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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:
Retroflex · 05/01/2020 19:57

@insertimaginativeusername not personally, family are, and it very much depends on location and which force you are discussing, so I'm guessing that you're not police or you would know that already. Hmm

pinkstripeycat · 05/01/2020 19:58

I just started a new career and I’m 46

Mlou32 · 05/01/2020 20:00

You're only 40. We now retire at what, 67? You have another almost 30 years of work ahead of you. Make it something you enjoy.

When I was at uni studying for my nursing degree, there were certain classes that we did with the medical/dental students. One man I was sitting chatting to was 52 and a qualified lawyer. He had given it up to study medicine and was currently in his first year. Nursing, social work, teaching all attract high levels of mature students. But really, you can do whatever you like!

How exciting, a new start!

Metalhead · 05/01/2020 20:05

I changed careers almost a year ago at 39. I’d been in my previous job for 11 years but never really enjoyed it, and a lot of the time actively hated it. My current role is less well paid and a lot more stressful, but I’m definitely glad I made the change.

insertimaginativeusername · 05/01/2020 20:05

What's with the snarky Hmm ?

The college of policing website will tell you all you need to know.

Conflicted1212 · 05/01/2020 20:05

I changed career last year at 38. Was an AHP, now a project manager. I was lucky that I got a career break the year before and was seconded into my current job - training contract at same pay. I was lucky enough to be offered a full time job. Had to go back to my old post for 2 months whilst contracts hit sorted. Glad I did go back, as it confirmed I had made the right decision. I was really unhappy in my old job. Now more stressed, but it’s more challenging and I can see a career path. More driven.

BettyJean · 05/01/2020 20:08

@insertimaginativeusername

Don’t take it personally. She/he is being snarky on a few threads tonight.

insertimaginativeusername · 05/01/2020 20:13

@BettyJean Smile

VivaLeBeaver · 05/01/2020 20:14

@TheChippendenSpook. It was mid/late 90s. I’ve just checked any my eyesight is still too bad. Needs to be better than -6 uncorrected. I’m -10.

Retroflex · 05/01/2020 20:15

@insertimaginativeusername the college of policing doesn't cover Scotland Hmm

BlimeyCalmDown · 05/01/2020 20:15

I used to be a nursery nurse in the NHS then got seconded to do the nurse training and then on to health visitor training (luckily still got my salary), qualified 4yrs later at age 41yrs now I do a specialist safeguarding role within HV.

I have always liked the idea of working in the police too but now at 47 I thought I'd be too old for them. I wouldn't want to be a PC though but maybe something like the CAIT team or similar, realistically I likely wouldn't go for another career change though! I do enjoy my job.

MI5 (or MI6?) are always recruiting, they want people from all walks of life!

Retroflex · 05/01/2020 20:15

@BettyJean I wasn't being sarky towards you, I was pointing out that you're hypocritical? Hmm

littlecabbage · 05/01/2020 20:17

Isleepinahedgefund

This may sound ridiculous, but where does one look at job adverts these days? I am so out of touch with this stuff!

VivaLeBeaver · 05/01/2020 20:17

A relative of mine is high up up in the police and was recently telling me about the direct entry inspectors their force accepts. So people with no policing background but leadership type experience in other sectors go straight in as inspectors. They said so far they’ve all been useless. Grin

insertimaginativeusername · 05/01/2020 20:25

Oh give over @Retroflex how would I know you were in Scotland?

If you didn't know what it was, you could ask or....google Hmm

Lostintransfixation · 05/01/2020 20:31

I made a sideways career change in my forties. I did it by working part time in one role and retrained in the other part of the week. It took me 6 years but I'm so glad I did it. I love my current role.

Retroflex · 05/01/2020 20:35

Well I'm that case @insertimaginativeusername how do you know that the OP isn't in Scotland? Hmm I guess Scotland doesn't exist in your head? Hmm

Retroflex · 05/01/2020 20:36

And I did know what it was, I just knew that it's not available UK wide actually... Which you would you if you asked or Google...

Singlebutmarried · 05/01/2020 20:38

I changed at 41, currently studying for my financial exams and really looking forward to being able to help people buy their own homes in a few months time.

PlomBear · 05/01/2020 20:40

I keep reading how hard it is to find a new job after age 40 though? Even though we will be expected to work for another 30 years before retirement...🤷🏻‍♀️

passthetequila · 05/01/2020 20:45

I am 52 and start a new career as a driving instructor next week. Have previously worked in office based roles in IT and logistics. Realised about a year ago that I hated my job but there was nothing much better out there and the biggest issue was office politics particularly amongst middle aged women! So I used the money from a PPI claim refund to pay for my training and quit my job at Christmas. It's going to be tight financially until my diary fills up but in theory I will be much better off money wise and time wise. Fingers crossed Wink

Thehop · 05/01/2020 20:47

@TheChippendenSpook what do you do? I’m 40, stuck in early years poverty and would love to get out....but can’t think where these skills could transfer!

TheChippendenSpook · 05/01/2020 20:47

Viva ah thank you! That's a big shame.

ChristmassySpice · 05/01/2020 20:49

I've changed careers a few times, despite thinking I'd spend my life in my chosen profession.

Had usual Saturday jobs, then settled in Police Force / Management roles in Government. Got pissed off at 35 so took a career break and did a late 'Gap Year'
Couldn't settle after that. Left Government. Went on Masterchef. Opened my own food establishment, got pregnant at 39, had baby, took some time out, had to go back to work unexpectedly at 41 as relationship didn't work out. Minimum wage job. Left to retrain and start my own business (earned £45 an hour after working my way up in my specialist area)

I'm about to turn 49 and have recently taken a job as a checkout operator in a major Supermarket. This is due to unforeseen health problems. I felt very fit at 40. Could conquer the world. And if I can get on top of my (physical) health issues, I'd still happily retrain. So many areas I'm interested in.

My Dad was just working his arse off at my age and retired at 54. Put 50% of his earnings into Pensions. I've got a fairly good pension coming to me soon. But with an 8 year old DD, I need to stay engaged.
My mortgage is paid off, and if it wasn't for DD I'd retire at 50 and live in Menorca or Corfu (assuming Brexit allows!)

So, my answer is, 40 is probably a 3rd of your way through your working life. Do what makes you happy, and what your family ties allow.