Is 47 too late to retrain for a new career?

[Lambzig]

i have worked in a technical field all my career. Before children I had moved to a mainly managerial role with a small amount of client facing. Since children and working part time, I have been moved to a client facing/business development role and I hate it and I am not doing well in it.

I would like to retrain in a completely different field. Am I deluded that this could work for me in my forties (probably 50 when I am finished).

The alternative, and just about financially possible, is to give up work while the DC are small, but I feel if i dont go from one thing to another that will be the end of my working life.

Definitely NOT too late! My mum did the same- she was over 50 I think when she made a massive career change- went from working as an IT business manager in the city (15 years) to retraining as an interior designer. She is now working for an interior design business and couldn't be happier. She was made redundant from her city job which was the turning point but genuinely think it's the best decision she ever made. Very inspiring and just goes to show it can be done!! Major lifestyle change in terms of in come being a lot lower, but you can't always put a price on happiness.

Thank you, thats good to hear. Mine is a similarly drastic change from technical environmental to (hopefully) counselling.

Good luck, I hope it all works out for you.

Hi, just wanted to say that it's definitely not too old! I'm 42 and currently studying counselling skills with a view to working in that field. Most people on my course are of a similar age and are moving into a completely new field or looking to return to work after being a SAHP.

It's a fascinating subject and you can take a pt introductory course which runs for 10 weeks which will give you a taster of what's involved. Good luck!

Thanks, that's just what I plan to start with when DD starts school in Sept.

Am 40 and starting a new degree in September. New field. Do it! Good luck.

No, I'm 49 and in the second year of a four year degree course in a totally new field.

I depends what you want to do IMO because some fields you can take forever having to train up to the position of being employable whereas some you can jump right in.

Loads of women on my health course are in their 30's and 40's, they'll be doing nursing and midwifery roles if they qualify which you basically walk into a job after the 3 year uni course.

My friend wants to be a counsellor, he's done a degree but currently workin as a care assistant as there's no graduate jobs in his area at the moment.

But I think you should go for it, have you anything to lose? It's never to late and it's not worth you thinking years later 'what if' or 'I wish'.

Definitely not. I work with people of all ages to help them change career. Instead of focussing on being too late, think of how much working time you may have left and how you want to spend that time.

First thing is getting clear on what you want tot do, researching options and deciding. Then focus on making it happen.

You deserve to do something you love!

Thanks for the advice and positive encouragement all .

My work have asked me to up my hours and I really dont want to spend any additional time doing something I hate. Interestingly, two other women at work who have returned from maternity leave part time are thinking of leaving so perhaps the job just doesnt work part time, or my company are bad at making it work.

I think if I say no, they might make my role redundant, so this just might be the catalyst that helps me make the change.