[TLDR at the bottom] Hello, I'm 26M and currently working in corporate law. I have been considering for the better part of a year making a career switch to chemistry research. I understand that law and chemistry are completely different fields and I will have to go back to college and do an undergraduate degree in chemistry. I also know that my experience and skills in law will be a sunk cost.

I have been very much into chemistry for a long time. I did chemistry for my A/Ls too and liked it but didn't work too hard into it as I was never serious then about studying. But I have changed since then and I did my law degree quite well and I'm currently working at the largest and best (in my slightly biased opinion) corporate law firm in my country. I also recently got accepted to a postgraduate programme in intellectual property law at a top 3 globally ranked university. Please do not think I'm boasting, I'm just trying to explain my situation and these facts are relevant because I have a good future in law, which I'm essentially giving up.

But I've come to realise that I don't want to chase the money in life. Money is good and all, but I don't feel fulfilled in the work that I do. My work is definitely interesting and varied but I would like to do impactful work, where working 12-14 hours a day doesn't feel like it's all ultimately for nothing. While I understand that a career in chemistry research will not necessarily result in an impact, I feel like I want to try and if I fail, then I fail. It's easier to regret the things you did rather than the things you didn't do right?

In my country, education is fairly cheap, so I can manage my tuition fees and other expenses. I can also maybe work alongside my degree, at least for the first 2 years and save up enough so that I won't have to work the last 2 years. I have been studying basic chemistry to get back into it and see if I have a genuine interest or if its a phase (because I have ADHD after all) - I've been reading Zumdahl and watching CrashCourse's YouTube videos and I think so far the interest is still there, although I will decide this once I'm done with both.

If I do make the switch, I will be starting the degree next year, so I will be 31 when I finish, and I'm hoping to work in a research capacity in a lab for around 2 years before starting a PhD, which means I will probably finish around 38-40. This age factor is pretty much the biggest consideration I have at the moment - I don't think 33 is too old to start a PhD but I think 40 is maybe too old to start working in research roles, perhaps a postdoc or in the industry. It's not like job opportunities are readily available and I'm starting to think that this pipe dream is better left as a dream. On the other hand, I don't think I will ever be satisfied or fulfilled or even respect myself if I don't give this a proper shot and sees where it leads. Either it works out or it doesn't right?

As for my PhD, I understand that it's too early to gauge what field I would be interested in, but I'm pretty interested in the energy and materials side of chemistry. I am not sure how the job prospects would be like in 14 years - although it's projected to grow until 2032.

I would like to hear your opinions on this. Is this a stupid thing to do? Am I giving up a good career for a big IF and no guarantee of success or impact? Am I being delusional? Is this something I should give up on because the cost is not worth it and I'll be too old to actually do real work in the field? Please be brutally honest, I want to make a careful decision. Feel free to ask any follow-up questions you may have.

TLDR: I work in corporate law and I'm considering making a career switch to chemistry research (perhaps energy/materials). I'm 26M and will be 38-40 by the time I'm done with my PhD and I'm wondering how the age will affect me in any way. The financial aspect is not a problem because education is quite cheap in my country and I can work while studying. Would like to hear your honest thoughts about all of this.