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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To retrain in my 30s?

43 replies

GetYourRosariesOffMyOvaries · 10/09/2017 21:44

I'm almost 30 and single with a six year old. I feel really unsatified with my working life and working future as there it is very unskilled "office" based work, mainly with young people and college students. I don't hate work by any stretch and I think that's partly the problem. There is no real opportunity to progress especially as I'm restricted with what hours I can do so my earning potential is fairly low and fulfilment is equivalent unless I go and retrain but I have tried this (evening college) but it wiped me financially, time and energy wise plus I did it on a whim and chose a subject that didn't really interest me!

I would love to hear stories of people who retrained later in life. I'm interested in psychology, addiction studies, sociology, counselling etc which are all a bit wishy washy in terms of employment (as in, do nursing you're a nurse, engineering-engineer, accounting etc)

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 10/09/2017 22:12

I'm employed in this area (addiction) after retraining later in life. My job also involves careers advice. There are possibilities for learning and training via short courses and volunteering to see if the area is for you.
I'm also a qualified and self employed counsellor but would advise that training is long, hard, expensive and paid employment opportunities are limited.

rightnowimpissed · 10/09/2017 22:30

I took professional training for my career and it actually started on my 30th birthday so it's not unreasonable at all. In fact I don't think any age would be too late.

Linzilou1985 · 10/09/2017 22:35

I decided to re train as a nurse. I've been studying for 4 years currently, I'm not in my final year! It's hard work, but it's definitely going to be worth it! When I started college, I was a single mum to 2 year old twins. Now they're almost 6 and I'm engaged to a lovely man. Do it, what's the worst that could happen Grin

Linzilou1985 · 10/09/2017 22:35

I'm 32 btw

Linzilou1985 · 10/09/2017 22:35

Now not not!

DarthLipgloss · 10/09/2017 22:37

I retrained as a physio qualified at 34. Was best thing I ever did, totally life changing work in acute mental health now and love it x

TopangaD · 10/09/2017 22:51

Go for it, I have several friends who have done it..

goeasyonthetonic · 10/09/2017 22:53

I retrained as a teacher when I was 40 and a fellow ex-teacher retrained as a chiropodist when she was 50!

rightnowimpissed · 10/09/2017 22:57

I'm also thinking of retraining now as a teacher

goeasyonthetonic · 10/09/2017 23:03

Brilliant we need more teachers. Are you interested in primary or secondary? Contact your local schools and say that you are applying for teacher training and would like a couple of 'shadowing days'.

It is a great job - tiring, infuriating, stressful but the pleasure you get when you have a positive impact on a young person's future outcomes is worth it.

FallingOrbit · 10/09/2017 23:05

Do It! Train in whatever motivates you, seriously. I was a down and out til I was 28. I'll be 35 next month. I was always very motivated in my line of work (timber industry) so I started my own business. I'm now the proud owner of my own timber merchants with good premises (ok I don't own the premises) - I own all of the equipment outright, employ 6 full time staff and 2 part time. I also gained my heavy goods (class 1) and several other strings in my bow. I'm not saying it's easy, but if I can do it so can you (in whatever field you'd like to work)

rightnowimpissed · 10/09/2017 23:08

Secondary maths teacher is the aim. Doing the 1 yr pace course.

donajimena · 10/09/2017 23:09

I'm 45 and I start University next week. For a whole new career. I'm a lone parent too.

goeasyonthetonic · 10/09/2017 23:13

Excellent we need all the maths teachers we can get. As it is a shortage subject it is also easier to pick up part time jobs.

Don't let any moaning comments about education put you off. It is tough going but rewarding. You can always tutor as well at a later stage.

Good luck

Original poster
GetYourRosariesOffMyOvaries · 10/09/2017 23:20

I'm so envious encouraged reading all your replies, thank you!
I would love to even feel I had some direction, I think it's this rather than self doubt that holds me back!
Every reply I was a bit like "oh! Yes I want to do that too!" I kind of want to do everything but I don't really want to do any one thing in particular.

I'd love a self discovery course!

OP posts:
NotQuiteThere · 10/09/2017 23:21

I retrained as a maths teacher, qualified when I was 38. The term times are incredibly tiring, but you get the moments of light, when students tell you how much they enjoy maths now, or that they finally get something. Helping young people to decide their path in life is also very rewarding.

I feel guilty about not paying as much attention to my own dc as I would like during term time, but having the holidays with them is absolutely priceless.

My salary has more than halved, but I'm still pretty sure I made the right decision. I am knackered, though!

Allthewaves · 10/09/2017 23:30

Mental health nurse?

LindyHemming · 10/09/2017 23:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ilovesooty · 10/09/2017 23:33

I retrained after leaving teaching in my 40s.

Puffthemagicdragongoestobed · 10/09/2017 23:38

Also considering going into teaching, I would be over 40 when qualified.

KnitFastDieWarm · 11/09/2017 00:12

I think it's a great time, personally - you're old enough to have a good idea of what you want from life and have a bit of commitment, but young enough to have the energy and time for a long career after changing direction. My dad didn't start his healhcare training until he was 32, starting from the very bottom and working up, and went on to have a long and very successful career in that field until retirement a few years ago. I'm 30 and am halfway through a masters in the subject I loved and studied as an undergraduate ten years ago - going back to studying is one of the best things I've ever done for myself. Go for it!

KnitFastDieWarm · 11/09/2017 00:15

Also, have you thought about the open university? You can get a student loan and you don't have to pick a degree direction straight away so can take a few modules in sociology, psychology etc and find out what you enjoy and are good at. I did my undergrad at a brick uni but am doing my masters with the OU and they are bloody marvellous.

nigelsbigface · 11/09/2017 13:55

I've just this minute registered for a course in addiction counselling. I've got some interviews for jobs that are more part time than my current one this week and if I get one of them in jacking my one in to allow me to concentrate on my training more.(and also because I hate it).
I'm very nervous about all of this but I also recognise that if I stayed in my current role in my current field I would go mad. So I've thrown caution to the wind and gone for it!

Excited but scared!!

nigelsbigface · 11/09/2017 13:56

I'm 37 meant to say.

amousehaseatenmypaddlingpool · 11/09/2017 14:26

I retrained at 36. I didn't go back to school, instead I interned at a company and learnt on the job.

Best thing I ever did. Good luck OP!