How a 58-Year-Old Mum Reinvented Her Career Through Part-Time Study

A Life-Changing Decision

Changing career paths after 36 years in retail might seem daunting, but for Patricia Magee, a 58-year-old mum from Ardglass, Co Down, returning to education when her children grew up proved to be a transformative experience. She describes going back to college as one of the best decisions she's ever made, opening doors to a new career and purpose.

From Retail Manager to Holistic Therapist

After completing her education in 1984, Patricia worked in retail for 36 years, including 25 as a manager at Boots. When her children were grown, she felt there had to be more to life and decided to pursue her interest in holistic therapy. She started with a part-time Crystal Healing course at SERC Lisburn Campus, despite initial self-doubt and nerves.

Building Confidence and Skills

The support from her lecturer gave Patricia the confidence to continue her education. She went on to complete:

• Level 3 in Reflexology
• Level 3 in Aromatherapy
• Level 4 in Reflexology
• Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills at Southern Regional College (SRC)

These courses provided her with professional skills and boosted her self-belief, enabling her to leave her secure retail job and start a new career.

Launching a Holistic Therapy Business

Patricia now runs her own Holistic Therapy business from home in Ardglass, offering services like reflexology, aromatherapy treatments, crystal healing, Indian head massage, and well-being sessions. She also works part-time as a carer in the community. Her days are filled with helping clients feel lighter, calmer, and more themselves, which she finds deeply gratifying.

Expanding Her Ventures

Inspired by her education, Patricia is developing bespoke aromatherapy oil blends and creating skincare products for 8-13 year olds, with support from the InnovateUs programme at SERC. She's also enhancing her social media skills to grow her business, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning in this field.

Challenges and Rewards

Building a consistent client base and balancing business aspects with the caring side of the work are key challenges. However, Patricia loves the ongoing learning and the satisfaction of making a positive impact on others' well-being.

Advice for Aspiring Therapists

Patricia encourages others to follow their passion, regardless of age or background. She recommends starting with one course, keeping an open mind, and letting it grow. Based on her experience, she highly recommends SERC for adult learners seeking a fresh start, as it provided a supportive environment for her to thrive.

Enrolling for a New Beginning

For those interested in reskilling or starting something new, courses are available at SERC, with enrollments open for January 2026. Patricia's story shows that it's never too late to pursue education and build a fulfilling career.