To retrain at 45

[Rockmehardplace]

For years now I’ve really wanted to be a social worker. I have a degree & work in a vaguely similar field so could do a postgrad in 2 years. But am I being ridiculous to think about retraining at 45?

All opinions welcome!

@Howshouldibehave do you mind if I ask why you wouldn’t recommend re-training as a teacher? I’m 46 (widowed single mum of a 4 year old) and I’m tempted by it…!

thinkahead.org/

This training offers a salary/bursary into adult social work.

I'm in the US so can't offer specific advice on course - but wanted to share that one of my neighbors, divorced with two teenagers, retrained as a social worker in her 40's. She moved a couple of years ago so I'm not sure what she's doing career-wise now, but she was definitely able to start her new career in this area so I imagine she's still in the same field. I'd go for it, OP. I'm 47 and also considering a change. A couple of years retraining is doable and you'll only be late 40's when you start your new career...and we know we'll all be working until we're at least 70 the way things are nowadays!

[quote Libelula21]@Howshouldibehave do you mind if I ask why you wouldn’t recommend re-training as a teacher? I’m 46 (widowed single mum of a 4 year old) and I’m tempted by it…![/quote]
Probably a whole new post, but I don’t know anyone who isn’t desperately planning an escape. It’s not the money, that’s not too bad, it’s the workload and expectations. I have only managed to survive this far in by being part time, but I still work hours over my contracted ones and my pension will be dire as a result. I’m in by 7.30, work through break and lunches, leave at 6 and work in the evenings. If you ever want to take your child to school, see an assembly or sports day, have the freedom to look after them when they’re ill/snow day etc, forget it unless you have an unusual boss. I wouldn’t have managed it without a DH who works from home and parents who live up the road.

You are only as good as your last observation, so if you have a crap one, beware of capability proceedings. Once expensive (too of the pay scale) you are quickly at risk because cash-stepped heads would rather have two nqts than you!

@Howshouldibehave

Do you think parents with older teens/young adult children would be better suited to retraining as teachers? I'm also thinking about it and have a friend who's already done it - but his kids range from 16 to early 20's. So they're more independent now. He seems to really enjoy it. But I also know plenty of teachers who are struggling.

[quote Cameleongirl]@Howshouldibehave

Do you think parents with older teens/young adult children would be better suited to retraining as teachers? I'm also thinking about it and have a friend who's already done it - but his kids range from 16 to early 20's. So they're more independent now. He seems to really enjoy it. But I also know plenty of teachers who are struggling. [/quote]
Who knows!

My own children are teenagers/young adults now and I find the job a killer 20+ years in, let alone being a trainee

@NutNutmum what did you retrain as?

@Howshouldibehave Hmm, I need to talk to him and find out more. His DW is very supportive like your DH, but it might be worse than he's letting on...many people don't want to admit how hard things are, putting on a brave face, etc.

Another friend has three children 11 and under. I know it's hellish for their family.

Good luck!

I'm currently doing Frontline- if you have any questions feel free to PM me

@Howshouldibehave

Thanks for response! Also my preferred subject would be English, which I imagine having the heaviest workload. But I keep circling back to it.

Definitely not too late! I changed career in my thirties and am doing further study in my forties!
The new MN board (link above) looks really good

It’ll look better when some people post or start threads of their own there …

Otherwise MNHQ might conclude it’s not actually needed.