Social Work ...career change at 43?

[Fiddlerontheroof]

Hello,

I'm wondering if I'm a bit crazy to consider this, but I'm wondering if anyone here has made a career change around this age?

I worked as a professional in the arts industry for 11 years, until the arrival of my dd who is disabled and this meant that the very unsocial hours simply weren't feasible anymore. At the time my OH did the same job. One of us needed to make some work changes. So, I retrained as a teacher. Jobs are not plentiful where we are and despite having an outstanding student year, I didn't get a job, and I ended up working for a further 7 years in a post that wasn't inductable for Newly Qualified teachers, nor was in the age range of the children I'd trained to teach.

My then OH, then left me, after a 5 year affair, and I had to leave that job, as he left me with sole care of the kids and I simply couldn't hold it down and look after both the children because of the commute and workload and managing both the kids on my own. So for the last few years I've worked as a supply teacher, but I'm utterly miserable and not enjoying it at all.

When I initially went to change career, social work was far more appealing to me, as I'd worked as a support worker with adults in care for a time, and it's clear much of the arts work I do is in ALN, with children at risk, and in challenging schools. That work for me is far more satisfying, than anything else I do. I also have worked as a volunteer be-friender for parents of newly diagnosed disabled children for several years.

So I'm thinking, now that the kids are older, I could finally pursue the plan of doing social work. I can do it as a 2 year course here, and financially, it looks do-able. I have good childcare and family support. There is an open day at the university in a couple of months for it, and applications for 2016 need to be in just after Christmas.

But, I'm just sat here thinking will they view me as a person who simply can't settle into a career? - or will they take on board the decisions I've had to make at points in my life that have left me in this situation? Job satisfaction is very important to me, and I feel that at this stage in my life, I really have that. I've been utterly depressed returning to work this year, I don't have any management or structure, and I feel like a glorified children's entertainer in my current job half the time...and even delivering arts projects is ok, but I actually want to be involved in the ongoing support of people, not just dipping in and out with some nice music stuff!

And I'd really appreciate any viewpoints from social workers.

Thanks for reading.

Just bumping :)

Bumping again :)

Last try lol :)

Do it!

I'm a social work student, there are plenty of students aged 30-50 on my course. We are a cohort of 50 (BA, not MA) and the majority have children/are aged 30+. The MA course at my uni is smaller (15) and they are all mature students aged 30+.

You're not going to be judged for 'career hopping', your experience is current and relevant. My uni was interested in the path that had led me to pursue social work, but didn't want to know every detail of my career move choices!

I would contact your local uni now about the entry requirements, they may well want some academic work from you to show that you're capable, and they will be able to give you some tips about prepping for the interview process.

Best of luck

Aw, thank you so much for your advice, I really appreciate it. I did email the uni last week, (it is the MA) but haven't heard back, so I will chase it next week. That's great to hear that I won't be alone and there are plenty of other mature students. Thanks for replying.

X

I have a friend, single mum, who has older teens, and she's just started a social work degree. It's not too late! What's the harm in applying?

No one's going to think you're a career hopper, but every SWer I've ever met is ridiculously overstretched so make sure you're comfortable with having to do a not-as-good-as-you'd-like job of everything just to try and stay on top.

Its not too late at all. You've have plenty of good experience that has led you naturally to this point. What area would you want to work in? Children or adults?

When I trained as a sw there were plenty of mature students and when you qualify age def gives you an advantage as younger people have to prove themselves much more. If you want to help people my advice would be to be a support worker (I was for years) with the horrific funding cuts in sw now it really is a nightmare. My friends in child protection have 70 plus on their case loads and adult services and disabilities sw jobs have been dessimated by funding cuts. My friends and I went into sw to try and make the world a better place but now as sw most feel we are just making it worst! Sorry to be negative. I did love my time at uni and would always say to people follow your dreams.