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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to consider a complete career change in my mid 40s?

46 replies

Shagged · 08/09/2019 17:54

At school my favourite subject was always art but I was also very academic and excelled at maths. I ended up dropping art post 16 and qualified as a healthcare professional. I am now 44 and have been working in this profession for the past 22 years. It has allowed me a great work life balance and I currently work 3 days/week for approx 30K and have 2 teenage DC. I know I am lucky in many ways but my work life has never really excited me.

DH earns approx 40K so we live a comfortable life but are not rolling in it. Mortgage is paid off and we have quite a bit of savings.

I am passionate about dressmaking and costume design but am self taught so currently it is a hobby only. My question is would I be mad to enrol on a 15 week intensive FT course in costume design which has a great track record for leading to a career in theatrical costume design and creation for theatre, film, TV etc?

I obviously wouldn't be earning anything while I do the course and would then need to build up contacts and experience so unsure of earning potential. I would also need to pay to do the course (not sure of cost yet).

Am I crazy to even consider this considering I'm not unhappy in my work life. There is a big part of me which would love to do something more creative and exciting as a career but have I left it too late and better to stick with my current career and continue to enjoy my hobby!?

OP posts:
Daaps · 08/09/2019 18:04

Could you do it and keep your registration and do some bank work to keep your hand in and in a couple of years if you decide it was a bad move you would still be able to get back where you are

Original poster
Shagged · 08/09/2019 18:14

Yes Daaps if I complete revalidation process and pay to stay on register then I could potentially pick up some locum work in interim if new career doesn't take off very quickly (or at all!)

I wouldnt be able to do any paid work during the course though as I gather it is pretty intensive and FT Mon-Fri

OP posts:
Brakebackcyclebot · 08/09/2019 18:19

Could you go back to this job or another like it if it doesn't work out?

I believe life is too short to have regrets and if you are passionate about this and can fund It, I say go for it. And give it 100%. You only get one shot at life.

I speak as someone on their 3rd career - the most recent change was a move to self employment that meant new training, funding set up etc etc. It was daunting and some times overwhelming but exciting. I did it at 46.

cardamoncoffee · 08/09/2019 18:27

Personally I do think you would be mad. You have a nice life and have four free days a week, why not do the theatrical costume making then? Do you really need to do the course?

You have 2 teens who might go to university (and need your financial help) and your work/life balance sounds amazing. I honestly wouldn't rock the boat.

cardamoncoffee · 08/09/2019 18:30

Meant to ask are you realistic as to how good your sewing skills are? An acquaintance set up a cake making business recently because"she's been doing it for years" and some of them have been so bad that I'm embarrassed for her. She thinks they are amazing though!

Mummyshark2018 · 08/09/2019 18:33

Could you take an unpaid sabbatical from work for 6months or a year and see how the dressmaking goes? Are you likely to get a similar job if you did resign from your current role?

Original poster
Shagged · 08/09/2019 18:36

Brake I've never had a break in my career before other than mat leave so I don't know how easy it would be to get a similar job to the one I currently have if I took a career break
I would like to think I could but the reality is I don't know

OP posts:
C0untDucku1a · 08/09/2019 18:37

Can you not rearrange work so you work on your days off from the course in the interim?

QuaterMiss · 08/09/2019 18:41

I’m curious about whether the course you are thinking of is really better than a postgraduate degree in costume design. Wouldn’t a longer course put you on a more secure footing for future work? Wider contacts amongst staff, longer term industry placements, and a demanding and challenging period of competing against other students and finding out if you’re any good.

(Obviously if the fifteen week course is the best then ignore me!)

I can see no reason why you should not consider a career change!

Original poster
Shagged · 08/09/2019 18:42

Cardomon Thanks for your honest feedback. You are probably right and that is what I have been telling myself since I found out about the course which is why I haven't mentioned it to DH or anyone IRL

There isn't really any money to be made in normal dressmaking and although I enjoy it as a hobby I have no interest in attempting to turn it into a business. I think it would be very difficult to break into the film world without some specialist training and work experience which the course includes. I don't know if I have the requisite talent but I assume if I applied to do the course then I simply wouldn't be offered a place if my skills aren't up to scratch (which would take the decision out of my hands)

OP posts:
Original poster
Shagged · 08/09/2019 19:36

QuaterMiss I havent explored other options but this appealed as it is very geared towards propelling students into the film/TV industry

Also a longer course would require an even longer career break and longer without earning

OP posts:
mintoreo · 08/09/2019 19:45

I think you should go for it, as it sounds like something you'll regret if you dont. Like you said if your skills aren't good enough you wont get on the course. Stay registered as a hcp and then you have something to fall back on if it doesnt work out. You could always give it a set amount of time to see if you get a career out of it before then looking for a permanent job again in tour original field.

LemonAddict · 08/09/2019 19:48

Would your DH be happy to be the breadwinner for the foreseeable future while you do this?

Pikapikachooo · 08/09/2019 19:49

You have to work for another 20 years!
And if this is your passion and something you would like to do even into your late 60s
Why not pursue it

20 years is a very long time
I am not one usually for the ‘follow
Your dreams’ memes , but I think it’s worth seriously considering

CloudRusting · 08/09/2019 19:54

Have you considered where the available work is and what hours it involves? So let’s say you do the course, you’re good and you are in a place where you stand a chance with junior costume roles - are you in a position to up sticks for 6 weeks to go shoot in a film set? Are you near a large cluster of theatres? Is working in this field practical for you even if it becomes an option?

Also have you explored what this means in terms of tasks? I would assume that you’d be starting in junior roles and may spend more time steaming costumes, sewing buttons back on, making sure everyone has their right set at the right time etc rather than designing many outfits soon. So basically do you have a realistic view of the junior job not just idealised ideas?

Blakes77 · 08/09/2019 19:59

I think you are in a good position to re train and don't see why you shouldn't BUT:

You need to really research exactly where you want to be in terms of actual job before you embark on this.
If you are not sure of the actual job or industry you are aiming for, then find out more about the way staffing in theatre, film TV and commercials are set up. Then work backwards to decide which kind of course to do. If I were you I would contact the people doing those jobs and ask them the best route.
From experience theatre and film costume departments work quite differently anyway.
In theatre the costume designer may have a background in costume making but not always. Often these days the set designer and costume designer are the same person. In film and TV costume designers are not always trained seamstresses, and they outsource costume making anyway. Being able to dress a character and interpret the directors vision are more impirtant than sewing. Organisation, delegation and ability to source things is also key.
Contacts are everything. Get to know people, get an assistant role-nobody ever becomes a head designer without lots of assisting. One good (and surprising) thing about the theatre and film industries is that older women, once in, and if they are good, do continue to get work. Experience and competence is valued over youth and trendiness. Having said that, at college your cohort will be very young girls, and if you end up assisting your boss may well be much younger so bear that in mind.
Good luck!

QuaterMiss · 08/09/2019 20:06

Hmm ...

I’m not sure you should bank on being propelled into a sustained, comfortably paid career after a mere fifteen weeks.

It’s not my area of expertise, (I’m involved in related fields) but if I were looking for a costume designer I would want someone with an advanced degree level qualification - preferably including some study of history, politics, aesthetics, drama ...

Seriously, why not at least compare and contrast with the very best university / art /design courses available? You might as well - you’ll presumably be competing with these graduates anyway.

If you’re committed to a successful career change you may need to spend more time on qualifying for it. Do you have a portfolio of work to support your application (wherever you apply)?

(To reiterate, your age will be irrelevant if you’re talented, determined and resilient - but you’ll need to put in the work to make yourself competitive.)

QuaterMiss · 08/09/2019 20:07

(And everything Blakes said!)

Original poster
Shagged · 08/09/2019 20:30

Thanks everyone you have given me a lot to think about and the truth is that I haven't done a huge amount of research I just heard this course was highly recommended (via a friend of a friend who is a uni lecturer in textiles) and have become a bit obsessed with the idea of it

I think I really need to find out a lot more about the industry and the different roles within it before I get too carried away with the idea of a career change!

I haven't mentioned to DH yet so not sure how he would feel about me retraining. He is the same profession as me but is in his 50s so is more looking towards when he can start winding down before retirement

OP posts:
Blakes77 · 08/09/2019 20:31

Oooh, one last crucial thing- the best way to do something is to start doing it iyswim..
So, maybe get in touch with local theatre groups, student filmmakers etc etc and offer to be the costume designer. You won't get paid but you will start to build up credits and a portfolio. Don't forget to take photos and set up an Instagram account to show off your work.

This, as well as a solid course, will get you started.

Original poster
Shagged · 08/09/2019 20:32

Thanks Blakes that sounds like a good place to start

OP posts:
QuaterMiss · 08/09/2019 20:41

but is in his 50s so is more looking towards when he can start winding down before retirement

You may be surprised to learn that an increasing number of people in their 50s and older are embarking on second or third careers in just the same way as you wish to do ...

And yes, some work experience (which may well be unpaid) would be a sensible start. A good course should be competitive to get on to - so you’ll need to put in a convincing, well evidenced application. (If they accept anyone who offers to pay, you need to be wary.)

Bluddyhateful · 08/09/2019 20:44

As someone who works in the arts - courses are not vocational. There are no qualifications like there are in healthcare, for example. You might find qualifications help but mostly you need contacts and experience, so I would start with volunteering in a local theatre company or something similar, and see how it goes. You can then do the course later if it still seems the right thing to do.

Also a word of caution - many courses will accept you if you can pay, regardless of talent.

Costume designers I know work long hours in unstable and badly paid work, often travelling to be on set for months on time. Conversely, the people I meet you have joined the arts as a secondary career are always shocked at the low pay/ high pressure. Do try some work experience first.

Having said that, i agree that life’s too short not to follow your passion and it’s brilliant to work in something you care about deeply.

QuaterMiss · 08/09/2019 21:01

That’s interesting Bluddyhateful. I don’t want to hijack the OP’s thread but in the area of creative arts I’m involved in contacts and experience come as a direct result of working towards academic qualifications that include huge amounts of vocational training. A network of peers and experienced practitioners and opportunities to practise one’s craft are built into the time spent on the degree /postgrad degree.

Agree with everything else you say, though!

QuaterMiss · 08/09/2019 21:06

(What I’ve said is most strongly relevant to conservatoires and art schools, but I know people taking creative arts degrees at universities which also include lengthy internships in professional settings.)

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