Retraining at 40+

[anewstart2018]

I'm a regular poster but have name changed for this.

I'm in my mid-forties. I left my job in a caring profession a year ago and have been learning various computer skills. I thought I'd start designing websites but, although I have learnt the skills I need, don't find it as enjoyable as I thought I would.

I need something to get excited about. I think a tangible career to retrain in. I have a small amount of money left, but need to start earning quite soon.

Has anyone else retrained this old? What in? Did you manage a career change?

Suggestions please!

Watching with interest. I have registered for a training course later this year which I have been interested in for a while, and will allow me to go self-employed if it goes well. I hope to keep my part time job going as well for a while as a backup, with the security of a regular income whilst I am finding my feet. I hit 40 earlier this year and just thought "if not now, when?"

I am 41 and two years in to retraining as an Occupational Therapist. Good move fit me, children (12 and 11) are on board with it and very proud of me. Go for it I say, you have loads more working years left if you go do something you will enjoy.

That's good to hear Leo.
My problem is what to do?
Does anyone work in a field that's desperate for people?

I have enrolled for a masters degree in September in a STEM subject that the government has identified as an area of skills shortage, so the fees are being paid for me. Could you find something like that?

“My problem is what to do.”

Maybe try one or two of the free MOOC online courses that interest you to see what appeals?

we both decided to change career mid 40's as we wanted to set up our own business and work for ourselves. if you are say 45 and a woman then you have at least another 20 years in front of you of employment (scary thought!) so it is well worth retraining and doing something else.

I think you might need to go and have a chat with a careers advisor to see if there is anything that would spark your interest in terms of doing things.

there are lots of temp jobs out there that you could do to bide your time. you wont earn a fortune but it will give you a bit of time to have a look around at what there is.

the thing I would say is really important is to get together a really good CV. look at all the transferable skills that you have and don't do what most people in their 40's changing career do and down play your abilities or just think that something are taken as read. just put down everything. My experience of looking at CV's for the over 50's is that they just forget to mention things, or assume that I know that they have this or that qualification or experience.

I would look at other social media type work that you can do. some companies will pay you to do blogs for them or to write bits for facebook. small businesses will only want to pay peanuts for a new website so bear that in mind. have a look at a few business support type roles as well these can be really interesting as well as working for charities, third sector or not for profit organisations. there is masses out there and you just need to narrow it down a bit first.