By Tim Madden
People like to say that “age is just a number,” but when you’re the one with an established career and a life filled with responsibilities, the prospect of letting all that go to pursue a dramatic shift in your work can feel like madness. However, you'd do well not to let your doubts hold you back. Many professionals who’ve successfully transitioned their careers have found they could apply the skills from their previous jobs to their new roles.Corporate to Teaching
We often think of teachers as being young and straight out of college, but the best people at inspiring the younger generations are often those who have the life experience that comes with age. This is a popular choice among those who feel ready to leave the “hamster wheel” of corporate America and pursue a more fulfilling path by helping the youth of today achieve their dreams.As a perk, the fixed career path of getting into teaching can be less daunting for those who feel unsure about how to navigate a new career ladder for the first time.
Public Sector to Corporate
It’s not so uncommon to hear of people moving from the corporate world into public-sector professions, but it’s far more unusual to see things happen the other way around. Yet, it’s certainly possible—especially for those who have reached leadership positions in the public sector.For instance, why not apply the lessons you’ve learned as a director in nursing or in a leadership role at a school to the private sector?
Entrepreneurship to Business Development
The idea of quitting your job to start your own business is often glorified in the media, but what about doing the opposite? It might not be talked about quite so much, but it can also be a success.Some people opt to go down the path of contracting or having a business for greater flexibility as they raise a family or to maximize their income, but ultimately, decide they'd prefer to find a good fit in a company to take their career to the next level.
It might feel daunting to go through the job-hunting process when your resume and background is so atypical, especially in mid-life, but the skills required to achieve success in self-employment are often in high demand among companies.
Real Estate
If you'd like a change of scenery and a career path you can really dig your teeth into and reap big rewards for being successful, consider becoming a real estate agent. It’s a career that involves interacting with others to sell and understanding the local market you’re selling in, both of which hold high appeal to many individuals considering a career transition.IT to Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity sector is growing fast, with information security analyst jobs reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow 33 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is significantly above the national average for all jobs.This isn’t a career that absolutely everyone can transition to in their 40s and 50s—you’re going to need some technical knowledge to achieve success. However, for those who have already worked in other areas of IT, cybersecurity is the perfect area to consider if you'd like to try something a little different with great potential for earning and progression.
What’s Holding You Back?
The longer you stay in your comfort zone, the harder it becomes to break out. You might not think of your career as a “comfort zone” if you’re currently struggling with your job, but it’s certainly the option you’re more familiar with.The Epoch Times Copyright © 2022 The views and opinions expressed are only those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.