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?

Of course not! 40, 50 and even 60 and 70 isn't too old. Graduating isn't an age-limited thing. Very few things are.

I'm glad you started this thread op because I've been toying with the idea of starting a second degree in a few years time, when I have some money put by. I'm 32 now and the thought of the age I'll be by the time I can actually do it and then how old is be by the time I'd graduate, has really been the main thing putting me off of the idea. But seeing you say it, my first thought was, "Don't be ridiculous, of course you're not too old!" It's useful to see it from the other perspective.

I graduated at 41yrs, lots of SW come into it as a 2nd career and you will be at an advantage with more life experience. Best of luck! you probably will have to work for the next 25-30yrs plus so definitely too late

Years and years ago I attended a career workshop (I was in my mid-20s). During the Q&A a woman told the speaker she didn't know if she should pursue a 4-year degree in a field she wanted because she would be 40 when she finished. To which the speaker replied, "In 4 years you're going to be 40 anyway - why not have the degree you want?" It was such a powerful statement.

Not doing the degree won't make you stay any younger, so why not go for it. You'll be that age someday anyway, even without the degree!

Good luck! x

I think for some professions, maturity and life experience is seen as a 'good thing', would take a guess that social work is one of those professions, Instagram influencer perhaps less so!

No way is it too old! You're still young. I got my MA at 36 and still don't know what to do with it 2 years on. Go for it!!!

I left school with crap qualifications so I went to evening classes at college aged 24, got my BA at 28, I’ll graduate with my MSc this year at 30. I’m jacking in my full time job to start a PhD in the summer and I’ll (hopefully!) finish that at 33. Then it will be postdoc, before finally a lectureship.

So... no! 36 isn’t too old at all. I’ll probably be working until I’m about 92 so I want to enjoy what I’m doing

You'll be 36 anyway.

A lot of LA now do apprenticeship sw course where you work as you study. If you're already employed within LA you keep the same wage that you're on whilst studying.

I am currently training as a social worker aged 55. Go for it! It's a job where 'maturity' is an asset.

After an access course, I'll graduate in Mental health nursing if all goes to plan, at 37. Life experience is well received on this course.

There's no way I'm spending my 40's and 50's in the same sorry way I spent my 20's and 30's. We got this OP!

I know someone who was in her 40s when she graduated, and getting a new career later in life than even that isn't unheard of. You'll be fine, OP!

I went to university in my 30s and secured a good, well paid job in my preferred profession a few months after graduating.

At no point did I feel my age was an impediment. I also have several friends who've done similar.

You’re be working for the 50 years OP before you get a pension!

I was a month off my 40th birthday when I graduated, you are certainly not too old

I’m 46 ahem almost 47 and have 2 years of part time study to go before I graduate my first degree! It’s a business one and is applicable to my job. I started it as I’ve found it difficult to get work in the US without one these days

Bloody go for it. You’re never too old. With age comes life experience as well which, in many jobs, is a great asset.

Um. I'm 37 and was doing a degree with the OU. I have taken a year out, and when I go back have 2 modules to complete. If I graduate at 40 (more likely earlier), then I have almost 30 yrs doing something I love rather than a 'job'. Practically, the future job will yield a larger income so I will possibly retire early also. Win-Win.

Go for it.

I will be 41 so I hope 36 isnt too old.

Personally, I would employ a mature graduate over someone in their early 20's, the younger ones seem to be nothing short of useless in recent years! They seem to have been brought up with an attitude that they're owed something without putting any effort in.

I'm 31 and thinking of a career change. I would need to get a job related to the field for a bit then do a masters course part time that would take 2 years. So i will probably be about the same age when i start that profession.

Obviously I'm thinking of the risks in spending probably all my savings doing this and either failing the course or not getting a job after, so it's all about weighing up the pros and cons

My mum graduated at 66, sooooooooo.......

I hope not, I have just applied to uni and I am 42. It's a 4 year course plus a years PGCE. I won't be a NQT until I am 47. But won't retire until I am 67 so figure I may as well spend 20 years as a teacher than say 23 years as a TA. Not that there is anything wrong with being a TA but being a teacher has the financial advantages.

If a normal path is sit a degree and pass at 21/22 then follow a career path until retirement that's maybe 45 years in one type of job. That's an awful long time based on choices you made at 17/18 unless you have a vocation in mind from a very young age.

Loads of mature students at uni, particularly on health and social care courses I've found.
I will graduate at 34.

I had a chance to get a qualification in my chosen career, but I thought it was too late to bother, as I would have been 40 by the time I qualified. When I was 50 I realised how ridiculous that was, and I had to work over 10 more years in in a lower paid job before I retired. Just do it now!