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Too late for a career change?

5 replies

xxcxdonxx · 22/08/2019 17:48

Hello,

Just looking for a bit of advice or if anyone has been in a similar situation.
I’m currently on mat leave with my first from a job I enjoy but not super excited about.
I’m now thinkIng about going back to uni to do my teacher training but my concern is the impact that this would have on having a second baby and if I have left it too late.
If I was successful in the next application process, I would complete my probation year by June 2022 then begin looking for a perm role. By this point I would be 37 and ideally in a job first before I started trying for another baby.
Just looking to see if anyone has similar experience in juggling returning to studies and family life!?

Thanks 🙂

OP posts:
EBearhug · 23/08/2019 01:25

At 40, you might have over 25, even 35 working years left, if you follow the news. Why on earth would 37 be too late, even if you have another child?

RockinHippy · 23/08/2019 08:37

My friend did this at a similar age, though she doesn't have DCs. It's worked brilliantly for her for nearly 20 years, she's won teaching awards the lot, so not only a career change at 40, but a very successful one.

Though it's worth noting that like a lot of teachers, she's burnt out & now works as a TA out of choice as it's less stressful & less time consuming out of school

Theresa17 · 23/08/2019 12:43

Hi
As has been said already, you are very likely to have a lot of working years left, so there is definitely time to start something new. You might like this video from LSE, which puts it very nicely

I would consider a few questions as you make your decision: Why do you want to be a teacher? What is pulling you towards this (rather than the stuff that might be pushing you away from your current role)? Once you have your answer ask yourself "why?" again. And again... This usually get's quite tricky but is super helpful to really get to the bottom of what attracts you to something and then you can check if these are good reasons for you (rather let's say that someone else thinks it's a good job). This will not only help you feel more confident in your choice, but will make it easier when things get hard and you are wondering why you are doing this to yourself. Which, let's face it, will happen. But it's much easier to face this when you really know this is right for you and worth the challenges. And it makes it much easier to explain to someone else why you want this, which helps massively in uni and job interviews. People connect to your why!
Obviously make sure you have researched well and and have done some work experience and talked to current teachers, so you know what you are letting yourself into.

I did go back to university twice, once full-time and once writing my masters while I was working full-time, and I loved it even though it was pretty hard at times. Admittedly this was before little one was born, so there would be an added challenge now. But it also means you have learned extra skills and having limited time can make you super focused and with some practice you can figure out the stuff that isn't actually that important and can be ignored, so you can focus on the stuff that really moves you forward.

Most importantly, do you think you would regret not trying this? If the answer is yes, then do it. This is what you would tell your children in the future, isn't it? :-)

Good luck with whatever you decide!

PlatoAteMySnozcumber · 23/08/2019 12:50

Went back to do a masters with one DC, had another at the end and got my first new career job at 37. It all worked out very well. Go for it.

xxcxdonxx · 23/08/2019 16:09

Thank for your replies, think at the moment it’s just tying to figure out timings of having another baby, when would be the right time etc. However, these things tend to work themselves out I guess and would be worth it to go into the right career.

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