Can I start a new career at 57??

[DwellingOnIt]

I’ve been a SAHM for 20 odd years for various reasons, apart from 2 years as a TA in secondary school working with SN kids. Before kids I was a solicitor and hated it. Husband always out earned me (IT) and worked long and unpredictable hours so I’ve been home with our 4 kids throughout the years. Youngest is now 18 and I’m looking at the next phase of my life and thinking - why did I do that?! I’ve no confidence. I feel old and tired. I have no pension provision and my marriage is not in a good place. Any ideas on what I could do next?

What would you like to do? You're not too old at all, I think you should go for it!

You aren't old. You hopefully have decades ahead of you to fill with something wonderful.

It all depends on what you want to do. In my early fifties I left the professional career I'd been in for decades and retrained in a field which had been a lifetime hobby for me. I then started my own business using those skills and spent a good few years happily and successfully doing that.

I earned far less that I had in my previous career but I worked hours to suit me for people I liked doing a job I loved.

Why don't you sit down and make a list of all the things you'd like to change, then, in the next column, write what you could do to change it. E.g. I feel old and tired all the time - I'll eat healthier, take a gentle walk in the fresh air each day and not drink wine with dinner.

Follow your heart. Think of the things that give you joy and pursue them. Start with the small things and build up.

Exciting time for you! Do please come back and tell us what you're doing - I'm so interested to see how your life takes off.

Is there anything you’ve always secretly wanted to do? What talents do you possess alongside your legal skills? Anything crafty or creative - gardening, making, composing? What drew you to the TA post - might you want to work in schools or tutoring?

I can tell you I’m far from the only person on this board who leapt into a new subject (via a postgraduate degree) at around your age. It’s hard! So it needs to be something you feel ridiculously enthusiastic about.

Once you find that ‘thing’ a period of retraining can be incredibly reviving and rejuvenating and prepare you in all sorts of unexpected ways for the future.

(I am sorry about the pension issue. You’re not the only former legal practitioner who somehow managed to neglect their own interests - it happens all too easily.)

As a hiring manager I would absolutely hire someone in their 50s. They bring a different perspective and diversity of thought. I have a cross range of ages in my dept from early 20s through to mid 50s.

However, in your circumstances, I would only be able to offer a more junior position as I hire for work exp too which you don’t have a lot of (doesn’t need to be sector specific though). I would also put in place a clear development plan in line with potential to move you up the bands/grades.

I think you have to be realistic on initial salary and be open to roles that have career opportunities and progression.

Look at adult apprenticeships perhaps. Apparently they're mostly taken up by older people (I'm an older person too so don't mean to offend by saying that).

You're definitely not too old to start something anew. Good luck

Following with interest, same age but in a different place, I’ve worked for same company 35 years, full time, part time, now on a full time flexi pattern, it was great whilst raising DC as can do job with my eyes shut but I’m so bored, I feel institutionalised and I want to do something different now I have more headspace, I have a pension but not great as 18 years of part time put a dent in it.

Oh gosh, thanks for the replies - I’m touched. I’ll have a think about what you’ve all said…

You may be aware of Government Postgraduate Loans through your children - but here’s the info, just in case:

https://www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study

Often people in their 50s and 60s aren't after career opportunities and progression - they're at a stage in their life where satisfaction, personal expression and creativity are more important.

That kind of One-to one appraisal/Key Performance Indicator/Maslow hierarchy of needs kind of 'career motivation' had got so so so old for me. I'd just had one meeting too many and couldn't go on thinking that's an hour I'll never get back. It was why I wanted to leave a corporate environment.

I think that expectation from an employer might be part of the problem. I’m also 57 and I don’t want to progress up the career ladder. I don’t want to be “developed” and do any appraisals and prove I’m stretching and developing and adding value.

And that’s fine too! All hiring managers need a mix of those wanting to progress and those wanting to come in, do a great job, and go home. The latter are often a dream to manage too!

Agreed. And to note I would defo hire for those who want to just turn up and do a good job too; not just the career ambitious. You need a mix of both in a team.

You sound like a great employer @mintbiscuit

Great thread and good luck OP. If you’re like me I’d say don’t let the best be the enemy of the good- you’ve probably got a few things that you love doing so if you can’t choose, pick one that is reflected in an achievable job and give it a go. I felt intimidated for years not knowing exactly what I wanted to do. So now I work on it by trial and error and that has helped me to find a career path too.

Will be watching with interest.

I'm 52, currently a TA in a local SEN school and wondering what to do next in life.

Keep us posted!

How are you doing OP? I’m in a similar boat. There seem to be quite a few 50+ women looking to change career on MN: maybe a support thread is in order!

Isn’t that what this is?

I didn't want to hijack the OP's thread to use as a general support thread.

Understandable @Turkeyhen
I'd join a support thread as I'm currently changing direction career wise after having been self employed for years.