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Original poster

Has anyone completely changed career?

45 replies

Kentlassie · 14/04/2023 14:59

I’m wondering if there’s more to life/ more out there/ something that would make me feel more excited and fulfilled….

Currently 2/3 of the way through my last mat leave. I work for a large professional services firm in London, 4 days a week and reasonably paid. Little prospect of promotion unless I move firms and then need to work crazy hours.

I sometimes wonder about retraining to be an interior designer, or estate agent (!).

Has anyone completely changed careers? Was it worth it? I flip between ‘you only live once’ and ‘you’ve got a good thing in terms of salary and hours so carry on’.

OP posts:
FitAt50 · 14/04/2023 15:04

Yes. I was a department manager for a large department store for many years. I now work in recruitment for the civil service and love it. Great salary and pension

something2say · 14/04/2023 15:08

I was on a good salary in tech, but pressure, long commute, sales knob ends and boring / not proud to tell people.

Changed to third sector. Vocational, proud, heartwarming, made a genuine difference.

If only I'd tucked away another £20k. ;)

user40816 · 14/04/2023 15:15

Twice. Both times have caused me to reinvent myself which has only led to better things. The first move caused me to meet DP who I share DC with and the second, financial freedom and the ability to do pursue my ambitions.

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Edmontine · 14/04/2023 15:22

Yes. First career Oxbridge, high status, serious, City. Second, specialist postgrad institution, creative, all sorts of wondrous things ensued.

There’s a dedicated board now, for anyone who isn’t sure, or who thinks they’re ‘too old’.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Mature students: Distance learning, retraining and mentorship | Mumsnet | Mumsnet

Mumsnet makes parents' lives easier by pooling knowledge, advice and support on everything from conception to childbirth, from babies to teenagers.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

JimmyDurham · 14/04/2023 16:04

Woman I worked with once was a solicitor who re-trained as a pharmacist.

Bibbitybobbityboot · 14/04/2023 16:44

Yes, from professional services firm to academia. Huge improvement. I’d like to change again now though. Was hard as involved moving and a lot of financial sacrifice but worth it.

PollyPeptide · 14/04/2023 16:47

I was a charity worker and retrained as a teacher.

Ilikewinter · 14/04/2023 16:48

Yep, I worked as a retail manager, was in various retail job for over 20 years, and now I work as a case worker in the civil service.

Leftphalange100 · 14/04/2023 16:48

Yes I did- went from a low level management role, to retrain as a teacher. I make less but I have a better work life balance, and u enjoy my job and get satisfaction. Yes they're are challenging parts, but I'm so much happier now.

McConkeysPlate · 14/04/2023 16:51

I have spent most of my working life in care, now in my mid 40’s doing a Biochemistry degree. The future is exciting

BringtheJury · 14/04/2023 16:52

I'm old and have had many career changes, from finance to recruitment, to HCP , to property management to HR.
I went back to university to study to be a HCP but otherwise I've just managed to convince employers that my skills were transferable 😊

GoodWithCats2 · 14/04/2023 16:52

I made documentaries for a decade and now have my own business as a personal trainer and pilates instructor. I changed career after I had kids and I'm so glad I did.

defi · 14/04/2023 16:54

Yes I went from care to biomed. I was on little more then minimum wage so obviously motivated by money. Which is sad because I loved my job in care.

Cinnamon23 · 14/04/2023 16:58

I was a retail manager and hated it.

At 29 I made the move into logistics as a customs coordinator, studied to become a certified customs practitioner, worked my way into a couple of different internal roles - now 32 and a business analyst for the same company.

I’m also a Generation Logistics ambassador to help highlight the opportunities and career paths that are available for young people.

I’m truly passionate about what I do and couldn’t be happier. It was absolutely worth it, do what you love.

MrsScrubbingbrush · 14/04/2023 17:08

After I graduated I got a job as a trainee manager for a building society which was great as I managed to get on the property ladder quite young due to a subsidised mortgage.

I then moved to a mortgage department for an insurance company.

I saw a job advertised internally for an events manager and applied. I got the job. Totally different role but absolutely loved my time there.

WonkyFeelings · 14/04/2023 17:11

I had an office job and retrained as an acupuncturist. Love it although I took a financial hit. Still so worth it!

Original poster
Kentlassie · 14/04/2023 17:32

Love hearing all of these stories!

Second question….how did you decide what job/ industry to move into?

Although the inevitable pay cut is a worry, I’m early 30s (just) so have a lot of working years ahead and don’t want to be unhappy.

OP posts:
mdh2020 · 14/04/2023 17:39

DH was a husband and became a pharmacist
Brother in law was a lawyer and became an academic specialising in media and journalism
I started work in the oil industry and later went to university and became a H Ec teacher and then an academic

You need to follow your passion but prepared to take an initial drop in salary

restisall · 14/04/2023 18:33

Not as big of a change as your examples, as it’s still office work but I moved from working in local government to tech after doing a Bootcamp.

I prefer it, I get treated more like an adult, paid better, the environment’s less petty and political, and the workload is actually lighter, which surprised me!

I also have friends who moved into midwifery and physiotherapy from admin type jobs in their 30s.

Leftphalange100 · 14/04/2023 20:32

My change was something I always thought I wanted to do, but I kind of fell into my other role and progressed there. I changed in ym early 30s, and like you I just thought about my old job- I can't do this for another 30 odd years!

ByeByeMr · 14/04/2023 20:35

Not a career as such but I've gone from admin worker to dinner lady/TA which I enjoy.

Puffalicious · 14/04/2023 20:38

Help! I've been a teacher (English & Literacy) for almost 29 years. I always said I would go when I lost the passion. It's slipping away, but I have no idea what to do/ how to make it happen.

SophiaSW1 · 14/04/2023 20:43

I've done it twice and I know lots of people who have. If you want to do it you should

Catscatsandmorecats · 15/04/2023 09:23

I did, essentially to have kids. I was in TV then moved to IT which in my last IT role was amazing to fit around family life, and working with lovely people, however, like with your role I didn't feel fulfilled.

I ended up back in TV! Which I really do enjoy. It's harder with the kids but not impossible. If I'd not taken the career break (and ridiculous pay drop) then I'd have a better career and be better off by now but also I have landed on my feet a bit so maybe it wasn't all bad. It definitely showed me that I chose a career I loved. I don't think there's any harm in going for it, you can always go back.

2chocolateoranges · 15/04/2023 09:25

I worked in bars and restaurants for 18years , while we had our children, then went back to college while working part time and now work in early years! It’s such a challenging but rewarding job at times but I love it. I work for the LA so the pay is quite good for early years.

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