Career Options for the Older Lady...
Discussion
A friend of mine is about to make a big life change, but she has no idea exactly which direction to go in... and I have found myself to be all but useless in offering any kind of decent advice. Anyone here got any insight into late career changes?
She is 47, has no children or "family ties" and has worked in the healthcare industry the last 20 years (not entirely sure what, but senior management type of role, important and paid well etc...) and is now extremely keen to make a big change. But, like me, isn't really sure what kinds of opportunities are out there for people at this point and with an impressive (but relatively one-dimensional career history).
She doesn't want anything "lifestyle" like a little tea rooms or some kind of entrepreneurship - I suggested retraining as a teacher but she hates children, although I'm not sure that's an issue...
I think what she wants is a second career where she can get trained relatively quickly and use her life experience to push ahead and get to a similarly senior place again. She has enough savings to stop work for 18 months to train but, again, no real direction.
Part of me thinks "mid-life crisis" but on the other hand, I think she really wants this but just can't find the right direction.
You need to hope she doesn’t find this thread where you’ve called her an ‘older lady’ at 47. 
It’s not unusual to fancy a career change. I spent many years in legal recruitment and often lawyers would tell me they were fed up and wanted a career change. The oddest one was a solicitor/partner of a firm of solicitors who gave it up to become an oven cleaner.
Sorry I don’t have any practical advice but I know what she’s going through.
It’s not unusual to fancy a career change. I spent many years in legal recruitment and often lawyers would tell me they were fed up and wanted a career change. The oddest one was a solicitor/partner of a firm of solicitors who gave it up to become an oven cleaner.
Sorry I don’t have any practical advice but I know what she’s going through.
From another older lady, who has changed careers a couple of times, and probably won’t stick to what I am doing all the way to retirement, there’s plenty of time yet.
Management skills and qualifications are always transferable.
Aside from that, if she can afford a salary drop, the world’s her oyster. She could go retrain or just go in somewhere at the bottom and work her way up.
What does she like doing? Indoors or outdoors? Dealing with people? Solitary? That’s probably a good place to start.
Management skills and qualifications are always transferable.
Aside from that, if she can afford a salary drop, the world’s her oyster. She could go retrain or just go in somewhere at the bottom and work her way up.
What does she like doing? Indoors or outdoors? Dealing with people? Solitary? That’s probably a good place to start.
desolate said:
If she is medically trained...
No medical training unfortunately.oldbanger said:
What does she like doing? Indoors or outdoors? Dealing with people? Solitary? That’s probably a good place to start.
I asked: "Earning well / feeling valued, indoors or out, with people is good but not customer facing..." Is there something she has seen missing in healthcare in the last 20 years which is a gap she could help fill e.g. specialist noise cancelling headphones for MRI, robot to move patients into perfect x ray position so radiographer can remain behind the screen, ?
Or be a consultant to other places as she will have seen how money can be wasted in healthcare and also how it can be well used
Or be a consultant to other places as she will have seen how money can be wasted in healthcare and also how it can be well used
To be honest, reading your replies to the suggestions made makes me think that she has a far too a narrow view on this.
47 is not old by any stretch of the imagination but she has to face up to the reality that it will take her two, maybe three years of training to learn a new skill / industry and will then be competing with people 20 / 25 years younger with the same qualifications and the same level of experience.... unless there's some direct transferable sector insight that applies but even then, if she's expecting to dip out, train then dip back in into a different sector at the same level she is now, she's going to be very disappointed.
The only thing I can think of that may tickle her fancy (!) that would fulfil her criteria is to become a commercial pilot. IIRC there is no upper age limit - the only criteria is having a class one medical / health level. But this would require a hefty investment - well over £120k - and employment opportunities once qualified will be limited as there will be pilots with 25 years plus experience out there.
47 is not old by any stretch of the imagination but she has to face up to the reality that it will take her two, maybe three years of training to learn a new skill / industry and will then be competing with people 20 / 25 years younger with the same qualifications and the same level of experience.... unless there's some direct transferable sector insight that applies but even then, if she's expecting to dip out, train then dip back in into a different sector at the same level she is now, she's going to be very disappointed.
The only thing I can think of that may tickle her fancy (!) that would fulfil her criteria is to become a commercial pilot. IIRC there is no upper age limit - the only criteria is having a class one medical / health level. But this would require a hefty investment - well over £120k - and employment opportunities once qualified will be limited as there will be pilots with 25 years plus experience out there.
StevieBee said:
47 is not old by any stretch of the imagination
When you are looking for employment in a completely new sector, it really is, unless lollipop lady is your preferred option. These days it's quite old even when looking for a new job in the same sector. Maybe that shouldn't be the case, but it is. TwigtheWonderkid said:
StevieBee said:
47 is not old by any stretch of the imagination
When you are looking for employment in a completely new sector, it really is, unless lollipop lady is your preferred option. These days it's quite old even when looking for a new job in the same sector. Maybe that shouldn't be the case, but it is. TwigtheWonderkid said:
When you are looking for employment in a completely new sector, it really is, unless lollipop lady is your preferred option. These days it's quite old even when looking for a new job in the same sector. Maybe that shouldn't be the case, but it is.
Once you hit your late 40s, that’s it, you’re going to be in the same role for another 15 to 20 years? oldbanger said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
When you are looking for employment in a completely new sector, it really is, unless lollipop lady is your preferred option. These days it's quite old even when looking for a new job in the same sector. Maybe that shouldn't be the case, but it is.
Once you hit your late 40s, that’s it, you’re going to be in the same role for another 15 to 20 years? 
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