Your 30s (and Beyond) Are Still a Valid Time to Start Over
“Don’t let fear get into you. It serves no purpose to spend the rest of your life in a job or career that neither builds you up nor excites you.”
These words from Nyeleti Mboweni carry the weight of lived experience, the voice of someone who chose reinvention over resignation. At 33, this woman from the small village of Myakayaka under Tzaneen in Limpopo made a decision that defied conventions: she traded her established career as a Community Development Practitioner for a classroom, proving that the best chapters of our professional lives are often unwritten until we dare to write them ourselves.
Mboweni’s credentials were impressive by any measure. Armed with a degree in Community Development and Leadership and an honours in Public Management and Governance from the University of Johannesburg, she had built what many would consider a solid professional foundation. Yet something was missing, that spark of purpose that transforms work from obligation into calling.
“Having to deal with kids and as a mom made me closer to them, and I wanted to be part of their journey, which is why I ended up pursuing teaching,” she explains. This wasn’t merely an emotional decision born from maternal instinct; “It wasn’t just a passion, but also a rational choice, and with the current rate of unemployment in our country, teaching still has a lot of opportunities.”
This decision was not without its fears. Like many people considering a mid-career pivot, Mboweni had to grapple with anxieties that feel all too familiar to anyone contemplating major professional change. “My biggest fear was often age discrimination and financial instability. Many people worry that their age will be a disadvantage when seeking new opportunities, especially when competing with younger people for funding; also, the high level of competition in the teaching field keeps growing.”
These fears keep countless professionals trapped in unfulfilling careers. The fear of starting over, of being judged, of financial instability; all real concerns that require more than positive thinking to overcome.
THE REALITY OF TRANSITION
Mboweni’s journey illustrates that career pivots, while rewarding, come with genuine challenges that require practical solutions. The challenges were real:
- Navigating the financial transition from steady income to student budget
- Adjusting to being a student again after years in the professional world
- Balancing multiple roles as both a mom and student
- Managing the psychological shift from established professional to beginner
The key to her success lay in determination and self-confidence. Despite criticism from people around her, she remained committed, and practical preparation also played a crucial role as Mboweni managed to save up funds to pay for her tuition fees with the help of her mom and grandmother.
Perhaps most importantly, she credits her supportive circle for making the transition smoother. “I come from a background where I am surrounded by supportive family members and friends, and this made it easier for me to break the news to them. The support from them was amazing throughout the journey.”
Mboweni is honest about her mistakes, particularly around financial planning. “Not doing a proper research on bursaries available for teaching, as a result, I had to use my savings to cover tuition fees and stationery, which was financially straining.
“The most challenging part of my career reset was having to downgrade my life to ensure financial balance. It was difficult to adjust to a new budget after being used to a certain lifestyle with no job,” Mboweni reflects.
Yet she views these sacrifices through the lens of long-term gratification. “But these sacrifices were a small price to pay for the fulfillment I have. The most rewarding part is realising that the journey was completely worthwhile. I am now employed as a teacher, doing something I truly love, which brings me a level of fulfillment.”
WISDOM FOR THE WAVERING
For anyone uncertain but scared to make a similar change, Mboweni’s advice is both challenging and inspiring: “Your age should never be a restriction on chasing your dreams. Start where you are, with what you have, and take that first step toward a career that brings you joy and purpose.”
In a country grappling with unemployment and limited opportunities, Mboweni’s story proves that reinvention isn’t reserved for the young or the desperate; it’s available to anyone willing to trade the comfort of the known for the potential of the unknown.
“Remember, passion can develop at any stage of life, so don’t feel like it’s too late for you… Don’t be afraid to take risks; they are often where the most growth happens.”
As she stands in her Grade 4 and 7 classrooms today, surrounded by young minds eager to learn, she proves that fulfillment isn’t found in following predetermined paths, but in having the courage to create our own.
By: Portia Baloyi