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Original poster

If you retrained in your 30's

76 replies

GraciousPiglet · 02/02/2021 18:22

And you didn't retrain to be a teacher or a nurse... What did you do and how did you do it?

Give me some career inspiration please so I can live vicariously through you all and decide if I should take the plunge.

OP posts:
fluckityfluckfluck · 02/02/2021 18:27

A school business manager

Bunnybigears · 02/02/2021 18:30

I retrained in payroll and bookkeeping. Distance learning (when there was an actual alternative) while working in a call centre. Now work in an Accountants.

SnarkyBag · 02/02/2021 18:30

Occupational Therapist

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General education
Camomila · 02/02/2021 18:32

I did an MSc in social research and am applying for research/analyst jobs.

DinosApple · 02/02/2021 18:41

Watching with interest OP. I’m closer to 40 though.

I’ve done some interesting roles in my time and trained as a secretary from school, currently I’m a TA.
Being in charge of a class at the moment has highlighted that I don’t want to become a teacher! I am considering if it’s worth an Early Years degree though.

UnGoogled76 · 02/02/2021 18:45

I'm training in HR, doing a CIPD certification. Very happy with this decision, as my job opportunities will be strong and varied, so far as I can tell.

Lucylolly · 02/02/2021 19:06

Fitness instructor 🤟

Original poster
GraciousPiglet · 02/02/2021 19:09

@UnGoogled76 can you tell me a bit more?

I'd love to do another 3 year degree but we can't afford it. I need to find something I can do either alongside a part time job or in the space of a year.

@DinosApple I'm already a teacher Grin and trying to get out! I have done some work in Early Years and loved it. It's very rewarding and quite different to teaching in many respects. My issue with it is that there aren't enough more senior opportunities. I want a career with some progression. I can highly recommend Early Years and they often train on the job :)

OP posts:
Sheepareawesome · 02/02/2021 19:09

Occupational Therapist here too.

Original poster
GraciousPiglet · 02/02/2021 19:10

@Bunnybigears I like the sound of this in many ways but maths is not my strong point! So I suspect I'd fall at this hurdle.

@camomila this sounds so interesting. What course did you do?

OP posts:
Treats · 02/02/2021 19:11

Accountant. I did a lot of the exam study at home in the evenings and gradually moved through different jobs until I got the professional practice I needed. So pleased I did it.

Original poster
GraciousPiglet · 02/02/2021 19:11

@Lucylolly I admire you! This is definitely not something I could do as I am the world's least fit person!!!

OP posts:
Pizzafortwo · 02/02/2021 19:12

Charity business manager. Volunteering while working part time, lower paid job to start, worked up.

I've known teachers become corporate partnership managers for charities. Good skills in managing stakeholders needed.

UnGoogled76 · 02/02/2021 19:14

My CIPD certification is less than a year, cost about 2.5k and is equivalent to an undergraduate degree. I intend to go on to level 7 at some point, after some more work experience.

I've found that HR and L&D roles don't require years and years of experience before earning a decent amount, and the professional quals are more valued by employers than traditional uni degrees. Doing the course now, I see why. It is intense with high expectations, but it is rooted in real life, professional experience. It's very good.

UnGoogled76 · 02/02/2021 19:14

Ah, as a teacher you'd do well in L&D.

Labobo · 02/02/2021 19:19

I retrained as an editor. I was in a job that involved masses of travel before then and wanted to be home long enough to see friends and family and have a social life. It turned out to be a great choice as I love it and it can be done PT while DC are small.

DinosApple · 02/02/2021 19:20

@GraciousPiglet
Haha, I thought as much. Yes I'm enjoying being in reception, but I'm not sure an early years degree would be worth the financial outlay for the roles available at the end iyswim.

My favourite role in a pre-children life was auctioneers secretary. It was always varied and interesting. And I could wear nice clothes without getting snot/wee/poo on me Grin.

wishingitwasfriday · 02/02/2021 19:42

HR. Have done my level 5 course and now in my last year of my Masters degree. I love it, although can be very stressful at times and the last year has been very challenging!

Original poster
GraciousPiglet · 02/02/2021 19:50

@UnGoogled76 I think your career is sounding like a good fit for me potentially. I'm going to be cheeky now and ask you if you would be able to find me an example of an entry level l&d job?

I am going to to look into those course. I can afford 2.5k and a year off to train :)

OP posts:
Original poster
GraciousPiglet · 02/02/2021 19:51

@wishingitwasfriday can I ask what your job entails (if it's not too outing!) What level 5 course did you do?

OP posts:
Soboredofcorona · 02/02/2021 19:52

Personal trainer. Also got into life modelling around the same time. No study needed for that, but I could fit it around my fitness training work......

UnGoogled76 · 02/02/2021 19:56

You don't even need a year off, they are designed to work alongside your day job!

You need to look for roles that state "trainer" "advisor" "officer" or "apprentice" in the title. L&D role titles are rather wooly and mean different things in different orgs, but those usually denote entry level positions.

oohmama · 02/02/2021 20:04

I'm coming up to 30 and need to get a career
So I'm following!!

I was thinking of training to become a sign language interpreter as I have done the first 3 years of training so would take another 3 years
But I've been looking and there doesn't seem to be many jobs!'

Camomila · 02/02/2021 20:06

@GraciousPiglet I did it at Surrey uni as it was ESRC accredited. They aren't running it anymore sadly, I also looked at City Uni (don't think it was ESRC accredited) and Sussex (too expensive). There was a bit of maths/statistics involved but I managed it without a maths A level (though I did have to do some resits).

Bluedelphinium · 02/02/2021 20:10

I'm applying for graduate Medicine, mid 30s. I've done everything needed to apply: clinical work experience, application, entry exam, changed my job to a connected field, did a masters. I got offered interviews for each uni I applied to and just need to do well enough in one of them now!