) because I didn't complete my degree in the 5 year allotted time frame ( withdrawn August 2024 ).
I am aware that my qualification puts me at a severe disadvantage in the current job market and I'm so far only aware of the Open University as a means of credit transfer ( for around £8176 ) but am unsure if it will change anything bar potentially give me access to a PGCE course ( have been put off teaching after volunteering in state secondary school ) and won't make me competitive too employers given most grad are younger and will have qualifications from brick universities.
Without direction it feels like it could be another expensive piece of paper which won't make me feel better about failing if I succeeded. My ego would immediately want too pursue a masters ( no idea as too what it would be ) too attempt too gain a competitive advantage but then we're talking around £20K for qualification I may never get the chance too use.
I have limited work experience most from recruitment ( pre-uni ), warehouse, bartending ( pre-uni ), labouring, physical brand ambassador work. Have been in a very dark place the past 4 months unemployed and at home with MH service intervention.
I have thought about doing some additional A-levels ( Maths, Computing ) too try and qualify for higher level apprenticeships but fear even if I did achieve I'd be too old or my past failure would make me undesirable a for engineering / tech roles but have no present experience.
I once had aspirations of teaching ( ideally private or abroad to sustain a continual travelling ) lifestyle. I did volunteer briefly in local state secondary too see if it would spark anything within me but just left demoralised after being confronted with the reality of the job.
I have no idea what too. I don't qualify for jobs ( recruitment, sales development representative ), I don't see long term career prospects for myself in retail or warehouse, am unable too apply for already oversaturated grad schemes.
I've been stuck in the same position in my home town for over a year and this feeling of stagnation is only making my mental health worse. I know I need too take steps but feel I can't afford too follow the wrong path anymore.
Thank you for reading if you made it this far and whilst I'm aware this is all my fault any pragmatic advise would be appreciated.