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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you could retrain as anything what would it be?

193 replies

BlairBass · 05/03/2015 10:01

I'm a PA and a bloody good one (if I do say so myself) - am on mat leave from being PA to a Director... there's some satisfaction in what I do (I manage some projects solo, etc.) but most of my role is frantic last-minute activity for someone else, in office 8am - 6pm and contactable until 10pm (US company)...
I'm just wondering if you could retrain as something else, what would it be??
Money being no object (ha, wouldn't that be nice?!)
I wish I'd taken my degree more seriously (not majored in art history! why???!)
I think I might have enjoyed graphic design... maybe even accountancy...

OP posts:
cerealqueen · 06/03/2015 00:05

Or own a vintage B&B with each room decorated in a differnt era.

Spartak · 06/03/2015 00:10

I worked in a series of dull jobs in local government, then retrained as a physio when I was 35. Been working for a couple of years and still not convinced that I've found my place in life.

QTPie · 06/03/2015 00:44

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

daisychain01 · 06/03/2015 03:25

Definitely a landscape gardener

Then I can walk round property porn gardens and work out how to make them beautiful. Especially if the owners tell me money is no object and I can buy hundreds of shrubs and bedding plants!

EleanorAbernathy · 06/03/2015 03:43

A vet. It's what I wanted to do as a child but was hopeless at concentrating in science lessons so never got very far!

Or something to do with genetics - I recently did a course for fun which involved a module on genetics and DNA, I found it absolutely fascinating.

FatSwan · 06/03/2015 03:47

Marine biologist-as a child I was sure it was my calling.

But then, science...

SmillasSenseOfSnow · 06/03/2015 04:19

Doctor/Architect/Musician/Composer/Actor

Have just started on one of these paths in my mid-late twenties, and am very happy about it. I secretly want to do all of the other things as well though. Can I have nine lives, please?

ShouldAvePutASockInIt · 06/03/2015 06:00

I trained as a social worker in my early forties and love it..it's never too late - follow your dreams

Ohwhatfuckeryisthis · 06/03/2015 06:05

To all those people wanting to be doctors-I have a school friend who, after having her family, went through med school in her late 30s and now is a gp.
I wish I had stuck with sewing and become a tailor. (Now can't even thread a needle without an industrial magnifying glass)

DrHarleenFrancesQuinzel · 06/03/2015 07:48

Problem with retraining is that it takes money, which is something that is in short supply for some of us unfortunately.

Morloth · 06/03/2015 08:23

Diver.

I can't believe people get paid to go diving.

My plan when kids are grown up is to buy a house somewhere near good diving. Set DH in the basement with his computers and spend as much time underwater as possible.

Ally1234 · 06/03/2015 09:49

An academic. Preferably in religion/woman's studies/black American history.
Unfortunately I'm not very academic and an appalling at essay writing.
Florist would also be lovely x

SimplyRedHead · 06/03/2015 09:52

I'm a sign language interpreter and would love to be a SAHM.

ringle · 12/10/2017 22:54

I like this thread :)

Ohyesiam · 12/10/2017 22:59

I'd train to be a dancer. Dancing is the thing I do Best in the whole world.
I'd love to be in a contemporary company and tour.

phoenix1973 · 12/10/2017 23:02

Landscape gardener
It programmer
Dancer

SecretSmellies · 12/10/2017 23:06

I worked in International Development for years... specifically working in refugee camps in war zones. Then in my late 30s I retrained as a solicitor.

If money was no object though I would either run a hacking stable and or a rescue centre for animals.

PurpleDaisies · 12/10/2017 23:14

I wonder if any of the people from the original thread did change cater given that it's been so long.

PurpleDaisies · 12/10/2017 23:14

Career not cater

Badgoushk · 12/10/2017 23:27

Intelligence agent. Or detective.

But I'm already doing my dream job. I retrained to be a doctor at 30.

Ttbb · 12/10/2017 23:28

A potter. I really am not into having a real job but unfortunately I'm no heiress so I have no choice

CherryChasingDotMuncher · 12/10/2017 23:29

I did 2 years at Uni studying law then dropped out. I’d finish that if I could. I probably could TBF but it’s a big commitment with kids

storynanny · 12/10/2017 23:32

Ive been an infant teacher for 38 years and often thought that I would love to have had a job in an office and wear proper grown up smart clothes to work everyday and have adult conversations all day! Other than that, I would have ioved to have been a librarian.

elaine26 · 12/10/2017 23:39

I was a legal secretary for 5 years and I am now in my second year of an honours degree in psychology and counselling through open university and I'm loving it, wish I'd done it sooner

0ccamsRazor · 12/10/2017 23:39

I did mental health nursing then psychotherapy which I loved. I also trained in hypnotherapy and herbology as hobbies, in all I have done 10 years at university and collage.

I would love to retrain as a blacksmith specialising in sword making.