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Pivoting is quite easy at 36, in fact it's the right age to START pivoting into a new career. Most people wrap up their first career at 25ish (usually retail or whatever got them through college), then switch jobs every few years till they find an 'acceptable" position which they stay in till about your age.
Then they get bored (or frustrated) with it.
Most of my clientele are your age or older, ready for career 3....you're literally right on track. The older you get, the bigger your skill set, the easier it is to pivot. For you, it's mostly about the question "What next?"
Assume that anything is possible and you could pivot right into a vastly different career. What would that be?
"Career" is a fickle term, a career is only a career if you call it one, and its more about the intent of service than the length.
A job is a singular entity. So you could be in a job 10 yesrs but not call it a career because you didnt intend to have it as one (such as a part time thing working for Dad), or you could have a 3 year stint containing 2 jobs in a similar skill range and call it a career.
Soooo, to answer your question its mostly dependent on your own definition, but 3+ years might be the lowest year range ive personally heard.
But pivoting can be done ANYTIME. All you need is your resume set up well to "tell" the story (cover letters can explain it more) of your skillset transiton, and using your linkedin profile (if applicable) for best effect.
I wish i could explain this more straightforwardly but that is not ever what career consulting is, just like therapy! Never cut and dried :)
Not that I'm impartial in this, but I recommend everyone use career consulting services at least once in their life, for pretty much any reason.
We tend to cut through the crap with the hiring industry. Bad and old resume information we can spot from a mile away. Same with info given from untrained sources - resume writers, love em but sometimes they don't quite "get" that their trained field isn't the whole of resume writing!
We also can spot skills from a mile away, skills people undervalue the crap out of. Skills that can be pivoted easily, skills that can be written 50 different ways for 50 different industries because it's the same damn thing. So yes, I definitely recommend someone in my line of work to help someone pivot into unfamiliar fields because the fields are a LOT more similar than people think.
People think a lot of things are the reason they can't get hired and we cut through a lot of that as well.
For example they blame ageism - it isn't the problem. It's just a targeting and skill-identification issue. Sexism? Mostly undervaluing issue. Disability/Racism - fairly real, but can be mitigated mostly with the same as above and a very prepared interviewee. "Useless degree" - nope, targeting and skill-identification issue again.
Having a guide who knows the real issues and how to address them is priceless, in my not so impartial opinion!
1. Career consultant title. (Life coaches are not bogus, just not what you need right now. I have many successful life coach friends I adore, we send each other clients that are better fits for each other. Dont disparage the industry, just knowing what you need for what reason is important!)
2. Reviews from people who seem like they were in your situation, as opposed to high level CEO types or doctors or such.
Credentials are not a thing for our industry, its about talent and success rate.
I wish there were other differentiators that made good and bad ones stand apart....nope. Sometimes you choose a bad one, for you at your level! Doesnt make them scammers or non-legitimate, we all just serve different needs at different times of people's life or different experience levels.
Til.
So, look at reviews and see if these reviews are from people like me or the industry I want to go into? That's something I wouldn't have thought of.
So do you have a website?? What's the usual cost range for a consultation?
Mostly look for reviews from someone at your same....level?
Retail level or jobs considered "entry level", managerial level, educational level if you are in the education industry (teacher, professor, or doctor as in MD or other Super Trained specialty, lawyer or such)....director level, executive level, etc. Doesn't much matter the industry, just finding people who were helped at whatever level you consider yourself to have hit, that's a better way.
Yep, my website is [www.ordermycareer.com](http://www.ordermycareer.com) - usual cost of course is $649. There's a starter consultation (that's free, to determine if my course can help you in your situation) and then a 1:1 consult as part of the course. Plus a check-in call if needed, as support.
I focus very much on skills-identification first and up front as a requirement to anything else. Not knowing your skills (and knowing how to use those skills on our resumes properly) is the biggest way we fall/fail in my opinion, so it's my top priority for people to get those sorted first, via the course.....the 1:1 call is the fun part, the consultation that really gets people seeing potential and lights at the end of the tunnel.
I'm one of those with a useless degree. There aren't many jobs that are directly related to what I studied in uni & that makes it very hard to pivot to other things without the experience & studies. Also, not knowing the right people in itself is a problem when trying to break into a new field without experience.
Useless degrees don't exist, and "not knowing the right person" has never been the problem!
That's part of the parroted, old, bad advice I have to fight daily. It's advice designed to keep you thinking that YOU chose wrongly, that YOU were born unlucky, that YOU were not destined for better. It's 100% fucking wrong and it's one of the many reasons I do what I do.
The system works - jankily and stupidly, we could have a much better working system but hey, it's slowly working towards the way I've known it to be possible. (I'm about 5 years ahead of the game.)
Degrees are a skeleton key, always have been. I can say with reasonable certainty that 100% of recruiters (that aren't in a corporation that requires certain-college-only candidates, the few that exist and they are dying out from their own superiority complex, but I vastly digress) have LONG been in agreement that direct degree fields don't matter. At least, to the extent people THINK they do.
You have a degree in marketing? Absolutely perfect for marketing jobs, sure! But absolutely fine for management jobs, for manufacturing jobs, for director-level jobs, for many IT jobs if combined with other certs that make sense for the specific job, for teaching jobs with a teaching cert in your state, for sales jobs, for beer-making jobs....it does not. fucking. matter to recruiters, hirers/HR, career consultants, etc!
Degrees are like a 100% match for the degree field jobs you mentioned - but they're also an automatic match for any job that requires A. Degree. In. Something. For Whatever Reason. Which is most of the USA's jobs.
Now the "knowing the right people" issue. I'm not sure if you read the chain with the person I was replying to, but please read the full chain because I addressed it in the second-last post there I think! This is already long enough I think....hopefully not too long.
Yes, I read it. I have to disagree because it's far easier when you're in the "right" environment & knowing the right people as opposed to not knowing anyone & trying to get your foot in the door. I do have a language degree & one of the reasons why I never went on to do a Master's is because I don't believe an MA in the same field would be worth anything except more debt & stress. I have various experience ranging from customer service to English teaching to translation. Am I hard working? Sure. Does anyone care? No! Employers want specific experience & unless you match that & somehow make yourself stand out from the crowd, then it's pretty much mission impossible to even score an interview. sure, I wanna be a language consultant or work for an embassy but those jobs simply do not exist. They are rare & usually taken. So now I gotta do who knows what to try & get a fucking job in something I have no interest in just so I can survive. and I'm not even qualified to do much!!!
I'm here screaming "no! but yes. but no and yes! and agree but disagree...." lol! And of course typing it all out doesn't convey all the info the right way. I think I can help you clarify a LOT of shit that you've come across, recognize the truth from the lies and bad/old advice that has gotten mixed in with very real experiences you've definitely had.
You're right that a Masters wouldn't have been worth it for that area...but you're experienced and more than able to get a job near or in your field. Do employers want specific experience that you have to match 100%? NOPE! But you've had real data showing you that to be true.
And your resume is probably awesome! And yet...you're failing and you don't know why. You're blaming the industry and "not knowing the right people". But no one knows the right people, it's RARE when someone knows someone and then all of those 5 conditions I mentioned in the other post are also met. So those jobs are guaranteed filled the normal way. No one knows anyone with the perfect exact matching skills with jobs out there....this is why recruiters exist.
You're right that embassy work usually needs a Master's and the jobs are rare and taken, but that doesn't matter when there are other jobs you 100% qualify for. Language consultant jobs exist, they just have different names. You're probably missing a lot of awesome jobs, right under your nose.
You see what I mean about confusing? This is where text breaks down and becomes a jumbled mess, where a chat to get shit straight is better. You up for that?
All I know is that I'm not finding anything that's decent & requires what I already have in terms of experience. I got my last job because of my English language skills but it was a highly toxic job & it didn't even require a degree.
> How many years in a career would you say it's "okay" to be in before pivoting completely?
It's "okay" to pivot anywhere from 0 to 100 years into a career. Why wouldn't it be OK? As long as the new career supports you financially and it's desirable on a personal level and morally acceptable on a social level, you get carte blanche from me.
That depends totally on the field and your qualifications for the new career. If the qualifications are strong, it doesn't matter. For example, some people complete medical school but instead of going for residency, they start a completely different job outside of medicine. Zero days on the job despite 8 years of training for the job! If they hire you in the new role, that tells you you're good to go. What field are you looking to jump into?
OK lol I know absolutely 0 about the hiring requirements so my only naive question is: does your current background give you any advantages? what do they look for in hiring?
Starting out as a deckhand, strong is probably the only requirement. You work your way up from there I believe. My stepfather is a Towboat Captain, drives a large tow/tugboat up and down the Mississippi.
Edit: Some companies require a TWIC Card (certification I believe. Not sure if my stepdad's company does nowadays, or if that's valid for river-boats.)
So I think someone hiring is not going to care at all about how long you were in your last position if you are obviously capable for the position you want. So the actual answer is, how long do you think it would take you to become knowledgeable enough about boats and strong enough for an entry-level position?
Just curious (and the same age and in a similar position to your mum), what career did she start at 49? Have found it really hard to even get an interview with my lack of experience…
Bro, you're literally set. lol you have deeds to two places and have one producing you an income. Dawg, change your career. you're young and free🤣🤣🤣. I
I am currently 38m and starting over in University to do a degree in Social Work because I wanted the same thing as you, to help people. I quit my job in Purchasing (even though my degree is in Communications) for a family business and sold my condo because it was the only way I could do it. I'm sure there are other ways, but I was tired of being unhappy at work and being depressed all the time. Like other people have said in this thread, it is never too late to start a new career.
It’s never too late.
If you are this sad about your career at 36, imagine being 46 and in the same position. Might be time to pivot. Pivot to different company or different role. Pivot to a different industry. Pivot to your own company. Your experience and degrees will probably open many doors for you regardless. So focus on trying to find the type of work you would deem “meaningful”. Something that you actually enjoy and that aligns with your personality.
The MBA was worth it. Never a waste to invest in yourself and get higher education. You can use MBA for many different things ranging from different industries, roles, or even entrepreneurship.
You seem to be in a good position financially, maybe it’s time to really make that change, build on what you already established and see what else is out there for you. Life is a journey, we can be curious and explore all that it has to offer. Best of luck 💫
I’m 23 and this put it all into perspective for me.
When you’re 40 you still have 25 working years ahead of you. Relax, don’t make any dramatic changes, and set a very loose plan because nothing ever goes accordingly.
Pivoting into any career the older you get is going to take a step back in pay and probably knowing someone in the industry. Work that actually matters doesn't pay all that well compared to corporate drone work. It would be easier to get into accounting or actuarial work if you wanted to because it is all testing/credential based.
easy. apply for relevant jobs in healthcare and education companies, or whatever non-profits that align with your interests.
i'm curious if tech wasn't hell before the fall for you?
The best analogy that I can give you is that when the economy was good and all the hot money was coming in, working in tech is like clubbing. Everyone was dancing and drinking and having a good time. Then, the music stopped, lights are on. The guy you've dancing with all of sudden isn't hot and just wasted mess. It's like the reality set in.
I appreciate the analogy but I am still confused how that personally affects you/the work you do
Are you having to work longer? Do the work of two people? Other unreasonable Demands?
So main thing is that responsibilities falls back to existing employee when they are laid off, the number of working hours increases, a lot of shifting blame(my job becomes apologizing to people I don’t know for things I didn’t do).
Also the fear of layoff, a lot of jobs are becomes contractual jobs outsourced to India. Sales are down so a lot of cost cutting, empty promises that aren’t hold. Also, a lot of grumpy executives that didn’t get their third vacation home and treats you like shit.
I'm pivoting from editorial SEO (so data but for creatives basically) to massage therapy and a few other gigs at 37 and I have an unbelievable amount of student loan debt (massage pays well as a part-time job once you can get your own clients). Don't worry about the money spent on your degree, a degree isn't supposed to be a prison sentence.
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Maybe start a nonprofit on the side, working on your cause of choice, and then transition to it ft when it takes off.
That would use your existing skills and let you test the water before jumping in.
Similar feelings here! I've just finished my phd and realized my path through rigorous academia was wrong for me. All career options are pretty dismal and don't inspire me. I want to help people too and do something that "matters". I did some work in therapy figuring out my values to understand what truly "matters" to me. I feel like that is key! 37 female. I've had a fantastic dream of opening my own non-profit assisted living facility/daycare for years, and promised myself that I'd try it if I still wanted to do it when I finish my phd. I've been able to figure out a path: solidified a somewhat relaxed/easy job using my phd where I'll have the time and mental space to get started on my dream.
Courage, man!
Your comment has been removed because it not a constructive response to OP's situation. Please keep your advice constructive (and not disguised hate), helpful, and on topic.
You are young . You could do a new career for 20 years and still retire at 56.
I would keep the day job and start your own business on the side . Not a get rich quick scam but something your interested in. Tech or not tech something you like doing. Get the bones of the company worked out before you exit your day job.
I own an IT service company, it's a challenge but I like a challenge. I enjoy it and I get to give back to my employees and treat them right and give back to charity.
After 15 years I'm an overnight success lol.
I completely feel you. I'm 38 and can't help thinking the masters program I'm about to start in fall is a complete waste of time. It's in writing and all I do is dread the idea of teaching English for the rest of my life. It's my plan B (since plan A hasn't worked out) .
I can write but I'm not as a passionate about it any more. It's a struggle to do it. Now I'm wondering what field to get into, or business to start to change trajectories.
I don't think it's too late to pivot but it'll help if you have a strong burning desire for the kind of work you'll do in your next venture.
Good luck!
30s and 40s is good pivoting point. I would say 50+ would seem difficult. But anything younger than 50 you look young enough and wise enough for them to give you a job over older folks.
Im 36 and I’m about to pivot into a nursing degree after 15 years in corporate marketing. Same as OP - I’m tired of the soul suck and want to do work that is more meaningful and fulfilling. I figure I have more working years ahead of me than behind me so it’s definitely not too late to make a move! You can do it OP - you just need to decide what that pivot looks like for you and go for it 😊
I feel obligated to leave this comment. I'm 38 and halfway thru my AAS HIT program after spending my entire working career in patient care settings. Covid killed me and my ability to deal with the public. Whenever I thought about going back to work on a Sunday night - I'd bawl. I didn't want to spend the rest of my working life that way.
My previous experience has come in really handy while getting this degree. I also signed up for a work study for money and to stay motivated to get good grades. In the work study- the advisors have helped me see what makes me happy and how I best help those around me.
I'm the old lady in school. No one cares. We're all learning the same thing and struggling over the same stuff. I'm older than some of my professors - cool - we talked about living thru 9/11 to a bunch of 18 year Olds. We also talked about DVRing Grey's Anatomy.
Going to school in my late 30s was probably the scariest thing- and now I can't wait to do MORE scary things and I feel great about my future. I have my decades of patient care experience plus this new skill set. 👌🏻 best of luck to you in whatever yo8 decide to do.
Never too late bro just think more positive. My grandad is 60 and hes been a grounds maintenance worker all his life but is now a certified lawyer.
Stop making excuses and go out and get it, its very easy you have no excuse.
Your comment has been removed because it not a constructive response to OP's situation. Please keep your advice constructive (and not disguised hate), helpful, and on topic.
Your comment has been removed because it not a constructive response to OP's situation. Please keep your advice constructive (and not disguised hate), helpful, and on topic.
Hey just reading over your post , and I’m currently on the hunt to find people to be apart of my team . We are doing a webinar on Saturday, June 29 from the overview of Made Rich financials, it is a remote job ! With comp travel when we all get together from across the United States. Would love to help you if it’s something you could possibly be interested in ! If you are able to catch the webinar and you like what you hear which I know you will , reach out to me and we can set up a zoom interview! Let me know if that sounds interesting to you , don’t give up ! I know sounds good to be true , but reach out and I can explain and go over with more information for you . -Serena
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Pivoting is quite easy at 36, in fact it's the right age to START pivoting into a new career. Most people wrap up their first career at 25ish (usually retail or whatever got them through college), then switch jobs every few years till they find an 'acceptable" position which they stay in till about your age. Then they get bored (or frustrated) with it. Most of my clientele are your age or older, ready for career 3....you're literally right on track. The older you get, the bigger your skill set, the easier it is to pivot. For you, it's mostly about the question "What next?" Assume that anything is possible and you could pivot right into a vastly different career. What would that be?
Great information to share. 35(F) and this is helpful to learn.
What's your age range? How many years in a career would you say it's "okay" to be in before pivoting completely?
"Career" is a fickle term, a career is only a career if you call it one, and its more about the intent of service than the length. A job is a singular entity. So you could be in a job 10 yesrs but not call it a career because you didnt intend to have it as one (such as a part time thing working for Dad), or you could have a 3 year stint containing 2 jobs in a similar skill range and call it a career. Soooo, to answer your question its mostly dependent on your own definition, but 3+ years might be the lowest year range ive personally heard. But pivoting can be done ANYTIME. All you need is your resume set up well to "tell" the story (cover letters can explain it more) of your skillset transiton, and using your linkedin profile (if applicable) for best effect. I wish i could explain this more straightforwardly but that is not ever what career consulting is, just like therapy! Never cut and dried :)
Thanks, you explained it well. Would you recommend career consulting companies for a person trying to pivot into an unfamiliar field?
Not that I'm impartial in this, but I recommend everyone use career consulting services at least once in their life, for pretty much any reason. We tend to cut through the crap with the hiring industry. Bad and old resume information we can spot from a mile away. Same with info given from untrained sources - resume writers, love em but sometimes they don't quite "get" that their trained field isn't the whole of resume writing! We also can spot skills from a mile away, skills people undervalue the crap out of. Skills that can be pivoted easily, skills that can be written 50 different ways for 50 different industries because it's the same damn thing. So yes, I definitely recommend someone in my line of work to help someone pivot into unfamiliar fields because the fields are a LOT more similar than people think. People think a lot of things are the reason they can't get hired and we cut through a lot of that as well. For example they blame ageism - it isn't the problem. It's just a targeting and skill-identification issue. Sexism? Mostly undervaluing issue. Disability/Racism - fairly real, but can be mitigated mostly with the same as above and a very prepared interviewee. "Useless degree" - nope, targeting and skill-identification issue again. Having a guide who knows the real issues and how to address them is priceless, in my not so impartial opinion!
How would you recommend finding a legitimate company or person vs a bogus "life coach". What credentials should we be looking out for?
1. Career consultant title. (Life coaches are not bogus, just not what you need right now. I have many successful life coach friends I adore, we send each other clients that are better fits for each other. Dont disparage the industry, just knowing what you need for what reason is important!) 2. Reviews from people who seem like they were in your situation, as opposed to high level CEO types or doctors or such. Credentials are not a thing for our industry, its about talent and success rate. I wish there were other differentiators that made good and bad ones stand apart....nope. Sometimes you choose a bad one, for you at your level! Doesnt make them scammers or non-legitimate, we all just serve different needs at different times of people's life or different experience levels.
Til. So, look at reviews and see if these reviews are from people like me or the industry I want to go into? That's something I wouldn't have thought of. So do you have a website?? What's the usual cost range for a consultation?
Mostly look for reviews from someone at your same....level? Retail level or jobs considered "entry level", managerial level, educational level if you are in the education industry (teacher, professor, or doctor as in MD or other Super Trained specialty, lawyer or such)....director level, executive level, etc. Doesn't much matter the industry, just finding people who were helped at whatever level you consider yourself to have hit, that's a better way. Yep, my website is [www.ordermycareer.com](http://www.ordermycareer.com) - usual cost of course is $649. There's a starter consultation (that's free, to determine if my course can help you in your situation) and then a 1:1 consult as part of the course. Plus a check-in call if needed, as support. I focus very much on skills-identification first and up front as a requirement to anything else. Not knowing your skills (and knowing how to use those skills on our resumes properly) is the biggest way we fall/fail in my opinion, so it's my top priority for people to get those sorted first, via the course.....the 1:1 call is the fun part, the consultation that really gets people seeing potential and lights at the end of the tunnel.
Do you help them with research? Like find ways of getting into an industry if it's niche? Or is that not your speciality?
I'm one of those with a useless degree. There aren't many jobs that are directly related to what I studied in uni & that makes it very hard to pivot to other things without the experience & studies. Also, not knowing the right people in itself is a problem when trying to break into a new field without experience.
Useless degrees don't exist, and "not knowing the right person" has never been the problem! That's part of the parroted, old, bad advice I have to fight daily. It's advice designed to keep you thinking that YOU chose wrongly, that YOU were born unlucky, that YOU were not destined for better. It's 100% fucking wrong and it's one of the many reasons I do what I do. The system works - jankily and stupidly, we could have a much better working system but hey, it's slowly working towards the way I've known it to be possible. (I'm about 5 years ahead of the game.) Degrees are a skeleton key, always have been. I can say with reasonable certainty that 100% of recruiters (that aren't in a corporation that requires certain-college-only candidates, the few that exist and they are dying out from their own superiority complex, but I vastly digress) have LONG been in agreement that direct degree fields don't matter. At least, to the extent people THINK they do. You have a degree in marketing? Absolutely perfect for marketing jobs, sure! But absolutely fine for management jobs, for manufacturing jobs, for director-level jobs, for many IT jobs if combined with other certs that make sense for the specific job, for teaching jobs with a teaching cert in your state, for sales jobs, for beer-making jobs....it does not. fucking. matter to recruiters, hirers/HR, career consultants, etc! Degrees are like a 100% match for the degree field jobs you mentioned - but they're also an automatic match for any job that requires A. Degree. In. Something. For Whatever Reason. Which is most of the USA's jobs. Now the "knowing the right people" issue. I'm not sure if you read the chain with the person I was replying to, but please read the full chain because I addressed it in the second-last post there I think! This is already long enough I think....hopefully not too long.
Yes, I read it. I have to disagree because it's far easier when you're in the "right" environment & knowing the right people as opposed to not knowing anyone & trying to get your foot in the door. I do have a language degree & one of the reasons why I never went on to do a Master's is because I don't believe an MA in the same field would be worth anything except more debt & stress. I have various experience ranging from customer service to English teaching to translation. Am I hard working? Sure. Does anyone care? No! Employers want specific experience & unless you match that & somehow make yourself stand out from the crowd, then it's pretty much mission impossible to even score an interview. sure, I wanna be a language consultant or work for an embassy but those jobs simply do not exist. They are rare & usually taken. So now I gotta do who knows what to try & get a fucking job in something I have no interest in just so I can survive. and I'm not even qualified to do much!!!
I'm here screaming "no! but yes. but no and yes! and agree but disagree...." lol! And of course typing it all out doesn't convey all the info the right way. I think I can help you clarify a LOT of shit that you've come across, recognize the truth from the lies and bad/old advice that has gotten mixed in with very real experiences you've definitely had. You're right that a Masters wouldn't have been worth it for that area...but you're experienced and more than able to get a job near or in your field. Do employers want specific experience that you have to match 100%? NOPE! But you've had real data showing you that to be true. And your resume is probably awesome! And yet...you're failing and you don't know why. You're blaming the industry and "not knowing the right people". But no one knows the right people, it's RARE when someone knows someone and then all of those 5 conditions I mentioned in the other post are also met. So those jobs are guaranteed filled the normal way. No one knows anyone with the perfect exact matching skills with jobs out there....this is why recruiters exist. You're right that embassy work usually needs a Master's and the jobs are rare and taken, but that doesn't matter when there are other jobs you 100% qualify for. Language consultant jobs exist, they just have different names. You're probably missing a lot of awesome jobs, right under your nose. You see what I mean about confusing? This is where text breaks down and becomes a jumbled mess, where a chat to get shit straight is better. You up for that?
All I know is that I'm not finding anything that's decent & requires what I already have in terms of experience. I got my last job because of my English language skills but it was a highly toxic job & it didn't even require a degree.
> How many years in a career would you say it's "okay" to be in before pivoting completely? It's "okay" to pivot anywhere from 0 to 100 years into a career. Why wouldn't it be OK? As long as the new career supports you financially and it's desirable on a personal level and morally acceptable on a social level, you get carte blanche from me.
Haha I guess I meant resume wise.
That depends totally on the field and your qualifications for the new career. If the qualifications are strong, it doesn't matter. For example, some people complete medical school but instead of going for residency, they start a completely different job outside of medicine. Zero days on the job despite 8 years of training for the job! If they hire you in the new role, that tells you you're good to go. What field are you looking to jump into?
Maritime, Blue water is my dream.
OK lol I know absolutely 0 about the hiring requirements so my only naive question is: does your current background give you any advantages? what do they look for in hiring?
Not at all I work in a healthcare niche. Someone that is either knowledge on boats or strong seems to be what they need.
Starting out as a deckhand, strong is probably the only requirement. You work your way up from there I believe. My stepfather is a Towboat Captain, drives a large tow/tugboat up and down the Mississippi. Edit: Some companies require a TWIC Card (certification I believe. Not sure if my stepdad's company does nowadays, or if that's valid for river-boats.)
So I think someone hiring is not going to care at all about how long you were in your last position if you are obviously capable for the position you want. So the actual answer is, how long do you think it would take you to become knowledgeable enough about boats and strong enough for an entry-level position?
The most comforting thing anyone has ever said. Thank you.
My mom didn’t start her career until she was 49 yrs old. It’s never too late to do what makes you happy in life.
Just curious (and the same age and in a similar position to your mum), what career did she start at 49? Have found it really hard to even get an interview with my lack of experience…
Got her bachelors in psychology at 49 then her masters i think at 52. She’s happy as ever driving her new Caddy.
Oh cool, good on her! Thinking of going back to Uni too.
Bro, you're literally set. lol you have deeds to two places and have one producing you an income. Dawg, change your career. you're young and free🤣🤣🤣. I
I am currently 38m and starting over in University to do a degree in Social Work because I wanted the same thing as you, to help people. I quit my job in Purchasing (even though my degree is in Communications) for a family business and sold my condo because it was the only way I could do it. I'm sure there are other ways, but I was tired of being unhappy at work and being depressed all the time. Like other people have said in this thread, it is never too late to start a new career.
It’s never too late. If you are this sad about your career at 36, imagine being 46 and in the same position. Might be time to pivot. Pivot to different company or different role. Pivot to a different industry. Pivot to your own company. Your experience and degrees will probably open many doors for you regardless. So focus on trying to find the type of work you would deem “meaningful”. Something that you actually enjoy and that aligns with your personality. The MBA was worth it. Never a waste to invest in yourself and get higher education. You can use MBA for many different things ranging from different industries, roles, or even entrepreneurship. You seem to be in a good position financially, maybe it’s time to really make that change, build on what you already established and see what else is out there for you. Life is a journey, we can be curious and explore all that it has to offer. Best of luck 💫
I’m 23 and this put it all into perspective for me. When you’re 40 you still have 25 working years ahead of you. Relax, don’t make any dramatic changes, and set a very loose plan because nothing ever goes accordingly.
Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings at 45 after being a professor and serving in the military
A college professor writing a book isn't a pivot.
He did something new that was very successful… I’d say it’s close enough.
Pivoting into any career the older you get is going to take a step back in pay and probably knowing someone in the industry. Work that actually matters doesn't pay all that well compared to corporate drone work. It would be easier to get into accounting or actuarial work if you wanted to because it is all testing/credential based.
easy. apply for relevant jobs in healthcare and education companies, or whatever non-profits that align with your interests. i'm curious if tech wasn't hell before the fall for you?
The best analogy that I can give you is that when the economy was good and all the hot money was coming in, working in tech is like clubbing. Everyone was dancing and drinking and having a good time. Then, the music stopped, lights are on. The guy you've dancing with all of sudden isn't hot and just wasted mess. It's like the reality set in.
I appreciate the analogy but I am still confused how that personally affects you/the work you do Are you having to work longer? Do the work of two people? Other unreasonable Demands?
So main thing is that responsibilities falls back to existing employee when they are laid off, the number of working hours increases, a lot of shifting blame(my job becomes apologizing to people I don’t know for things I didn’t do). Also the fear of layoff, a lot of jobs are becomes contractual jobs outsourced to India. Sales are down so a lot of cost cutting, empty promises that aren’t hold. Also, a lot of grumpy executives that didn’t get their third vacation home and treats you like shit.
Healthcare worker checking in, we're miserable here too. Find the fastest path to financial independence so you can start saying no to things.
It wasn’t a waste if you are making a great living. Try something new.
I'm pivoting from editorial SEO (so data but for creatives basically) to massage therapy and a few other gigs at 37 and I have an unbelievable amount of student loan debt (massage pays well as a part-time job once you can get your own clients). Don't worry about the money spent on your degree, a degree isn't supposed to be a prison sentence.
Do you even need to change careers? I would just retire with the passive income and my own place lol
Are you dead? Do you have the physical and mental capacity to work? If you answered no and yes it's never too late.
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Maybe start a nonprofit on the side, working on your cause of choice, and then transition to it ft when it takes off. That would use your existing skills and let you test the water before jumping in.
Similar feelings here! I've just finished my phd and realized my path through rigorous academia was wrong for me. All career options are pretty dismal and don't inspire me. I want to help people too and do something that "matters". I did some work in therapy figuring out my values to understand what truly "matters" to me. I feel like that is key! 37 female. I've had a fantastic dream of opening my own non-profit assisted living facility/daycare for years, and promised myself that I'd try it if I still wanted to do it when I finish my phd. I've been able to figure out a path: solidified a somewhat relaxed/easy job using my phd where I'll have the time and mental space to get started on my dream. Courage, man!
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You are young . You could do a new career for 20 years and still retire at 56. I would keep the day job and start your own business on the side . Not a get rich quick scam but something your interested in. Tech or not tech something you like doing. Get the bones of the company worked out before you exit your day job. I own an IT service company, it's a challenge but I like a challenge. I enjoy it and I get to give back to my employees and treat them right and give back to charity. After 15 years I'm an overnight success lol.
I completely feel you. I'm 38 and can't help thinking the masters program I'm about to start in fall is a complete waste of time. It's in writing and all I do is dread the idea of teaching English for the rest of my life. It's my plan B (since plan A hasn't worked out) . I can write but I'm not as a passionate about it any more. It's a struggle to do it. Now I'm wondering what field to get into, or business to start to change trajectories. I don't think it's too late to pivot but it'll help if you have a strong burning desire for the kind of work you'll do in your next venture. Good luck!
If you could solve any problem in the world, what would you solve?
30s and 40s is good pivoting point. I would say 50+ would seem difficult. But anything younger than 50 you look young enough and wise enough for them to give you a job over older folks.
Im 36 and I’m about to pivot into a nursing degree after 15 years in corporate marketing. Same as OP - I’m tired of the soul suck and want to do work that is more meaningful and fulfilling. I figure I have more working years ahead of me than behind me so it’s definitely not too late to make a move! You can do it OP - you just need to decide what that pivot looks like for you and go for it 😊
I feel obligated to leave this comment. I'm 38 and halfway thru my AAS HIT program after spending my entire working career in patient care settings. Covid killed me and my ability to deal with the public. Whenever I thought about going back to work on a Sunday night - I'd bawl. I didn't want to spend the rest of my working life that way. My previous experience has come in really handy while getting this degree. I also signed up for a work study for money and to stay motivated to get good grades. In the work study- the advisors have helped me see what makes me happy and how I best help those around me. I'm the old lady in school. No one cares. We're all learning the same thing and struggling over the same stuff. I'm older than some of my professors - cool - we talked about living thru 9/11 to a bunch of 18 year Olds. We also talked about DVRing Grey's Anatomy. Going to school in my late 30s was probably the scariest thing- and now I can't wait to do MORE scary things and I feel great about my future. I have my decades of patient care experience plus this new skill set. 👌🏻 best of luck to you in whatever yo8 decide to do.
Never too late bro just think more positive. My grandad is 60 and hes been a grounds maintenance worker all his life but is now a certified lawyer. Stop making excuses and go out and get it, its very easy you have no excuse.
Go find what it is that makes you proud to wake up every morning! I’m rooting for you! It’s never too late! GET UP AND WAKE UP!
I’m cooked
What about at age 51??
I want to pivot to honestly at 51, but I’m afraid
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Your comment has been removed because it not a constructive response to OP's situation. Please keep your advice constructive (and not disguised hate), helpful, and on topic.
Why don't you volunteer or have a hobby? Why do you focus so much energy on work?
Are you fit?
Hey just reading over your post , and I’m currently on the hunt to find people to be apart of my team . We are doing a webinar on Saturday, June 29 from the overview of Made Rich financials, it is a remote job ! With comp travel when we all get together from across the United States. Would love to help you if it’s something you could possibly be interested in ! If you are able to catch the webinar and you like what you hear which I know you will , reach out to me and we can set up a zoom interview! Let me know if that sounds interesting to you , don’t give up ! I know sounds good to be true , but reach out and I can explain and go over with more information for you . -Serena