Is 40 too old to start a new career?

liz-paul

There is a similar thread about training to be a midwife further down the page....

Bit of background to me: I am 28 and have 2 young kids. I have been a stay at home mum for most of my 20's and last year I studied for a childcare qualification which I used to get a temporary P/T job last Sept. I have jsut registered as a childminder and am planning to do that part or full time for the next few years. But bearing in mind I will proably be working until I'm 60 or 70 (unless we win the lotto or something) I don't want to be a childminder forever.

I have been thinking about slowly retraining/doing a degree sometime over the next 10 years with the idea of starting a new career around age 40 (my own kids will be almost independant by then). But..... Assuming I'm looking at doing something sort of professional, will I be going for 'graduate' jobs, and will I be considered 'past it' for starting a career? I don't want to go to the stress, time & expense of studying or whatever if I will still end up on minimum wage or doing something that I could have done without a degree or training?

I'm not looking for encouraging, of course you can do anything responses - just realism. At aged 40 would I be likely to be able to get a 'first step on the ladder' job or will they all go to people half my age? I don't really know anything about employment or the job market (I was an outdoor pursuits instructor before I had kids). In case it's relevant I'm considering doing counselling and/or psychology with a view to being a counsellor or therapist of some sort but I'm not fully decided...
Thanks

SailorSam

It's hard to say 'cos we don't know what the jobs market will be like in 15/20yrs time.
I did voluntary work with Victim Support for a while, nearer the time you could do something like that and when you started applying for jobs with your new degree you'd have some practical counselling experience.

Mojisola

My Mum retrained at 50 and was very happy with her new job.

You might be older than other applicants but you will be bringing a range of skills and experiences that someone who has stayed in one career won't have.

CKhalvashi

My mum retrained when we were little (biology teacher to doctor) and she's happier than ever.

She was fully-qualified at 37 (18 years ago, but Soviet trained), and has worked with both victims of Chernobyl (we lived in Ukraine for 2 years), then at the Isani military hospital. She was 30 when she started.

We got back from Georgia this morning and she's working tonight, so there's certainly nothing wrong with training later if it's what you want to do and something you're passionate about

CK

outtawork

I was made redundant in my last job, but found out I had a passion for accounts work. So I went to night school for 2 years & passed bookkeeping & accounts, just finished level 2 AAT.I am 56 next month.

YoungBusinessman

No way, if anything a mature head will learn much quicker and already have more knowledge to start with.

Slinky

I started my own business at 40

marybelle01

Go for it! Could you perhaps build on the childminding? Perhaps, say, teaching? You then might be able to convert to your new career earlier than you are thinking!

liz-paul

Thanks folks for the replies. I sort of feel that it won't be that old (esp with the rising pension age) but I guess I'm sort of nervous about taking the risk.

masternails

I am 39 and am due to start a Uni course in Sept. I am doing it part time and so will be 43 when I qualify. I thought I may be too old and I am sure there will be people my daughters age (21) on the course. Although I am concerned about my finances, all NHS courses are paid for by the NHS so thats not a worry. I would have done this earlier but being a single parent I concentrated on my child and made sure she did well. She went to college for 4 years and then straight into a full time job, so now its my turn. I can't wait. Good Luck.x