[Misc] Mid-lift career change - anyone done it?

[DJ NOBO]

Thank you everyone. I appreciate all the time taken to reply (and I enjoyed the lift puns - hard to believe that I started out in publishing and had to proofread books!).

Your stories, views and suggestions have helped me get a better perspective on things. I'm drafting a note to my boss outlining my current concerns, the causes of them and potential solutions. That will either help make my current role more interesting or will prove I'm better off somewhere else.

I do have a longer-term ambition which could spin off from additional study so I'll be signing up for a part-time on-line MA course which will hopefully set me on a new path eventually and, if not, at least provide some mental stimulation.

So, tempting as it is to jack it all in, this approach will hopefully allow me to change without pushing me into penury!

Thanks again everyone!

Threads on this topic bring out NSC’s wise owls more than any other.
It is very interesting hearing people’s career paths and career changes.
Any more?

 

[Danny Wilson Said]

It’s only worth taking on a Mid life career overhaul if -
1 . You have a burning desire Or vocation to do a certain job. be a train driver , for example. You say you haven’t Though.
2. You have a plan to do something else that, all being well, will put you in an unquestionably better position once you’ve done the training and got necessary experience Etc. You don’t seem to be at this point yet.
3. You can Financially afford to take a massive gamble. A viable option for the 0.1% only.

Take heart in that If you truly hated your job, this wouldn’t be a decision. You’d have found something else by now.
You must like some of the benefits that come with your job, whatever they maybe. Can you pick out what they are and Consciously make more of them?

I’m not saying don’t do it. There are some inspiring stories of how a career change can work on this thread alone.
But with a recession on the way, the last Thing you want to do is replace one set of problems with another.

Point 3 is very important, and unless you're single, then along with that goes a supportive partner/spouse/significant other. If you can afford to make a move then do it because if you don't you'll always wonder what would have happened if ...

 

[neilbard]

Precious Patrick McKenzie MBE




He subsequently became a private consultant in the field of back injury prevention.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Any more?

Shop assistant - fishing tackle shop
Tea Boy - Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
Dive Instructor - Seychelles, Maldives, Hawaii
Accountant
COO
VP, Sales & Marketing
CEO (based in Japan)
Retired
CEO (based in Silicon Valley)
Retired
CEO (based in Boston)
Retired
CEO + NED/shadow NED of a few companies
Will probably "retire" from the exec stuff again in a couple of years, then get bored (again) and find another company

Bought and sold a few companies, IPO'd three, put one into administration; angel funded (alongside many other people) about 40 start-ups; bought into and exited restaurants; funded a theatre, 3 PhD students' research, and two charities from start-up through to break-even.

Not that exciting, but mostly really enjoyed myself along the way. Biggest work sadness: redundancy processes.

To the OP: glad you have a plan now - best of luck with it!

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

My point is, maybe the same role, but under different circumstances, might be a better fit for you? It seems a shame to waste all those years and that experience...maybe put it to work in a different way and you will feel differently?

Very good point.

I had worked in the same industry for pretty much of my working life. A few years ago I was somewhat bored - perhaps the job was no longer stretching me - perhaps it was too easy or I had become complacent. Perhaps I just resented making a lot of money for the owners of the Company.

One day, out of the blue I got made redundant.

Knowing no other industry I started a business doing the same thing as I'd always done - but because it was for myself/family I was keen and hungry again - driven.

I love it - if I F~*k up, I have no one else to blame but myself - but when it goes well, which thankfully most of the time it does - I enjoy the benefits.

Maybe you could look at staying within your industry, but working for yourself - you can't beat being your own boss!

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Mrs Bobkin was a children's nurse for years before having kids – her dream job and one that she loved every minute of. Then she took time off looking after her own kids and – for a number of reasons – never went back to nursing. Instead, she started a cake-making business, which has recently expanded to chocolate brownies and flapjacks because people a) weren't able to pick celebration cakes up and all the weddings got cancelled and b) weren't having big celebrations that required big cakes. She's mega busy – because the brownies and flapjacks can be easily sent in the post all over the UK and beyond – but loving running her own business.

It's never too late to try something new. I'm of the opinion that if you don't give it a go, you might always regret it. Plus, what's the worst that could happen?

Good luck

 

[nwgull]

Threads on this topic bring out NSC’s wise owls more than any other.
It is very interesting hearing people’s career paths and career changes.
Any more?

I didn't change career as such, but I did set up a business with three colleagues doing the same thing. That was 12 years ago and we now have 20 members of staff so we have all had to do a lot of on-the-job learning relating to finance, contracts, quality management and employment law.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

There is some much to consider with this topic.

I changed career at 28 [from motorcycles to office] and my office career evolved to eventfully become an IT project manager.
After many years, I too became stale of this. Fed up with the corporate cock being rammed up my ar$e.
My solution was to switch to contracting [in 2007] but the landscape for contracting is now quite different.
Contracting allowed me to create a better work-life balance whilst still maintaining the standard of living we [the household] were accustomed to.
In the last 13 years, I've worked about 60% of the time which has given me 4 years of "holiday" [I've called it semi-retirement as I was in my 50's].
I took a gap year - I also went to Africa to do charity work - I also spent 4 summers in a row fulfilling my "other job" as a cricket coach.

I would start by committing to paper a list of needs and wants - be careful to distinguish the difference - you need a roof over your head / provide for family / etc. but you might want a big house / Porsche / etc.
This will help you ascertain what you will need to earn to sustain your needs.
Then move forward from there ....
PM me if you need more details as I could write pages on this subject

 

[Weststander]

Very good point.

I had worked in the same industry for pretty much of my working life. A few years ago I was somewhat bored - perhaps the job was no longer stretching me - perhaps it was too easy or I had become complacent. Perhaps I just resented making a lot of money for the owners of the Company.

One day, out of the blue I got made redundant.

Knowing no other industry I started a business doing the same thing as I'd always done - but because it was for myself/family I was keen and hungry again - driven.

I love it - if I F~*k up, I have no one else to blame but myself - but when it goes well, which thankfully most of the time it does - I enjoy the benefits.

Maybe you could look at staying within your industry, but working for yourself - you can't beat being your own boss!

I love stories such as yours.

A similar story to mine, I’m in the same profession as when I was employed, but I reap all the rewards and I’m not answerable to anyone. It really is liberating. We weren’t designed to live in master and servant working relationships, although I realise that many have great bosses and do like being given direction in their daily lives.

For those who also dream of working for themselves, don’t listen to your inner demons or negative (“better the devil you know”) family/friends, plan it and do it anyway.

 

[basque seagull]

I was in catering for decades and loved it most of the time but when we moved to Abu Dhabi 10 years ago I decided I wanted to change so became a Teaching Assistant and absolutely loved it. Then bought a camera to go on holiday and fell in love with photography, I started photographing school events and doing the marketing photos and I am now a professional photographer which I never in a million years envisaged. I am now developing my film making and editing skills and this will be the next phase. I would suggest that if you are going for a career change make sure it is something you are passionate about.

ps I am 54 years old.

That is an incredible journey! Good luck!

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

I love stories such as yours.

A similar story to mine, I’m in the same profession as when I was employed, but I reap all the rewards and I’m not answerable to anyone. It really is liberating. We weren’t designed to live in master and servant working relationships, although I realise that many have great bosses and do like being given direction in their daily lives.

For those who also dream of working for themselves, don’t listen to your inner demons or negative (“better the devil you know”) family/friends, plan it and do it anyway.

I like your jib, and we often agree on various subjects on here. Being you're a long standing fan I expect we know each other (to nod to) we are of similar age and ideals. Life is for living, getting the best out of it you can, but it's to enjoy, to take the best out of each day. I also want to progress not monetary (added bonus) but fulfilment and the crux to be happy.

 

[Bry Nylon]

I’m interested in this thread. I’ll be redundant at the end of July and really feel like doing something totally different. The problem is that now isn’t the best time to be trying to convince a business to employ you in an area you have no experience in.

Sorry to hear that. What field of work are you in at the moment and what sort of different things appeal?

 

[Hu_Camus]

Now....I haven't read the stuff between your initial post and now.
I'd say if you're really unhappy in your PM job ( and I've some experience.... the highs of waking up 1 3 in the morning with a 'solution'....the shit of realising you're dead to the world at 4 in the afternoon).
No one can advise you. Take stock. How much would you have if you sold up ( really - no fannying about)
Its surprising what you can buy for your money elswhere....seriously.all I'm saying.
Lastly.....what's the worst that can happen, and prepare for it ...truly prepare.
Anything else is a bonus.
Best of luck and well done for choosing an anonymous forum.
I

 

[Vicar!]

16 years in banking, utterly, utterly, tedious. Managed to negotiate a redundancy, went back to college for a year and started again in the travel business. Still enjoying it as retirement calls. Had a wonderful career travelling with the job, though not as much as I would have liked. Best move I ever did.

 

[Garry Nelson's teacher]

Not a radical change, but I reached my early 50s thoroughly fed up with what I'd been doing (teaching in a failing FE college) for the previous 30 years and simply hanging on for retirement, treading water and being generally miserable. I took a punt at a change of employer in the roughly same line of business but with a long commute, and the need to wear a suit and be more 'corporate'. Bad news: I bloody hated it. Good news: it gave the confidence to move into what I really wanted to do, and I left after a year to get a foot at the lowest rung of the ladder in the next job, and then got lucky and climbed the ladder.

Both moves were a bit of a gamble, but as a generally risk-averse specimen, I'm so glad I did it.

 

[Machiavelli]

Not a radical change, but I reached my early 50s thoroughly fed up with what I'd been doing (teaching in a failing FE college) for the previous 30 years and simply hanging on for retirement, treading water and being generally miserable. I took a punt at a change of employer in the roughly same line of business but with a long commute, and the need to wear a suit and be more 'corporate'. Bad news: I bloody hated it. Good news: it gave the confidence to move into what I really wanted to do, and I left after a year to get a foot at the lowest rung of the ladder in the next job, and then got lucky and climbed the ladder.

Both moves were a bit of a gamble, but as a generally risk-averse specimen, I'm so glad I did it.

What are you now doing that's so fulfilling?

 

[zefarelly]

I started as a draughtsman, then design engineer, project engineer and project manager . . . . From 17-37, I then became a stay at home Dad running my own business restoring and tuning engines for 12 years. It suited us as a family for 8 -9 years while Zef jr was growing up but frankly it was as frustrating as it was infuriating. With a sound engineering background and a logical planing mind I tried doing things properly but continually got dragged down and beaten mentally and financially by a constant barrage of crooks c***s and down right criminally immoral ********. Motorsport is not Called the sport of the criminal classes for nothing. On the plus side, I have had the opportunity to drive a few nice cars at a few nice places, but it has taken its toll mentally, physically, and financially.

I am now back in a design project engineer Role, sensible salary and no stress. After 6 months I am just about ready to go back in the workshop to finish the car I’ve been trying to restore for the last 8 years!

Have a good think about what inspires you, what is feasible for a sensible income. If you’ve passed the peak of mortgage and kids then maybe you can afford to take a hit for a few years ? THere’s no easy answer, but a change is possible.

 

[Garry Nelson's teacher]

What are you now doing that's so fulfilling?

Now retired. The moves were in the same field (education - I'm a one trick pony) - first to the private sector and then onto a university. Same field but in many ways a different world and I loved it (mostly). It meant I finished my career doing something that I wanted to do rather than just treading water. I also realised the leverage that comes with working for a 'stronger brand' (apologies) - suddenly other doors opened up for me that had been slammed shut previously.
Hardly transformational: a change of organisational context - and aided by a slice of luck - but a positive experience.