Since the pandemic, many more people have been examining their lives and realizing they want to do something more fulfilling than their current job. Lots of people have made changes to their careers far later than expected. That is something that many people are doing these days. So, what does it take to ensure that you are making a career change in later life successfully?
Look at your qualifications
Your degree from college may have been a while ago. Still, it has given you the foundations to either create the career you are already successful at or you rally against this degree and go into something completely different. Determining the right qualifications for your ideal career progression is even more critical because there’s more competition.
Even in sectors such as religion, ensuring you have a foundation with the right qualifications is a good idea, and that is possible by attending a school like the Saint Paul School of Theology that provides graduate programs in divinity and ministry. When you may have a passion for something like religion or are active in your community, you’ve got to think that when applying for these jobs, relevant qualifications can give you an advantage over someone else.
Making adjustments
Your life will need to change. The biggest obstacle many people have when making a career change is thinking that the career should slot into what they’ve already been doing. Still, it requires you to adjust your lifestyle and, potentially, your budget.
If you plan on doing a career 180, you may have to return to the drawing board and apply for entry-level positions to get to the desired role. Therefore, it may benefit you to start planning your progression more gradually and save up adequate finances so you don’t have to worry about money if you decide to jump ship instantly.
It won’t happen overnight
Many people change their careers because they are completely unhappy with their actions. It’s time-honored advice but never jump ship. This is especially true if you’ve got people depending on you.
No matter how unhappy you are in your current role, you’ve got to be more pragmatic in your approach to work and ensure that you can balance your career and parenting activities concurrently. This may mean sticking with what you’ve got for the short term.
For many people, the satisfaction they look forward to with the change ahead is enough to help them endure and grit their teeth at their job for a bit longer. There will always be that temptation to leave what you’re doing because of a bad day, but you must think it through long-term.
Making a change later in life requires care and consideration of the bigger picture. It is certainly not straightforward, mainly when people depend on you. But never let your age get in the way of doing something that will make you happier in life.
In some ways I started changing careers years ago. I knew it would have something to do with design, but what?
I’d had my Art Gown blog for awhile, and had been evolving it, but for fun.
I began drawing for fun.
Covid changed my world, so I went with it, as I have no kids & a paid mortgage.
I’ve made some $ from renting my “Sustainable Glamour” Art Gowns, and have made even more doing art commissions. Lol… I keep getting jobs drawing monsters… cartoon bad guys.
I would have never thought I could draw that.
I’m looking toward a show of some kind. That is evolving.
I’m still a member of the film union, so if something great comes along, I can do that.
However, after designing costumes for over 50 projects… the change is more than welcome.
That’s very cool about the art commissions, Resa! I am a fan of your drawings and didn’t realize that’s what you’ve been doing outside of the blog too. Cool about renting the gowns out too. I would definitely rent one for a special occasion if I lived closer to you. Cartoon bad guys, hey? I’m excited for you, what’s ahead, and this next phase in your career!
I’m not sure what’s ahead, Christy.
I’ll be finding out. I’d like to have a show…Art Gowns and art. The gowns take up a lot of space, and venues are wildly costly.
I was about to put a bunch of my drawings (framed) on the walls of a restaurant that features an artist every month. They don’t charge a commission on sales, but get new art every month.
Then covid…now, they are no longer in business.
Someone recently showed a lot of interest in the “sustainable” aspect of the gowns. They had some ideas.
So, I just keep going. xx
Dear Resa, yes, we keep going and looking for new ways to expand and challenge ourselves. We create opportunities (as Jennifer in the new artist interview explained) and sometimes they come to us. I’m right beside you, supporting!!
Thank you, Christy!
I’m beside you, too!! xoxo
And I love having you beside me, Resa. I really appreciate your time here xxoo
xxoo
These really are very good points, Christy. The ones that refer to responsibilities are particularly important. When you have a family and financial commitments, it’s much harder to start over. This is why I’ve kept my day job and am trying to build a writing and illustrating career on the side.
Oh yes, practicality is a must, especially with a family and other responsibilities. You’re amazing to be able to do so much!
I don’t watch tV or go to gym
Not watching TV is definitely a time saver! How do you get your news? Is it from online articles and videos?
Haha, from my dad, the oracle of doom and gloom. I also read summaries of world news 🌺
Your dad’s nickname 😶 Well you’re saving yourself time by getting just the headlines!
Ha, very timely post, as always! I’m in the process of kinda-changing my career (I’ll still be writing, of course), but I’m shifting away from editing and I just got accepted in a graduate school program for Environmental Marketing and Branding :-)
Whaaaaa that’s awesome, congrats!!
Hey, thanks!
You know I’m cheering you on, always!
It’s so good for your brain to take a leap, shake it all up!
True that!
I changed careers at 40
Awesome!