To ask if you have changed careers in your mid 30s or later in your life?

[judybloomno5]

I am currently on maternity leave and I am considering changing careers.

I am currently in HR where I have worked in a call centre helpdesk environment and its recently been restructured so i feel my job has been downgraded and my skills will disintegrate. I have a good general business degree and I work for my DP part time (its not a business i could go into without us buying a premises which we aim to do but don't currently have the finances for, I just collect his receipts and manage accounts for him).

Have you changed careers at this stage in your life? What did you move to?

I'm 39 and training to be a social worker

RAF Intel to trainer for an emergency service. Did it as I didn't feel a career in the armed forces was compatible to being a mum. Work very flexibly now, although it does seem the way lots of things are going. Many of my colleagues now do agile working, those not on frontline duties.

I am pushing 40 and retraining in an allied health profession. I did consider nursing but the shifts wouldn't suit with childcare as husband also emergency services/shift work.

There are loads of mature people on my course and all the other allied professions: ot, physio, radiography, prosthetics etc. I was lucky enough to get a bursary/fees paid and my field is still Mon to Fri 8 to 4 mainly. So ok for childcare.

I would say go for it!!!

Local Government officer until 47 then went to university, obtained a First class degree, then a phd and became an academic at 53

That's fab dontcry - very inspirational!

Following this for inspiration! I taught for a couple of years then left for a 9-5 office job. It's a filler job really but I'm yet to realise what career job I'd like to do. Knowing that others have made a change in their 30s is inspiring.

One job 20-30 odd, teaching from 30 odd to 49 and currently retraining to be a psychotherapist - should be able to earn a living from it in another two or three years. Strange, because I have always been a stick inthe mud,career for life type of personality! What's the worst that can happen..?!

Started my own business as an illustrator with an online shop selling my products and doing commissions for others at 33. I still have a 12 hours a week job in my old job but should be able to leave that in about a year's time to earn a full time wage from the business.

Previously worked in charity sector project management and publicity after studying sociology.

I'm going to be retraining but I'm struggling to decide what in!! I'm 41.

I'm 34 retraining to be a scientist. Went started university at 32.

Yes, I changed. Went from financial services in a big investment firm (hugely stressful but well paid) to a very small business doing techy type stuff (very specific so more detail might out me). It's a lot lower paid and things are very tight financially but shorter hours and with a parent - friendly employer. I'm much happier.

I got this job based on skills I gained from my hobbies and non - day job interests more than anything else. I suggest rewriting your CV with the skills and experience that reflect the job you want to get and try that way, and recognise that it might take a while to find the right fit.

I took a break after having kids and have started a new career in finance. I had several years out with the kids where I researched, studied and volunteered. It worked and I feel very lucky to have found a role to start on this new path. I have more exams to do which isn't easy to with kids and a house to organise. I think more and more employers are realising people want second careers, particularly returning mums, a great untapped source of talent. Although if you didn't become a senior manager pre kids (I was mid 20s when fell pregnant so still fairly junior) then ignore the returnship schemes. The mumsnet career event also felt aimed towards older and therefore more senior mums, or those wanting to set up alone. It's definitely possible and absolutely worth it.

Following with interest. I've been working part time in local government for 8 years, with little chance of promotion and no career development. I'm bored to tears and feel like I've hit a dead-end. The thoughts of another year doing the same thing is filling me with dread - 2017 may be the year for change!

I've been in retail management since leaving school. I haven't gone back to work since maternity leave finished in April, instead I'm using my time to retrain/study to become a social worker.

I am 31 and only have vocational qualifications and I am absolutely loving the whole experience. By the time I am qualified my youngest will be at school full time so childcare shouldn't be extortionate. My husband also works in a job where he'll be available for either drop off or pick ups from school.

I weny back to college to do accounting at 37. Best thing i ever did. I'm still studying, a couple of years to go, but i'm so happy in my job. I consider myself incredibly lucky.

I'm 32, TTC first DC at the moment and planning a career change (accountant at the moment). Haven't decided what to yet, but thought mat leave would be a good time to plan it all.

Also I'm in the Us and looking at careers at my local top tier colleges so I can take my MBA with a hefty discount while earning. I feel like I have gained valuable experience in accounting as an auditor but that the jobs left for me are not that great. I'd like to take my critical thinking and analytic skills and apply them to marketing/strategy. Discount on tuition is 90% after one year at one place and 100% after two years at the other. I'm happy to take 5-8 years to complete my MBA as it will almost be free.

I started retraining at 28 n on bottom rung of new career ladder now at 33 as a staff nurse.

Certainly wasn't the youngest or the oldest on my course. Don't think it's ever too late to make changes to your life, if you've got the will and energy then go for it.

Some of the older sudents noted that it would be more difficult with younger children but still doable.

I did in my forties! Early career in PR, break to have kids, then trained to be a teacher. Do it!

Went into one of the allied healthcare professions in late 30's. There was half a dozen older people on my course out of a cohort of 50. I had worked in the chemical industry but had a decade as a SAHP which basically killed my career. Because I was a sahp and the uni course was free at the time then the finances were doable but giving up an actual job to be a student must be really hard I think. I know about 5 people who I used to work with have retrained as science teachers, which only took a year because they had BScs already. I'm not cut out for teaching though.

Got made redundant at 48, best thing that ever happened as it was the kick up the backside I needed to change my career.

Back to college for 3 years at 53, yes, was eldest in the class, few bumps along the way but now in a job I enjoy.

Changed twice. Left a job in tv aged 33 and went to university. Then aged 50 left tv and became a journalist.

I'm 34 and need to retain in something but I just don't know what to do. Where can i look for inspiration? I really don't know what I can be. The traditional job titles like nurse or teacher don't interest me. I'm good at studying and always got A's and a first, just not in anything useful...

Glad to hear other people's have done it.

*people

Auto correct...

Inspired by this thread I've booked onto a postgraduate open evening in two weeks time.