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AIBU?

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Original poster

In thinking 36 is too old

189 replies

Jellybeansincognito · 19/02/2020 16:10

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?

OP posts:
RoxanneMonke · 19/02/2020 17:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Namechange8471 · 19/02/2020 17:12

I’m currently doing an access course op, I start uni in September. I’m 30.

I’ve met some lovey friends, 2 in their late 30s and one late 50s!

I’m also doing English literature , which a lot of people think is a waste of time, well so fuck! I’ve always wanted to go to uni so I’m bloody doing it!

Go for it op!

Original poster
Jellybeansincognito · 19/02/2020 17:17

I haven’t worked in SS at all. I have supported adults with disabilities however.

I’ve actually always wanted to be a nurse/ midwife but I couldn’t mentally handle dealing with someone die/ their body afterwards.

I know wirh social work there will be cases where I deal with patient death but so long as I don’t have to touch or handle them directly afterwards I think I’ll be fine.

I’m extremely robust and caring.

I know there’s a lot of paperwork and lot of loss of funds but, I think I have the tools to deal with what is thrown at me.
I take to stress very well.

OP posts:
IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 19/02/2020 17:19

No, as plenty of working years left to pay off any loans needed. They may be more competition for jobs as those without commitments etc can be very flexible.

partofthepeanutgallery · 19/02/2020 17:20

Well, you can be 36 with the degree and a further 10, 20, 30 years as a social worker.

Or you can be 36 without the degree and work as a social worker.

Get the degree. Good luck to you! Flowers

Theroigne · 19/02/2020 17:20

Bollocks to that. I was 38 when i graduated with my second degree. Haven’t looked back since.

Cheeseandwin5 · 19/02/2020 17:25

Forget about the age, you will be (hopefully) graduating and that's quite an achievement and a cause for celebration.
Whats the option now anyway.... not to graduate?

Selfsettling3 · 19/02/2020 17:26

If you were retire at 68, current public sector retirement age then you will be working for 32 years.

airbags · 19/02/2020 17:27

Go for it!
I got a degree at 41 to change career and have just gone back to uni again - will be finished aged 53.

You're never too old!!

Mlou32 · 19/02/2020 17:30

You are only 36. You have over 30 years of work ahead of you, why not make it in a career that you'll enjoy?

People retrain at all ages. I'm a nurse and there were people in their 50s in my class. We did lectures and classes with other healthcare professionals, the medics and dental students, and the 1st year medical student who I got chatting to before one lecture was in his 50s and wanted a change of career. I never saw him again but got chatting to another student in his year and asked how he was getting on, apparently he was getting on swimmingly well and outperforming many of the 'young' students.

You're still young - go for it! How gutted would you feel in a few years time looking back, wishing you had that career but didn't and were stuck doing something that you weren't passionate about because you thought back when you were in your 30s that you were too old to retrain.

Mlou32 · 19/02/2020 17:31

Sorry I just read one of your updates. Social work is a subject which attracts loads of mature students, people in their 40s and 50s are commonplace on these courses and bring a wealth of knowledge!

SparklyOnTheInside · 19/02/2020 17:33

I celebrated my 40th birthday during the second year of my BA. I am 44 now and in a whole new career, which I love.

You are definitely not too old! Good luck

LadyRoughDiamond · 19/02/2020 17:34

In a world when people could afford to retire at 50, yes, it was old. Realistically, most of us are now looking at a retirement age of around 70 and so many of us will retrain to have different careers at different life stages. Graduating at 36 and/or qualifying for a new job later in life is becoming more of a norm. The job for life is long gone.

dustibooks · 19/02/2020 17:35

You're never too old Smile

LaurieMarlow · 19/02/2020 17:36

Of course not. You’ve many years of working ahead of you. Grin

jeanne16 · 19/02/2020 17:39

Sorry but it depends what you are doing. If it is something like Law, it is unlikely you would get a training contract.

I know you want everyone to tell you it will all be worth it, but that is not always the case.

Aufgehts · 19/02/2020 17:40

It's like the saying goes.

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

Lweji · 19/02/2020 17:44

I'd think too old might be over the age of retirement. Even then...

Mature students are more often than not better students.

PathOfLeastResitance · 19/02/2020 17:45

There’s at least 30 more years of working before you can retire. That’s probably longer than you’ve been working so far.
If it gets you where you want to be then that’s a good thing. Plus all the other positives of studying and expanding your knowledge.

Funguy · 19/02/2020 17:52

Think how proud you will be when you finish! I think it's grand what you are doing x

mogglemoo · 19/02/2020 17:52

Nope. Not too old. I graduated a BA last year, and am in the process of applying to do a Masters in Social Work. I’ll be 48 this year.

Thinkingabout1t · 19/02/2020 17:54

I'd have thought that social work would be an excellent career to enter when you've had some experience of the world and gained maturity. You have more to give your clients and are better able to cope with the emotional demands.

One of my best friends had children early and qualified as a social worker in her 30s. She is excellent at her job.

JosephineDeBeauharnais · 19/02/2020 17:57

You won't retire until late 60s. You can build a very big career in 30 years.

Itsonlywords · 19/02/2020 17:58

Plenty of people in my cohort who had left school a while ago, the oldest was 47, he secured a job just after graduating that takes him around the world. Especially for a degree like social work I would imagine real world experience and demonstration of academic ability will be really beneficial. Good luck!

fizzymango · 19/02/2020 18:01

You’re not too old. I’m 34 this year and would love to retrain and find the career path I was meant for instead of treading water in my office job which pays the rent and bills. I have no idea I’ll ever get the chance financially to retrain but if I do I’ll be a lot older than you Grin