A Co Down mum has opened up about taking the plunge and changing career in her 40s.
Stephanie Walker, 43, and from Millisle is currently back at university and retraining as a social worker after a long career in hairdressing.
Just over a year ago, the mum-of-two left her hairdressing job of 24 years to start a new journey. A year later, she's still working part time as a hairdresser but now her main focus is studying for a degree in social work.
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And Stephanie, who is mum to 22-year-old Rebecca and Jordan, 21, says she hasn't looked back since making her life-changing decision.
Nine years ago, Stephanie completed her university access course, but never got a place, then life took over and her focus switched to her family and work.
She told Belfast Live: "Last year I got a feeling that I should apply to get into university again. I didn't tell anyone what I was planning until I ended up getting a place at Queen's University to study a social work degree for the next three years. It's strange being a student again and I realise it will be a tough few years ahead but hopefully it will all be worth it.
"My daughter graduated from Queen's last year as a paediatric nurse and I think she was my inspiration because she found school work difficult but kept working hard until she got there. My son went down the apprenticeship route with South Eastern Regional College (SERC) and is qualifying to be an electrician.
"Their initial reaction when they heard what I was planning was 'aren't you a bit old for that?' but I said no. When Rebecca was studying nursing she realised that a lot of other people who are a bit older went back to university so she said 'oh there are people your age at university'.
"I've since found a diverse range of ages in terms of those on my own course and from many different backgrounds which I was very surprised and pleased about. Like me, everyone is there for their own reasons and I've no children living at home anymore now so for me, it's definitely the right time.
"I'm so grateful to my husband, Colin, who has given me support and confidence to do this at this time in my life, and to all my family and friends for their amazing support too."
Stephanie added: "In hairdressing, you spend so much time meeting so many different people and talking to them about a range of issues and problems. I also did some part-time teaching work at SERC for over ten years so I had a lot of experience of working with teenagers.
"As a hairdresser you start your career so young - I was 18 - so once you reach 40, you've been doing it for over 20 years already. I'll have another 20 years or so before I can retire so I may as well focus on something that's hopefully going to help others.
"When I speak to my university lecturers about my hairdressing background, they have commented on the good experience that has given me in terms of seeing different aspects of people from a holistic point of view. I've also only just recently been diagnosed with dyslexia and the lecturers say I should be extremely proud that I've managed to get this far with no support."
And Stephanie has this message for anyone still on the fence about making a potential career change.
"Don't let the 'what ifs' hold you back so if you want to grow and change, just go for it. As a wise woman used to say 'what's meant for you won't pass you by' so don't let others put you down for wanting to change.
"They are just stuck in a rut and scared of change. A lot of my old work friends have moved on to bigger and better things too and I wish them all the success and happiness in their new businesses. Go for it as life's too short."
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