Why Changing Careers Midlife May Be The Best Decision You Ever Make

Are you feeling stuck in your current job? Do you feel like you’re not living up to your full potential?

Well, I’m here to tell you it’s never too late for a career change! In fact, changing careers midlife can be a HUGE advantage and it is way more common than you might think. 

First, let’s take a look at some statistics. According to a report by the Pew Research Center, 43% of workers have changed careers at least once in their lifetime, and more than half of those who did so did it after age 45. 

So, if you’re feeling like you’re the only one considering a mid-career change, you’re not alone! 

Maybe you feel like it’s too late to start over. Maybe you think your age will work against you. Or that you don’t have the energy or time you had when you first started. 

Maybe a lack of confidence is holding you back, or a fear of needing to develop new skills and experience all over again. 

If that’s how you feel, then this article is for you. It’s never too late to start over or pursue something you’re passionate about. 

And I’m here to show you how to begin. 

Meet Vera and Julia

Changing careers midlife can be scary, and so it’s helpful to know this road has been walked before—and successfully. 

Let me share two such stories with you. 

Meet Vera

The first story is about a woman named Vera. 

Vera was a competitive figure skater. And she was good. She trained for the 1968 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and dreamed of one day making it to the Olympic team. 

But it was rough on her too. 

Vera said, “I was trying to manage school and training for the Olympics and ended up not doing well at either. That was a big lesson in my life.”

When she failed to make the Olympic team, it seemed like her dreams and her career might be falling into ashes. 

Vera didn’t give up. In fact, she turned to another career entirely: fashion. 

At the age of 23, Vera started working at Vogue magazine as an assistant to the fashion editor. She quickly climbed the ranks and eventually became the senior fashion editor. Then, after 15 years at Vogue, Vera left to become the design director for Ralph Lauren’s women’s accessories line. 

It wasn’t until the age of 40 that Vera decided to make another massive career transition. She decided to launch her own fashion line. She started by designing wedding gowns, which became an instant success. 

Today, her brand includes ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, fragrances, and even home goods. You might have heard of her. Her full name is Vera Wang, and she has become an icon in the fashion and style industry.

Vera Wang’s success shows that it’s not too late to change careers and pursue your passions. You don’t have to have it all figured out in your 20s or 30s. It’s okay to take your time and explore different paths until you find the one that’s right for you. 

As Vera said, “Do something you really love.  It doesn’t matter what it is: being a mom, teaching, whatever you love.  If you love it, it’ll get you through the hard times, and if you don’t, it’s not authentic or real anyway.”

Meet Julia

The second story is about a woman named Julia.

Julia had a career that was, by all accounts, interesting, exciting, and important. She worked for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II, where she worked as a researcher and top-secret document writer. 

However, at the age of 36, Julia decided to make a massive career change and pursue her love of…guess what?

Cooking. 

Yes, cooking. Julia had always been passionate about food and cooking, but she had never taken it seriously as a career. That all changed when she and her husband moved to France, and she fell in love with French cuisine. She enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris, where she honed her skills and became a master chef. 

After completing her training, Julia and two other women wrote a cookbook called Mastering the Art of French Cooking” which became a bestseller and launched Julia’s career as a cooking show host. She went on to host several cooking shows on television, including The French Chef, which aired for over a decade. 

You might know her today as Julia Childs.

As Julia said with her iconic sense of humor: “I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.”

Vera and Julia didn’t let their previous careers, their age, or even their lack of formal training hold them back. Vera never had formal design training before she moved from Vogue and Ralph Lauren to start her own clothing line. Instead, she used her eye for fashion and her experience in the industry to create her own unique style. 

And Julia changed industries completely! She got her culinary training later in life and followed her passion, worked hard, and took risks, which ultimately led to her success. 

It’s never too late to pursue your dreams and make a career change. You will have to take some risks and work hard but the payoff is so worth it. If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your current career, take inspiration from Vera Wang and Julia Child. 

Take the leap and trust that a net will appear.

Most importantly, get started!

But how do I even begin?

If you find yourself wondering how to even get started, you’re not alone. Maybe you feel like you don’t have the experience, the time, or the energy to make a career change. Maybe you don’t even know what sort of career you want to move into! 

If that’s the case, don’t worry. It’s not as hard to begin as it might seem right now. 

👉 Self-reflection and assessment. The first step to changing careers is to take a hard look at yourself and assess what you really want out of a career. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you enjoy doing? What are your values and priorities? By answering these questions honestly, you can identify careers that align with your interests and skills. 

👉 Research new careers. Once you’ve identified a few potential career paths, it’s time to research them thoroughly. Look into job requirements, salary expectations, and growth opportunities. Reach out to people in those fields and ask for informational interviews or job shadowing opportunities. The more you know about a career, the better equipped you’ll be to make an informed decision. 

👉 Skill-building and education. If you’re considering a career that requires new skills or education, don’t let that hold you back. There are many ways to gain new skills and knowledge, such as taking online courses, attending workshops, or going back to school. Consider pursuing a degree or certification in your desired field to give you a competitive edge. 

👉 Networking and mentorship. Networking and mentorship can be crucial when making a career change. Connect with professionals in your desired field and ask for advice and guidance. 

Join professional organizations, attend industry events, and connect with people on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Seek out a mentor or career coach (like moi!) who can offer guidance and support. And remember, I’m always here to help too.

Remember, it’s never too late to make a change. Don’t be afraid to take a risk and pursue your passions. Who knows, you may just find your dream job and a whole new sense of fulfillment and happiness. 

Benefits of Changing Careers Midlife

We both know the benefits of changing careers to something you really love can be life-changing. But did you know there are actually advantages to changing careers midlife as opposed to when you’re younger and less experienced? 

Here are just a few reasons why taking the leap now might be the best decision you ever make: 

⚡ More life experience. By the time you reach midlife, you’ve gained a wealth of life experience that can be incredibly valuable in a new career. You have developed strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a level of maturity that younger professionals may not have. All of these qualities can make you an asset to any organization. Your hard and soft skills are probably of far higher quality than most candidates! 

⚡ A clearer sense of priorities. By the time you’ve been working for a while, you have a better sense of what you want out of a career. You know what is important to you and what you’re willing to compromise on. This can help you make better decisions when it comes to choosing a new career path. 

⚡ More financial stability. When you’re young, you may not have the financial stability to take risks or invest in education and training for a new career. By midlife, you may have paid off more debt, saved up some money, and have a better idea of your financial situation. This can give you the freedom to pursue a new career without as much worry about finances. 

⚡ A higher salary. You have the advantage of seniority and experience, which you can use to negotiate a higher wage—even if you are just transferring your soft skills to a new workplace! Think about it—you’ve likely been working for several years, maybe decades. You have valuable skills and knowledge that can transfer to a new career. Plus, you have a proven track record of success in the workforce. These are all things that employers value and can be used to your advantage. 

⚡ More confidence and sense of worth. As you get older, your experience and confidence often increase, giving you leverage and a healthy degree of assertion in the workplace. This can be a powerful tool when negotiating salary and benefits, or interviewing for a new job entirely! You know your worth and you’re not afraid to ask for what you deserve.

⚡ A fresh perspective. Changing careers later in life can bring a fresh perspective to your work. You’re not as likely to fall into old habits or get stuck in a rut. You can approach your new career with a sense of excitement and curiosity, which can help you learn and grow in new and unexpected ways. 

⚡ Fresh motivation. When you’re young, you don’t know how fast time flies. It’s easy to start a job you’re not really passionate about in your twenties, thinking, “One day, I’ll shift to something I really enjoy.” But then fast forward twenty or thirty years, and you’re still not where you want to be. Instead of thinking, Well it’s too late for me now, realize that twenty or thirty years from now, you’ll probably be looking back at where you are in life now and thinking, “I wish I had started twenty years ago.” Where do you want to be twenty years from now? Start making those changes because you know how fast time goes, and take the leap!

Older You will thank you. 

Overcoming the Obstacles of a Midlife Career Change

Changing careers in midlife can be an exciting and fulfilling adventure (especially if you approach it with the right attitude). But like any adventure, it will come with some obstacles along the way. Here are some of the most common obstacles you may face when considering a career change later in life, and some tips for overcoming them. 

📌 Fear of the unknown. It’s natural to feel a bit scared when making a big change, especially when it comes to your career. The key is to acknowledge your fear and take steps to conquer it. Start by researching your new career field and talking to people who work in it. The more you know, the less scary it will seem. 

📌 Lack of confidence. Changing careers can be a blow to your confidence, especially if you’re starting at the bottom of the ladder again. The key is to remember that you have skills and experience that will be valuable in your new career. Make a list of your strengths and accomplishments and refer to it often to remind yourself of what you bring to the table. 

📌 Financial concerns. Even though you might be more financially stable than you were in your twenties, changing careers can still create more of a financial burden. It may require additional education or training, or the transition process could make the budget a little tight. It’s important to create a plan for how you will finance your transition. 

Don’t be blindsided by what a career transition can mean for your bank account and plan accordingly. Look into scholarships, grants, or other financial assistance that may be available to you. And use your years of experience to your advantage to negotiate a higher salary! 

📌 Lack of support from family and friends. Sometimes, the people closest to us can be the biggest obstacles to our success. If your family or friends are not supportive of your career change, it’s important to have a frank conversation with them about why this is important to you. If they still don’t support you, seek out a community of like-minded individuals who will encourage and uplift you. 

Remember, obstacles can feel scary but they are also opportunities to grow and learn. Don’t let fear, lack of confidence, financial concerns, or unsupportive people hold you back from pursuing your dreams. With determination, hard work, and a positive attitude, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve your goals. 

In Conclusion…

If you still find yourself daydreaming about a job that brings you more joy and fulfillment, it's time for you to change careers. You’re not alone, and it’s not too late for you! 

Many women change careers later in life, and they’ve found great success and satisfaction from doing so. Just look at Vera Wang, who switched from figure skating to fashion design, or Julia Childs, who started her culinary career in her forties. Use these stories as your inspiration and get started!  

Be bold, be brave, and be yourself. Your dream career could be waiting for you! 

And remember, I’m here for you, every step of the way. 

👇🏽 Tyche Takeaways 👇🏽 

• You can change careers at any age, no matter how old you are. 
• Successful examples of midlife career changes include Vera Wang and Julia Childs. Use these stories as your inspiration! 
• Midlife career changers have an advantage over younger career changers because they have a better sense of themselves and their priorities, as well as greater experience, financial stability, and more skills. 
• Obstacles to changing careers midlife can include fear of the unknown, lack of confidence, financial concerns, and lack of support from family and friends. 
• Overcoming these obstacles can be done through self-reflection and assessment, researching new careers, skill-building and education, and networking and mentorship. 
• Don’t let age or others’ expectations hold you back from pursuing your dream career. Be bold, be brave, and be yourself!