Regardless of what side of 50 you are, now is a great time to change careers and pursue professional interests that make you happy.
Given all the changes we’ve seen in 2020, now may not seem like the best time to change careers, but for women over 50, there may be no time like the present.
Women over 50 in the corporate world have likely followed a traditional course of education and years spent toiling their way to a middle or senior position. In many cases, they have risen to the top of their field only to find it’s not as satisfying as they thought it would be.
Sometimes we become dissatisfied with our jobs because times have changed, because technology has changed, or because the work environment has changed.
Other times it’s because our goals have changed. Whatever the reason, changing careers can bring about new enthusiasm and re-establish a zest for life.
Take inventory
Take a personal inventory of who you are and what you enjoy doing. Pay close attention to how you feel about work situations. Do people energize you, or do they tax your resources? Honest answers to these types of questions will help to uncover a career path that brings you satisfaction and feelings of accomplishment and contribution.
Continuing to follow a career only because it’s what you’ve always known will come at a significant cost to your wellbeing. It is draining to perform functions simply because it is expected or demanded. Deriving pleasure from one’s employment is the surest path to a happier and more fulfilling life and career.
Many women change careers after 50, and you may know more of them than you realize. Ask women in your networks and chat with them about how they decided to switch careers and what steps they took to execute. You may be surprised to learn how easy they found it to be.
Align who you are with what you do
For women contemplating a career change, the best result will come from aligning who they are with what they do. Alignment means abandoning the idea of what you should do and pursuing what you want to do.
Your idea of success needn’t follow someone else’s narrative of what it means to be successful. A degree in biology is not a life sentence—it can be a launchpad for something more meaningful than the path you chose out of college.
If in your job as a manager, you learned you excelled at moderating personal interactions, perhaps a career in HR is in your future.
Opt for the road less travelled and feel empowered to veer off course and explore new interests. Think about where you are personally and pursue that professionally. Find a true fit for a better chance at happiness.
Consider the entirety
Think about your past career in its totality. Don’t forget pitching in to help with project management for a big client or taking a course in Excel so you could build better
spreadsheets. Each of these experiences is an opportunity for a new career direction, so make a list.
Transferring accumulated skills will open new doors as well as show a diversity of knowledge that will be useful in a different career. You are the whole of your capabilities—bring it all to your next role.
What your age has to do with it
Over 50 can break both ways. On the one hand, you have more experience and more experiences to offer a new employer. On the other hand, some employers may be reluctant to add an older team member. Concerns about health and up-to-date skill sets will undoubtedly be amongst their considerations.
It’s up to you to help potential employers see your best side. Show them how the skills you acquired in previous roles equate to the ideal candidate for the position. Don’t leave it to them to connect the dots; do it for them.
Online courses and certifications are prevalent and easily obtainable in today’s electronic era. If your new career path dictates it, obtain degrees or certifications as proof of mastered skills.
The professional you
Whether you wish to pursue something long or short term, develop a career strategy that unites your personal and professional self. Define developmental goals and work toward them. A plan will get you from where you are to where you want to be.
Financial stability will uncomplicate a career change. Knowing you are in an excellent financial place means you have the flexibility to pursue additional education, start at an entry-level job and work up, or just accept a position you love for less than you are accustomed to making.
If you’re able, consider a gig job so you can put money in savings while you work out the details of your new career. Previously known as freelancing, companies and individuals in need of services hire gig workers on online platforms, such as Fiverr and UpWork. Gig workers offer a vast array of services, from writing to development and everything in between.
Having a clear plan of where you are, where you are going, and how you will get there will enable you to focus and make progress every day toward finding a new meaningful, motivating career.
It’s not a straight line
As you already know, careers are rarely straight lines, and this path is not likely to be either. Regardless of what side of 50 you are, now is a great time to change careers and pursue professional interests that make you happy. Think about who you are and align that with what you want to do. Make sure you have the financial freedom to pursue the career and bolster it with additional degrees or certifications as needed. There is another life out there for you—find it.
