Mid 40s and looking for a career change - I am so scared. I am lost and don't know what to do.

[TrayofRoses]

I’ve been working in a private, one-to-one support role for quite a while. It’s been steady and meaningful work, and for a long time I really valued the position.

However, over time I’ve realised there are ongoing challenges that have made me rethink whether this type of work is right for me long-term.

I feel ready for a change, but I’m unsure what direction to go in next. I don’t think I want to stay in this field or continue in similar roles.
I’m at a stage in life where starting over feels daunting. I don’t have many formal qualifications, and the thought of going back into full-time education feels financially risky.
I do care about helping others, but I’m trying to figure out how to pivot into something different and more sustainable for me.
Has anyone made a mid-life career change from a people-focused role into something completely different? I’d really appreciate any advice or shared experiences.

I have no idea what to do.

NHS? you can do an apprenticeship and retrain? If this is something that would interest you?

She said she doesn’t want people based.

OP what qualifications do you have (GCSE/ A level / Olevel?)

I have two healthcare support units. Not a full award. I was supposed to work towards a full award.

I am disheartened working in care. There was a weekend a few weeks ago that really sealed it for me. I worked all week. Monday to Friday. Had to attend training on a Saturday morning and then go back to work Saturday evening and stay overnight and work on Sunday and then do another week's work. It was the Saturday night work that was utterly grueling and no real proper break. I had to spend hours and hours dealing with someone who was picking feaces out of their ass and there was no break. I had chest pains from not being able to digest food properly. I never signed up to work like that. It wasn't the first time and it won't be the last.

I HATE WORKING IN CARE.

I used to lobe working in care by the way and helping people but not any more.

That sounds horrible OP I’m sorry. I am assuming it’s pretty low wage so you don’t need to maintain a huge salary for your outgoings? My mum is about 15 years older than you and works retail and seems to enjoy it. You could try local government for admin jobs or similar.

Probation officer?

Edit to apologise for not reading the full thread. Definitely not a job for not wanting to work with people

Jesus! That’s hideous OP. I can imagine that literally anything is better than that particular night you describe (I can’t even bring myself to repeat what you wrote!!)

But to address your question, I did a second degree in my 40s with the OU. You can do it alongside working or as a FT student. There are people of all ages and all personal situations doing the same. If you can figure out what career path you want to pursue I can wholeheartedly recommend it. I now have a brand new career in something I’m really passionate about.

You have no idea. I was so so so so exhausted. I was up at 6 am to attending training that was mandatory and then back into work and there was just no break to the day or night. I wouldn't mind 2 or 3 bowel incidents, that's manageable but it went on for hours and hours. In the middle of that I tried to eat a meal. Well fuck me sideways - no wasn't allowed.

I died inside of my self that night. Just no, no, no and no.

I will explore open university.

I just have no idea really what I want to do going forward.

I am passionate about haircare for myself and I am half thinking about hairdressing but I am nervousw as well all the same.

That day I wrote about where I want to leave care + it was half 12 at night where I just had to stop all my work and go to bed. The person I was assisting was gone to bed at that point but there was a lot of work in the background too like laundry. I just had to stop it all. Every bone in my body just ached. I was hardly able to drag my feet into a bed.

HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE working in care.

Yes, you are right. It is low paid so I don't have a lot of outgoings.

I am not too sure about retail. I don't think I can stomach working with the public. I am sure the majority of people are lovely but there are probably some characters all the same.

When I say I don't want to work with people - it's hard to explain myself.

I don't want a position where I would need to give personal care to someone else. I don't want any more of that kind of work.

Then I would be afraid to work with the public due to some people being assholes. So that would likely rule out retail and hospitality.

Warehouse and logistics? Or data entry might work. You could retrain as a HGV driver or try and apprentice in the trades? Cleaning or nannying maybe?

However without GCSE maths and English your options are limited.

I have the equilvant of what GCSE is from my home country. I don't have a degree or anything after that. Just some healthcare support units.

Definitely not nannying.

How about working for a supermarket? Aldi pay the best I think and there are positions to work upwards/pay increase. Yes you are working with the public but it’s not hugely responsible work.

Also as you have worked in care you could look at a physiotherapy/occupational therapy assistant jobs. These don’t involve personal care generally. I work in this field so I do know what I’m talking about. If you are in London the pay is not bad. Many jobs are Monday to Friday too.

There are lots of opportunities out there. Mid forties you are a spring chicken!!

Would you be ok with the people side of hair? It's not quite up there with care work but I always think it's quite intimate really.

I wonder if you could pick orders for online shopping as a transition while you look into training for what you really want to do?

How about doing a college course in basic bookkeeping. You don't need to be a whizz at maths, just methodical in your thinking. All businesses need people in their admin/finance departments, and AI isn't going to be taking over soon, especially not for small firms.

What about private home help? For an agency. So helping the elderly but not to the level in a care home.

Go for it OP! I'm 43 and just started an HR entry level course.
What about an office role? Maybe get some temp admin/data entry work to get some experience and see if it suits you?