is this a mad thing to do for my career?

[Dilemmamamma]

So, age 51, last 25 years of career in senior management roles in public/non profit sector. Considering taking a very different 'entry level' job as an Admin Assistant in another organisation because its part time and I need to simplify my life for a few years with a less demanding job to spend more time with DC and aging parents - its not just the hours, its the head space I need. Just don't want the responsibility at the moment. Want a job I don't need to 'take home'. Will be a big hit on my salary but am hoping to be 'poorer but happier'. Is this totally mad at my age and kissing goodbye to future career prospects? I do have to work and may want/need to get back into more senior stuff in 7-8 years time (eg if DC go to Uni). I'll be working until in my 70s no doubt!

I think you have to think that if you take the admin job that's your type of job until retirement.

Yes it's worse case but at 60 after so many years it will be very difficult.

Also agree admin jobs can be stressful and don't underestimate boredom!

I have done exactly what you are considering and I absolutely know I’ve made the correct move. I Am a different person and I am constantly being told how relaxed and happy I am. Yes financially I’ve had to adjust quite a lot, but it’s was worth it for me.

I recently did a similar thing op. But I really was at the end of my tether both with the job and with trying to balance work and home. I'm much happier now. I miss the money a bit and sometimes it's a bit frustrating to watch the service manager make huge cock ups and not being able to do much about it-but I choose to view that with a wry smile rather than get annoyed about it.

Worrying about work etc when I'm not at work and often bring work home (I've always been like that in most jobs - I'm a bit all or nothing type of person)

Depending on the type admin you're doing, this may highly likely not change, especially if this is your personality type.

You need to check exactly how this will affect your pension before making any decisions.

I want to do this and I'm only 41! Following with interest!

I don't think you are at all mad, I am 48 and have had very senior six figure salary roles for the last fifteen years. I would love to take a step back / career change into a different (much lower paying) field, but it is incredibly difficult. People just dont get it and can be scared off by the seniority of the CV. I think you have done well to get an interview though! I cannot even get a recruitment agent to speak to me! Good luck.

Don’t do it!

Why are you assuming a lower paid job will be less stressful?

What have you done to reduce your hours/stress at your current level? Have you sought psychological support with everything you have going on at the moment? That could help you work through the options.

Are you single? If not, is your partner fully sharing the parenting and domestic work?

Suggest working through the financials, including the scenario that if you leave your current job you remain in low paid work long term.

Ageism / sexism is a factor too, when applying for new jobs, which will increase as you get older.

Loads of really thought provoking responses - thank you. For a bit more context, I did a cover letter with my application explaining why I was applying. I'm currently the director and lead the organisation in my job but it's a very small charity so can't reduce my hours further, responsibility for the charity is on my shoulders. Moving to a different mid level role is also an option but nothing in my area and in my sector I"d need to commute posts in London - no way! Have done freelance a few years ago. Not great for me as involved lots of work at home again. I am going to fully look at pension implications before I do anything rash. The new post is in a school ( not my DC's) so the term time only is a v temping attraction.

I think you need to give this serious consideration and think about why you want to do it.

A) the chances of you getting such a role is slim. I wouldn’t interview you I’m afraid

B) I think you’ll be keep silly. IF I think what my admin assistant does do you really want to do it? She does data input, books venues, sends out emails, lots of printing and putting packs together, booking travel, making name badges.

Don’t get me wrong, she’s great at her job, but I can’t see how a senior manager would find it interesting enough for more than a very short time

In your position I would go part time or do some consultancy. Admin is a nuts decision, if you even get an offer

Ok reading more: being head of a small charity, I totally get why you have had enough, it’s a huge pressure. I agree, you need a mid level role elsewhere and you’ll be such an asset. The skills you’ve gained and the breadth of your knowledge will be so useful. I’d go that route 100%

I do 4dpw in a relatively senior role, they gave those hours because they wanted to keep me. I do work insanely hard though!

You would be mad to walk away from your career at this point in time. I work in executive search (senior recruitment) and unfortunately ageism is still very prevalent. You will struggle to get hired in your mid-fifties.

Also think you will struggle to be satisfied doing low level work you're over qualified for.

If I were you I'd look for a role in a large organisation where you can use your skills but you are not shouldering ALL the responsibility. If education interests you could look at jobs in universities. I must admit I did spit out my drink at the idea that admin support in a school would be stress free ... Good luck with that!

At the age of 45 i took.voluntary severance after 15 years as a senior manager / subject matter expert role. Was burned out & had at the time an undiagnosed chronic illness. After 2 years of self employment consultancy & business support bits & bobs during a recession and living off my severance money, I decided it was too stressful to continue. I did 2 years temping admin work (4 assignments) and it was great to leave the job behind at the end of the day! It is humbling to have to suck up patronising attitudes (fortunately not often) but I did the jobs well & with good attitude. I ended up being offered the chance to apply for a permanent entry level role in civil service on the basis of having temped twice for that client (data entry, booking rooms, diary & organising travel etc). Have been there 2 years and promoted 3 times now & working a 3 day week. Great career average pension scheme too. It took me several years to get my balance but have found a happy medium in an organisation happy to employ a 50 something!

Boyskeepswinging - I don't think the new role will be stress free as I know how hard people work in schools! I'm expecting it to be busy and demanding in the work hours I am there (which is why I'm hoping it won't be boring but who knows?) but what appeals is when I walk out the door each afternoon, I won't be taking report writing, funding bids, preparing for board meetings etc etc home with me to do/think about in evenings/weekends.

Have you thoroughly investigated senior roles in larger charities / public sector organisations within a reasonable commuting time? Perhaps beyond your current field?

Assuming it’s a state school, it is likely to be stressful. Some schools are in financial trouble and cutting non teaching roles.

We hired a few ex-senior managers as admin assistants in our office. They had left previous roles due to burn-out but it was a disaster for them.

They found it very, very hard to be constantly monitored and micromanaged - virtually zero autonomy. And the team leaders found it very difficult to manage them in turn.

They felt patronised and talked down too. They often weren't, but they were just not used to it. For example, one ex-business manager was enrolled on a excel course as it was just assumed they'd never used it.

They left after a few years, and have never managed to get back on the ladder. They were also early 50's.

I am currently doing an entry level job, having had a good career up until now with a great deal of responsibility and autonomy, managing others and having been used to having an opinion that is respected as a SME in my last major role.

The job I do currently is easy but stressful in terms of being managed poorly, treated as completely replaceable and in having to get used to feeling patronised. There is no autonomy and every single minute that you are at work is accounted for and monitored. The job is very much welcome at present as needs must - but I couldn't see myself doing it for too long.

Please don’t do this - it is a fantasy. You will still end up working hard, just with less reward.

Go and see a recruitment consultant who specilises in your area. They may know people who are looking to expand their team and you would be the right fit.

Could you think laterally and use your current salary to give yourself a cushion for a few years and really build up some cash rather than just taking the first easier job available?

Get a few cheap BTL properties, you can get mortgages, on your current good income?

Really radically cut bills, take a lodger in etc, clear mortgage if possible? Do a part time masters or postgrad diploma in something like energy project management? Knowing you've got an escape route lined up will cut stress.

Can you get yourself a longish chunk of holiday to just think for a while? Pay for a therapist or personal trainer, buy in domestic help to buy yourself some more time?

I agree once you're "out of it" it's harder to get back in?

This is a mad thing to do OP, it will be very hard to return to a management role after downgrading to an admin assistant. Can you afford to take a career break instead? Is that something your existing company would support???

I wouldn't do it.

I would look for a job somewhere else at around current salary and try to be clear on what I did and didn't do outside working hours. A fresh start without the career suicide. X