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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think it's too late

20 replies

fishface343 · 22/07/2023 23:02

To retrain/start a "career"?

I'm 36 and have been in the same dead end admin job since I left university. It was supposed to be a stop gap but then I had kids and it was easy money, flexible hours and part home working (even before covid but it's fully remote now) so I stuck it out because it was best for my family.

I have a degree in humanities that I've never done anything with and now the kids are older I really want to do something that gives me more job satisfaction. But I don't know what! I feel like I need a careers adviser or something but I don't even know where to find one of them.

I'm still pretty confined by school runs too and part of me thinks just stick with what you know and accept the fact you won't have a career. But I don't want to do this forever. The work is mind numbing and working at home alone everyday is depressing. I want a job where I make a difference.

Has anyone else retrained at such a late stage? Any inspiration would be great.

OP posts:

tweener · 22/07/2023 23:02

I'm younger than you but in my opinion you have most of your working life ahead of you still, you're definitely not too old to retrain!

XenoBitch · 22/07/2023 23:04

I am 43, stuck on UC (not working). I would literally have to start from scratch if I tried to work again. I would be competing with school leavers. It makes for a grim future.

You have a degree, and experience from a job. That is a great start, and not too late to turn it into something great.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 22/07/2023 23:08

Definitely not too old. You’ll have decades to progress. I’m a similar age and sometimes think about changing career. Sure you might be in with younger people when starting out but so what? That shouldn’t put you off.

Original poster

fishface343 · 22/07/2023 23:09

It would help if I knew what I wanted to do. At least then I could try and put a plan in place. But I feel a bit lost. All I've ever done is basic admin work. Yes I have a degree but it's 16 years old! No work experience to speak of. I just don't know where to begin.

OP posts:

Bonbon21 · 22/07/2023 23:10

Think about this rationally.
You have been working say 15 years since your degree.
You will be working till you are 67+ before you get you State Pension.
So thats another 30 years.
Twice as long as you have already worked.
You have LOADS of time to retrain for anything you decide you want to try.
If you are anxious about studying again and getting into the swing of things or just looking for ideas, have a look at Openlearn, lots of free short courses to whet your appetite.
People change careers a lot these days... 3 or 4 times in their working lives.
You'll be fine!

BorneoBound · 22/07/2023 23:11

Definitely not too old to retrain. Looking for jobs you are already qualified for but in different sectors could also help - I'm an accountant and come to hate what I did for a living (for the most part I was just helping rich people stay rich, and I too felt like I wanted to make a difference). I now work in school finance. I had to take a little bit of a pay cut but I love the people I work with, the work involved, and I know that when schools are questioning me on things their entire motive is to benefit the school kids rather than lining their own pocket. I'm passionate about it which is worth any pay cut.
Lots of non profits could use your skills...

colouringindoors · 22/07/2023 23:13

Definitely Not! I'm 52 and retrained a year ago and it's been a really positive decision. Hard year but So worth it.

Annaishere · 22/07/2023 23:14

I’m mid thirties and also want to start again but I feel out off by the fact that most people at college and university are in their twenties

Bonbon21 · 22/07/2023 23:15

Just read your update.. basic admin work needs skills.. all of which are immensely transferable.
And you have kids, you run a home.
You display maturity, have life experience, handle responsibility. You have IT skills, social skills, handle finance, budget, meet deadlines, basic first aid....
You can do ANYTHING!!

Smoky1107 · 22/07/2023 23:18

No I started my career at 37. Youngest child at high school and I went for it. Now I have a great job with loads of opportunities and I've just started a degree. Not too late at all!

Smoky1107 · 22/07/2023 23:18

Oh and now I'm mid 40s!!

Elfblossom · 23/07/2023 02:26

It is never 'too late'.

Time will keep passing no matter what you do or don't do but in 3 years time you could still be doing the same as now or you could have changed your career or got a degree or started a business, had a baby, emigrated... anything.

There's no life clock stopping you.

Go for it! and best of luck ❤️

BingoBastards · 23/07/2023 02:34

Nope, not at all. My mother did in her 50s.

You could book an appointment with the national careers service.

BrieAndChilli · 23/07/2023 02:35

While my children were small I did various part time jobs such as admin and waitressing etc them when I was about 36 I started temping for a creative design agency. Now 6 years later I am an account manager and earn 4 times what I did when I started.

Original poster

fishface343 · 23/07/2023 09:22

Thanks so much for the encouragement guys. I guess I should start seriously thinking about which direction to go in.

OP posts:

Elfblossom · 23/07/2023 09:52

fishface343 · 23/07/2023 09:22

Thanks so much for the encouragement guys. I guess I should start seriously thinking about which direction to go in.

I saw a quote recently that resonated and feels apt for this thread too...

Don't be the first person to say No to your plan, idea, venture.

NoraLuka · 23/07/2023 09:58

Definitely not too old, go for it! Good luck 🤞

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 23/07/2023 10:00

I’m 37 and started a new career this year! I was a HLTA and now I’m a Probation Service Officer and will be applying to train to become a full Probation Officer when the next course comes out in Aug/ Sept as you do the course “on the job”. It’s never too late!

BobShark · 23/07/2023 11:17

I'm 42, last year took on a new career, spent 20yrs as a graphic designer and hit my ceiling in terms of income.

Single parent, still renting in expensive city so took the plunge, and now associate director for digital experience. Was in the same space but with way more earning potential and a steep learning curve. Think, taking on project and watching YouTube tutorials while doing it. It's been exhausting and interesting and stressful but will open up new opportunities and more growth for me.

Start thinking about what parts of your job you like, write them down, are you very process driven? You know there are jobs for people who write processes? As in DP process improvement for big organisations, do you like the research side of things? There are jobs in that too, find an interesting thing and do a specific course, tell your. Urgent manager your interests and see if there's opportunities to take on new projects, you may be surprised where that could take you.

An ambitious employee is always a good one, maybe an opportunity within the company you work for is there you just don't know about it.

Velvetdragon13 · 10/11/2023 09:54

Your first step is to find what drives your passion. What things do you like to do or would like to do that really inspire you?

If you want to find a careers advisor (or anything that interests you) GOOGLE is your friend. You can pretty much find anything you want to know, failing that YouTube is an excellent resource for tutorials.

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