Retrain in your 30s or 40s?

[Hodgemollar]

If you totally retrained in your 30s or 40s, and specifically after having kids what did you do before and what did you retrain in?

AIBU to consider full time education with young kids? How did you juggle it?

I'm doing it right now. Early forties with two primary aged kids. Its tough but its going to be worth it.

What industry/ type of job did you go from/ to?

Long story but basically pregnant than screwed with my first born so lost a good job(although it bored the piss out of me and ultimately did me a favour). For the last 10 years I've been working pt in healthcare admin just for flexibility with kids and school hols etc. Now retraining in mental health.

DH who works for himself from home!

I worked in a secretarial role for a board, left after having DC, then temped part time in that role until DC started nursery. I then did a 3 month boot camp in UX design and was able to get a full time job in UX three months after. It was very hard career to get into and so I had to leverage a lot of my prior relevant industry experience working for a board, and tailor my applications to roles where I could offer specialised industry knowledge on top of UX. But I'm very happy in my new career! DH and I budgeted for me to me out of work for six months so I worked my bum off getting a role after the boot camp but it can be done.

I had always done admin/ reception roles and in my late 40’s completely changed direction training as a massage therapist and a nursery worker, two completely different jobs but I love both of them

Left an admin role in my early 30s to become a TA, trained up to become HLTA and am now currently doing a degree part time in childhood and youth studies with the aim of moving into welfare and safeguarding. I will complete the degree at 41, youngest dc will be 7

If you can afford to lose the income and still manage school, then go for it.

I was in my early 40's, working part time with three kids in primary/secondary when I started my transportation management course. I was already in the industry. My designation took two years of part time studies (correspondence, so no classes I needed to attend). DH was a massive help doing cooking/cleaning while the kids and I sat around the table doing homework.

Having flexible coursework completion date is very helpful, and you need to organize your time so you have quiet study time.

Good luck with your decision.

I worked in a bank pre kids but I dreamed of doing something more rewarding. At 40 I trained to be a nurse. It was amazing and gave me so many wonderful opportunities. I did a degree and a post grad in teaching.

I’m over halfway through a degree to change career.

40 with two kids aged 9 and 14.

I'm a teacher and seriously considering a careerr change. No idea what yet. Possibly psychology

I worked in the insurance industry - had 3 kids so became a SAHM - realised that the only way i could afford to work was the train as a teacher - did that for 10 years and retrained as a finance adviser. Lived all of my jobs, companies do give you the chance!

Go for it.

So many transferable skills when you’ve been a mum.