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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
umberellaonesie · 20/02/2020 19:47

Ill be 38 when i graduate

lenny77 · 20/02/2020 19:47

Never too old, my mother was 55 when she graduated

HappyHen17 · 20/02/2020 19:49

I’m in the second year of a health care profession degree and I’m 42, I’m just about to take a year out to have a baby so I’ll be 45 when I graduate! Some people would say I’m to old for either of these life events but I’d ignore them! The best bit is I’ll never pay my uni debts off 🎉🎉

glennamy · 20/02/2020 20:14

36 too old hahaha you made me smile! The way the government retirement age is going up you will still have 35-40 years left for working, also some areas appreciate life experience gained over straight out of education.

Your biggest worry should be your choice of degree subject, many degrees lead to an expensive, but worthless piece of paper as many jobs will be automated in 10 years time! Good luck!

Louise122 · 20/02/2020 20:26

I'm 37 and wont graduate social work til next year. I can honestly say as a student at my age I have been take very seriously in placement, in fact it has been an advantage as loads of people have said they couldn't take a social worker serious if they were only 21. I dont agree with this but it does seem to be public perception

monkeytennis97 · 20/02/2020 20:29

I'm hoping to start a part time MA at 50, 36 is young!

QuantumEntanglement · 20/02/2020 20:33

In your favor you’ve got a wealth of workplace and life experience over younger graduates to bring to the table. That’s your selling point, it’s an asset. You’re not just starting out, you’re moving forward. Don’t put yourself down, be proud of your achievement.

MotherOfUnicorns4 · 20/02/2020 20:58

You have made me feel ancient. I am 37 and have just started my first year studying psychology. A lot of people I have spoken to recently, in this profession, started studies in their late 30s too.

TasteOfPatience · 20/02/2020 21:48

I will be graduating at 36 too Grin believe me i have had these thoughts too but I have come to the point of view this career is what I want to do! so I say Do what you love age is just a number x

Retired65 · 20/02/2020 21:50

My mum graduated from the Open University when she was 51. It took her 6 years to do her degree. It enabled her to get a teaching post in a local college, so no you are not too old to get a degree.

AzraiL · 20/02/2020 22:08

If you graduate at 36 and retire at 65 - that's another 3 decades of work ahead of you!

The way I see it, you're going to become 36 eventually. So you can choose to be 36 with a degree, or 36 without one.

Just go for it.

Jack80 · 20/02/2020 22:22

Your never too young.

MsBH · 21/02/2020 01:29

I went to university at 32 (with 3 kids) to do an education degree. Did my my PGCE at 35 and have now been teaching two years. I had the same worries as you and sometimes when in my courses, felt like my ages stiff out but honestly, now I’m working my age feels negligible. I’m a professional working with people of all ages. I have no regrets! Go for it x

MsBH · 21/02/2020 01:30

*sorry, felt like my age stuck out

Pastaforlunch · 21/02/2020 01:43

36 isn't old, you'd still have 32 working years left!

Are you sure you actually want to be a social worker though? If you want to be a nurse, but don't like the idea of death, what about mental health or learning disability nursing? I'm an adult nurse and there are lots of areas where death isn't part of the job.

shivermetimbers77 · 21/02/2020 01:46

My Grandad graduated at 86, so you're very young OP!

Womenwotlunch · 21/02/2020 01:47

@Jellybeansincognito - my friend gained a degree in social work at the age of fifty one.
She is so happy about her decision
You are a young woman. Go ahead and take the plunge . You will not regret it.
Best of luck

Maduixa · 21/02/2020 02:08

If you're (let's say) 32 now - in 4 years you'll be 36, with or without the degree you want and the work you'll be able to get with that qualification. I say go for it!

Vgbeat · 21/02/2020 02:10

I'm 39 next month and at the same time will complete my pgce. My kids think I'm pretty cool and definitely not old

Hopefulhen · 21/02/2020 02:17

Social work is precisely the sort of degree that I think is well suited to mature age students!

Louise0405 · 21/02/2020 02:26

Hi ya your never to old to go out and get the achievement u truly wanna get. X

SisyphusLangClegRocks · 21/02/2020 02:45

I'll graduate this year and I'm 55 Smile

ToffeeCake1 · 21/02/2020 02:49

I’ve not read the whole thread but my mum did a similar thing around a similar age (also social work) she finished uni with a first and is now doing amazing. She’s so glad she did it (and I’m super proud of her)! Go for it! There’s no such thing as too old and it will be super rewarding!

GuidoTheKillerPimp · 21/02/2020 07:44

Oh, give over! I was 35 when I graduated the first time, and 44 the second time.

ivykaty44 · 21/02/2020 07:46

31 years before retirement age

Hardly a short time