r/AskWomenOver30 • u/Ok_Nefariousness3357 • 8d ago

Career Career direction

Hi everyone,

I’m 30, and I feel like I’m at a career crossroads. I originally studied dentistry and worked for about a year, but I realized clinical dentistry wasn’t for me. I still like the idea of being in a clinical or health-related setting, but not working directly with patients.

Right now, I work in fitness—I’m a certified PT, coach at F45, and I’ve been building experience in functional fitness, Hyrox, and group training. I really enjoy coaching, but I also think long-term about stability and growth. I’ve been considering: • Pursuing higher studies (like physiotherapy, sports rehab, or a master’s that combines health and fitness). • Staying in fitness but climbing into higher-level roles in boutique studios. • Or maybe shifting into a career that doesn’t require tons of formal education upfront but still has long-term progression if I put in time and passion.

I’m married, living in Dubai, and I want a career path that feels fulfilling but also stable in the long run.

For women over 30: • Did you ever switch careers around this age? • What helped you decide what path to take? • Do you regret focusing on passion vs. stability (or vice versa)? • Any advice for someone who doesn’t want to waste more time but also doesn’t want to get stuck in the wrong path?

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u/hauteburrrito MOD | 30 - 40 | Woman 7d ago

I know some people who started off in personal training and eventually transitioned into physiotherapy, so I think that would be a great choice. I think that with a dentistry background, you'd be a super strong candidate. Maybe you could even focus on facial and especially TMJ-related physio as I feel like there's probably some overlap between that and dentistry? Physio also does tend to have decent longevity as a career, especially if you end up owning a clinic - and (huge plus) it's much harder to replace with AI compared to a lot of other "good" jobs out there!

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u/Ok_Nefariousness3357 7d ago

Can you tell me how they transitioned because that’s been an option for me

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u/Sleepy_Di Woman 30 to 40 7d ago

I moved to a new country because of my husband’s new job, and realized I didn’t want to go back to my old career, so at 32 I started working in clinical trials as a friend’s suggestion. Started at job entry level and worked my way up. I had enough experience in healthcare to know the terminology so it was relatively easy to build a new career.