Changing careers is common in today’s work world, with many employees looking to take on different responsibilities or shift to a new field altogether. A 2021 U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey, for example, showed that 41% of workers wanted to change industries for their next jobs.
These career changes can occur at any stage of life, including midlife — generally considered to be ages 40 to 60.
So why might someone want to pursue a midlife career change, whether by making use of previous work experience or learning new skills? What opportunities are available for those in midlife who decide to make this transition? And where should they begin? There are compelling reasons why midlife can be a great time to change careers.
Benefits of Making a Midlife Career Change
Although they differ for each person according to their own personal and professional circumstances, the potential benefits of making a midlife career change can be significant. The following are among the reasons why people pursue a different career at this stage in life:
Gaining greater flexibility: Making a professional change can mean gaining greater flexibility in responsibilities and working hours — and that can open up more opportunities for individuals to focus on their family and other commitments.
Experiencing personal growth: Beginning a new career often requires individuals to face the sometimes uncomfortable experience of trying something new and testing themselves in new ways, which can lead to personal growth.
Pursuing a passion: When a new career allows individuals to follow their longtime interests or dreams, they can gain a sense of personal fulfillment.
Seeking improved earning potential: Many workers seek a new role that offers the possibility of increasing their earnings.
Building on prior experience: At midlife, people typically have gained some solid work experience and expertise that can be beneficial as they begin a new path.
Establishing professional contacts: By taking on a new role or switching to a new industry, people can bolster their social skills and expand their network — and that can lead to additional opportunities.
Career Change Opportunities
Each person’s career change experience is different, so there’s no one path for a midlife career change.
People who want to make a career change could take on a role with different responsibilities with the same employer, for example, or they could pursue positions that are in a completely different industry or field. Opportunities for those who want to make a midlife career change include the following:
Higher-Level Positions
Advancing in one’s career usually involves taking on different tasks and greater autonomy. A job promotion can include some new responsibilities, particularly those related to management. Advancing in one’s field, such as by progressing from a job as a practical nurse to one as a registered nurse (RN), usually requires gaining additional knowledge and skills.
Different Jobs
Those who are interested in a career change but want to stay in the same field can pursue a different kind of job within that same field. A local truck driver who wants to stay in trucking but would like to take on different challenges might change their focus to regional or over-the-road (OTR) trucking, for example. Some workers may choose to pursue a similar role in a different setting, such as nurses who shift from working in a hospital to working in a school.
New Fields
A midlife career change also can mean switching to a completely new field, which often requires gaining at least some new skills. For example, some individuals might want to make a big change in both their position and their field, such as accountants who transition to working in a skilled trade.
Entrepreneurial Roles
Another option for a midlife career change is becoming an entrepreneur, either by using abilities honed in previous jobs or developing new skills to start a business. Nurses who become entrepreneurs might open their own traveling nurse agency. Or, if they have a longtime interest in cosmetology, as another example, they might learn the skills to work for themselves in this profession.
How to Get Your Career Change Started
How should someone interested in making a midlife career change get started? Here are four key steps to take:
1. Consider Finances
Financial considerations are a top priority when mulling a career change. Individuals can calculate their financial obligations, from their family expenses to their mortgage or rent payments, and then determine if the potential salary a new career might provide will cover everything.
2. Explore Interests and Outlook
Another issue that someone seeking a career change should consider is what interests and aptitudes they bring to the table. Do they have hobbies that could translate to a career? Do they have professional skills that could apply to a different role?
Keeping the employment outlook of desired fields in mind also can be helpful in determining which path to pursue. Among the professional sectors commonly hiring a large number of employees are the following:
Healthcare
Hospitality
Information technology (IT)
Skilled trades
3. Investigate Requirements
Every job has its own educational and experience requirements, and some call for licensing and certifications. Midlife career changers should research what skills, education, training, and experience they’ll need to qualify for their new career.
4. Consider Timing
How long will it take to gain the finances, education, and experience required to pursue a specific career path? Most individuals have commitments in their personal and family lives, so the time required for these activities need to be factored in when determining how long it might take to make a midlife career change.
Prepare for Your Midlife Career Change at Fortis
Whether you want to deepen your knowledge to pursue new responsibilities in your current profession or you need to build a new set of skills to work toward a different career or field, you should explore the Fortis career training programs. You’ll find opportunities to learn skills for jobs in a broad range of fields:
Explore how Fortis can help you achieve your goals as a midlife career changer.
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