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According to a 2014 job satisfaction survey by The Conference Board, over half of all Americans are unhappy with their current job. While younger workers may be quick to make a change, workers over the age of 50 may feel that the only choice they have is to stick it out until retirement. A common misconception exists that after a certain age it’s too late to make a career change. Quite the opposite is true, however. With the average age of retirement rising, many people over 50 may have 15, 20, or even 30 years of working life left in them, and some choose to spend the remainder of their working years in a new career.
People age 50 and over are in a unique position to have plenty of workforce experience to bring to a new career, while still being able to obtain the knowledge they need to take on something new. This guidebook walks you through the process of changing careers over the age of 50, including how to get started, where to get additional training, and what types of careers might be right for you.
What constitutes a career change? Even the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics isn’t quite sure. A career change can be dramatic, like a lawyer becoming a tugboat captain, or more subtle, like a teacher becoming a corporate trainer.
The Responsibility Thats Added When Youre Going To Open Your Own Business
Many times when people discover new passions later in life that transitions into opening ones own business. While being your own boss sounds amazing for someone at age 50, becoming a business owner with absolutely no experience can be incredibly daunting.
Taking online or in person classes might be the way to go in order to ensure success. Of course, the feasibility and necessity of taking business classes varies on a case by case basis. But no matter your situation, Civiletto recommends that all new business owners hire a trusted accountant in order to avoid drastic mistakes in the first few years of business.
New Challenges Are New Opportunities
It may seem like new challenges are the last thing you want to be dealing with. However its important for our wellbeing that we continue to learn and grow, and a new role can help us do just that. By changing careers, youll learn new skills that you didnt have the opportunity to discover in your previous job.
Maybe youve always worked in IT, so havent had much of a chance to develop face to face communication skills, or vice versa. A new role may also mean you have the chance to learn new life skills, like using social media.
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Do You Have A Passion You Never Exploited
The chances are that you already know someone who wanted to be a doctor or firefighter since they were a kidand today, they are successful in their professions. However, sometimes, life brings us to something else and distracts us from our original goal.
If you have just become fond of something during previous years, this is your chance to follow it. In many cases, having a passion or interest can be an excellent starting point for this personal journey.
You should always ensure that there is still space for the activity you are passionate about in todays fast-changing market.
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Career Change Ideas With No Degree
Experience has a greater advantage over education in some occupations. A lot of these jobs have competitive pay and lots of room for advancement, which makes them great choices for careers.
Whether you’re looking for a new job or a career move, we’ve uncovered some easy career changes that pay well without a degree:
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Why Start A New Career At 50
Perhaps you are not happy with your career now, so you want to look at other options available to you. Maybe you are not earning enough or there is a lack of work-life balance, which is the number one reason why people change careers. Whatever your reason is, a career transition at 50 is still worth the consideration.
According to Indeed, at 50, youre already aware of where your passions lie, which helps you to find more rewarding or fulfilling career options. Moreover, you have access to career resources, both tangible and intangible, to make effective career decisions. You have time, money, and transferable skills for a vertical career change or to attend tech courses and training if that is what you are interested in.
Start Journaling To Get Organized
Now that you are on track to build a bulletproof routine, it is time to start writing down all the to-do items that have been accumulated. While in the past you would just write it everywhere, you should consider investing in a Journal.
You will find all makes, brands, and models online. And, some of them are extremely affordable too.
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Determine What You Need
Once you’ve landed on a few careers that ignite your interest, consider what it’s going to take to transition to one of them.
Depending on the career, there may be certifications, degrees, or endorsements that are either necessary or would make you a more competitive job candidate. Find out exactly what kind of qualifications are expected by looking at recent job postings, and also speak with people working in the career to find out what additional expertise they recommend. If you’ve already got your bachelor’s degree, you may only need a certification for certain jobs. For example, while associate and bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies are available, someone with a bachelor’s degree can study for a paralegal certificate in a year or less.
Where to start:
O*Net Online: Learn deep information for thousands of jobs, including education level of those currently employed in the career credentials required and/or available.
Jobs For Older People With No Experience Or No Degree
It can be intimidating to apply for a job when you feel like the other candidates are all younger than you. You might also feel behind on the current technology, or feel that your skill set is outdated. Maybe you dont have a traditional college degree. These things shouldnt keep you from getting a job you love.
In this article, were providing lists of potential career paths that frequently hire older workers, and dont always require a degree or past experience to be considered a qualified candidate. Dont let your age or background keep you back. Lets jump in and find your next career adventure!
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Signs You Need A Career Change At 50
When do you know its time to change careers? Just like when youre coming down with a cold, therell be signs and symptoms. Once you feel or experience these signs, thats the time to jump ship.
- You feel detached from work, your company, and your colleagues. You cant remember the last time you were enthusiastic about what you were doing.
- Work has become monotonous, every day is the same, and you feel you are no longer making any impact or that youre undervalued.
- Every day, you feel like you have to drag yourself out of bed just to go to work.
- Even if youre paid well, you feel like your salary is insufficient to make up for your discontentment.
- Your personal life is suffering. You cant sleep, youre exhausted, and you cant attend to your time with family or for other personal relationships.
How To Change Careers Without Going Back To School
If youre thinking about changing careers, but you dont want to spend the time and money to get a new degree, heres some good news: its entirely possible to change careers without going back to school. You just need to assess where you are right now and make some realistic plans for the future.
The average person changes jobs 10 to 15 times over the course of their career the median number of years an employee with their employer was 4.1 years in January 2020. The Department of Labor doesnt track how often people change to an entirely new career, howeverand the reason why will give you hope for your own career change.
In short, the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesnt track career changes because theres no real consensus about what it means to change careers. Why? Because many of these transitions are subtle, gradual shifts, not abrupt leaps into the unknown. You dont need to change your working life entirely, all at once, to embark on a new career path.
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Best Resources For A Career Change
The great thing about making a career change at 40 is that there are plenty of resources out there to help you figure out what your next steps should be.
You dont need to have a degree in order to make the switchmany people have switched careers without one.
However, if you feel lost or unsure of where to start, pursuing formal education in your desired field may give you the boost you need.
Here are some online resources that can help you get inspired:
You do not have to feel lost. The resources you have now in this digital age can help you find your way. Career changers have been finding their paths for years before the internet. There are many books, articles, and programs that you can access to help make this change less daunting.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for making a career change at 40 with no degree. But if you take your time, do your research, and stay positiveyou can achieve anything.
The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you havent found it yet, keep looking. Dont settle.
Steve Jobs
Understand Why You Want To Change Career
Not all mature professionals reasons for switching careers are the same. Indeed, there can be several fueling factors that encourage someone to pick a different job or go back to learning.
Understanding the reason behind the choice is essential to identify what is the right direction to take. Even more importantly, your goal gives you an indication of what the viable alternatives are and what options you should discard.
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The Excitement Of Something New
Whatever the reason behind your change in direction, you have a wonderful opportunity to embrace something new and exciting. With many active years ahead of you, its never too late to find a rewarding new career.
Many of the skills you have acquired in previous positions will be transferable but if there are gaps in your knowledge, you can always go back to school to obtain a qualification in a field that interests you.
And remember you have the experience and maturity thats going to make you a very attractive candidate for prospective employers.
Good luck with your next adventure!
Have you recently made a career change? Or are you thinking about doing so? Wed love to hear from you! Join the conversation over on the Rest Less community forum, or leave a comment below.
You Have A Clearer Idea Of What You Want From A Job
Older people often have the self-awareness to know what they seek from a career. According to Cynthia Corsetti, a career transition expert:
In our society, we make our first career choice when we are 19 or 20 and choose our college major. Many people work in that career for 30 years, but they never feel fulfilled or energized.
She adds:
Such people dont feel as if their life has a purpose. Changing careers once youre 50 is a different game altogether. You know what you want to leave as your legacy, you know what you want to give back to the world.
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Volunteer Or Spend Time Building Your Portfolio
Some professions, like graphic or interior design, may not require a degree but could require a portfolio. Where it makes sense, volunteer for a charitable organization or offer people in your network free services in exchange for the chance to build a portfolio. It is always best to have a digital copy of your portfolio as well as a physical one. In some cases, it may be easier to send that to a potential employer.
Changing Careers At 50 Without A Degree: A Comprehensive Guide
David B.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos
Today, more and more people are thinking about changing careers as they grow older. Leaving the boring office job behind and making a fresh start is what many of us dream of. We often hear inspiring stories about 50-year-old accountants or bankers who quit their jobs to become designers, photographers, or someone else. Those people claim that a new career at 50 made them truly happy.
So, why not try and take a risk? Of course, its more difficult to decide on such a crucial step when job seekers get older. Is there a way to get over your worries and start your career with a clean slate? Read on our tips will help you make the right decision.
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Finalize Your Plan Make It Happen
Once youve determined what you need to do to make the switch, turn those tasks into concrete action plans and accompanying organization. Make short and long term goals as to what you want to accomplish, and give them a completion date. Also attach rough dates to each action item you need to accomplish to make your successful career change, and keep everything organized. Your plan may include:
- A list of contacts
- A recordkeeping system to record who youve contacted and what you send them
- A file for your resume, portfolio, and other materials for self-marketing opportunities
- Dates for targeted marketing, job fairs, informational interviews, networking events, webinars, etc.
- Dates for skill building, seminars, workshops, volunteering, classes, certification and more
Where to start:
This site offers a plethora of job search organization tools, including setting up email alerts, applying for jobs, searching for jobs and more
Government Jobs People Over 50
People over 50 are participating in the workforce. Governments recognize the value of a mature workforce and the experience a seasoned person can bring to the job. The best government jobs for people over 50 are
- Mediators in the court system
- Veteran Affair Administration
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
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Pros Of Changing Careers At 50
- Youll get a fresh start. If youre stuck in a job you hate, or if youve been doing the same thing for years and youre just plain burned out, this could be a great time for you to start something new. It can be really exciting and refreshing to have a clean slate.
- Youll be happier . Lets be real: Your job has a huge impact on your well-being. If you have a case of the Sunday Scaries every week and dread going to work on Monday, it will definitely take a toll on you. On the flip side, when youre doing something youre passionate about, youll experience true joy !
- Sooner is better than later. Sure, you might feel like its late in the game to change careersbut in the grand scheme of things, you still have plenty of time to make a valuable impact. And itll be a lot easier to do it now than it would be later on!
- You have experience to bring to the table. One of the huge benefits of being in your 50s is the amount of work experience youve built up over the yearswhich most companies should think of as an asset.
Architectural And Engineering Manager
Job description: Provides guidance and management of technical, architectural, and engineering projects to ensure effective coordination and integration of architectural and engineering project specifications.
Degree Requirement: A degree in engineering and an advanced degree in architecture is usually needed for this position.
Remote Availability: Yes
Average salary: $193K. Range: $159K-$237K
Related job positions:
- Director of Engineering
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Computer And Information Systems Manager
Job description: A computer and information systems manager oversees and implements a companys computer-related activities, tasks, and requirements, including IT needs, information security, and related budgets.
Degree Requirement: A degree in computer science or information technology is needed.
Remote Availability: Yes
Average salary: $172K. Range: $111K-$268K
Related job positions:
- IT Senior Manager
Changing Careers Over : The Best Decision Youll Ever Make
Changing careers is daunting at any age, especially when you already have a successful career. But with transferable skills, work experience and life experience, switching careers may be easier than you think!
If youre considering a career change but are unsure whether its right for you, weve got you covered. Weve compiled a list of why changing careers over 50 is a great idea, what you need to do to get prepared and some of the best jobs you could dive into.
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What Is The Highest
The highest-paying job without a degree is that of a commercial pilot, which was found to have a median annual wage of $121,430. The only education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, although all commercial pilots will need training and to earn their commercial pilots license before being able to start the job. Below is a list including 19 other careers that pay well and dont require a college education.
20 Jobs That Earn the Highest Annual Salaries Without a Degree
