Daydreaming about what it could be like to follow your dreams by starting a new career? You’re not alone. The average person will have three to seven different jobs in their lifetime1. And this could be more like five to seven jobs for upcoming generations (yes, that includes you, Gen Z).
Think it’s too late to go after your dream career in your 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond? Spoiler alert! It’s never too late. Let this conversation with Charles Sturt student – and career change extraordinaire – Michelle inspire you.
Follow your dreams, just like Michelle
Education student Michelle is a huge advocate of mature-aged study. She grabbed the opportunity to follow her passion for helping others and transform her career – inspiring others with her positive attitude and ambition. If you’ve ever thought about what returning to study and a brand new career could look like, you’ll get some insider tips right here.
Listen to the podcast
In the mood for some easy (and aspirational) listening? You can listen to our full chat with Michelle. Or read it below.
Every dream career starts somewhere
Michelle was 35 when she realised she wanted to change careers. Her decision was made clearer when the global pandemic changed the world as we knew it. With a growing family in tow, she knew she wanted a family-friendly career that ticked all her boxes. Could a teaching career be an option? She sought advice from those who knew her best.
“At first, I thought I was too old to do this. And I spoke to my old science teacher at school, and he said, “No, Michelle, you’re not too old. And it’s not too late.” And I’ve never once said again that I was too old to be at university.”
Entering a new season of life
Different seasons of life and unexpected changes (looking at you, COVID-19) can be the perfect opportunity to reevaluate and transform your career direction. After all, there’s almost always a silver lining! And the call to follow your dreams can come at any time.
“Before coming to uni to study teaching, I was doing really well in a government career. And when I was pregnant with my second daughter, it was very early on, and I couldn’t tell anyone; I found out my job was moved to Sydney.
“So I took a redundancy and thought maybe I can be a mum for a while. It was only when I became a parent-helper for my daughter when she was in school and went in and read to students that I realised how much I enjoyed going in and helping kids.”
Reaching her full potential
While it was clear that Michelle wanted a career working with children, her pathway to studying teaching came unexpectedly. Michelle worked in retail when she decided to become a teacher’s aide. However, the universe had other plans.
“I tried to enrol in a teacher’s aide course but was told they were full, and I couldn’t start that year. After learning the news, my husband came home and said, “I think you can be a teacher. You love going in and doing this work for free. You love going and spending time with kids. There is a demand for teachers.”
So Michelle did her research and enrolled in Charles Sturt’s accredited K-12 teaching course.
It’s never too late to start study
“At the time, I was 35, and my first thought was I was too old. I spoke to teachers and people I knew, and they said, ‘Just go for it’. The time will pass anyway, so why not go to uni? If you had told me when I was 35, you’re going to have a job or career change, I would have said no way!
“But now, I’ll be 40 next year, and so much has happened in the world. And there are so many career changers. The stigma of 10 years ago is no more. You would never have heard of people changing careers. But now so many people do it – and it’s an amazing time for a career change.
“It’s really important to invest in yourself to create a better life. I’m creating a better life for myself and my kids. I’ve had so many people message me and say my journey has inspired them, and they’ve changed their careers. They’re starting at uni.”
Starting university: perception vs reality
Starting or returning to uni as a mature-age student does not necessarily mean you’ll be in a class entirely of high school leavers. Myth busted!
“I started my first day at Charles Sturt thinking I would be the oldest person there. I walked into the classroom, and there was space at a table with three other students older than 30. And we’ve been great friends ever since. All the worries about coming to university were gone!
Follow your dreams with the right support
If you think you’ll be following your dream in isolation – think again. You’ll be supported at every step. From learning how to reference essays to brushing up on her study skills, Michelle accessed university support services to power through her studies.
“I remember the librarian going, “Hey, there’s this Study Link course you can take that can help you get up to scratch. And it’s free!
“I also found it helpful to go and talk to people and ask them to read over assignments. There are so many services at the university that can help students. And all the hard work you put in gets rewarded.”
How to successfully follow your dream
For Michelle, giving up was never an option. She shares her best advice for conquering uni and reaching that finish line.
“No matter what, you’ve got to pick yourself up and keep going. It’s about working hard and being passionate. If you’re not passionate about something, you won’t do it.
“I’m studying as a K-12 mathematics major, and I remember telling one of my lectures in my first session that I couldn’t do this and I hadn’t been at school for so long. He responded with, “You can’t do it yet“. And when I was on my last placement, I had students going: “I can’t do it,” and I go “Yet“.
“It’s all about that mindset of actually going “You can do it, but you’re not born ready to run a marathon. You’ve got to learn to crawl and walk and those things.”
Hear from another teacher education student – David – who turned his teacher's aide job into a teaching career with our Collaborative Teachers’ Aide Pathway. And find out how you can become an in-demand teacher.
Follow your dreams with Charles Sturt
Ready to make your dreams a reality in 2025? With our industry-aligned courses and the flexibility of online study – you can fit uni into your life. Explore our courses.
- UnMudl, 2024. ↩︎
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