After 24-years in banking, mature-aged student Stuart McGibbon is proving it’s never too late to chase a new dream.
The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science student made the leap back into study after a long career in finance.
“After more than 24-years, I decided to pursue something I’s always been passionate about: sport. Following a redundancy last year, I took the opportunity to make a career change and begin a new chapter.”
At 52, Stuart is embracing the challenge of starting over — inspiring others to do the same.
“Friends and family often say that what stands out most is my willingness to chase a dream at this stage of life.”
“At 52, I believe age is just a number. This is a major career shift, but it’s one driven by genuine passion. We only get one life to live.”
Adjusting to university life wasn’t without hurdles, however.
“Balancing a demanding study load with work and life responsibilities took much of my first semester to adjust to. Over time, though, I’ve built a routine and settled into student life. Even though I’m much older than most of my classmates, we all share a common passion and purpose, which has made it easy to connect. Building friendships may not earn you a degree, but it certainly makes the experience richer.”
It helps when you can embrace your new future with such enthusiasm, like Stuart.
“After completing my degree, I hope to move to Europe and work on the DP World Tour. I feel I still have plenty of working life ahead of me and am excited by the prospect of building a meaningful second career.”
His advice for anyone facing a career crossroads that’s considering future study:
“My advice is simple: just go for it. There’s so little to lose and so much to gain.
It can feel daunting at first, but the real question is: what’s the best that could happen? Life is far too short not to take opportunities when they arise. You never know where it might lead.”