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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Almost 40 (turning 39 this year) and applying for graduate roles

29 replies

AteRiri · 15/03/2017 09:39

It kinda depresses me.

I'm a career changer.

Anyone in the same boat?

OP posts:
highinthesky · 15/03/2017 09:43

Why the downer? You've got another 30 years of working life in you, who can blame you for changing direction?

At 39 you'll have loads of transferable skills, see it as a new adventure!

Original poster
AteRiri · 15/03/2017 09:46

Just that I'm applying with kids half my age - almost!

OP posts:
Enidblyton1 · 15/03/2017 09:48

Ooh what profession? I'm in my mid 30s and would love be brave enough to change career. Good luck!

wictional · 15/03/2017 09:54

No, just in the boat of trying to get a graduate position as a mid-20s recent graduate and getting turned down because there are people with more experience

Original poster
AteRiri · 15/03/2017 10:00

I'm applying for graduate roles in Business IT.

OP posts:
crankyhousewife · 15/03/2017 10:03

I'm older than you (44) and am in the process of re-training. Figured I'd got a lot of working years ahead of me I might as well get qualified in an area I'm interested in (HR).

So what if other people are half your age. It's never too late to begin a new career.

StarUtopia · 15/03/2017 10:06

I tell you what depresses me! When I look at what my first graduate job pays now. Basically what I'm being paid now! How the f does that work!

Should I reapply back to my first company and start again! Grin

Good for you. Lots and lots of working years left yet. Just go for it! Just think how much more mature/levelled headed you will be and come across compared to a 20 something. I'd employ an older person definitely.

Alice212 · 15/03/2017 10:20

If it's the age of your fellow applicants it's not quite the title of yotr thread
Is it that you regret not doing this before? Or you hate being a serial changer?

I'm bored out of my mind with work at the moment, I have the odd moment of "shall I change" but in reality I know half the issue for me is office culture and commuting etc. Thank goodness for MN. Wink

Original poster
AteRiri · 15/03/2017 10:20

I hope they think of it that way. I sometimes feel like my age and previous experience might work against me. :(

OP posts:
Original poster
AteRiri · 15/03/2017 10:22

If it's the age of your fellow applicants it's not quite the title of yotr thread

No, more my age than theirs :)

OP posts:
Solasum · 15/03/2017 10:25

I am in the early stages of doing this too (30s). I reason that they will be getting a bargain in employing me on a graduate salary, and that it is short term financial pain for me for long term gain. It will be a poor few years though.

Alice212 · 15/03/2017 10:26

So why is it depressing to have a career change at your age?

Original poster
AteRiri · 15/03/2017 10:30

So why is it depressing to have a career change at your age?

Because I'm almost 40 and starting again.

OP posts:
TheFlyingFauxPas · 15/03/2017 10:33

I'll be 49 when I graduate. Thinking my oyster will be a little smaller but it will still be my world Smile

Original poster
AteRiri · 15/03/2017 10:34

"my oyster will be a little smaller but it will still be my world smile"

This is so beautiful.

OP posts:
Original poster
AteRiri · 15/03/2017 10:38

The crazy thing is....I am actually itching to get another masters degree that will let me do something really cool (at least for me).

OP posts:
RoboticSealpup · 15/03/2017 10:41

I feel your pain. I graduated at 30, had DD at 32 and now fighting my way though a crowd of young, bright and 'flexible' applicants who can travel, work late and relocate and aren't constantly sleep-deprived . I also need a better paid job than I had before my maternity break as my old salary wouldn't have covered childcare...

(I wouldn't change anything, though. I'm really glad I got my degree and had my beautiful DD!)

buzzmoon · 15/03/2017 11:35

I think it's great, like someone said you have 30 years ahead of you! I'm in my 20s and have never really thought about a career change, but actually what a great idea. I work with people who have done the same thing for nearly 50 years!! I'm up for mixing it up a bit later in life, even if it means starting from scratch. I bet you're more financially stable at 40 so could take a pay cut? And maybe grown up children so can concentrate on any training? Sounds like a fab idea 👏🏼

Astoria7974 · 15/03/2017 11:39

Business IT likes to put experienced professionals in Project Manager roles. All you really need is the ability to deliver a plan and manage a budget. Try and hone your CV to show that and you could probably apply for a non-grad job.

justilou · 15/03/2017 11:40

I will be 45 this year and just starting university. Good luck!

wizzywig · 15/03/2017 11:41

Im a couple of years older and im tryinv to put a positive spin on it. I wont be taking maternity leave, wont be relocating for schools, so invest in me and fingers crossed ill be working for you forever

reallybadidea · 15/03/2017 11:53

I'm just in the process of changing career for the second time at 39yo which will mean taking a huge pay cut in the short term but hopefully will be worth it in the long term. It's a bit daunting and exciting in equal measures!

LaurieMarlow · 15/03/2017 11:58

You're ahead of the curve Wink. Career changing is going to become much more of a thing as people realise they need to work for longer - and who wants to be stuck on the same career for 50 years?

The salary is a pita, but it's onwards and upwards from here. You've done the right thing and it's going to be amazing.

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 15/03/2017 12:19

I'll have just turned 40 this year when I finish my Master's and am planning to go back to work in September. I actually kind of feel like my career is just getting started. My twenties I finished my degree, tried all sorts of jobs, then retrained and my thirties have been about staying at home with the kids, fitting in self-employed jobs and studying again. I'm ready to commit to my career now. Got many years of working ahead of me...

JoJoSM2 · 15/03/2017 12:31

Don't get depressed over it. Presumably, so far in your life, you've worked for 15-20 years. You have another 25+ to go so enough time to try at least another 2 careers ;)
My sister is currently at med school - decided to change careers in her thirties and is studying with kids only a few years older than her first-born...