Tell me about your career change in 30s / 40s?

[Cigal]

I have had a realisation lately that I don’t enjoy my job and whilst it pays well and is convenient, want to do something that suits my personality and brings me fulfilment!

I am 32 but still feel that by the time I’ve trained, I don’t have time to be ‘successful’ in something else. Which I’m sure isn’t truly the case…?

I was in my 30's when I left my previous career to retrain. It was absolutely the right decision for me and I was not the oldest on my course. She (the oldest course mate) has recently retired after over 20 years in our "new" profession. I still work in our "new" profession and so do the majority of those I trained with.

20 years ago you were 12. Of course you have time to retrain and be successful

30s for me too. I left work and did a year's college course that included a weekly placement which got me experience in my new field. I am retired now and never set the world on fire career-wise but it was definitely the right decision for me.

Went back to uni at 35 to study law, with 2 kids and working full-time, qualified as a solicitor at 42. I love my job and especially the security it gives us! It's never too late, go for it!

Mine was not exactly a career change as I was a SAHM for a few years before retraining and didn’t have an established career before kids.
I retrained and qualified at 40 and now should always be able to find work, so it has been a success in that respect, but I am struggling a few years in with the motivation and energy to build a career, climb ladders and whatnot.

I went back to university to do a part-time degree when I was 38. I really enjoyed it and it opened the door to a new career/passion. I continued to work part-time while I did that degree which can be quite tiring/stressful but I needed the income!

I started my career aged 32

The other trainees were fresh out of uni

I did a post grad qualification at 32 and started a completely different career at 33. I then moved into a role that was not what I had ‘career changed’ specifically to do, but was sort of allied to it, at 36 and by 45 I was in a very senior leadership role in that area. I’m late 40s now and still have years left to push up further if I want to.

32 is still young. Go for it.

I went to uni in my early thirties and became a teacher. In my 40s I moved into HE and loved my job. So that’s two career changes.

I went to law school aged 30 after divorce. I was a single mum to a 2 and 4 your old at the time. Now I'm 48 and a partner in a law firm. I wasn't even the oldest person at law school!

Make a change if you want to. We all have to work until 67 now anyway - there's a lot of working life still ahead

I went back to uni at 32 to do a 3 year doctorate. Has a young dc. One of the best decisions I've made.

Went back to uni to do a Masters in a creative discipline in my 40s. About to graduate and once I have, I will look.for jobs in that field. It's never too late!

Was it hard to get a training contract? Did you need to resit any gsces or a levels before going to use or did u already have a degree? Such a good story to hear also being in my 30s wondering how much change is possible! So many questions

I did a law degree at the Open University and graduated with a 2:2. I didn't need to re-sit any GCSEs, even though they ranged from C - F, majority were D's. I did the CILEx training and Fast Track Graduate Diploma, then the LPC, I qualified as a CILEx Fellow (so just trained in 1 area) and then cross-qualified to solicitor. The above route hasn't held me back, I just accepted a promotion and a 10% payrise at a top 50 law firm.

I left HR at 36 to retrain as an occupational therapist. It took a couple of years part-time, but it was totally worth it—finally feel like I’m doing something that matters. If you’re unsure where to start, find the program that’s right for you on becomeopedia. Great if you’re after something meaningful without going back to full-time uni straight away.