Career change at 36! Terrified!

Pickle21-2006

I'm now 36 and have been a hairdresser since leaving school. It wasn't what I wanted to do but at the time it was the only career that I had any interest in and confidence to do. I'm now freelance which has been fantastic especially as I now have two children , so my hours work around them. But I've now decided its time for a change as I've always felt I could have done more as I got good grades at school apart from Mathes and English! So I'm now redoing GCSE Mathes and plan to retake English this September. I'm hoping to look into working either as a Lab technician or a assistant radiographer but my concern is the money side. I may need to go to college full time and my husband can't us support financially on his own. Plus there is also the fees for college or university. I do feel totally out of my comfort zone because of having the same job for all these years but I know I would regret it if I didn't do it. Need some advise on where to start with all this and what my options are regarding finances.

Thanks:)

bryanb

Hairdressing seems like an ideal freelance part time job for someone studying. Particularly if you do it at client's homes. You can dictate your own working days/hours

Dunroamin

Why an assistant radiographer rather than an actual radiographer - aim high!

Pickle21-2006

I guess it's more of a confidence issue when it comes to deciding how high to aim. I guess my confidence will grow in time as I begin to learn more. I think working my job around my studies is a good idea.

SUESMITH_2

I'm a lab technician. at the mo i work in education but have worked in other sectors and it is generally a poorly paid profession - think you could make more hairdressing tbh

Aryndeneth

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/diagnostic_radiographer_job_description.htm
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/teaching_laboratory_technician_job_description.htm
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/scientific_laboratory_technician_job_description.htm

These are links to some very generic job descriptions of roles similar to those you're interested in. Use the links to the right of the description to explore entry requirements/similar roles etc. Not loads of info on here but enough to get you started exploring options.

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/nursing.htm - this link mentions radiography including a link to possible funding support from NHS

mattblue

I have decided to change careers after working for the emergency services for 7 years...scary also for me at 34.

I am studying to become a surveyor !

Good luck on the switch

Dunroamin

Pickle21-2006 wrote: »

I guess it's more of a confidence issue when it comes to deciding how high to aim. I guess my confidence will grow in time as I begin to learn more. I think working my job around my studies is a good idea.

If you already have good GCSE grades then I'd expect you to do well in English and Maths now you're older and it's perfectly possible to do these alongside a job.

Once back studying, hopefully your confidence will improve and you can get advice as to what is the right level for you. I was a Careers Advisor working with adults for many years and have seen people change careers in the most dramatic of ways and at a far older age than you are.

Good luck!

flea72

Dunroamin wrote: »

Why an assistant radiographer rather than an actual radiographer - aim high!

I agree. Ok, you get paid to work within the field whilst you train, but your prospects are so limited. Once qualified you end up doing the same work as a someone who did the full degree, but get paid considerably less and have no career progression.

Most APs go on to do a full degree in the end, so spend 7yrs qualifying, rather than scrimping on a bursary for 3yrs from the off

Don't sell yourself short, and at 36 you are still fairly young to do a radiography degree. My year group goes from 19-52 in age. As an adult with life experience, you tend to be less phased by the hospital environment and as a hairdresser your people skills will stand you in good stead for dealing with patients

flashnazia

I say go for it and do some hairdressing to keep yourselves afloat.

It's great that you have decided what to go for. I'm in my 30s and desperately looking to change career but have not got a clue what to go for!

zildjian

On the flip side of the coin, my friends girlfriend is doing very well as a radiologist. Although, she has moved from top of Britain down to the bottom of Britain.