To try to retrain in a completely new career at the age of 35?

[AnnabelTheAntelope]

And where the hell do I begin?

Posting here for traffic really.

Backstory is that I have been more or less a sahm for the past four years, (but I do some evening and weekend shifts at a local gastropub). Prior to that, I worked in various admin roles and was fairly good at them and would have no major qualms going back into something like that.

But, as I have found out recently, these jobs are very competitive / oversubscribed in my area. I can’t see me getting anything all that wonderful in this field which I could hang on to. I was made redundant from my last job, (while on Mat leave with dc1); admin seemed to be among the first to go, as we were seen as fairly expendable in the industry I worked in.

Also, as things stand, if I went back to work on my pre dc salary, we wouldn’t be able to cover the costs of childcare, so it doesn’t make sense for me to go back into a weekday / admin role now.

Anyway, now we have a second dc (8mo) and we are due to have some ‘spare’ money soon. Not huge, huge amounts, but more than we’ve ever had all in one go iyswim. We could theoretically use (some of) this for me to retrain. I just don’t want to throw money at anything for me then to find I still can’t find a reasonably secure job at the end of it all.

I should also add, if it’s relevant, that I have a joint honours degree in Political Science and a European language from a very good university, but I haven’t actually used much of it at work yet... and I graduated over ten years ago .

Should I bother, or is it a waste of money, seeing as I can’t go back to full time weekday work till dc2 is at nursery, 2.5 years from now? With Brexit looming and the disruption it may cause, would we be wiser hanging on to our money? I can’t decide if this is the perfect time to train as I have spare time, but can’t go to work, so distance learning would be doable, or if it’s a completely stupid time to retrain and I should just forget it for a few years...

Oh thanks reallybadidea! What a really good idea (arf arf... sorry).

I agree that some of the more basic admin jobs I think will become obsolete eventually. Already noticing audio typing jobs are not as in demand as they used to be in some industries. I was a travel coordinator at one point. My dh works in a really similar company to the company I worked for, and they all just book their own travel, put it on their credit card and they have software which ensures everyone follows travel policy, so there’s really no need for a designated travel booker anymore.

Hi OP
I am a diagnostic radiographer, happy to answer any questions you have.

It is very much a shift working job, not the best for childcare, but it can just be luck depending on what hospitality you work at. I used to work for the NHS but now I work for a private hospital and my hours vary from 8-4pm or 12-8pm. Usually not later, but we do on-call once per week and a weekend once in a blue moon.

When I was in NHS shifts would range from 8am-7pm, 9-5pm, 9am-10pm (killer!) or 7pm-9am nights (also really tough)

It is a really varied job though, and quite a lot of different areas to specialise in 😀

I know that most OTs usually work 9-5 mon- Friday and there is a shortage of them. I also believe there are fast track courses for OTs with a previous degree. You can do the whole BSC in two years (condensed down from 3 years)

I’m 54 and could be made redundant within next year I’m considering training to be a driving instructor and go self employed
Any instructors out there with tips for me

ODP is interesting but it is one of this jobs that you don’t really know whether you’ll like it until you do it, IYSWIM? There’s not much of an opportunity to try it out before committing to it, because non registered Theatre roles are rare and theatres is one of those ‘high security’ parts of the hospital, so you can’t just shadow someone for the day/week to see what they do. Most of the ODPs I know have trained in it after a career in theatres (portering or other non registered roles). They haven’t come into it ‘blind’, so to speak. The environment, rules and culture are so alien that it is total marmite, IMO. It is very technical (maintaining and checking bits of equipment as well as patient facing stuff) and LOTS of standing around, whether that’s holding limbs or holding bits of equipment.

I’m a nurse and found theatres really hard for that reason. Too much standing around, I’m no stranger to 14 hour shifts on the go but my feet and back were killing after 10 hours in theatres! The only phase I did like was PACU/Recovery but that’s because it’s more familiar nursing territory. However, I accept that is because me and my preferences/personality and not anyone else. I like my patients awake and communicating .

I do worry that I won’t know what sort of nursing I want to do until I’ve tried it. Which is what makes me think I should do a general nursing degree first and then specialise. The childcare issue is the thing which is making me hesitate.

Im in my 40s and just been accepted into a grad training programme after a career break. Go for it

I'm retraining in a new degree - I started at 47. First degree done now -a 2 year conversion and I am on to my masters. It is in healthcare and I need to be mature (I ace that one)

My friend retrained at 43 and is now at 52 successfully employed in her new career.

My cousin retrained in nursing at 49. My friend has decided to retrain at 45.

We will all be working until we are about 70 so you might as well do something you love - also when you do something you love the study and work experience are easier.

I also know a person who qualified - after mature entry aged 32 - as a Dr at 40 - and has practised now for over 15 years.

So long story short, go fo it. Also if your first idea doesn't work out don't be afraid to change - I tried interior architecture for 6 months but had to quit as I really hated it, even though I love interior design and have renovated 3 houses.