Is 35 too old start thinking about what job to do...

Slinky

I never knew what I wanted to do as a career,was always very envious of those who knew what they wanted out of life. I moved around doing different jobs, never more than 5 years in the same thing. At 40 I started my own business using lots of skills I'd picked up along the way and have been doing the same thing for the past 10+ years.

Look upon what you've done along the way as training for what's to come.

SeduLOUs

I hope 35 isn't too old! I'm currently studying an OU degree that I intend to complete at age 35 (in four years time) and then start a fresh career in something new.

I haven't quite decided what that something new is going to be yet, but I figure I'll have about 30 years of working life left ahead of me at that point so I certainly don't think it's too late to take a drastic change of direction.

dawyldthing

When I was in placement in school one teacher originally was a physiotherapist then retrained as a teacher. Many do do it, just depends what you want to do and if you're ok starting again (as sometimes you might have a boss/ team leader younger than you depending on what the job is)

zagubov

RedfordML wrote: »

and what challenges do people face when starting a new career, new skills and starting at the foot of the ladder, at 35 when people are assumed to be settled, in management roles etc...


I am often told I should have found my career by now, especially as I have a degree and plenty of my friends with and without degrees have found roles they are now successful in!


I do find myself looking at others with career envy. Hopefully soon, I will find myself in a role, which offers job satisfaction and is reasonably well paid!!


Here is to fresh beginnings in 2016!!

No it's not too late. I know people who've moved into education and law and the IT industry in their 30s. One friend was a biochemistry technician in his 20s, retrained as a geologist working in the oil industry and the channel tunnel in his 30s and 40s and finally in his 50s and 60s was a music teacher.

Blue_Choo_Choo

You are never too old.

marlot

RedfordML wrote: »

and what challenges do people face when starting a new career, new skills and starting at the foot of the ladder, at 35 when people are assumed to be settled, in management roles etc...

THe UK is one of the best places in the world to reinvent yourself as something else.

When I talk to people in France, who have a very much more fixed view of careers, it makes me appreciate our culture here.

What do you want to be?

skint_chick

I don't think 35 is old, I finished a Masters in a new subject last year at a couple of years older than that, and there were a couple of people older than me who have now succesfully gone into that industry. I kept my old job part-time and got experience in the new field while learning, it was very busy and crazy for a couple of years.

If you want a career in a different field then your best plan is to find a voluntary position or part-time route while keeping your current job. It allows you to explore the new career to make sure it really is for you, and it's not just that you're a bit bored. It gives you experience for getting a new paid position, and it allows you to find your dream role in the field. I was lucky and found mine quickly, and am now working on short term consultancy roles, which suits me perfectly. I also have a permanent part time job working for a not for profit that uses all my skills I've built up in my previous career in a different direction.

Speak to people already in the industry doing jobs you think you'd like, find out how you can adapt your existing skills, get your finances in order so that you can apply for jobs on all pay scales as retraining can mean a pay cut. Good luck!

Daz2009

Why_oh_why wrote: »

I seriously hope not because I'm 38 and in the process of closing my company I have no idea what to do now but 'hope that there is still hope'.

I'm in a similar boat to you and 52 !
The only jobs available to me in my area are in the warehouse sector on minimum wage !

Bollotom

At 40 I became a hotel manager and at 51 became a train driver with London Underground. Just grab your life by the horns and do it! :cool: