AIBU to consider a career change and further study in my late 40s?

[JazzyTheDog]

So I’ve worked in an administration role at a university forever. Good at my job, but bored stupid by the layers of bureaucracy, politics, inefficiencies and general tediousness of it all.

It is however fairly well paid especially in the regional area I live in, it has generous leave provisions, and my work life balance is great as I’m home at 330pm most afternoons and can deal with kids (all teens so not much required), take the dog for a walk or go to the gym, do some art/gardening etc. It’s also a fairly secure job in COVID times as if I was made redundant I would get a decent payout.

But I’m so so so so bored, and for the last 5-10 years I’ve thought on and off that I should do something else, but wasn’t sure what or always had an excuse not to. I just don’t know any more if I can stick it out to retirement in about 15 years. Moving to a different role within the organisation is not possible especially now.

I’m seriously considering studying a Bachelor in Information Technology, or at least starting at the Diploma level. I’d probably do it part time at first to see if I actually can handle study, then later I could convert to full time using up leave and LSL. So depending what I finish with it could take 18 months to 4 years or so.

But am I too old? I’m almost 48. And I haven’t studied (properly) for 20 years. Is it way too late to consider this and should I just try and find satisfaction outside work and just do the job for another 15 years?

AIBU - yes, it’s too late to change, stay in my current role and suck it up

YANBU - do it

Go for it OP. 15 years is a long time to carrying on working in a job that isn't for you

Well it could actually help with your current job and give you the chance to move into a role you actually like within the university.

I would do it part time, without quiting your current job, as your current employer seems to have some advantages you are not likely to get elsewhere in the local area very easily.

I left my well paid but boring job at 49 to pursue a terminal degree and to be honest, I really regret it. I miss my salary and my position. I do not like being surrounded by young people with little life experience. The class discussions are not very stimulating. Full-time study is draining in a way that is different from work. would take some classes online or in person (whenever that happens again) and find other ways to stimulate yours. The security of a job for the next 15 years is what I wish I had. I wish someone had told me the truth instead of telling me to indulge this fantasy. Good luck.

Tough one. The advantages of your current job sound great, and presumably it comes with a very nice pension.

I think you should consider using your afternoons for part-time study (Open University?) but staying in your job. You'd get the intellectual stimulation of the degree, but retain the financial benefits and flexibility of your job.

I think there's a general attitude that IT is a young person's field. I'm not sure that you would be able to get a career started in IT once you're in your 50s - if that is what you're looking to achieve. You're bored - but what is it that you actually want, apart from an end to the boredom? What do you value in life? How do you relate to the world? What are you passionate about? I think you might be well advised to answer these questions first. That then gives you some idea of a goal - and then you work out a way to make that goal happen.

Go for it OP. Could your current employer help with costs at all?

I say go for it, part time if you can to see if you enjoy it, and to still have a job when you come out of the other side and are looking for a graduate position.

It's a bit younger but I started a masters at age 37 and haven't looked back. Would have been employed before the end if covid hadn't got in the way - my old job was no longer possible with DC and I felt I deserved to do a job I enjoyed for the next 30 years!

I would second using the advantages your current position offers as the foundation upon which to build from. Agree OU is the way to go. The student satisfaction ratings are really high. Agree also, university life is not necessarily the most stimulating place to be. Some degrees offers maybe 8 hours per week contact time. Unless the degree offers access to amazing resources that would be difficult to fund personally, ie, IT tech, art studios or labs, not sure in the current structure you get much bang for your bucks.

I'm 48 and just finishing my second year at university. I have loved every minute of it. I guess it depends on your course. We have a very mixed bunch in our cohort. I'm the oldest but only by two years and then we trickle down through the age brackets to the 19 year olds.
I'm doing a degree in s shortage profession so I anticipate getting a decent job at the end of it..
I did thoroughly research this though by talking to people already in the industry and older students about to graduate who had all secured good jobs.

In the current climate, there isn't a chance in hell I'd give up the job you have now. So any study I'd do would be alongside throughout, possibly with a reduction in hours at work if I could swing it. I would not be giving up that job until I had a firm offer of something else, something better.

Alternatively, if this is about boredom, are there any other ways you could obtain more fulfilment outside of work?

Do you already have a degree, OP? If so I'd suggest applying for a masters degree and a government postgraduate loan.

There is no issue whatsoever with your age. You just need to find the right institution and put in a convincing application.

Do your initial research now - then wait and see what's left of our education system post-crisis.

Thanks everyone. @tttigress I hadn’t actually thought of that but it’s quite true, I could move into an IT area within the University.

@forsucksfate and @MindyStClaire I’d planned to study Online while keeping my current job as I don’t want to lose the income. I’m in Australia so our retirement system is a bit different and you can take your pension conditions (we call it superannuation) to your next position even if it’s outside the HE sector, so financially it’s ok. I’m not much of a financial risk taker.

I could study at my current institution online or on campus but I actually arrange the academic staffing for the course at my uni so because of this I’ll go to a different institution.

@MysteriesOfTheOrganism I’m definitely a bit worried about that, being old in what’s considered a young person’s field but I’m not too worried about it in particular as there’s a fair span of ages and personalities of people in the IT fields I know of.

@northernsoullover that’s great to hear, what degree are you doing do you mind me asking? I’m glad it’s a good experience for you so far.

I’m 45 and have just started a post graduate qualification in a totally new field. I’m one of the oldest on the course, but I’m enjoying it and find that my experience and maturity really helps me with studying.
Life’s too short to be bored. As you have a good job now maybe study part time first to see if you enjoy it?

Absolutely go for it. I left it too late to retrain and regret it. (And yes, taking 4 years with no income at 58 is too late!)

Go for it op I'm early 40s and going to train to be a hca from retail. Always something I wanted to do and may become a nurse to

Ah, you're not in the UK. Ignore my suggestion.

I know nothing about the Australian pension system, but I know a lot about the UK. Here, you could move your pension, but it likely wouldn't be as secure. If you left it where it is, it possibly wouldn't increase as much between now and retirement if you moved jobs. The pension you'd build up over the next fifteen years in a new job likely wouldn't be anywhere near as good as your current one, people in your job here tend to have very good defined benefit pensions, which just aren't available any more in the private sector, and often not to new entrants in the public sector.

Basically, even if you could move your pension built up to date without any pain, it's unlikely you'd continue to accrue at the current rate, so please factor that into your thinking. As I say, I don't know the Australian system, but the problems I've described occur all around the world.

Thank you everyone, all valid points. I’m still considering options and waiting for some more specific advice on my superannuation (pension in the UK) as I really don’t want to find extra training disadvantages me financially when I retire if my current superannuation/pension is negatively affected by a career change.

I probably just need to be grateful for what I’ve got and learn to tolerate the job better.