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AIBU?

To ask if you can make a new successful career in your 30s

95 replies

ciceroscribe · 30/04/2016 14:34

O pr is it just too late especially if you have or want children as well?

OP posts:
CarsonTheButler · 30/04/2016 14:41

Not at all. I did exactly that after having DD and before DS. DCs teenagers now and I'm knocking it out of the park professionally. I'm also a great mum, even if I do say so myself. Wink

I was 33 when I jacked in my career and took a chance doing something new. I know women who've done it in their 40's and 50's too.

Muminho · 30/04/2016 14:49

I had a good career in my 20s, then spent my 30's having DCs and working in some fairly undemanding part-time jobs. Have managed to forge a new career in my early 40's and am loving it. Admittedly my new field didn't require retraining, more learning on the job, and I was quite lucky to blag my way in initially, but I did have transferrable skills from my previous career/jobs and sold myself on that basis. It can be done!

LanaKane · 30/04/2016 14:54

I was just thinking about this! I'm a teacher and am finding it even more stressful than normal at the moment; I have thought about moving in to Educational Psychology, Speech and Language or Occupational Therapy. I'm 31 and have no partner or children but am hoping for both.

Verticalvenetianblinds · 30/04/2016 14:55

I hope not, I'm 32 and just started looking at evening he access courses to kickstart my new career, no idea what it's going to be yet so considering work experience (feel like a 16yr old!)

AdoraKiora · 30/04/2016 14:56

Perfectly possible.

I retrained in my early thirties (with a 5 yr old and 1 yr old) and started from the bottom in my new sector, working mostly part-time for a few years.

Nearly 40 now and am in a 'proper' Grin professional, full-time job in my field, and if I want it (not sure if I do, yet), I could be a senior manager within 3-5 years.

I had the role model of my mum, who retrained and career-changed in her late-30s, and was a senior, influential person in her field by the time she retired at 60.

Go for it!

Lolimax · 30/04/2016 14:56

Go for it. I went back to college to retrain when I was 30 and had already had my 2 DC's and my degree. Since embarked on a slightly different career path and have done pretty well for myself.

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 30/04/2016 14:59

I quit my finance career when I was 29. Now 30 and at Uni to retrain and even if it doesn't end up with the job of my dreams I will still be happier!

ElspethFlashman · 30/04/2016 15:00

I went back to college in my early 30s for a complete retrain. Entirely different field. Unrelated to anything previous.

Finished in late 30s and promptly had kids. Though some women on my course had kids during it and still passed. Have both kids and career now. Only issue is that you start on an entry wage at a relatively late age. But rather that than still being in a career you hated.

The best thing about it is that you have a better work ethic than you ever had previously. You really crack on with the essays! Hard work doesn't scare you and you're much more organised and efficient.

Vaara · 30/04/2016 15:06

Of course it's not too late!

I became a teacher at 32 and had kids from 35. It's been great!

ciceroscribe · 30/04/2016 16:51

I'm not able to go to college so that's difficult.

OP posts:
Verticalvenetianblinds · 30/04/2016 16:56

O U or apprenticeship?

ciceroscribe · 30/04/2016 17:21

I need some sort of idea what to do, but have none.

OP posts:
GinismyTonic · 30/04/2016 17:41

I retrained as a trainer by doing a train the trainer course in my late 30s. Worked a treat for me!

wlv12 · 30/04/2016 17:43

I started training as a midwife at 30, qualified at 33 :-)

FirstWeTakeManhattan · 30/04/2016 17:45

I took off in a whole direction in my early 40's. I know someone who is currently ditching a city career to be a teacher at the age of 45.

ItsTimeForANewUserName · 30/04/2016 17:49

I retrained in my 40's having spent 20 years in previous career. Now have a degree (graduated at 43) and been in this career for 2 years. Expect to be doing this for at least next 15-20 years or yet may well retrain again. Never too late!

ItsTimeForANewUserName · 30/04/2016 17:50

Why can't you go to college OP?

OublietteBravo · 30/04/2016 17:52

I retrained in my 30s - I used to work as a scientist in R&D. Now I'm a patent attorney.

I switched career when I was 34 and the DC were 3 and 5. I did lots of increasingly difficult exams to qualify (fortunately I passed them all first time, so I was qualified before I was 38).

I'm now 40 and really enjoy my current job. My salary has increased significantly too (I earn twice as much as when I worked in R&D).

DrWhooves · 30/04/2016 17:55

I hope so. I've got a place at college after the summer to retrain after 5 years as SAHM.

ciceroscribe · 30/04/2016 17:56

I can't afford to go to college, there's nothing really I know what to do anyway.

OP posts:
ItsTimeForANewUserName · 30/04/2016 18:21

You might get financial assistance to study OP? Worth looking into. Some colleges also offer careers advice.

Genuinely intrigued why you are asking the question if you are saying there's nothing really I know what to do anyway

guinnessguzzler · 30/04/2016 18:36

If you are in your 30s now you probably have 40 years left to work ... it's not too late to retrain!

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JenniferYellowHat1980 · 30/04/2016 19:05

I have a really good opportunity in the offing, and can train on the job (NHS). Problem is that I recently lost my DM and have had loads of time off stressed out if my mind with it all and looking after her before she died. I think I'll fail the pre-recruitment checks (and rightly so I guess, they have to appoint reliable people).

I'm hoping to find a new career but can't afford to go back to university.

ciceroscribe · 30/04/2016 19:19

ItsTime

To get ideas Confused Smile

I've been to university, and so I don't think I'd get any financial assistance.

OP posts:
aliceinwanderland · 30/04/2016 19:22

I know two women that retrained as doctors in thwireless 30s. One had kids when she started the other had her first child when she got her first job

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