Changing Careers Later in Life: Is It Too Late?

The world has changed significantly with the last couple of generations. From electronics and technology to work habits and family, the world is almost unrecognizable compared to 20 years ago. One thing that is becoming common for younger generations is the change in career at any given time.

It is engraved in our minds that we must stay at one job for 30 or more years. What you pick is more than just a job – it is a career. That means you stay there for mainly your entire work years to build up seniority, benefits and a retirement fund. If you were to change your career suddenly, people would think you were going through a midlife crisis.

But that has all changed. People are switching up their jobs in order to maintain work and life balance and their overall happiness. It doesn’t matter the age or how long someone has been at a job, if a different opportunity arises, people are going to take it.

So is it too late to change a career later in life? When you shift the question to focus on what you want out of the rest of your life, it is never too late to change your career.

Here are a few points to consider if you are thinking of changing your career and worrying if it is too late.                              

Take Your Time

Making a drastic change in life, like a career change, is difficult at any point in life, let alone later on. Because of the type of decision, it is not something to take lightly and make quickly. Making quick decisions without taking time to think can lead to regret. On top of that, you wouldn’t want to dive into a career that results in your unhappiness.

Do Your Research

While taking your time to make this decision, you should do some research beforehand. See what the best paid jobs in the UK are and compare that to the happiness level of the employees. You don’t want to leave one job to go to something different that would make you unhappy for the remainder of your working years.

Maybe you are considering leaving your existing career to pursue self-employment. You’ve spent your life working for someone else, and now it is your turn to be the boss. No matter what type of career change you are looking for, do your research to prepare yourself as much as possible.

This Is About You

Many find a job that pays the best. Money becomes the most significant factor in their decision. However, at this point in your life, you want this decision to be all about you. Of course, you still need to have an income that pays the bills and helps your retirement fund, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of your mental wellbeing. Your decision on switching careers and what you decide should be solely based on you.

Get Over the Fear

It is nerve-wracking changing a career at any age. Now add being closer to retirement age and now looking for a new career path, which adds more to your already anxious mind. Change is stressful, but it is how you handle it that matters.

With this type of decision, have a support system that will be with you the whole way. Whether it be your children, spouse, friends or anyone that you trust, keep them involved in your journey. Having support can make the career change go smoothly that you will wonder why you didn’t do this earlier.

Be Realistic

You need to be realistic about what you plan to do. There comes an age where certain jobs no longer are practical for you (a professional athlete in hockey or football for example). Be truthful to yourself with what you can and can’t do.

Being realistic about the change also means if it is feasible at this moment. Will you be able to afford to leave your current job to pursue something brand new? Would it work better gradually change over? Although this change is for you, you’ll want to take a step back and look at the whole picture before deciding.

Do not let your age stop you from changing your career to maintain your happiness. Ask yourself what you still want out of life and if what you are doing will get you there. Will you regret not following this new path?