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?

My DD just completed her social Work degree. Almost a third of her course was made up of over 35s and she said they all brought so much to the group!

Professional hard work isn't a novelty, Cumbersome, the novelty lies in not having to perform to a high standard at the same time as dealing with a disabled and suicidal teenager. Now I can just get on with the high standard

Main point still is that the menopause affects different women differently. I know women who have really seemed to age rapidly and others who have seemed much younger afterwards. I think it would have been an awful shame if I hadn't pushed the boat out because I had read somewhere that you are meant to get more tired, when actually I got less tired.

Absolutely not too old. I've just changed my direction to kick start my energy, passion and potential

Definitely not too old - and good luck with the course!

I am 55, recently and I changed sectors entirely. I think as long as up want it you are never too old!

@Cumbersome I've been cleaning rental properties for the last decade so physically I don't think I could be any more exhausted than I already am. Mentally? Its a toss up between doing something mundane until I drop or something challenging. The former terrifies me.

Absolutely not. Your life experience will be in invaluable. Good luck.

Thank you all. Some really encouraging replies here!

Will there be any jobs when you qualify?

My mother qualified at 55 and worked for 10 years as a social worker.

@Funkypolar

Will there be any jobs when you qualify?

I think it's fairly safe to say there will be plenty of job opportunities for a newly qualified social worker!

Not in the upcoming austerity measures!

I'm 51 and have just started my course and plan on having a good 10 years with a career 🤞

My mum left school at 16. At 45 she decided to become a teacher so basically had to start her further education 29 years late, then do the degree and PGCE after that. She was a bit older than most students but it fulfilled her dreams. She taught for around 15 years in a very deprived area of the North East. I am told by many former colleagues and past pupils that the pre teaching experience she took with her was of at least equal value in her professional life as all the academic qualifications she had to take to qualify.

Definitely not remotely too old OP, and never think that you don't have something valuable to offer because you absolutely do. I would have thought that with Social Work in particular having some life experience would be especially priceless.

I'm about to qualify as a lawyer at 38; I also sometimes worry about this but similarly I have relevant experience in the sector I will be qualifying in, and probably another 30 years at work so no reason not to go for it!

Nope I'm about to embark on a new career and I'm early 40s

My point is that what ‘excites ‘ you at 45 will exhaust you at 55

Speak for yourself! Have a look at this thread for a different perspective.

I’m hoping there will be jobs when I qualify, I’ve had experience working within the health and social care sector previously.

It’s just knuckling down now with my access course and studying for my maths GCSE.

@LaureBerthaud that thread is really inspirational, thank you.

Definitely not too old. My heart sinks when a young social worker turns up spouting theory with no life experience. You'll be great! And to the PP who said you'll be tired from 50 - boo sucks!

Not too old, I went back to do a PGCE and loads of people were in their 30s/40s. One or two in their 50s. Don't know if they all got jobs but they finished the course and qualified.

Not too old. I changed careers in my mid 40s, now at 54, I'm still ambitious. Does it excite me? Well, I'd rather not have to work at all, and I'm casting envious looks at retired baby boomers as I will never have their lifestyles. I'm in it till at least 67 and maybe longer. Even if it doesnt hugely excite us in the future, it's a damn sight better to be in a professional role with a decent salary, and opportunities, than in a low paid low satisfaction, real hard job. The more I progress, the less tiring work is, as there's far less of the exhausting donkey work. Poor DP is starting to suffer in his manual job, and hes going to find it very hard in the next few years to his retirement.

You're not too old, you have life experience! I'm 60 and a secondary teacher. I feel better than I did in my 40s what with the menopause etc. I have as much if not more energy than staff 30 years my junior, and cope far better with the stress and pressure. Go for it!!!

Definitely not too old. Like you, I waited until my youngest had just started school and then went to university to train to be an occupational therapist. Qualified at 41 and now embarking on my new career. In my opinion, it’s a great time to start a new career - after many years of child rearing and being physically and emotionally consumed by motherhood, I was ready to look again at my own life and goals. Studying with a young family was a slog, but well worth it. Go for it!

@Inthemuckheap

Definitely not too old. My heart sinks when a young social worker turns up spouting theory with no life experience. You'll be great! And to the PP who said you'll be tired from 50 - boo sucks!

that was me 30 years ago

I love my job and still.have lots of energy for it in my mid 50s. As others have said, I have to work until I'm 67 so I might as well be doing something I enjoy