Career change at 40?
Discussion
Im soon to be made redudant after 14 years at the same company in the same role. I work in IT and while I have the experience I feel way behind even 5 years into IT. I dont have any recent IT qualifications either. Ive literally been helpdesk for 20 years! I don't have a degree.
Thinking of a career change but to what? Have a family so dont want to work away or weekends or shifts.
Im happy to start at the bottom on minimum wage. This would cover my outgoings at least!
Thinking of a career change but to what? Have a family so dont want to work away or weekends or shifts.
Im happy to start at the bottom on minimum wage. This would cover my outgoings at least!
Of course you can change career at 40.
I was made redundant at 50 during covid.
Friend offered me a bit of labouring work, which led to me working with a group of commercial electricians.
Had a chat with them about doing my sparkie exams, and here i am 4 years later with the level 3 under my belt, plus the 18th wiring regs. Should get my gold card in the next year.
Yes i’ll be 56, but having a blast and looking forward to every day.
Yes, the pay was pants for the first year or so, and yes, it meant dragging myself to evening classes for 3 years.
But please don’t think you aren’t worthy.
The best bit was not having sat ‘A’ levels in the past, the government paid for my tuition. 😀
I was made redundant at 50 during covid.
Friend offered me a bit of labouring work, which led to me working with a group of commercial electricians.
Had a chat with them about doing my sparkie exams, and here i am 4 years later with the level 3 under my belt, plus the 18th wiring regs. Should get my gold card in the next year.
Yes i’ll be 56, but having a blast and looking forward to every day.
Yes, the pay was pants for the first year or so, and yes, it meant dragging myself to evening classes for 3 years.
But please don’t think you aren’t worthy.
The best bit was not having sat ‘A’ levels in the past, the government paid for my tuition. 😀
I changed at 40 after 23 years working Monday to Friday in Financial Services. Went to lorry driving. Work 4 on 4 off, but I like the extra 2 months a year of not working :-) You have to be selective with jobs though, but I got lucky, been at same place since I passed my test nearly 4 years ago, home after every shift and about £15k a year more than I was getting in my previous career, for way less work and stress. I was home based for 8 years in my previous career and hardly ever switched off mentally, now I hardly ever switch on.
CraigNewmarket said:
Im soon to be made redudant after 14 years at the same company in the same role. I work in IT and while I have the experience I feel way behind even 5 years into IT. I dont have any recent IT qualifications either. Ive literally been helpdesk for 20 years! I don't have a degree.
Thinking of a career change but to what? Have a family so dont want to work away or weekends or shifts.
Im happy to start at the bottom on minimum wage. This would cover my outgoings at least!
What interests do you have ?Thinking of a career change but to what? Have a family so dont want to work away or weekends or shifts.
Im happy to start at the bottom on minimum wage. This would cover my outgoings at least!
Where do you want to work, indoors/outdoors ?
How far are you willing to commute ?
CraigNewmarket said:
Im soon to be made redudant after 14 years at the same company in the same role. I work in IT and while I have the experience I feel way behind even 5 years into IT. I dont have any recent IT qualifications either. Ive literally been helpdesk for 20 years! I don't have a degree.
Thinking of a career change but to what? Have a family so dont want to work away or weekends or shifts.
Im happy to start at the bottom on minimum wage. This would cover my outgoings at least!
Yes, I think (hope!) it s definitely possible to make a successful change at 40. Thinking of a career change but to what? Have a family so dont want to work away or weekends or shifts.
Im happy to start at the bottom on minimum wage. This would cover my outgoings at least!
I turn 40 next year and have been planning for the last 4-5 years to make a career change. I ll be staying in the same sector (construction) but aiming to become a chartered building surveyor, rather than working for a materials manufacturer as I have done for the past 12 years. I started a building surveying degree 4 years ago and all being well, will graduate next year.
My (planned) move has been quite intentional and strategic and I put a lot of thought into what I wanted to do and how to get there and the opportunities once chartered/experienced combined with my existing background. At 40, you still have 25+ years of working life to go, so I don t think it s too late to take stock, think about what you really want to do, what you enjoy, what pays, what will have some longevity and take action to get there. Do some research and write job options down, what s feasible, what’s needed, the pros/cons etc. Even it takes a few years until you re say 45 to reach your desired profession there s still 20+ years of working in it to go!
What did you learn in the last 14 years and where else could it be applied i.e. what are your portable skills? I changed career at 56 and found that a side duty in my main job was highly prized in another industry so i was able to swap careers, got a much better job and didn't have to work my way up for the bottom.
I did exactly this. Decided a career change and started right back at the bottom, also without the financial back up of savings/assets etc. it was a gamble but I turned what was a hobby and a passion into a new career. Now in the morning I no longer have to go to work, I spend most of the week doing things I love and somebody pays me at the end of each month 
Think about your hobbies, passions and interest, find one that has an associated job and just go for it. If you don't mind starting back at the bottom, you can do so many things.
Think about your hobbies, passions and interest, find one that has an associated job and just go for it. If you don't mind starting back at the bottom, you can do so many things.
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