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Career change later in life
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I went from being a business manager, then did a little farm work, built horse arenas for a bit and now work
In a garage. I am happy with the change, the stress isn’t work the money sometimes. If you earn under a certain amount the government has a scheme that will help you gain new qualifications if you want to do something specific. Although I am now over that threshold I do wish I had done this scheme as I’d love to work in sports therapy. But it won’t stop me, I will find a way of doing what I want. |
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By *issP69 OP Woman 24 weeks ago
Neath |
I have done 22 years in adult social care/care management and am contemplating starting a Veterinary Nursing apprenticeship next September
Although will be taking a huge salary hit during the apprenticeship and will probably take a while to get up to where I am salary wise post qualification
Maybe just wishful thinking |
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"I have done 22 years in adult social care/care management and am contemplating starting a Veterinary Nursing apprenticeship next September
Although will be taking a huge salary hit during the apprenticeship and will probably take a while to get up to where I am salary wise post qualification
Maybe just wishful thinking "
If you don't do it, you'll never know if it was the right decision  |
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Worked for a big firm was fed up with the poltics went solo never looked back. Its the courage and deterimation you need the grass is good on the other side as long as you hungry. If it dont work out at least you tried. Learn from your mistakes and keep pushing yourself. |
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By *3xymamaWoman 24 weeks ago
...., Wales |
I've changed specialities several times during my career. Each time needed specialised training to do the job. I'm now at the stage of thinking about giving up my _rofessional registration altogether. I have to decide before the end of January.. do I give it all up? Or continue for a few more years?? It's a big decision I have to make.
MissP, if the vetinarian position is something you are really interested in, then do it! You're still young and in your prime. Do what will make you happy 🥰 |
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I have an interview next week for a big change. It’s never too late, you have to question, do you see yourself where you are right up until retirement? If the answer is no or you are unsure then I say take a jump in to something new! |
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I tried a massive change of occupation quite late in my working life, sadly it didn’t work out, but I was lucky to be taken back into my old job
Finding out it didn’t work for me, was far better than never knowing tho. I’d say go for it. |
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"Has anyone taken the plunge and gone for a total career change later on in life? If so, did it work out?"
I (Ruby) did this last year after working for the same organization for 19 years. I went for something completely different in a totally different industry and I am so much happier for it. You never know; it could be the making of you x |
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By *ost SockMan 24 weeks ago
West Wales and Cardiff |
Hi MissP
I did it ten years ago. It actually didn’t work out very well for me for a few years.
I’m not saying this to p**s on your Ospreylian chips, just because in time, I learnt some lessons from it.
I do think that sometimes a change is good and it’s challenging yourself is valuable. I didn’t think clearly enough about it though - I kinda got swept along with the excitement of it all. I also listened to other people too much, all of who said “yeah, it’ll be great”.
I would try to talk to vets practices locally and get advice. I do kinda know one I could ask for you.
I’d advise being ludicrously clear-headed about it.
You mentioned the income - I struggled minute the wage wasn’t on my bank statement and when I didn’t have to go to work.
Basically, have a plan for success, but also a plan for if it does all go t**s up. Imagine what daily life will be like in the early days of change and imagine it again .
I hope this doesn’t sound negative - it could be really great. Just be clear-headed .
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By *rofMan 24 weeks ago
Around |
Did the same due to the environment I was working in. For me it was a health issue I didn't want to have ongoing issues when I got to retirement.
Did my upskilling and my expectations didn't initially work out. Spent the next 5 years trying to catch a break job application after job application rejection after rejecting then I got that first foot in the door.
Now I'm in an industry I absolutely love, yes there's stress but nothing overly bad, the upward mobility is there along with wage increases.
I think to many people underachieve and settle for what's available and not what they want to do or be. Maybe that's a valleys/ Welsh mind set, all I know is if I hadn't taken the leap and gave up I wouldn't be where I am today.
If you think the move will make you happy go for it. Be prepared for hard work while you get there
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By *assy69Man 24 weeks ago
Wales/Sussex |
"Has anyone taken the plunge and gone for a total career change later on in life? If so, did it work out?"
Yes, and yes lol
Spent 10 years in my first “career” before going back to university and then training for a second career…… it worked out well for me so would always recommend jumping in and giving it a go if it what the heart wants |
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Yes I changed careers after 30 yrs..... was fantastic.... but..... this career nose-diving at min so am not happy and about to change back to be honest... spose the moral of the story is... life is short... give it a go and enjoy it for as long as you can.... Hope it goes well for you miss P |
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By (user no longer on site) 24 weeks ago
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Qualified in my current job at 35, best career choice I ever made. It was scary as a single mum of 3 & I'm not saying it was easy, but I'm still here almost 30 years later X |
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"Qualified in my current job at 35, best career choice I ever made. It was scary as a single mum of 3 & I'm not saying it was easy, but I'm still here almost 30 years later X"
Similar here. Did my degree at 33 after being in the employment I was in for 8 years. 10 years later, I’m now approaching 19 years service with two changes in the last 3 years to very different roles which gave me loads of added experience in different aspects. My job is still the ‘same’ just had different versions of it over the last 10 years since qualifying.
This time last year I left a job on the spot for varying reasons. It was very scary being unemployed, relying on a zero hours contract. I started in a different variation of my job and despite the initial reservations, I loved it and only left because the pay wasn’t great and they could only offer me a part time position. I left purely because I couldn’t afford to just be working part time and overtime I did didn’t cut the short fall.
It can be scary taking a big step into a new challenge. But if you don’t do it, you’ll always kick yourself at what could have been. I’ve learnt to just go for it now and if it’s meant to be, it will work out |
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I do believe you have to do what makes you happy. Don’t live your life with regrets. Since leaving school, I have changed career 5 times and all needing a HND/degree or _rofessional registration/qualification. I didn’t need to change jobs, I simply get bored after 5 years or so and need a new challenge not just SLT or management but as a lifelong learner, I love a little step out of my comfort zone. Best of luck with whatever you decide  |
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"Has anyone taken the plunge and gone for a total career change later on in life? If so, did it work out?"
I did 30 years in warehousing and logistics from ground floor to senior management now retrained and work as a teaching assistant in a nursery.
Im loving life i wish I'd changed 30 years ago. |
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Throughout my life, I’ve made many career changes. I began at university studying hotel and restaurant management and spent several years working in hotels. Over time, I realized it wasn’t where I wanted to stay, so I chose to move on. Since then, I’ve worked in a wide range of roles—I’ve been a mechanic, worked in schools, served as a healthcare aide in Canada, and now I work as a support worker.
Each step taught me something valuable. What I’ve learned most is that change isn’t something to fear—it’s something to respect. Change is how we grow. We only have one life, and it’s meant to be lived with intention, not hesitation.
If something no longer fits, it’s okay to step away. That doesn’t mean you failed—it means you listened to yourself. And if the next step doesn’t work out, that’s fine too. You learn, you adjust, and you keep moving forward.
I believe we should aim for work that brings us meaning—not just something that pays the bills, but something we feel good about showing up to. A job that adds to your life, not one that drains it.
So don’t be afraid to try. I don’t see it as taking a plunge—I see it as taking a step. A thoughtful, purposeful step toward something new. Explore what interests you. Learn something different. Experience life fully.
That’s how you find your place—not by standing still, but by moving forward with confidence. |
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I worked in engineering most of my working life. Was made redundant a couple of years ago. I now drive special needs kids to school.. and absolutely love it. Not making a quarter of what I was on. But get up every morning looking forward to see the kids I drive.
Jo |
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"I've changed specialities several times during my career. Each time needed specialised training to do the job. I'm now at the stage of thinking about giving up my _rofessional registration altogether. I have to decide before the end of January.. do I give it all up? Or continue for a few more years?? It's a big decision I have to make.
MissP, if the vetinarian position is something you are really interested in, then do it! You're still young and in your prime. Do what will make you happy 🥰"
I'm in middle of changing career atm,just go for it. |
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I’d been doing the same job for the same organisation for 19 years. Could have stayed there for much longer but the place had changed, people had changed, and I could do the job with my eyes closed. I could have stayed and cruised through life but with all the changes I wasn’t enjoying it like I used to.
I thought ‘can I stay doing this for another how many years’ and it horrified me. Making the step away was a big thing. I found a job doing similar but in a different sector and very different environment and thought ‘let’s apply just to learn from the experience so when something I really want comes up I’ve got a CV that’s up to scratch and I’ve had recent interview experience.
I only went and got it first time.
I won’t lie, I was scared by the prospect of moving on but 7 years later it’s the best thing 8 ever did. |
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By *nky666Woman 24 weeks ago
Bridgend |
I’ve worked in factories for almost 30 years and decided enough is enough. Applied for something totally different 🙈!! Interview went well, just in process of having DBS checks. Absolutely bricking myself about leaving my current job though 🙈🙈🙈 |
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Not sure if I count, but been working in care for about two years now.
I did wanna join the military originally, but scoliosis means I can’t ever do it.
Hoping to get an entry level position in HR or Recruitment consultancy next year.
All the best of luck to everyone else. |
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I done exactly that and whilst it was difficult with studying paying bills and learning new skills I would not have had it any other way.
Granted I could have done without Covid/ lock down left right and centre but it make a great story. |
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