to ask if anyone ventured into a new career at 40?

[FionaGatwick]

How was it?

I'll be almost 40 when I start my new career.

It makes me feel sad and terrified.

Second year into my degree in counselling, I am 46.

Thanks everyone. I'm terrified, yet excited :) I wish I did not waste time with my previous career, but that's spilt milk now.

Not sure what your past career was, but surely it has been useful to you somehow! Is 40 old btw? I often see threads about starting new jobs at 40 and people worrying about them.

Wow this thread could be me. After 5 awesome years as a SAHM my new career, in a totally different field, starts on Monday. I have my dream job (not sure how I got it!) and I am scared, excited, nervous, exhilarated all rolled into one. Monday is day 1 of my new life. I am starting at the bottom but I don't care. :-)) Good luck OP!

I should add I am 38!

I don't know why I'm asking this because the answers will vary hugely but its something that's on my mind a lot and I'm feeling quite unhappy with the amount I earn. So, what is your ideal (and realistic) full time salary for when you hit 40?

I will be 50 when I qualify as a Social Worker!

I'm 41 and work in a business support function similar to marketing. I've recently discussed a sideways move into operational management with my director. I'm hoping to do this in the next five years when my sons are a little older. It will be a new career in a similar industry and I'm so excited about it.

I'm planning to go back to uni in September aged 40. The thought of a £54k bill plus interest terrifies me but I keep telling myself it's not real debt. It's the only way to earn over £18k in the rural area where I live without returning to teaching (I've taught in England and Wales and it's dire). Nervous about being the mature student who always has something to say who I remember from my first degree. Need to practise keeping my mouth shut sometimes.

I'm in my mid-twenties and am back at uni doing a PhD. It will be a career change at the end of it, and I really worried before starting that I'd left it too late and so on, but now I don't think it's ever too late to make a change. I'm really glad I made the choice to go back. I think you'll be glad you did it OP, don't be nervous.

P.S. I was also in a job I absolutely hated beforehand, and doing something you actually want to do and enjoy is definitely worth it, you'll be much happier!

I've been looking for a new profession for years now, I'm a teacher and I absolutely loathe it

I'm 42 and a part-time secondary school teacher (with primary age kids). I'm mid way through a masters which will hopefully get me on to a PhD course the year after next. I will be 47 by the time I qualify and I'm seeing my advanced age experience as a positive! I'm just really excited to have a second chance to forge a new career

Jumping on the bandwagon but anyone left nursing?
What did you go onto do? Also 40 😊

I started training for a new career after having kids and I'll be 37 when I qualify (if I pass all of my assessments!). Good luck OP!

I'm 44 and just qualified as a midwife. Also terrified!

Why are you sad? Is it because you didn't do it sooner? I've felt like this also but then realised I probably wouldn't be where I am now without the life experience I have gained along the way in my previous careers.

I'm looking to get into grad medicine mid 30s so will hopefully be starting out as a Dr late 30s early 40s and I think that gives me plenty of time to establish a good long career.

My retired mum retrained as a nurse starting at, I think, 40-41 and had nearly 20 years at a career she loved.

40ish seems like a good point for changing to me, still decades to go at work but plenty of life experience behind you.