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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to consider a change of career at 40?

101 replies

vivacian · 05/01/2020 17:02

I read or heard something the other week about someone feeling that they were just done with their career. As in, they had just come to the end of the road with it.
Something clicked with me, and I realise I feel the same. I'm not burnt out, cynicism hasn't set in... it's just run its course for me.

But what to do? Do I dare leap from the top of this career ladder? How do I pay the bills?

Would love to hear your stories and advice.

OP posts:
SpeedofaSloth · 05/01/2020 17:03

Watching with interest, as I have pondered the same recently.

Original poster
vivacian · 05/01/2020 17:15

Oh god, the bloody voting thing.

OP posts:
TheChippendenSpook · 05/01/2020 17:16

I'm not far off forty and changed career in June after 21 years as a nursery nurse. I love my job now.

Phineyj · 05/01/2020 17:18

Do you have a plan? You need a plan! I changed career into teaching at this age but it involved a lot of planning and a spreadsheet with a cashflow. It's perfectly reasonable to career change though. You could be working for another 28 years!

Original poster
vivacian · 05/01/2020 17:19

Did you have re-training costs @TheChippendenSpook ? And how did you manage living costs?

(Well done, lovely to hear a positive story).

OP posts:
NewNameGuy · 05/01/2020 17:19

I'm 36 and feel similar.
Got a great part time role though which I don't want to lose...

Original poster
vivacian · 05/01/2020 17:20

Do you have a plan? You need a plan!

I love plans! But I don't have a plan.

OP posts:
Original poster
vivacian · 05/01/2020 17:21

I think so far I've been picturing a sideways move, or losing another day, but now I've realised that I'm ready for something new.

OP posts:
spanieleyes · 05/01/2020 17:21

I did. I qualified as a teacher aged 43 after 10 years as a SAHM. I already had a degree so just had a PGCE to get through and a job to find! I'm now a primary Head.

MarshaBradyo · 05/01/2020 17:23

Can you say what area you worked in?

Everyone is so young in my old industry I’m not sure I want to go back to it

Marellaspirit · 05/01/2020 17:26

I'm interested by this too... I'm 37 and have been in my current career for 15 years, the last 9 of which in the same job. I feel like I've had enough. I don't enjoy it and don't really want to work in this sector any more. However, I don't know where to start when it comes to making a change. I would need to retrain, which I don't mind doing, but where I live, my options are quite limited. I applied for an apprenticeship the other day in a completely different sector...I don't for one minute think I'll be successful but I needed to do something to get the call rolling. I've been self employed for 9 years and to be honest, this apprenticeship would pay slightly more than what I'm getting now!

I really lack confidence in myself and my abilities... It's been about 15 years since I had a proper interview so I'm terrified at the prospect!

Letthemysterybe · 05/01/2020 17:26

Wow spanieleyes good for you! You
Must have worked really hard.

Insideimsprinting · 05/01/2020 17:30

Again I'm looking at this one with interest, running a business, have done for 10yrs.
By the end of this year another company taking over. My skill have very much revolved around doing the bookkeeping, managing staff, serving customers, invoicing basically a jack of all trades master of none. Previously worked in secondary schools as support staff and as a copper.
Currently doing some dinner nanny work to help with the transition but I'm really not sure where ill end up.
Many entry level choices due to many skills but no speciality skills so I feel a bit overwhelmed as to where to start.
One thing is for certain, I don't want to focus on retail or managerial roles as I have developed a bit of a hatred for them!!!!!

Boglins · 05/01/2020 17:30

I'm 38 this year and am about to take a 12 month career break from my 15 year corporate career to change direction entirely and become a self-employed caterer. If it works out then I will continue in my new career but if it doesn't I can return to my current role.

Might be worth checking your company policies to see if a career break is an option for you to explore training/further education/self-employment etc?

Original poster
vivacian · 05/01/2020 17:37

My work is related to secondary school leadership, good job security, very good pay and conditions. Career break not possible.

I'm tempted with policing - I have a high social responsibility driver and like the nature of investigations, but it'd be a drop of more than 50% of my salary and I'm used to very high levels of autonomy.

I really fancy a new challenge, a new project, something I could really sink my teeth in to.

OP posts:
drinkingwineoutofamug · 05/01/2020 17:44

Started nurse training at 41 after 14 years as a hca so yes do it!
Only difference is I've been seconded from my trust so still on full pay.

TheChippendenSpook · 05/01/2020 17:44

Thank you Smile No I didn't have any retraining costs and I was poorly paid as a nursery nurse so I am very lucky now that my wage increased.

I volunteered in a similar role for a few years and applied for a paid role as I loved it.

I feel very fortunate and a career change can definitely happen for you too.

RidgedPerfection · 05/01/2020 17:45

I changed career last year ay the age of 41; I figured that I probably have more working years ahead of me than I do behind me and took the leap. I am pleased that I did it - large income reduction unfortunately from my highest paid point, but I am lucky that we can tolerate that financially and I am striving to work my way up to a better income as fast as I can.

MrsJ28903 · 05/01/2020 17:48

Following as I am in a similar position. I can’t fathom how I can take a big pay cut to change career.

Bluestar1 · 05/01/2020 17:53

I’m in the same situation, just can’t afford to take the pay reduction that would be involved in retraining/starting at the bottom again.

EvaHarknessRose · 05/01/2020 17:54

They are probably going to have a police recruitment drive.

I only voted yabu because I felt exactly the same between 40-45. I probably will take a sideways or downward move at some point after 50. But do you know what I am only just now reaping the rewards of being well qualified, well paid, children old enough to be left, free time in the evenings, enough to save for them going to uni, enough to have some better holidays. This is what we've worked for. And some of the past few years have oddly been the most rewarding ever in my working life 🤷. I think I could have regretted leaving. I do want an intellectual challenge, and life's too short to do a job you hate. But be sure and have a plan. (I got a long way towards studying to apply for a new direction - it was fun to learn but ultimately I changed my mind.)

Original poster
vivacian · 05/01/2020 17:56

@EvaHarknessRose why did you change your mind? (Was it some kind of therapy?).

OP posts:
TraLaLaaaaa · 05/01/2020 18:14

I'm currently back at university retraining in a different field. Will graduate when I'm 48. I didn't want to go back to my old job after maternity leave, so took a few years out, tried something else for a while and then decided on new career path. So, no, YANBU.

VivaLeBeaver · 05/01/2020 18:19

Can you join the police at any age now? They used to have an upper age limit?

TheChippendenSpook · 05/01/2020 18:21

They have a lower age limit of 18 and no upper age limit. Lots of people join in their 40s.