to retrain at 44 years old.

[wannabeeot]

I'm 44 and was made redundant in January; I've wanted a career change for some time. I studied for a second degree with the OU in Health and Social Care.

I have applied to do a Masters in Occupational Therapy, an area I've been interested in for some time. I did well in the interview but the course was oversubscribed so I am on a waiting list. I am now doing a part-time job as a support worker working with people with learning disabilities. While it is not an OT role I think there are lots of transferable skills between the two i.e patience, empathy, good listening, and problems solving skills. It has also been really eye-opening working with vulnerable people and hearing the stories of some of the people that we work with. Also, many of them have had input from OTs to help them navigate their lives.

It is unlikely a place will come up for September but I intend to get my application in as soon as the course is launched to hopefully secure a place for 2022. However, this will mean I was been 46 when I start (eek). I don't feel this age or look it and I'm reasonably physically fit.

So my AIBU is, am I unreasonable to ask for people's experiences of a career change later in life? Am I delusional?

Also, if there are any OTs out there I would love some advice on things I can do to prepare for a career in OT. If I have to wait until September 2022 I want to make sure my time is utilized as effectively as possible, I feel like I am stuck in limbo at the moment.

It’s totally doable! I changed careers in my late 40s and never looked back. When I retired I was earning far more than I had in my earlier career, and used my brain far more. I’ve never regretted it for a second. Nothing like OT though.

@Nocaloriesinchocolate
Thanks for this. It is so lovely to hear from people who changed career and didn't regret it. I'm really struggling with wanting to change but not being able to get a place. I would feel differently if I was younger but at my age I just want to get on with it.

Very doable! I’m 52 and want to retrain - just not sure what in though!!

Yanbu OP. Go for it. How long will the Masters take?

I started my undergraduate degree at 45! I'm just about done (just the small matter of my dissertation) I'm enrolled on my Masters for this year. I already have a job in my new field.

@IdblowJonSnow
It takes two years including placements.

Of course it's doable. You have years of working life left. I've been doing accountancy in my 50s. It's hard learning for me and I probably have to put in more effort than when I was younger , but it's fine. It's great to be achieving something and it has really lifted my mood. I think some maybe think why is she doing it at her age but who cares.

Do it!!!

Those interpersonal skills, building a rapport with clients, communicating effectively with them is so important. You're getting stuck in already. With that experience behind you I think you'll do really well.

I wish I could figure out something to retrain in!

I'm 41 and retraining, I'll be at least 45 by the time I qualify if I manage to. I figure I've got a long time until retirement still. You're at work a long time, makes sense to try to be doing something you enjoy.

My sister did that course in her late 30s. Totally doable. Let's face it, you have 20 years left working doing something you like is important.

Your age is fine, many people retain in OT in later life. I would ask your local Occupational therapy team in health or social services (or integrated team) if you can spend time with them. You may get in anyway depending on where you are on the waiting list. Also look out for non qualified roles within those teams. The interviews are very though and the lecturers want people who are really committed to doing this beyond the course so spending time with the teams will help you determine that. Perhaps your indecision came across in the interviews?

What sort of OT do you want to be? They work in everything from equipment stores to community rehab to acute medical to PIP assessing to inpatient psychiatry to end of life care etc.

I have friends who are OTs and I work with a couple of OTs. Mostly OT seems to be a very misunderstood role (even by OTs) and there’s a lot of role overlap eg with psychiatry.

I don’t know if this is true, but a lot of doctors and nurses view OT as a pseudoscience, overloaded with jargon and say OTs are always trying to justify the ‘OT role’.

I’ve worked with OTs for 2 decades and I’m still not exactly sure what the ‘OT role’ is 😂 All OTs I’ve met can articulate their role with lots of jargon that nobody else understands but what they actually do is still a bit of a mystery!

Sorry if that sounds negative, it may be a lovely job and the course might be very interesting. But I’d find out more about what the job involves and map out how you will jump up the banding before committing to an expensive course.

Have you ever worked as an OT support worker or activity worker to get a better idea of what you’d be doing?

Also check the drop out rates for MSc courses. My friend did an OT fast track Masters in Carlisle (she was a teacher before) and failed near the end as she got nervous and failed her viva twice (she was just under the 40% cut off and devastated).

Apparently more than half her Cohort either dropped out or failed the course.

OT here. Best job ever. Go for it! When I trained the age range was 18-50s. It's a massively varied role which can lead to lots of confusion around what we actually do as PP have said. But once you find your niche, you'll be able to find a way to articulate and demonstrate your value clearly in your specific setting. I work in A&E and my role is respected and understood by the MDT as vital in safe discharge and avoiding hospital admission.

@HikeForward
Thanks for your advice. Fortunately, if I get on the course, I won't fail or drop out. It's not in my nature not to give something my all and see it through to the end. I think if Doctors and Nurses don't understand what OTs do then it is probably because they don't want to so instead dismiss it as nonsense. My background is IT and I understood what an OT does long before considering it as a career so it's a bit worrying that health professionals have bothered to understand a little about the work that their colleagues do. We had some involvement with OTs after my Mum had spinal surgery and their input was invaluable and made a real difference to her recovery.

@WhenTheBeatDrops Thanks very much for this, I will really love to eventually work as an OT in the community.

[quote wannabeeot]@Nocaloriesinchocolate
Thanks for this. It is so lovely to hear from people who changed career and didn't regret it. I'm really struggling with wanting to change but not being able to get a place. I would feel differently if I was younger but at my age I just want to get on with it.[/quote]
I retrained as a photographer at 42, learning in the job. I went back to uni at 47 and got a first, and have just started my masters. I have landed a plum job in exactly the area I wanted after years of freelancing/low pay whilst working around my kids' needs when they were young.

Go for it!

Can you afford the costs of the course and ‘opportunity cost’ of lost earnings / pension contributions for several years?

It sounds like you have a clear idea of what sort of OT you want to be and a pathway to get there. If you keep in mind that your role in any setting is to work with the patient to enable them to do what they need, want or have to do, whether that's go to the toilet safely or manage their self-harm, then you'll not go far wrong.

There is quite an active twitter and Facebook community for students and people hoping to study OT. Very supportive and informative.

Ah, sorry, see it’s one year of costs - will that qualify you for the role?

@Dozer
It's a two-year course and then I'll be qualified. The cost isn't an issue but I'm finding it hard to get on the course. Time is of the essence due to being in my forties and being stuck a little in limbo until I can start.

I say go for it, I refrained at 43 and have started a new career. I find people respect me more as I’m older and presume that I’ve worked in this field for many years, rather than being newly a qualified.

You've still got another 20 years to work at least until you can retire, You would be as well doing something you love!

You’re v lucky then! Your financial circumstances give you a lot of options. You could explore those too and have a plan B if you can’t get onto the course.

I think if Doctors and Nurses don't understand what OTs do then it is probably because they don't want to so instead dismiss it as nonsense. My background is IT and I understood what an OT does

Out of curiosity, how would you define the OT role?

Doesn’t it change drastically depending on the setting?

My friend (an OT) said she measures for and orders wheelchairs.

The other said she assesses patients to see if they’re safe for discharge then informs the MDT, but also the MDT have the final say and don’t always listen to her opinion! Apparently social workers decide on the care package/rehab package so she just does the assessments to help them with their recommendations? (She’s in acute medical it may be different elsewhere).

The OT on our ward (and the one before her) has never attended an MDT or Professionals Meeting. She has chats with patients and writes up what they say. But there’s so much overlap with physio and social work and psychology it’s hard to figure out what the OT does. I don’t think it’s deliberate misunderstanding by other staff, more she’s a bit elusive and vague about her role or starts talking about OT models and frames of reference when asked. Sadly OT as a profession isn’t widely understood or taken seriously in all hospitals.

I’m sure it’s well respected in others, I just haven’t come across an OT who loves their job yet. My friend in acute medical is trying to use it as a springboard to get into management as apparently that pays better!