"I wrote a list of all my skills and all of the things I wanted out of my job," she says. "I wanted something that I could study largely extramurally and it had to be something I would get work in in the Far North."
At the time, Massey University was offering a mixed-mode (extramural with block course) study option for midwifery, a profession Foster knew she would enjoy. "Midwifery is one career where age and wider experiences are an advantage."
She studied fulltime through 2008-2010, paying approximately $9000 a year in fees. The degree involved doing one- to two-week block courses in Wellington four times each semester, which worked out to be cost-effective for Foster.
When Foster finished her degree, she went to work for six months at the Whangarei Hospital Maternity Service to learn more and build up a case list to go independent. "I was very nurtured by the midwives, midwifery management team, and the obstetricians."
She now works as an independent midwife in the Bay of Islands and Whangarei hospitals, as well as providing home births where possible to women who choose them.
Foster anticipates that she will work up until the age of 70, giving the New Zealand taxpayer 17 years out of her new career. She believes it was a mistake for the Government to limit financial assistance to mature students aged over 55.
"[Under the new rules], I could apply for a student loan for fees and living costs, but could not apply for a student allowance, which I would have been entitled to as a young person. A change of career is very invigorating and can keep [adults] in the workforce for longer."
Wanting to change careers often feels like an "itch that won't go away", says Julie Urbahn, practice adviser at Careers New Zealand.
"We also get people who have been doing something quite happily for most of their [working] lives, but are no longer feeling satisfied. They don't want to do the eight-to-five grind, but still want to be stimulated and want something more fulfilling."
It is common for people's values to change over time and they get to a stage in their lives where they want to give back to society, says Urbahn.
In their younger lives, these people had to work to put food on the table and children through school and university. Then they get to a stage where they are able to make choices, she says. "They think: 'what now? I have 30 years of life'."
Sometimes there is a trigger that leads people to change career. It might be the death of a parent, or the children leaving home.
Urbahn recommends anyone who is considering a career change contact Careers NZ, where they can receive free and confidential career coaching and career consultants - in person or over the phone via an 0800 number.
"Everyone who comes in here has the answer themselves. We are here to help in unpacking what's behind [the desire to change career].
"We ask lots of questions to help identify the itch that won't go away and what it is in their current position that is not satisfying.
"If it is a values change, what are the values behind that? We work through skills, interest and values and help them with their decision-making and barriers such as financial issues."
Sometimes people may let perceived barriers, such as employers not wanting to employ older workers, get in the way of changing jobs, says Urbahn.
Social worker Michael Mann had a spiritual experience in his 20s that led to a change of career in his 50s/60s. Mann was flying to Europe from Brisbane when he saw a sign from God, which led to a lifelong desire to help troubled young men.
During his OE, Mann worked in a boys' hostel in London, but when he returned to New Zealand, he studied and worked in accountancy for 25 years while raising a family.
"About five years ago, God said to me: 'I want you to go back and do something you really want to do', and I had had that inkling for a long time to work with young guys," Mann says. "My children were both independent with good careers and partners, so I left accounting."
At the age of 57, Mann took a job at Barnardos as a caregiver (later moving to The Spectrum Trust), and embarked on a Bachelor of Social Practice at Unitec. His roles at the charities mainly involved night shifts, which enabled him to attend Unitec during the day and complete his degree over five years, finishing at 62.
Once Mann completed his degree, he applied for a position as a youth justice social worker with Child Youth & Family (CYF). He landed the position, thanks in part to five years of practical experience.
Social work is proving very satisfying for Mann. "I work with boys and their families to bring a bit of hope into their situations. That is my philosophy. Most of the boys want to do well [in life]. They have a lot of potential, but I tell them it comes down to hard work and good decision-making."
He has had to upgrade his computing and report-writing skills since he started the new position, but has enjoyed the late career shift.
Mann says his age was both an advantage and disadvantage when he applied for the CYF role. There would have been some societal prejudice against his age, but the recruiters were interested in his emotional stability and maturity.
Mann expects to work until he "drops" - at least part-time. "I can say at 65 I won't have enough income to retire."
Mann hasn't really thought about his future career path, but doesn't aspire to be chief executive. For now, he is just enjoying a new and fulfilling career.
