Am I too late?

[OhBergine]

I'm a lawyer, I am 31 and I'm on maternity leave with my second DC. Planning to go back to my (boring, fairly well-paid part time) job in Easter 2019.

I became a lawyer because I did a humanities degree - I did artsy A-Levels (which I was better at than science).

BUT I've always wanted to be a doctor. I've been Googling post grad courses in medicine but the minimum course time would be 4 years.

Am I an idiot to consider changing careers at this point? Realistically I wouldn't be contributing much until o was nearly 40... but then I could have a challenging career for a further 25 years?!

I lived with my best friend who was a med student. Her boyfriend at the time was a mature student and very old in my eyes at the time (he was 30!). Nevertheless he's now an anaesthetist so it is possible. Not sure about juggling children and a medical degree but definitely worth investigating if it's what you want.

Yes 30 probably seems ancient to undergrads!

My job is so flexible at the moment and that is really worth a lot, whereas the course is full-time (and obviously I wouldn't earn anything). I think maybe I've missed the boat..

Still, you've only one life & if it's what you really want to do......

If you can afford it and will have the time to study/do course then do it.

40 isn't old considering how many more years to contribute before retirement.

I'm a consultant and would literally give my right arm for a boring part time job in law.

I have invested so much in my training and was only appointed as a consultant 2 years ago, so I feel the need to keep working to achieve a return on all the sacrifices I made during the 11 years of postgrad training. V difficult work life balance with DC. Obviously there are other routes e.g. GP but make sure you think very carefully about the postgrad training required after your basic 4 year medical degree.

Ha ha. The grass is always greener on the other side. I was going to retrain to become a vet. My friend, who's a vet told me she wished she'd become a teacher. Made me reconsider. Just got a load of animals instead.

Feeling and Pebbles that's exactly what I need to hear really. Sometimes my job is boring but the work/life balance I've negotiated is excellent and the thought of going right back to the start does terrify me. I wouldn't want to be a GP - probably a gynaecologist or obstetrician. Maybe I don't want it enough.