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Original poster

Is 28 too late to change your life? (Realistically)

52 replies

Netflixandchili · 12/05/2021 20:46

I know that sounds dramatic but.... if I wanted to go back to university I’d be in my 30s before I graduated, plus all the debt. It feels so late to start again. Would graduate schemes or employers even look at me? I did an arts degree and went down the creative route (teaching violin and performing and some admin jobs for music companies) but Covid and general itchy feet has made me reconsider my life. Has anyone done this?

OP posts:

TheDoctorDances · 12/05/2021 21:27

You’ve got nearly 40 years of working ahead of you. May as well do something you enjoy!

ElephantsNest · 12/05/2021 21:27

I changed direction completely at 40ish, so definitely it is not too late!

16purplecolour16 · 12/05/2021 21:28

Career change at 56. Masters in Sept to skil up.

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PrawnofthePatriarchy · 12/05/2021 21:29

Of course it's not too late! Jump in with both feet and make the most of your life.

agreatmistake · 12/05/2021 22:14

@Netflixandchili

You already have a degree - why do you want another? Are you planning to do something vocational like engineering?

If you want a 'general' graduate job, you probably qualify for most of them already. Some do specify a recent degree, e.g. you must have graduated within the last 5 years, but that's based on when you finish your degree, not your age.

I've hired trainees older than me before - lots of graduate employers are bigger companies, therefore companies with HR departments, and people who know the law and that they can't discriminate.

Do you have a particular sector/job in mind?

Original poster

Netflixandchili · 13/05/2021 07:43

DorisLessingsCat that’s a good point thank you. I hadn’t thought about that and I’ll have to check.

OP posts:

Alexapissoff · 13/05/2021 07:47

No, and I wish I had done. I was constantly told I was too old by my family when I was 28/29 to do anything, I had a 6 year old and was told I was a mother and a wife now, just concentrate on that.

It’s not too old at all, Christ you are so young.

nellly · 13/05/2021 08:10

You're not usually eligible for student finance twice so it's worth looking at that if you need it to do the degree. As an alternative what about a post graduate conversion course. You can do them in a variety of subjects? The funding is different and you can usually take a post grad student loan which is similar and adds on a small extra bit of tax at the end. I did this and would highly recommend. Completely changed from my original field.
As a bonus you can usually do it in one - two years.

I did it in law and a friend did hers in psychology. I'm sure other fields must have it too

Original poster

Netflixandchili · 13/05/2021 14:34

nellly that’s really helpful thank you!

OP posts:

lubeybooby · 13/05/2021 14:37

whether you do extra education or not, the time it takes to graduate is still going to pass, you'll still be in your 30's and possibly still pondering the same question - I'd go for it!

Fitforforty · 13/05/2021 14:39

Your not going to retire realistically until 68 so if you qualify at 35 that’s 33 years in that career.

NinaMimi · 13/05/2021 14:57

Do it! I’m mid 30s and have thought about choosing a different career so it’s good to hear about people older in this thread doing the same. Like others say you’ll have 30+ years of employment ahead of you after you finish the degree. Might as well change to something better.

I really don’t like the attitude that “you’re too old” to do something as it’s often said by people who are stuck in dead end positions or just generally unhappy people. I’ve experienced it in my own family from relatives mocking another relative for changing careers at 40. Years on they’re earning much more and seem happy while bitchy relatives are still in their unhappy lives. (Don’t get me wrong obviously there are exceptions with age like professional ballet dancer but in general you’re not too old for a career change if it’s something that suits you).

lastqueenofscotland · 13/05/2021 16:37

God no! I did a masters and there were plenty of people in their 30s and 40s who were getting onto graduate roles after. I think we had an 100% employment rate on my cohort.
The client side of my industry is very corporate and if anything that side seemed to prefer people who were slightly older who’d worked in very formal work places and were familiar with what was expected in that environment.

lastqueenofscotland · 13/05/2021 16:39

But no you won’t be eligible for finance for an undergraduate if you’ve done one before
You would be eligible for masters funding

wantmorenow · 13/05/2021 17:56

There are exceptions around the funding. certain shortage subjects are eligible for funding for part time degrees. e.. g open university would qualify plus other universities that offer part time.

www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/products/part-time-undergraduate-education/part-time-tuition-fee-loan/eligibility/

Rainbows89 · 13/05/2021 18:00

I’m 43 and just qualified in my new career. Now working and enjoying but also wondering what’s next!

28 is so young. You have your whole life ahead of you.

Mumof1andacat · 13/05/2021 18:08

My dh started a degree at 34. Never went to uni at 18. Hard work but all good

wingsnthat · 13/05/2021 18:27

I thought you can get funding for a 2nd undergraduate degree if it’s a STEM subject?

Original poster

Netflixandchili · 13/05/2021 20:43

This thread is actually really inspiring me to do something! Thank you.

OP posts:

wantmorenow · 15/05/2021 08:19

wingsnthat think only for part time strangely. Hope I'm wrong.

dubyalass · 15/05/2021 09:29

Go for it! I'm mid forties and recently changed career after completing a master's. This is my third career change and probably won't be the last

Equimum · 15/05/2021 09:49

I’ve just applied to go back to uni at 39.

My DH went back to uni at 27. He had started a career but hated it, and chose a new field. He did a Masters and when we met, when he was 29, he was doing a mediocre, just in the door job. By 35 he had reached management level and now, at 40, he earns a six figure salary and is a global director.

You absolutely can start again at 28, or even 38. If you want to do it, go for it. You have loads of time.

user7891011 · 15/05/2021 09:55

My mum did exactly that and is now on 90k at 46 so I say go for it :) she also had 2 more kids in that time

zizl · 15/05/2021 09:57

Not at all! Go for it.

AtomHeartMotherOfGod · 15/05/2021 10:08

Career change for me next year... age 46. Only a 1-yr course though.

For a 3-year degree I'd probably only start considering the merits of it (assuming there were some expectations of earning or making up the investment afterwards) if the person was within 5-10 years of retirement 😂 But many older people do degrees for fun in retirement anyway.

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