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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:
Original poster
GraciousPiglet · 02/02/2021 20:13

That's even better @UnGoogled76 but I have to leave my job at the end of the year before it is the death of me! Maybe I'll do something else part time at the same time. Off to google those job roles now. Thanks so much!

Sign language interpreter sounds very interesting!

OP posts:
workworkworkugh · 02/02/2021 20:17

@Labobo what did you need to study to become an editor? Were you already working in a similar field with experience?
I've been looking into this for myself but I only have an administration background

Fruitshootloop · 02/02/2021 20:18

@Labobo can you please explain what course you did and what kind of work you do now? This has always appealed to me but I’ve never understood what/how to do it. Thank you!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
Peanutbutteryogurt · 02/02/2021 20:20

I am in the process of applying for MSc occupational therapy. I desperately want to move away from entirely desk based, low paid admin jobs with no progression.

Sistedtwister · 02/02/2021 20:24

I switched from quality assurance to L&D in my early 30's then to HR early 40's. Now specialising in ER. Love it. I did a CIPD qual in L&D early on and the did level 7 in HRM in my late 30's early 40's

Gastontehladybird · 02/02/2021 20:28

I'm 31, was previously an early years teacher but escaped 5 years ago. I'm planning to retrain as a SALT when my youngest starts school.

bellalou1234 · 02/02/2021 20:30

A mental health nurse

Lovemylittlebear · 02/02/2021 20:32

Please may I ask what L and D means? I’ve been an early intervention consultant for years and will be looking to change careers after I finish maternity leave and haven’t a clue what transferable skill sets I may have so this thread is very interesting. Xx

Original poster
GraciousPiglet · 02/02/2021 20:43

@sistedtwister

This sounds really interesting. What kind of roles have you had?

I've just had a look and I think level 5 would be about right for me? It appears that level 3 is about A level level? Perhaps thats totally wrong though.

I'm toying with calling some recruiters to talk to them about it and see what they think.

This thread has been really helpful already!

OP posts:
Skylucy · 02/02/2021 20:51

This is an inspirational thread, thanks OP! I'm 37 this month and having an identity crisis! I haven't worked in 4 years due to starting a family - I'd really hoped for another baby but DH isn't keen, so I'm now panicking about what to do, as I know I'd like to be working in some way. I've had a meandering career path in the arts and charity sectors until now - I have an impressive degree but it's old and, to be honest, but very useful!! Would love to retrain as something significant but haven't got huge funds and want to be around for the children as much as possible.

I'm looking at Masters courses at the moment - there are lots available online and part-time, and I'd be eligible for a loan. The available courses aren't very vocational though.

Argh. If I had my time again I'd be a vet!

WhatAreWordsWorth · 02/02/2021 20:51

I’d love to retrain in occupational therapy or speech and language therapy, but the costs are too much and I feel completely stuck in my current job Sad

I’d love to take the plunge, I just have no idea how it’s possible with the costs involved!

Darklane · 02/02/2021 20:56

Left teaching, trained in agriculture, became a livestock farmer.

Sistedtwister · 02/02/2021 21:05

@Lovemylittlebear learning and development.
@GraciousPiglet. I kind of fell in to L&D co-ordinator role by delivering training specifically related to the company I worked for but then went on to gain transferable qualifications as part of the job. So I did the CIPD L&D certificate and NVQ assessor and verifier quals.
The job developed on it's own until I was also delivering management skills training so the CIPD in HRM made sense. I loved employment law (sad I know) so ER was my next move. My role is mainly advising managers on how to deal with certain employment issues making sure that they do not breach any procedures , laws or codes of conduct and act fairly. Every day is different and interesting

Heyahun · 02/02/2021 21:13

Payroll and bookkeeping

I was already doing payroll at my job - but was just paying everyone - we had an accountant we outsourced to

Now she is no longer working for us and I haven’t when it all over

Heyahun · 02/02/2021 21:13

Have taken it all over (autocorrect messed that up)

littlepeaegg · 02/02/2021 21:22

Social Work

mangoandraspberries · 02/02/2021 21:58

Physiotherapist!

boomboomboom1000 · 02/02/2021 21:59

A solicitor!

UnGoogled76 · 02/02/2021 22:08

OP the only thing about level 5 is the need to use examples from work in your assignments, but if you read up on L&D role specs you might find it possible to transfer experiences into an L&D context.

I'd go for level 5 if you can swing it.

prawncocktailpringles · 02/02/2021 22:12

@Labobo

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.
I am thinking of doing this and would love to know more. Did you do a course? Are you self-employed? If so what kind of clients do you work for and how do you find them and if not how do you find work? I actually know nothing about this profession but work as a translator and a lot of my previous roles involved working with texts in one way or another so I was wondering if this would be a good fit
trevthecat · 02/02/2021 22:18

I was a childminder, I'm currently retraining to do family support. I was doing a degree

Labobo · 02/02/2021 22:24

@workworkworkugh and @Fruitshootloop - I didn't study for a secondary qualification as I already had a literature degree. But I started right at the bottom as a slush pile reader for an agent (earning rock bottom money) and worked my way up from there, learning copy editing skills mainly from reading every book I could find on how to edit well and getting advice from more experienced editors. Gradually I built up a client list and have worked freelance from home for years. I specialise in non-fiction but do work on fiction occasionally.

It's not the same as proofreading. There are qualifications for that but it is a very oversubscribed profession so the rates are unfairly low for the level of attention to detail that is needed. I do some proofreading as I go but usually farm that work out if necessary.

TangerineGreen · 02/02/2021 22:42

Physiotherapist, retrained at 30, took two years but now I’m really happy. It’s the worlds best job IMO, would recommend

Sittingonabench · 02/02/2021 22:43

I know of lots of examples of teachers retraining into a Quantity Surveyor. I have assisted in recruitment and they are happy to take on people with a masters in QS. A graduate QS starts on around 30k give or take and then advances to senior QS. Or commercial manager at around £45k to £55k as standard. It’s not a glam career but is fairly consistent. Involves numbers, money and contract. It’s a good career.

lyingwanker · 02/02/2021 22:47

I'm currently studying to be a social worker and I'm 35. I'm so glad that I didn't waste my student finance on a degree in something I wasn't passionate about. I am loving my study and can't wait to get out there on placements!