Dear Jeremy – your work issues solved

I feel burned out and want to follow my dream of being an artist but lack confidence

For six years I was an art technician in a secondary school, but I left a few months ago because I was in a rut and was feeling micro-managed, which made me resentful and depressed. I felt a change would do me good.

I returned to my previous career in window dressing, but quickly realised I’d made a big mistake, as the role involved managing a small team of difficult teenagers. I’ve ended up back as an art technician in a school near my previous one. However, it’s a lot tougher, I’ve been given responsibilities I dread, and there is a high staff turnover.

I have seen other similar jobs and had a few interviews, but I worry I could be regarded as a job hopper. I’m feeling unsettled, burned out, and I’ve lost my confidence a bit.

I have now realised I need to pursue my dream of being an artist. I’ve come to see how introverted I am, that I’m happiest working autonomously and with few people. I’m also sensitive to negative people – no offence to teachers, but I’ve found them hard work as they moan a lot. I’m starting to make more money through my own work and wish I could find a day job that doesn’t require so much of me mentally and physically. I’d love to work part time, but I don’t think I can afford to yet as I have a mortgage.

I have thought recently about doing a short course in decorative art as I’ve known a few talented painters who do it to fund their own work. I’m also keen to work abroad as I love travelling, and living in London doesn’t help my finances or sanity. I’ve also done a few art fairs, which I’ve enjoyed and they have given me belief in my work.

I hope you and your readers may be able to offer some ideas I haven’t thought of.

Jeremy says

I doubt it’s more ideas you need. I think all you need is concentration and confidence.

You say you’ve now realised that you need to pursue your dream of being an artist. I’d be pretty sure that’s been at the back of your mind all of your conscious life. But you’ve never really grasped it – and it seems you haven’t yet. Even in your letter to me, you let your thoughts wander. Finding a job abroad, simply because you love travelling, is unlikely to sort out your future – and would probably just postpone things.

From now on, your central and anchoring thought should be a determination to earn a reasonable living as soon as possible, through your own work as an artist. Everything else should be subordinate to that aim.

So stop thinking of yourself as someone with a job who paints a bit, and start thinking of yourself as a painter who needs to earn a bit of extra money. For many people, that might be just too impractical, but you already know it’s possible. You know you can sell your work, albeit in a smallish way.

I realise you have a mortgage to meet and bills to pay, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to find a traditional nine-to-five job. The fact you worry about being seen as a job hopper is evidence that you still haven’t fully committed yourself to life as an artist.

I’ve no idea what sort of art you do, but make sure you start to market it. Hold an exhibition – and I don’t mean a grand and expensive affair: half a room in a local shop in exchange for helping them with their window display could be a beginning. Then take any jobs, however menial (but wherever possible, making use of your talent) – and work relentlessly to improve the quality and quantity of your painting.

It will certainly be quite scary – but you’ll be working autonomously, which is what you prefer, and you’ll be on the way to where you’ve always privately wanted to be.

Readers say

• Get a job, anything that pays the mortgage, where you don’t have to commit to or feel any emotional commitment. Be rigorous with your non-employment time – that is when you do your art. Timetable it for weekends, evenings, holidays, etc. Take a sketch book with you to practice, or come up with ideas on your journey into work. Stay on top of times and places you can show your art and get an online presence. Respond to any positive feedback quickly and personally – make those connections with people who can help your art earn. whood

• Rent out your property in London so your mortgage is paid. This makes you secure for the future. Pick somewhere in the world where you can grow as an artist and also get a basic job and live. Go there, don’t look back. gigaboots

Working closely with lawyers is making me want to be one myself

I’ve been working in business development and public relations for a large law firm for about a year. While I enjoy aspects of the role, working closely with lawyers is making me want to be a lawyer myself.

Everywhere I turn online makes it clear that training is expensive. There’s the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course to consider, and both seem so expensive. Is there a way I can utilise my current position, without jeopardising my current employment? I’ve read about the CILEx route, but from what I see, it is looked down upon.

Given the high costs, am I mad? I’m 29 so wouldn’t qualify until 33, and my wife had our first baby two months ago. There seem so many reasons not to do it, let alone the fact that it’s an expensive, long road to qualification.

Jeremy says

You’re fortunate enough to have discovered a profession that strongly attracts you – lots of people never do – so please don’t dismiss the idea of becoming a lawyer until you’ve exhausted every possibility of achieving it. At 33, you’ll still be young.

There must be people in your law firm you can talk to about it: both formally and informally. And don’t dismiss CILEx, either, just because some lawyers choose to look down on it – there may be an element of snobbery in their opinion.

Above all else, talk it through thoroughly with your wife. If it’s at all possible, and she’s all for it, then go for it. But if it’s utterly impossible, then close that door completely; you’ll have done all you could.

Readers say

• Of course you’re not mad! There’s a job that attracts you, you want it. The CILEx route sounds like an option, provided you don’t mind the fact that it takes five years. The key factors sound as if they’re going to be whether your firm and your wife are supportive – and if it is financially viable to become a lawyer while supporting your young family? SmokeyStover

• If its what you really want to do, you’ll qualify at 33 and have 35 years of going to work happy, to the job you wanted. salamandertome

• The law market is awash with people looking for training contracts, so using the contacts that you already have has got to be sensible. JulesMaigret

• Speak to your current HR team. It is likely, if you are good at your job, that they would consider co-funding the course and giving time off for exams, as it would be a cost-effective way to ensure you stay with the firm. tiniow

Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or reply personally.