To ask if you can make a new successful career in your 30s

[ciceroscribe]

O pr is it just too late especially if you have or want children as well?

That doesn't follow. I went back to uni after first degree (twice!) and got assistance

I just assumed you couldn't.

Never too late! I spent fourteen years as a manager for Tesco, retrained at 32 to teach, twelve years later I am a head teacher and haven't looked back.

I was a teacher but am not very good.

Wrong age group perhaps? An ex-colleague of mine lost all of her passion for teaching, and let's face it, that's understandable in this day and age, and instead went into adult education. She teaches functional skills for learners doing vocational qualifications and she lives and breathes it. It's not fantastically paid I don't think but she isn't starving and, as she tells me regularly, it's Monday to Friday, she writes her own diary, never misses assemblies and sports days etc. but gets all the satisfaction of teaching still. Just a thought.

On another note, are you sure you're no good? Or have you just lost your confidence?

Went back to uni aged 30. Qualified just before turning 32, got a job in new career, got pregnant, got a promotion 1 month before DS was born, go back to successful career at Christmas.

Totally possible.

I underwrote mortgages for my 20's after falling into it after leaving Uni. Did some exams for insurances then decided after having DS2 that I wanted a change. Now teach and love it beyond measure. Are you certain you're not a good teacher, though? Could it be the school you were in wasn't the right one for you? My first placement I just didn't fit in at all; the whole place just wasn't right, my new place feels like home, and I'm better at my job for being somewhere different.

I was 30 when I went back to Uni. It was hard having a second baby and juggling it all but worth every late night of study. It helped that I have a MIL who'd always help out and a DH who can be very flexible. But, yeah, you can begin again after 30 for sure.

I'm definitely not very good

I don't know WHAT to do with my life, at all!

I hope it isn't cos I'm planning on doing it in my 40s!

I really feel for you. I feel the same. I hate my job and know I can do something else - I don't dare get into debt (loan for uni) and can't focus on what I want to do. There's so much that seems fun, but it just is so hard to decide WHAT. I don't want to make a second bad career choice.

I can't see anything that looks fun!

I thought once I might be a good social worker but now I don't think I would be.

I know I want to leave teaching. I know I was good, but it's been beaten out of me. I'm good with people and children, but don't want ever to work with them again! I feel like I want to work for myself - to sink or swim by my own hand. I just don't know how actually to start.

You can't get a atudent loan if tou already have a degree. I know this for a fact.

I suspected that might be the case.

Unless: you hold an Honours degree or higher level of qualification and start a part-time Honours degree in engineering, technology or computer science (or a joint Honours in 2 of these subjects).

Not too late at all. I know plenty who have, even in their 40's.

I'm about to hit 40 and am in a similar position- want to retrain but don't know what to retrain in. To all
The people up thread who have retrained and say you love it etc can I ask what you do now?

I am retraining and am in my late 30s. I am studying an nhs allied profession. There are many mature students in my cohort. Oh and I have 5 children.

Graduates can get a bursary if doing an NHS degree up until last intakes of 2016. Otherwise the lovely tories are scrapping it. But it is said that graduates will be able to take our second student loans from 2017.

I am another teacher who wants out - can those of you who have suceeded at least give hints of possible fields or roles you are doing??

Reading with interest.

I've been retraining and have switched careers in my 30s. There's other funding around eg the 24+ learning loan. Speak to the National Careers Service who can tell you about funding options.

I feel the same. Late 30s no clue what to do next. I was a librarian but lost my job along with most other librarians i know, no real hope of finding another job in that field as there are so few now, so need to do something else (but definitely not teaching!). What sort of areas have people moved in to?

Changed career at 35 after mat leave. Best thing I ever did. Had to start at a lower wage but I've almost caught up to where I was after 4 years and will easily earn more than I ever could in my old career. It's not too late for you.

I'm in a similar predicament.

Is it possible to do an apprenticeship if you're 'mature'?

I'd also love to go back to uni but I've already done that once so couldn't get funding.

It's tough.