Too old for a new career?

Original post by Matstudy86

I’m a mother with good A levels and what I would call above average intelligence (capable) a but no university degree because I was an immature little so and so.
I floundered in lots of random jobs that didn’t require a lot of brain power but I’d love to do an apprenticeship or a degree and begin a meaningful rewarding career, I’m mid 30s and feel like I’m too old.

Any advice where to find apprenticeships or payed training that older people can apply for?

My interests are history, English, literature, writing and women’s rights.

Thanks

Some of the wise members could help. Good luck

@threeportdrift @04MR17 @Muttley79 @Scotney

Original post by Matstudy86

I’m a mother with good A levels and what I would call above average intelligence (capable) a but no university degree because I was an immature little so and so.
I floundered in lots of random jobs that didn’t require a lot of brain power but I’d love to do an apprenticeship or a degree and begin a meaningful rewarding career, I’m mid 30s and feel like I’m too old.

Any advice where to find apprenticeships or payed training that older people can apply for?

My interests are history, English, literature, writing and women’s rights.

Thanks

Age isn't an issue at all, but having a reasonable plan is. You need to have a goal, and a sensible plan that works towards that. Unless you are a single lottery winner, chances are you have obligations to partner, children, mortgage/rent etc. Getting qualifications/experience will require taking a risk/operating around these obligations, and you probably haven't got endless chances to get it right.

So spend as long as it takes working out what a realistic goal is - where you have the interest, the aptitude and will make the money you need in the time you have etc. Then work out what routes there are to get there.

Reply 4

Muttley79

Original post by Matstudy86

I’m a mother with good A levels and what I would call above average intelligence (capable) a but no university degree because I was an immature little so and so.
I floundered in lots of random jobs that didn’t require a lot of brain power but I’d love to do an apprenticeship or a degree and begin a meaningful rewarding career, I’m mid 30s and feel like I’m too old.

Any advice where to find apprenticeships or payed training that older people can apply for?

My interests are history, English, literature, writing and women’s rights.

Thanks

It's certainly not too late to train :smile:

What would interest you? Teaching? You could start as an LSA and so a degree part-time ...

Reply 5

OP

Original post by threeportdrift

Age isn't an issue at all, but having a reasonable plan is. You need to have a goal, and a sensible plan that works towards that. Unless you are a single lottery winner, chances are you have obligations to partner, children, mortgage/rent etc. Getting qualifications/experience will require taking a risk/operating around these obligations, and you probably haven't got endless chances to get it right.

So spend as long as it takes working out what a realistic goal is - where you have the interest, the aptitude and will make the money you need in the time you have etc. Then work out what routes there are to get there.

This is very wise advice thank you I will take the time to work it out, really I need some sort of careers advisor because what kind of a job is there that looks into women in history and different cultures!

Original post by Muttley79

It's certainly not too late to train :smile:

What would interest you? Teaching? You could start as an LSA and so a degree part-time ...

Possibly teaching, but I’m really interested in women’s history and cultural differences, maybe research or journalism or something writing a book.. I’d love to do something .. I mean can you specify in what you teach- that would be so narrow, not too many jobs going

Reply 6

LouiseRu

13

The advantage of waiting this long is that you will have matured and may now have a better idea of what you would like to do.
However some doors may have closed too. You need to make practical choices that work around your family.
Choices like teaching or nursing/ healthcare will value maturity and are used to older candidates.

So look into teaching degrees and NHS apprenticeships.

Reply 7

Scotney

Original post by Matstudy86

I’m a mother with good A levels and what I would call above average intelligence (capable) a but no university degree because I was an immature little so and so.
I floundered in lots of random jobs that didn’t require a lot of brain power but I’d love to do an apprenticeship or a degree and begin a meaningful rewarding career, I’m mid 30s and feel like I’m too old.

Any advice where to find apprenticeships or payed training that older people can apply for?

My interests are history, English, literature, writing and women’s rights.

Thanks

Could you afford to take time out to do a full time degree?The problem is the jobs you would like to do would probably require a degree first.

Reply 8

OP

Original post by Scotney

Could you afford to take time out to do a full time degree?The problem is the jobs you would like to do would probably require a degree first.

I could possibly do part time open university, I think writing - maybe journalism or research, something linked to literature or writing itself is a vague goal. Would you say an English degree or specific journalism degree in that case?

Reply 9

OP

Original post by LouiseRu

The advantage of waiting this long is that you will have matured and may now have a better idea of what you would like to do.
However some doors may have closed too. You need to make practical choices that work around your family.
Choices like teaching or nursing/ healthcare will value maturity and are used to older candidates.

So look into teaching degrees and NHS apprenticeships.

The only teaching I think I would like would be to do with gender and women’s rights in history and culture - is that even possible!? What route could I take to lecture in those topics thank you

Reply 10

CrimsonFlower

6

I think it may be difficult to find work in that particular field not because of age but because there is not much work in that field fullstop.

Have you considered looking at jobs that align with your interests and personal vision outwith that?

For example I did a Masters in my late 40s in a particular field for which I found it difficult to obtain work especially as graduated in the pandemic.

I took a non-clinical job in NHS during the pandemic and am still there as it aligns with my interests and personal vision. Fortunately my Masters had a lot of content that applies even though related to a specific field.

Reply 11

OP

https://www.icaew.com/technical/business/webinars-and-publications/business-and-management-magazine/bam-october-2020/salary-survey-2020

Original post by CrimsonFlower

I think it may be difficult to find work in that particular field not because of age but because there is not much work in that field fullstop.

Have you considered looking at jobs that align with your interests and personal vision outwith that?

For example I did a Masters in my late 40s in a particular field for which I found it difficult to obtain work especially as graduated in the pandemic.

I took a non-clinical job in NHS during the pandemic and am still there as it aligns with my interests and personal vision. Fortunately my Masters had a lot of content that applies even though related to a specific field.

Oh I’d completely be willing to do anything relevant but im just not sure what there is put there and how to go about finding it! I wish there was a website with a list or quiz somewhere of all the jobs relevant to certain interests.

Reply 12

thegeek888

18

Original post by Matstudy86

I’m a mother with good A levels and what I would call above average intelligence (capable) a but no university degree because I was an immature little so and so.
I floundered in lots of random jobs that didn’t require a lot of brain power but I’d love to do an apprenticeship or a degree and begin a meaningful rewarding career, I’m mid 30s and feel like I’m too old.

Any advice where to find apprenticeships or payed training that older people can apply for?

My interests are history, English, literature, writing and women’s rights.

Thanks

You could consider Accounting and/or Tax or a combination of both Accounting and Tax.

https://www.bpp.com/courses/accountancy-and-tax/apprenticeships/accounting-taxation-professional

Reply 13

thegeek888

18

What is the joint programme?

The ACA CTA Joint Programme gives students the opportunity to specialise in one of three areas – taxation of major corporates, owner-managed businesses or indirect tax. Employers can work with students to choose the specialism most relevant to their workplace, experience and training. The programme has been designed to maintain the rigorous standards of both ICAEW and CIOT, while offering students a fast-track route to become a specialist in tax.

The ACA CTA Joint Programme at a glance
Entry requirements
Students can join the joint programme on the first day of their ACA training agreement, Level 7 apprenticeship, or partway through a training agreement, providing they work in tax.

Students signing up to the joint programme must also meet the following conditions:

ACA students must not have completed the Professional Level Business Planning: Taxation module; and
CTA students must not have completed the two CTA Advanced Technical Papers.
What is involved?
Students must pass all of the modules and examinations, as well as the professional development, ethics and practical work experience components of both the ACA and CTA qualifications. Once successfully completed, students will be eligible to apply for membership to ICAEW and CIOT.

Find out more about the integrated components of the ACA qualification
Duration
The programme is likely to take three to four years to complete. Students can apply for ICAEW membership once all elements of the ACA are completed, and then apply for membership of CIOT once all parts of the CTA qualification are completed.

Study options
Online, distance and classroom study is available for all of the ACA modules. Tuition is available for all of the CTA exams.

Exams
Find out more about the exams involved for each of the specialist routes:

Taxation of major corporates
Taxation of owner-managed businesses
Indirect taxation

https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/aca/aca-employers/routes/aca-cta-joint-programme/overview--aca-cta-joint-programme

Reply 14

thegeek888

18

As an ICAEW qualified Accountant, you can earn an average of £300,000 a year as CFO here in London!!! :smile:

Reply 15

Scotney

Original post by Matstudy86

I could possibly do part time open university, I think writing - maybe journalism or research, something linked to literature or writing itself is a vague goal. Would you say an English degree or specific journalism degree in that case?

You can look up modules and see what appeals.I mean what about being a diversity manager in NHS would that interest you.You could look at some job ads and see what appeals and what is required.Admin for a charity is another idea.You may have to work your way up to where you want to be.

Nah you're not too old. I'll be 41 when I finish my degree and start a new career. My husband will be 47.
Just go for it.

(edited 12 months ago)

Reply 17

Scotney