I want to retrain but I'm almost 41

[QueenOfIce]

I have always had an interest in becoming a coroner, at 16 I requested a work experience placement but was laughed at by the male coroner who declared "my dear we don't have female coroners" so he put me off.

I took a different path but now almost 41 that interest hasn't gone away but looking at what I need to do first (train as a solicitor then 5 years experience) I realise I'm too old. I'd be 52 before I made it if I made it.

Am I too old? What else might suit me?

Technician in a hospital mortuary

Go for it. At 41 you still have another 20+ years in of working in that field (speaking as a fellow 41 yr old also retaining).

If OP is 52 by the time she can do the job that's 10-15 years?

Do it OP. I spent so long wondering whether to or not that I am going to be older when I graduate, but even 10 years is decent enough. Just another life stage imo. I have done low paid, self employment, SAHM and now I'm in education. Next step, 10 or so years doing a job I will hopefully love, earn more money and with the kids grown up, the money will stretch further.

Hello from another fellow 41 year old trainee (actually I am 42 now but started just before my 41st birthday). I don’t really know the training path involved for you but mine has been amazing. It’s in the therapeutic field (children) so I’ve been working to get my 100 hours while studying and I have loved every minute. I finish this level next month and could carry on doing various courses for ever.

Having worked in many roles I didn’t enjoy, I am marvelling at the fact that I am going to be paid to do something I actually love!

Go for it - as long as you can afford it, why not?? If it doesn’t pan out the way you thought it would, you can change tack but you’ll never know if you don’t give it a go. Show him he was way out of order all those years ago!

It takes 3 years to do your law degree, one year LPC, then 2 years as a trainee before you're a qualified solicitor., On the other hand, you're probably looking at a retirement age of 70, so maybe...

All us lot are going to be working for another 30 years, it’s a long time to think ‘what if’

If the time/age thing is the only thing holding you back then go for it

There are no jobs for life and we all have to be flexible, add to our skill set, do what works for us and follow our interests, because this is the long haul and if you don’t keep your interest piqued then it’s going to feel waaaay longer

Yours, a 42 yr old apprentice hairdresser

If OP is 52 by the time she can do the job that's 10-15 years

I can't imagine many of us retiring much before 70 but I take your point. Still, 10-15 years doing a job you love isn't bad.

I can't imagine many of us retiring much before 70 but I take your point. Still, 10-15 years doing a job you love isn't bad

As per the rest of my post. Except the 70 for retirement. I'm not going a day over 65!