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Mature study and retraining

Talk to other Mumsnetters who are considering a career change or are mature students.

Original poster

Retraining in 50's?

15 replies

Runaround50 · 14/04/2023 19:41

Has anyone done this? What did you retrain from and to?

I'm 51, currently working as a TA but finding it all a bit mind numbing right now.

Also going through the menopause ( which isn't helping!)

Just looking to carve a new career/ life really, as DD heads to uni in September and DS finishes High School in a year.

Thanks.

OP posts:
SurpriseSparDay · 15/04/2023 11:53

What’s the area you’d like to move into? Something related to education or a completely different field?

And what’s your starting position as regards current qualifications and what you’d need for a new career?

Original poster
Runaround50 · 16/04/2023 15:45

Really not sure what field of work i want to venture into next. I have a PGCE and a handful of O levels CSE's.

I started off as secondary school teacher, then worked from home for Netmums. Soon after, became a 1:1 in a primary school, job coach and then TA in a special needs school.

It's time to move on, but I cannot fathom out what it is I want to do.

I've always had a desire to retrain as a MH nurse.

My current job has been good in the respect of it's been doable since I entered the hell of menopause. It's literally 5 mins down the road and the work, generally easy.

Clearly I need to ascertain what transferable skills I have, which can put to good use.

OP posts:
RosyRoas · 22/04/2023 20:27

Runaround50 - I have just stumbled across your post after being given a link to the 'mature students' thread.

I am also considering retraining from teaching and have an interview for a MSc in MH Nursing on Wednesday.

Part of me thinks I must be mad as I teach at a lovely private school in a leadership role, but I am just not feeling it anymore.

I don't know how I will afford to retrain as I am single, almost 47, so mortgage and all of that. More than that, I am not really sure why I keep coming back to MH nursing; it's a career path I was going to take in my early 20s but I joined the Navy instead! 🤷🏻‍♀️It's not like nursing is an easy or calm career. I did think maybe the perimenopause is making me crazy!?!?! 😜🤪

What do you think you will do?

Original poster
Runaround50 · 23/04/2023 10:54

@RosyRoas totally agree that peri menopause could be a major contributory factor here! I feel the need to totally revamp my life right now!

Keep thinking, why did I quit teaching etc. But with ofsted looming, even as a TA, I'm thinking, yes correct decision ( although the shockingly poorly paid)

I'm nearly 52 now, so feel I've missed the boat re: retraining.

Good luck with your new venture. You will have many transferable skills for a new career in MH nursing ( if that is the path you choose to go down)

😀

OP posts:
SurpriseSparDay · 23/04/2023 15:13

I was older than you when I started an MA in a completely new subject, @Runaround50.Grin (Decades after training for a serious profession.) It was incredibly hard work but wondrously fulfilling - and I’m now doing a thing I never dreamed I could.

You do have to bear in mind that juicy opportunities are sometimes skewed towards the young - so you may need a thick skin. But putting in the effort will inevitably open up whole new worlds to you.

Original poster
Runaround50 · 23/04/2023 15:41

@SurpriseSparDay Thanks for those words of wisdom!
I feel the need to do something new. Stuff the young, they get too much attention anyway!😁It's often the fifty somethings who either coast along or get overlooked (ten years until retirement and all that shit!)

Okay, now to fathom out what to do!

Do you know if you have to pay for an OU degree, if you have already received funding (albeit 25 years ago!) for a previous PGCE? Must look into that one.

OP posts:
SnarkyBag · 23/04/2023 15:43

What about occupational therapy I would say 60% of my cohort were 40 years plus and about four or five in their 50’s.

Original poster
Runaround50 · 23/04/2023 15:57

@SnarkyBag funnily enough, occupational therapy was one career which has been at the back of my mind for a while now.

OP posts:
EBearhug · 23/04/2023 16:03

I'm nearly 52 now, so feel I've missed the boat re: retraining.
If you work to 67, that's 15 years.

RosyRoas · 23/04/2023 16:17

@SnarkyBag Is OT what you retrained in?

Wallywobbles · 23/04/2023 17:19

I retrained as an instructional designer. Was a teacher with 25 years experience in HE.

Love me job. Earn more but so much less holiday is taking some getting used to.

Original poster
Runaround50 · 23/04/2023 20:40

@EBearhug I really don't want to be working when I'm 67. But if I have to, then I will obviously.

OP posts:
EBearhug · 24/04/2023 08:46

Runaround50 · 23/04/2023 20:40

@EBearhug I really don't want to be working when I'm 67. But if I have to, then I will obviously.

Nor do I, but I doubt I'll have any other option, financially.

Original poster
Runaround50 · 24/04/2023 18:57

@EBearhug no, don't suppose I will have much option either. Seem to have made a right royal cock of my career choices on reflection.

OP posts:
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