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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

30 plus and back in uni

16 replies

CheddarGoldfish · 30/09/2022 21:35

Currently in my first year of uni doing a BSc in Data Science and Analytics, and I can't help but wonder if I'm making a mistake.

I love the course, love the work, and I feel like I have a pretty good foundation as I'm proficient in R and Python. The problem though is that I feel old. I'm probably the oldest student in my course by a mile and friends have told me that it doesn't matter but it does, doesn't it? I've been wanting to retrain for a solid 3-4 years now and have finally plucked up the courage to do it but can I really compete with people 10 years my junior?

This is such a popular course too which I'm assuming means that competition for jobs will be as fierce. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Feeling a bit shit at the moment and wondering if I'm wasting my time and money and if I should've just stuck with a job/career path that I hated.

OP posts:
EmilyGilmoresSass · 30/09/2022 21:37

I could have written this post myself. I'm in the same boat, and feel it is obvious in my case nobody will ever so much as speak to me. But to be honest, I'm there to learn, not to make friends. And I've got life experience. I can do this, and so can you!

OppsUpsSide · 30/09/2022 21:39

I have been in that position - it was fine, old enough to bring wider experience to the table - young enough to invest in.

HardLanding · 30/09/2022 21:39

Meh, I went to Uni in my 30s and I absolutely can and do compete with the younger people. I have a wealth of life experience and all the skills that come with that, that they just don’t have. Also did a STEM degree.

ApolloandDaphne · 30/09/2022 21:41

I am at uni now. I am 60. I love it but I have no problem talking to the young students. I talk to anybody.

BigFatLiar · 30/09/2022 21:41

Nowhere near too old!

Bit of confidence in yourself, enjoy the course. I was late 20s when I changed career because I wasn't happy, great decision. Your not the oldest to have changed career.

Is there a mature students group at your uni where you could meet others having a career change?

FuzzyPuffling · 30/09/2022 21:42

If I was employing someone after a uni course, I'd look very preferentially on someone with wider life experience, previous employment experience and more maturity.

Dancingintherain19 · 30/09/2022 21:45

You’ve picked a great course. Shortage of data scientists and gradually demand for statisticians which is still high is shifting this way. Provided you do well on your course you’ll have jobs to choose from.

hayley013 · 30/09/2022 21:46

I did the same and have no regrets at all, I was the oldest on my course, got a job straight out of uni mid covid in exactly what I wanted to do, I think I was at an advantage for having more life skills and work experience

Darbs76 · 30/09/2022 21:48

When I went to Uni there were people on all ages. Not all companies want 21yr old graduates, people with life skills and other employment are going to be attractive to employers too

TowerStork · 30/09/2022 21:52

Don't worry about fitting in with 19/20 year old. To them everyone over 25 is ancient. Older students tend to do brilliantly in university and gain so much because they really want to learn. Try to find other mature students you can meet up with for coffee.

Original poster
CheddarGoldfish · 30/09/2022 22:11

Good idea regarding the mature students group—will look into that! Just having a pretty terrible week as most of my friends and family still feel like I should've stuck it out with my old job instead of going through all this 'hassle' so I can't exactly talk to them about all this.

OP posts:
Olinguita · 30/09/2022 22:29

You made a great choice, there is huge demand for your skills. The corporate world has woken up to the fact that not all people have linear career paths and I think career switchers who show intention and purpose would be looked on very favourably. and unlike a 21 year old graduate, you won't have to be "house trained" to work in a grown up office environment. Well done for having the courage and initiative to take charge of your career and I hope you find your people at uni

Meatshake · 30/09/2022 22:32

Not at all, you'll have a drive and maturity to your learning which will be wasted on your more youthful peers. It's a great field to be getting into, enjoy it.

MuddlerInLaw · 30/09/2022 22:36

Here’s a link to the Mature Study and Retraining board:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

where you’ll find plenty of people doing the same as you!

FirestarterJackie · 30/09/2022 23:09

I went to Uni in my 30s = best thing I ever did, my earning potential went up massively just having that bit of paper

I think you are going to be fine

2pinkginsplease · 30/09/2022 23:21

Of course you can compete. Most employers are looking for the best candidate rather than the age of the candidate.

I retrained in my 40’s and have got every job since I’ve been qualified that I’ve been interviewed for. Think positive and things will work out.

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