Can I really start my career again at 40?

[Areyouactuallyseriousrightnow]

As part of my loading midlife crisis, I’ve decided that I really want to leave my wanky business career behind and start again. I’d like to do something completely different, something meaningful, that feels like a proper job. I’d ideally like to retrain. But AIBU- is this crazy at my age with children, the youngest of which isn’t in nursery yet. Am I just swapping one sort of stress for another. What would I even do that would feel fulfilling but also sufficiently challenging? And not like I’d wasted the last 20 years of education and career? And how do people afford all the tuition fees if they’ve already done degree/postgrad?
Anyone who has done successfully? Or has suggestions? I thought about midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational health (have biology based degree)... or becoming a solicitor!
So many questions. Am I mad.

Go for it! I did a science and physical education degree . Worked in that industry for years then retrained as a radiographer then a cardiac sonographer at 40. I love it! Your age is a plus in healthcare. You’ve got experience, can relate to patients and have common sense. It is hard work, I did it with a 7, 5 and 3 year old but it’s doeable. Mostly it’s not that the work is too hard, it’s the quantity and it’s hard to manage time with everything else.

Sorry to be the voice of doom in a thread surrounded by people saying go for it but as the main earner in a house with very young children I wouldn't, sorry.

O had eva fly thr same epiphany over Christmas and decided that I need to get out there and do something different with my career. I have an interview at university at the end of January. I am a LP with two children at home. Life should be for living and we should all try and do whatever makes us happy. It will be worth it.

If you’re looking into healthcare, then I’ve heard that there is a shortage of prosthetists. Not sure what the training is like or how long for.

I found the career quiz on Prospects.ac.uk helped me identify additional ideas for re-training but also what I felt I was lacking in my current work.
Like you I was attracted to OT but also MH nursing and have settled on radiography. Good luck! I met lots of ex-mature student radiographers when I did my shadowing placement, the oldest had started re-training at the age of 45

I have a friend who did this. She was in marketing but she did a post graduate degree in nutrition and then got a job in nutrition for Sainsbury’s which led to another one, advising the government on nutritional policy. I was surprised how quickly and easily she carved out a whole new career for herself. It can be done.

Inside I’ve been self employed I hear you.
Yeah great to hear, mine are similar age so this gives me hope I may be able to manage it.
Stealth, I did go back to work after my third, so we’ve made cutbacks and adjusted to one wage. But extra costs of fees and childcare would be tough. I need to think hard about that

I changed career at 42 - from one modern/glamorous/young industry to another. It was brilliant and I'm so glad I did. I was offered a job in a new sector and it was good money so I went for it.

The beginning was hard as I was learning the ropes that 27 year olds all knew already, which was odd after decades in my first industry where I was very experienced and good at it. I found it affected my confidence but I kept at it and worked hard and now love it.

Go for it OP!

Travelling good luck!
Badger I need to have a look at that.
Mumma your friend has done so well.
So many brave women out there changing their lives! Hope I’ve got the guts to join them.

I also think it's really good for you to learn new skills and challenge yourself OP - sounds a bit wanky but I have thrived from coping with the challenge, even though it was really hard at the start.

I have also made some lifelong friends from my career change - really amazing, clever , funny people, in their 20s and 30s as well as my age.

When I found it hard at the start I discovered that going for a run before work helped give me the confidence to face my day. I would set the alarm really early and head out for a few miles and the endorphins really helped.

Sorry that sounds a bit worthy and I'm not at all but I'm just so glad I 'felt the fear and did it anyway'. And when you get to my age (mid-forties) you look back and think how young you still were at 40, I promise!

The Prospects quiz is quite good. I just did it and it came out 96% for the job I am looking to retrain in, and all the other top 10 were all careers I had considered in the same field.

I would have a look at healthcare scientist roles with your degree. They're graduate entry, you'll get paid a salary from the start and course fees (MSc) are covered too. There are an incredibly wide range of roles - have a look at this page www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/graduate-training-opportunities/nhs-scientist-training-programme

I work in a very niche specialty so don't want to say what it is is on here, but I started my training aged 39 and with 4 children. It was tough, but I am extremely glad that I did it, I absolutely love my job.

I retrained as a teacher aged 44 and am now a Head. As a single mum with ( at the time) 2 primary aged children it was hard work but definitely worth it.

It's hard work but definitely possible!

My children are older but I'm 41 and halfway through an NHS degree. Regarding tuition fees, nursing and allied health professions (eg radiography, physio, occ health) have second degree funding so your first degree won't affect your access to student finance.

Good luck whatever you choose!

I have started over after retraining in sustainability. I love my new role and it is becoming more and more in demand as businesses realise they have to up there sustainable goals.

You're not even halfway through an average working life span so of course you're not too old.

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but you asked about childcare. Many courses offer help with childcare fees, like the one I have applied for this year, they can pay up to 85% of childcare fees.

retraining at 40 is a brilliant idea, adult learners are more motivated. My only reservation would be Law, plenty of discontented lawyers. However there are plenty more directions you could take

Oldish and MrsL that’s really useful to know. Everyone thanks for encouragement.
Anyone else who has had a midlife career change and has a story to share please do, it’s so encouraging to hear actual people talk about what they did and how rather than A case study in a brochure.
I’m definitely feeling less like IABU now!