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

[Shagged]

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, you don't sound like someone who flits from one thing to the other or makes rash decisions..... so I think if this thing really excites you and you have got to the point of thinking seriously about it, then it's great!

There are loads of practical implications of course and all the advice from other posters on that is great. I am sure you will embark on this with care. However, I get the feeling you almost are wanting 'emotional permission' to dream and make a decision that is for YOU.

Sounds to me like you have built a great life, making lots of sensible decisions. You are in a profession that is about caring for others. You have kids I am sure you have been a dedicated mother to. You have done all the right things for everybody through your life. So if what you are needing is permission to follow your passion for you, then YES! Damned right you can . You deserve it and you can be inspiration to your kids.....what an exciting new creative outlet, and what a great example to show them that you can pursue and work hard towards dreams all through your life. and no, 44 is not too late - that's less than half way through a modern professional life!!!!

If you are needing a cheerleader, you have one!

To be fair the costume designers and set designers I know are actually very well paid. I was pretty well paid as an assistant years ago. Theatre pay is much less than film/commercial though!

"Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't."

My mum worked as a nurse her whole adult life, then at the age of 50 needed a change. She went for it, as has never looked back, and has now let her registration lapse as she is more than happy with her decision. Good luck :).

her whole adult life

Only a third of her adult life, one hopes, SunshineAngel!

It sounds wonderful. You won't be causing your family hardship so you really should go for it!

Have you got any statistics or evidence that people who do that course go on to secure paid work? It strikes me as being similar to many creative writing courses for aspiring authors. So many of those lead to absolutely nothing except a large bill.

OP I feel bad, I really didn't mean to rain on your parade. My fear would be like the pp where the course is an expensive piece of paper and you will have lost your job, halfing your household income. £40k per annum when you have 2 near university age dc really isn't a lot. Maybe I'm projecting, I work PT as one of my dc has SEN and this is impacting the university choices my other 2 can make. Many of their friends are hoping to go to expensive cities and we just cannot afford to top them up to that extent. Our income is just over £40k. A 3 day week job at £30k would be my dream.

If you work for the NHS you would be allowed a career break of up to 2 yrs, returning to your original post as long as you keep in touch with your manager.
Worth exploring?

Actually - I completely forgot to point out that (assuming you have a first degree) if you got onto a post-graduate degree course you would qualify for a Government Postgraduate Loan, which would cover your fees. They’re very new so you may not know about them - but pretty much every institution offering Masters courses will qualify.

Do look into this. Just Google!

Thanks everyone for all the advice and opinions

Lots to think about and explore!

My Aunt did. This very thing, moved from banking to theatrical costume design via a course at college. She ended up doing everything from designing costumes for ballers to characters fro tv shows, she was late 40’s early 50’s when she started.

Oooo interesting Poptypingchef

Do you know if your aunt did a full postgraduate diploma course or an intense but shorter one?

QuaterMiss that's interesting about the loan to cover fees

Do you think your first degree would need to be in a related subject though? (i.e. Not Pharmacy )

To get the loan? No, not at all. As long as you have a place at a qualifying academic institution (and most will qualify) you can apply for up to £10k for a Masters course. Do go to the website for details.

It is up to you to get onto a course!

Thanks

Yes I appreciate that at this stage I haven't applied for or been accepted on to a course so all very hypothetical!

I also want to know about @poptypingchef‘s aunt!

Where was the course?
What level?
How long?
Competitive to get into, it not?
Previous experience? Evidence of suitability?
How was it funded?
Cohort?
Teaching?
Industry placements?
Enjoyable course?
Challenging or otherwise?
Smooth transition to sustained career? Or bumpy ride?
Academic institution’s support?
Situation now?

That should cover it ...

Lol - yes any additional info about your Aunt's career change would be fab Poptypingchef

What about taking time off to do the course and doing the theatrical design work on your non working days until you find a suitable paid job, or find a part time course that would fit with current working hours?

Though I had a career break in law and came back after two years, it isn't impossible to pick up where you left off if the theatrical design doesn't work out.

Hi @Shagged and @QuaterMiss

Not sure I can give you all the info you are asking but this is what I know.

She started off doing a night course to prepare a folio and then moved onto the HND/city & guild. All through the HND there was the opportunity to do placements and she made the most of building relationships. I believe it was self funded but i can’t say for sure.

The standard of the work on her course was incredible, i attended her shows and there was a lot of study into historical dress to ensure accuracy.

She now works mainly for one of the best known theatres in our city but does freelance work for ballet, tv and publishing companies. (The publishing is cool as she gets to bring kids books to life)

She moved to part time as she got the trial in the theatre and then was taken on full time.

No, the days of the "life job" are long gone.

Changing jobs every 3-5 years is the new norm, as is careers every 10-15.