Change of careers.

[Cattiebree]

Hi everyone I hope I have this in the right place! So I’ve just turned 45 and am looking to completely change careers. I currently work in finance services and have done for the 20+ years. However when I was younger and full of hope and dreams I wanted to work in pharmacy but life sometimes has a way of steering you off track!

I am hoping that there are others on here who can help me with some guidance on what to do next. I don’t have a degree and I am looking for something like a technician or assistant job where I can do a NVQ and work my way up. I know I will need a degree to be an actual pharmacist but that is something I will think about once I’m settled into the role.

I am applying but not too many responses yet. Is there something I can study part time to make me a better candidate for future roles?

I feel like now is a great time for me to look into this as all my kids are in secondary school and I can start thinking about myself a little more.

So any advice would be great appreciated.
😊

I did something very similar at 42. Or at least I tried to. I wanted to start afresh, have a second career, start at the bottom and do something completely new. Unfortunately I think that there’s a lot of ageism against mid-life women. I had a pretty worrying and harrowing time of it. Still, I’m glad I tried, and I’m a better person for seeing another side of life.

i can’t offer any advice on pharmacy, but presumably there’s a website aimed at pharmacy career Advice & Guidance? At universities who offer pharmacology?

Best of luck to you!

Hi,
Why don't you look at IGCSEs in Physics and Chemistry? There's someone on Learn Durect who is studying these and their end goal is to go to university to become a pharmacist.

You may find the Mature Study and Retraining board helpful:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Lots of re-trainers there!

Our local hospital have volunteers in the pharmacy. Is this something you could try?

They also have assistants and technicians up to band 4. I think you may need a degree if you really want to rise up the ranks. Do your research and be careful you don’t get into a role where you can’t progress beyond band 4

Thank you, yeah I can imagine I will come up against some barriers. Thank you for sharing your experience I am so sorry you had such an awful experience. x

I had not thought of that. Thank you I will look into GCSE’s.

Thank you I will certainly look on this board.

That is my plan in the new year to start volunteering somewhere that’ll have me. I know I will need a degree to really go higher up the ranks for now I’m concentrating on getting a foot in the door and I can always study more if I feel I want to move up.