In thinking 36 is too old

[Jellybeansincognito]

To graduate?

If I continue to do what I want to do, career wise I won’t graduate until I’m 36.

I can’t help but think this is too old?
Are you ever too old?
Will I manage to be taken seriously in a career as a beginner at 36?

I bloody hope not because I am in a similar position!

You will be great OP. Go for it.

No, it can't be too old! I'm starting my degree this September at the age of 41 so 36 isn't allowed to be too old

Won’t be unusual at all in a career like that where you get lots of career changers. And you’ll still have another 30 years of work ahead of you at that point!

Social work is really hard though, and draining, I’d be absolutely sure it’s the thing for you before training at this stage

I had a friend on my course who was 43 when she graduated as she decided she wanted a whole new career path. You're never too old to try something new.

I didn’t even start uni until I was 50. It didn’t feel too late to me and it greatly improved my life.

My aunt went to uni at 40 and passed at 43 to become a nurse. Its been about 4 years and shes now high up in her hospital and loves it. My friend is 32 and just started uni and will graduate at 35. So no never too late unless you are 70 and want a job afterwards.

I hope not, it’s when I’m likely to complete my studies that will allow me to start graduate training in my preferred career change

I went to university at the age of 33, graduated when I was 36 and went into a brand new career in the media.
So, no it won't be too old!

I now a student who is due to graduate aged 65. Training in a new career for 'retirement'. It's never too old.

Once you're in the job you'll have the advantage... nobody will know that you're a beginner and they'll all assume you have years of experience under your belt! Good luck with your studies!

I hope you’re being unreasonable. I’m about to start another career at 50+!

I’m wanting to wait until next year to do an access course (so my youngest is at school) and after that I thought doing a part time uni course would be more manageable.

It’s 4 years instead of 3.
Thanks for making me rationalise this!

I was 43 when I graduated as a social worker. I was far from the oldest in my group.

No it's not too old, there's loads of mature students in the uni I work at.

No, 65 would be too old

The cut off age for starting nursing/midwifery training is 50. You’re a baby, OP!

Thirty six is fine for a social worker. A bit of life experience can be helpful.

You’re going to be 36 anyway, may as well be 36 with a degree.

Is an access course definitely the best way in though? You could also look at a course that offers a foundation year?

I'm a bit older and starting Social work in September have you worked in SS before you might want to get some experience first. It's not for everyone

I bet if you get to 46 without doing this you'll look back and think how young 36 is and wish you'd done it then :)

My Mum graduated at age 50 last year!

I did my degree in my forties. I really loved it and was much more committed than when I was in my twenties. I also knew by then what I wanted to study, so didn't waste my time.

Social work is something that benefits from real life experience.

YABU. 36 is fine, lots of people change careers, for instance. xxx

Of course it isn’t - plenty of people retrain at all ages, if we work 45 or so years (20 to 65 say) that’s time for 2 careers at least to my mind.

It’s never to late to improve your education. Go for it!

Not too old at all.

If you wanted to study medicine or wealth management, politics or banking then yes you would probably be too old.