Too late at 34?

[chocolatesweets]

I spent my 20s getting a degree, working several short term (some well paid) contracts and travelling. I had 2ds in my late 20s/early 30s and now at 34 I'm wanting to focus on a good job/career/investing etc.

In my 20s, I thought I had to chose between being a mother and having a career - which is what my mother did.

Is it too late to change things around at 34?

Not at all, go for it.

Why would it be too late? You’re not even halfway through your working life.

No. My mother in law had a proper career after her children became adults. I went into teaching aged 38. Do it.

Thank you. I genuinely want to cry and need the encouragement more than I thought.

You’ve got over 30 years of working life left - go for it !
And get a pension if you haven’t already.

Do it!! Do you know what you want to do? That’s my problem!

No, I don't 😂. I just want to push forward and be the best I can become. I don't want anymore children.

My “career” started for real with the job I got when I was 33.

You can definitely do it and quicker than you think!

Choose the industry, get the entry level job, be the best you can be and you’ll move up in no time.

I'm your age and retraining as a Dr so no, you're not too old!

You can do it! I had my kids young, post degree but before much else, so I've had to get my career where it is with 2 kids and have managed it just fine. It's a bit tricky starting out as you don't have the same flexibility so we've paid out a lot in childcare, but now I own my diary and spend loads of time with my kids and am pretty senior. Bit of a balancing act to start with but didn't take long to work out, the most important thing is your mindset, I've never second guessed myself for a second, you can do it, you deserve to do it, so do it!!

I was 40 when I went back to work after being SAHM for 12 years. Started off part time receptionist but it became apparent that I hadn't really lost my confidence like I thought I had and I hadn't lost my skills either, quickly promoted time after time and now at higher position than ever. Took me six years and I'm not done yet. I'm grateful to those who noticed and believed in me and I'm aware I was lucky. Go for it.

I switched careers at 33 as I was burnt out. It was difficult at first because childcare was more than my salary but I've changed jobs twice & been promoted 3 times in 3 yrs in current job & 5 yrs later have a good career with progression & earning above average.

Go for it! I didn't work as I was a SAHM until I was 31. Started in admin roles and worked my way up through different roles and organisations. Now I'm director of a professional service at a university.
You absolutely can do this

@chocolatesweets

I spent my 20s getting a degree, working several short term (some well paid) contracts and travelling. I had 2ds in my late 20s/early 30s and now at 34 I'm wanting to focus on a good job/career/investing etc.

In my 20s, I thought I had to chose between being a mother and having a career - which is what my mother did.

Is it too late to change things around at 34?

I got a first class honours degree at 50, as a single parent of 3, still working part time whilst studying, and have just landed a plum job as a direct result. 34 is no age! Do it!

I started training for my second career at 34.

My DM dropped out of college to have me at 17. Just had a few O levels and hadn't done amazingly at those.

While she was working in jobs she hated she did her A Levels at night school. Didn't get brilliant grades due to juggling full time work, parenting and house stuff, but good enough.

When she was 35 she got a place on a joint Business & English degree - went into work and told the misogynistic arses she worked with that she was quitting there and then, wouldn't be working her notice and they could shove their reference up their arse as she didn't need it

She got a first in her degree. Then she did a Masters and got a distinction.

She won a £40k scholarship from Oxford Uni to do her PhD while working part-time for the university.

She then became a lecturer.

Anything is possible!

Inspirational stories on here, thank you.

Can you pick up again on what you did in your 20s? There are a few organisations (eg accountancy, law) that have returner schemes for people who took time out of the workplace for children.