Too old for a career?

[Diadora30]

I’m currently undertaking an access to social work course, with the view of stating the Social Work degree at university next year. At that point I’ll be 40, and 43 when I qualify.

Do you think I’m too old? My youngest will be at school next September. I’m aware that I’ll probably be one of the older ones on the course!

Has anyone done anything similar?

You wouldn't be at the university I work at. Over half our social work students are over 30 and a third of those are over 40.

No, I don't think you're too old at all. I know someone who qualified at 50 and worked as a Social worker until they retired in their late 60s. You could have a good 20+ years in the job and bring an awful lot to it because of your life experience. When you think about it, that's almost the same length of time that's passed since leaving school so definitely worth it. Good luck!

No you're not.

You will still probably be working for another 23 years after that so definitely not too late.

No never to old

Definitely not. I had a colleague (who was much more senior than me, obviously) who went back to uni/work when her youngest started secondary school. She got a PhD. Retired as a very senior professor at a very good university last year. She's enjoying retirement now, but accomplished a lot in those decades after she went back to work. Realistically, you'll have another nearly 30 years of working, so might as well do what you want.

No.

Thank you for the replies, they’re reassuring!

I don’t want to feel washed up before I’ve even started. I’ve spent most of my adult life raising children, working in the health field here and there when I could. But now is the time to actually think about what I really want to do. Just worried I’d missed the boat!

Life is not over when you're 43. Or even 63.

I’m doing something very similar! Starting a part time degree this year and hoping to finish it within 4-5 years to be finished just before I’m 44.
You’re never too old to retrain.

Go for it I qualified as a nurse just before I was 49. I thought of social work but then decided to train as a nurse instead. You’re never too old good luck and have a wonderful career!

I hope not, I'm doing a degree part time through the OU and I will be 45 when I qualify. I think of it that I will have 20+ years of working life left at that point.

I did a post-grad course (not social work) at 60, and I wasn't the oldest on it.

40 is young, with 30years of work ahead of you!

Social workers with 'life experience' are much better in my opinion than most youngsters who have never been out of 'learning'. Academic learning is brilliant but life experience counts for so much in real life. Plus whilst some clients relate better to someone young others feel more reassured by someone with more life experience.

I am 48 and will finish my degree next summer. I am the oldest on the course but only by two years. I already have a job in the field I am training in.
What would happen if you didn't do it? You'd still be 43 whether you do it or not.
Ageism does exist in many fields but in others being older in years is a distinct advantage.

I’m a social worker and there are lots that start at your age; the life experience is a strength

Definitely not too old, life experience is also valuable particularly in social work!

I qualified at 42!

You’re not too old, no, but do bear in mind that work feels much, much more tiring when you get into your 50s, in particular post menopause. All the posters in their 40s excited at the prospect of two more decades of working life are likely to feel very differently when they’re staring down the barrel of their final decade...

@Cumbersome sadly I have little choice. If I have to work until I drop it makes sense to do something that excites me.

I'm 4 weeks into my social work ba and I'm 36, so far I'm loving it. Please don't let age put you off though I'm older than most on the course I'm not the oldest and there are many mature students in sw.
I alwo work in social service a lot of sw went in as a second career.

Of course you're not too old. I qualified as a social worker when I was 25 and looking back that was far too young. I had almost no life experience.

If you qualify in your early 40s then you have 25 years of work ahead of you.

Go for it - it's an amazing career and you wont regret it

Depends @Cumbersome. I'm 56, have spent the last few years kick-starting my fading career after years as a carer and am really excited at the prospect of 10+ years doing my best work. Energy levels are not lower than they were when I was in my 30s and confidence a lot higher. Both my mother and I gained new levels of energy after going through the menopause.

@Northernsoullover I understand that. I need to earn a living too. My point is that what ‘excites ‘ you at 45 will exhaust you at 55. Better to focus on the effort/reward ratio very carefully.

@corythatwas Point taken. My perspective is that of a woman who has worked in demanding roles without a break for well over 30 years. I guess if professional success is a novelty you might have more appetite for it as you age.