Isabel WilliamThere is a common misconception that after a certain age, it’s too late to make any serious changes and that you’re pretty much stuck where you are. This refers to the career as well, as it may seem easier to wait for the retirement – even if you hate your job – than to start fresh when you’re over 50. However, there are many benefits of changing your career when you’re 50, and it’s much more manageable than you might think. So, if you’ve been considering it, here are a few things you should know about it.
Why women want to change their career
One of the main reasons for a career change is being tired of working in a stressful environment. Even if you have a stable job that pays well, you’d still be sacrificing your mental health if the environment keeps stressing you out for years. At some point, your priorities are bound to change, and having a better schedule, working in peace, and being healthy will start to matter more than having a lot of money.
Furthermore, if you’ve had kids in your 20s or 30s, keeping a stable job you might not be so crazy about just so you can provide for your kids is understandable. However, as your kids become more independent, you would also get more freedom to follow your passions and perhaps try something a bit riskier, like getting into the world of art or starting your own business. In other words, with more free time you also get more opportunities, and there’s nothing wrong in considering them.
How to do it
First things first, you need to decide what it is that you want to gain with this change in terms of time flexibility, work atmosphere, finances, etc. Additionally, even if you already know what path you want to pursue, you still need to work out some details. So, do your research on different kinds of positions in the field that interests you, find the requirements, and perhaps you could even talk to some people who are already familiar with the business field you’d like to enter.
Next, you need to consider all the skills you have. After all, you are a grown-up, mature woman, and there’s definitely plenty you can bring to the table. Knowing which skills you have can also help you see which skills you might need to upgrade in order to fit in better. Just keep in mind that it’s human nature to exaggerate our abilities, so try to be realistic about what you can and cannot do. This is also why it might not be a bad idea to ask your friends and coworkers for their honest opinion on your best traits and abilities. The good thing about this, though, is that nowadays, you can easily find all kinds of affordable courses and training classes.
That being said, it might be easier to switch to a career that is not too different from the one you have at the moment. So, if you have some medical experience, but you want to get even better, for example, you can sign up for Carine physio and gain all the additional skills and help that you need. This way, you would not be starting from scratch, as there would be some similarities, but it would still be different enough to give you the boost of motivation that you were looking for.
How to deal with the fear
With every big change, there is inevitably some amount of fear and uncertainty. Things rarely go exactly as planned, and there will always be rough patches along the way. However, if you expect this and prepare for it, you’re less likely to get discouraged by it. One way to prepare is to find support, like a career coach who can help you with your strategy and resume. If things become too stressful, going to a therapist or a counselor to help you deal with the anxiety is also a good idea.
Also, you need to know exactly why you’re doing this. Write down your reasons on a piece of paper, and remind yourself when things get more challenging. Knowing your precise reasons can help you stay motivated, and it can help you deal with any obstacles in the best way possible too, as you’re more likely to make good decisions when you’re determined to reach your goal.
Having a stable career and not worrying about finances is great, but it’s not always worth it when it comes at the price of your mental health. If the job you have doesn’t come with many redeeming qualities, it’s never too late to change it. Just make sure to prepare for the change both financially and mentally, and there will be nothing standing in your way towards a happier and more stress-free lifestyle.