…to think I can change career in my 40’s?

[Nomoreporridge]

Just that really. Am I deluded?

I’ve always enjoyed my career but feeling like a change.

The thing is, I’d want to move into a relatively well paying job.

I have a post grad, but would consider retraining to do something totally different.

Any ideas for an industry ( London and south east) that pays well and takes in oldies?

No answers I'm afraid, just a bump

Academia?

IT

What's your area of qualification?

If you really want to change careers go for it . You are not too old . If you feel it is achievable. Good luck

Just to give you a bit of hope, of course you can! I did. I don't want to go into specifics as I don't talk about my job on here, but I changed career in my mid-40s. I'm not as well paid as I think I should be, but I'm happy with my career.

There are quite a few programmes around for retraining into tech - aimed at women your sort of age.

Here’s a good site to start with www.womenintech.co.uk/benefits-retraining-women-tech
Also womenreturners.com/returners/retraining-courses/

@XelaM

Academia?

Depends if OP has a PhD already rather than a Master’s. Not very well paid, loooooong hours

I changed from being a librarian to an academic in my mid 40s but it was back in the 1980s when I got a grant from my LEA for going to UNI.

Librarianship had changed so my qualifications were less valued than the newer "library science" degree. I did a degree hoping to improve my prospects but when I got a 1st I knew I wanted to go into academia. I went straight on to do a masters then a doctorate and a 10 year academic career followed. Eventually I set up my own company in something completely digfferent.

I wont say it was easy but it showed me how far I could go intellectually and gave me a lot of satisfaction.

I would not hesitate again to go for it. Good luck.

What is the post grad in? If you want good money then it’s better to try a new type of role but within your field - eg moving from academia to industry (or vice versa).

Something I've considered but then think of the expense of masters the perks with existing job ( parental leave during summer, full holiday day allowance) ect I wonder am I better off with this for less years rather then building up a new job and end up working more years.

My DSis at the age of 40 went back to Uni and did a law conversion. She is now very successful and well known in her field. If you want something badly enough anything is possible.

Do it don't heritage !

Estate agent ?

You can change careers in your 40's of course but I would think it'd need to be something that allows for transferable skills, experience and you will already be clued up on.

Starting from scratch in an entirely new and different sort of job is unlikely to come with a high salary because you'd be starting out a little lower down the ladder in terms of experience. The salaries get higher the more experienced and qualified you are but some jobs do offer more money if you're willing and able to do the odd things you're maybe not so keen on doing.

For example I started out in law and was a legal secretary and junior legal ex until my early 20's and then sidestepped into health / social care management where I've been since.

Had a few offers of work with firms that had created new “elderly law” departments which paid really well and would have been a nice earner but it wouldn't do for me to sit in an office and work more or less from paper all day.

If you switch careers it's best to make it something you really genuinely enjoy, know you're good at doing and something that gives you fire in your belly and want to do it. If it's just a case of changing jobs and getting money you're likely to come up short and find it's not all what you hoped.

My advice to anyone of any age regarding their career choices is to do what you love and what makes you happy. If you're a GP, engineer or neurosurgeon but it wears you down and you just want to quit and go work in McDonald's – do it.

A belated thank you for everyone’s advice and experiences. it helps to know its not a completely ridiculous idea and that others have done it successfully.

@minipie thanks for those links- I'll follow those up.

YANBU - it’s not even remotely unusual to have a career change over 40! You know yourself so much better by that point in life, which makes it much easier IME.