Career change at 32

[Pandapop32]

Hi everyone,

At the age of 32, I have decided it is finally time for a career change! I have worked for the same company as a senior administrator for 10 years, it's well paid and low stress. BUT, I do not feel fulfilled at all. I am excited at the prospect of a new challenge and career.

The trouble is.. I have no idea what I actually want to do!

I do not have a degree, my highest qualification is a Level 3 BTEC in Business from 2011. So, I'm not sure that really counts for anything now. I mention this because I was looking into nursing, but I don't think I would be able to do that due to my lack of qualifications.

Honestly, I am feeling quite confused and deflated, it is hard not knowing 'what I want to be when I grow up'. Well, I am very grown up now so I need to decide!

Has anyone else changed careers and can give me some advice? Maybe if I get some ideas thrown at me, one might stick out to me & solve all my problems haha :)

Most jobs aren't fulfilling, certainly not on a frequent basis. We find jobs that we can do and that meet our needs. Our fulfilment comes from the wider life we build for ourselves beyond how we pay the bills.

I say this because I fear your expectations that a new career will bring you fulfilment seem misplaced and high risk.

Nursing might occasionally have fulfilling moments but it's primarily hard grind under pressure with inadequate resources.

Sometimes it is about how identifying how your current job or professional skillset enable you to live a fulfilling life. Noticing the small moments that feel manageable. Keeping it in perspective about its place in your life.

If you had a specific target career and rationale for how that would still meet your needs, then I might have commented differently. But I fear you're setting yourself up for disappointment and stress.

We don't make the best decisions as humans when our focus is on "I don't want to do this" but we don't have any positive idea of what we do want.

What would feeling fulfilled at work look like for you?

I moved to accounting at a similar age, after kids. It doesn’t seem like a huge step from admin initially and related to your business knowledge/qualification. You could even ask to shadow or pick up some elements in your current role. But it’s not for everyone, many people go into it and aren’t suited so won’t progress. It’s more about logic and process than advanced maths or mental arithmetic. It uses commutation skills and you could be supporting teams to make decisions, so soft skills needed too.

There’s no one clear answer and most of us don’t have a true vocation. Dip your toe in different areas and see what feels most “you”. I needed stability and the option of part time plus not going back to full time, expensive, study so my dream career wasn’t practical.

If I were wanting to retrain, I would think about the fundamentals of what I enjoy:

• Would I prefer to work indoors or outdoors?
• Would I like something physical or sedate?
• Alone or as part of a team?
• In a customer/client facing role/on the front line or in a back office/behind the scenes role?
• Do I enjoy repeat tasks or a changing workload?
• Do I like to methodically work through a task, or apply myself in short bursts?
• Am I an empathetic people person, or not?
• How much responsibility do I want?

Etc etc.

For what it's worth, I wouldn't worry about your lack of qualifications. I don't think they're as relevant or necessary these days.

And I echo the PP's point about fulfilment.
I'm 40 and have a great career which I've been in for 15 years, but it does NOT fulfil me.
It allows me to use my brain and stretch myself, has decent working conditions and pays a good salary.

Have a look at The Guardian jobs or similar. Any roles that might interest you.

Can you retrain? Study?

If you're not fulfilled then definitely look into how you can improve that, but at the same time - even the best job in the works is still a job.

Project management?

Not exactly a vocational job (is that what you want?) but you probably wouldn't need to formally retrain

With a strong admin background you should be able to get a PMO type role that you can then progress into project management from, probably with on the job training.

How about starting as an HCA in a hospital? Lots of vacancies and would help you see if moving up to nursing would suit you.

I think in your position of having a well paid, low stress job, that I am assuming you don't actively dislike, I would start to explore volunteering, hobbies and interests and go from there. You might find that one of those things will help you feel more fulfilled, or get a better idea of what interests you and you might turn into a career in the future.

If you are thinking about the caring professions, plenty of voluntary work kicking around for that. Something more arty? Try an informal course. So on.

I say that as someone who is ten years older than you, and did change careers out of nursing at your age. I was far too all or nothing about it and far too impatient. In hindsight, I would have taken my time a bit more.

I was in the same boat and felt overwhelmed by the options. Healthcare jobs kept popping up in my searches, and I found this super helpful: https://www.exploremedicalcareers.com/surgical-technologist/. It gave me a clear idea of what the role involves and what kind of training is needed. I liked that it’s more hands-on than I expected and doesn’t require years of schooling to get started.