The Careers Adviser: Can I, a teacher, change career at 50? Do you need a degree to design computer games?

Leaving school

Q. I am a senior teacher in a large state comprehensive school. I am 50 and anticipate working for another five to 10 years. I would like to change my job from teaching in the near future and move into an alternative career that might, but not necessarily, be in education. Could you recommend any organisations, books or websites that might help?

A. You can get a head start by looking at books like What Colour is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles, The Career Change Handbook by Graham Green, or Planning a Career Change by Judith Johnstone. There are also diagnostic sites on the web that cover similar areas - allowing people to home in on their talents, likes and dislikes, and possible career preferences, by answering a range of questions - look up "adult directions" on www.cascaid.co.uk. Now, too, there is a wonderfully wide range of websites set up specifically to advise on issues for the over-50s, usually with a skills registers, job noticeboards and the latest advice on relevant legislation. Try visiting websites www.wiseowls.co.uk, www.maturityworks.co.uk, www.wrinklies.org, or www.arp050.org.uk. If you feel it is helpful to have someone to run through options with you, there are private companies that offer advice with or without psychometric testing. If cost is a factor, some offer a free initial call or cheaper, shorter versions of guidance courses in person or on the phone. Deciding on a job closely aligned to the one you have will, obviously, avoid lengthy or costly retraining. Teaching another age group, adult literacy or English as a foreign language (Tefl) are all options, as is careers advising or mentoring, in or out of schools. More administrative roles allied to the profession, or becoming an educational inspector are also possibilities, and for these it is useful to start using the contacts you have now, in school, to talk about the different options.

Technical know-how

Q. Like a lot of teenagers, my son is mad about computer games and says he would like to get involved with designing them. Does he need a degree if he wants to get on in this field? If so, what sort of degree?

A. There is no doubt conditions have shifted dramatically in this area in the past few years, and whereas raw talent and a brilliant portfolio might have got you an entrée a while ago, now you'd be facing competition from others with degrees in computer science, software engineering or computer games technology, to name but a few - and you'd still need an excellent portfolio. Like other competitive media jobs, there's no clear route in, and still some debate about the best way to go. Some argue that a more generic computer science, software engineering or business IT degree - with specialisation later at masters level - is a sensible option. Others have gone straight in at undergraduate level. The University of Sunderland, which offers a BSc in multi-media games, says the specific emphasis of its course gets round the often made criticism that multi-media courses are too general in nature. It also says its students derive great benefit from contacts with the number of small gaming companies that have been set up in the north east. Bigger companies now require more specialists - they deploy large teams of people with clearly defined skills, like programming or art work. A lot will depend on where your son's particular talents lie, and he should scour the websites of universities running relevant courses for the exact content of modules (most of this information is available on line) and see what interests him most.

Careers adviser: Maria Lucio, occupational psychologist, Career Analysts.

Send your queries to Caroline Haydon at 'The Independent', Education Desk, Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS; or fax 020-7005 2143; or e-mail to chaydon@blueyonder.co.uk