To apply for a traineeship at 35

[FriendWoes111]

After 10 years in one line of work, I fancy a change. I saw a posting for this traineeship and it sounds wonderful. It's not completely outlandish compared to my past ten years, but it is very different. For example it's not like I'm an astronaut looking at a hospitality traineeship. It's more like I'm a cake box designer looking at a chef traineeship.

I'm just worried about my age. Are they going to think I'm a loser? If I'm selected is it going to be me and two 17 year olds? I also feel a bit guilty about taking a young person's space if I'm chosen.

Explain the guilt angle.

Just that you only need a few GCSEs for it, and if I got it, I would feel bad that I was taking a place where someone else wouldn't have any other options.

My mum did a traineeship in her 40s / 50s. She'd been a SAHM while we were at school then worked in retail and wanted to get out of that. It was great, she got a good role from it until she retired in late 60s. Go for it!

I mean, you could apply that same logic to any job? You're always going to be in competition with someone else who may have fewer options or more difficult circumstances or vice versa.

You can't take yourself out of the running for opportunities as some form of self-sacrifice on behalf of hypothetical candidates who may or may not exist.

If you can see how this fits into your future plans and aspirations, I don't see what the issue is.

The other trainees might well be younger than you. Does that matter? Presumably you would also be working with more experienced staff and learning from them too?

You think it sounds wonderful. So why would they think you're a "loser" for applying? Presumably you can explain your motivation etc.

People change career at all ages these days. It’s becoming far more common to see mature students, adult apprentices etc I think?

I’ve not even had a career to speak of, I’ve just turned 35 and I am just about to start my degree with the OU - so what if I don’t graduate till 40, that still gives me 20+ years of work right?

If you’re right for the traineeship and get selected you shouldn’t feel guilty.