Anyone had a major career change in their 50s?

[PoohBears#1fan]

I'm loosely contemplating a major career change, it's a bit of a pipe dream and recently I just thought, why not, it's now or never!

Despite a signifiant career break for 16 years while my kids were young where I turned an exercise hobby (obsession) into a career and worked in the fitness industry as well as running a jewellery franchise around them, I've nursed since 1990, I love nursing, don't get me wrong and love my role, manager, team, hospital etc. so part of me thinks I'd be insane to give that up.

But it's now or never isn't it, you only live once, I know I'm not revealing what I'm thinking of, but I have an interview this week and don't want to jinx myself, still not 100% sure I'll go for it even if offered, it would mean a major pay cut, more hours and far more disruption to our lives (which isn't an issue now it's just the 2 of us), but would benefit us in other ways, and if it doesn't work, then I can walk away / go back to nursing.

Just interested if anyone else has made such a big change at this kind of age and how it worked out for you?

[SgtElias]

I’ve mentioned mine on another thread of a similar subject.

I had worked in banking / financial advice / investment management for 30 years, loved the interaction with the clients, hated all the corporate BS, KPIs, monthly meetings, performance reviews, inept management and also how being woke / inclusive was being, in my opinion, forced onto us by senior management who wanted to tick all the right boxes.

Anyway, I’m 56 and get made redundant, first reaction is relief to be honest, then what am I going to do, youngest DD age 20 says “dad, just retire, enjoy yourself, your never going to look back in your life and think, I wish I had done more hours and years at work” she was right, so I did nothing work wise for around 18 months, then a bit of boredom set in, so through a friend, I heard about passenger escort roles.

Lots of youngsters struggle at main stream school for various reasons, and end up in approved / special needs schools, where I live, these are out of town, so I get picked up by a taxi at 8:10 every morning, pick our lad up, chat away with him, drop him off, I’m away about an hour, same process at 3pm to pick him up, take him home. I get £30 a day for 2 hours work, term time only and none of the stuff I mentioned above like KPIs etc, I love it.

My basic salary at the bank was £50,000 plus generous bonuses, Bupa, nice car etc

I might make £6,000 in this role, but my god I’m do much happier and relaxed, loads of time for my hobbies, interests, trips away.

DO IT ! You will not regret it.

[sha9]

I think if you can make a change and not be too worse off financially then go for it. Working in healthcare right now is incredibly stressful and to be honest if I hadn’t stretched myself to living within my salary I’d be considering it. Unfortunately the more I earn the more I commit to so I’d need a lottery win!
I know loads of people who went at 55 because they could and they all seem so much happier for it. Some of them are doing part time hours, other have left healthcare entirely. I’ve not met one who has regretted it.

[HORSE]

Originally Posted by PoohBears#1fan

I'm loosely contemplating a major career change, it's a bit of a pipe dream and recently I just thought, why not, it's now or never!

Despite a signifiant career break for 16 years while my kids were young where I turned an exercise hobby (obsession) into a career and worked in the fitness industry as well as running a jewellery franchise around them, I've nursed since 1990, I love nursing, don't get me wrong and love my role, manager, team, hospital etc. so part of me thinks I'd be insane to give that up.

But it's now or never isn't it, you only live once, I know I'm not revealing what I'm thinking of, but I have an interview this week and don't want to jinx myself, still not 100% sure I'll go for it even if offered, it would mean a major pay cut, more hours and far more disruption to our lives (which isn't an issue now it's just the 2 of us), but would benefit us in other ways, and if it doesn't work, then I can walk away / go back to nursing.

Just interested if anyone else has made such a big change at this kind of age and how it worked out for you?

See more...

Not a career change but I took the decision to retire at 50, that was 12 years ago and I haven’t regretted a minute of it. The freedom and time to do whatever you want is irreplaceable & because we were still fairly young you’re fit enough to do anything you want. We travelled all over the USA and went to major events that we wouldn’t have done when the kids were young. They were in their late 20’s by then and sometimes they did their own thing & sometimes we all went together. Not everybody gets the chance to stop working so young & not everybody would chose to even if they could but it was definitely the right decision for us.
I hope you enjoy whatever you decide to do next

[Bootrip2]

I would say 'GO For IT', as others have said life is too short. i took early retirement from NHS in April, with lots of worries etc of how much my life would change and it really has been for the better. I am 56 and will probably go back on NHSP bank work, to work when it suits me (my former works have already been in touch asking if I would consider going back to help out!). I feel much happier as I am now fulltime carer for my DD, who has lots of anxiety issues etc so I can be there for her, but can also dip into and out of work as will suit me and the family, I am thinking of going back September time for a few hours a week. Anyone working in any role in Healthcare at the moment seems to be completely nearing burning out with the last two years and I know that it has made alot of us re-think things.

Good luck with your decision and opportunities - grab them while you can! x

[mobeckwith]

I am interested to find out what the new career could be, I also work in healthcare in my 50,s so best of luck with the interview.

[colzo100]

I’ll be retiring from my current job in a couple of years aged 50.

I’m seriously considering trying to get a job as airline cabin crew. No idea how easy or difficult it will be to get a job as cabin crew as a 50 year old male!

Life’s too short so go for it!

[smithlane]

I’m nearly 40 and have recently taken the plunge for a complete career change which I’ve spoken about on here before.
I’m semi leaving my job in beauty and am joining BA to be cabin crew. It’s been a long process but I finally have my start date for September 26th.
I naively thought I would be one of the eldest and surrounded by youngsters in their early 20’s but I couldn’t have been more wrong!
In my training group there is a lady who is 60 this year. Worked in education for her entire career, didn’t want to retire, loves to travel so went for it! We also have a 51 and 46 year old.
If it’s something you want to do and can afford the wage drop then go for it!
I’m trying to live by the mantra to regret the things I did and not the things I didn’t 😊

[smithlane]

Originally Posted by colzo100

I’ll be retiring from my current job in a couple of years aged 50.

I’m seriously considering trying to get a job as airline cabin crew. No idea how easy or difficult it will be to get a job as cabin crew as a 50 year old male!

Life’s too short so go for it!

See more...

Not sure what airline you would want to work for but I can promise you that BA are very inclusive and have staff of all ages and backgrounds!

[Michyloulou]

Hi Jo, which role do you think you’ll be happier in? If it’s the new role then i’d go for it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Personally i’d worked for a Private Healthcare company for nearly 20 years before being made redundant (which co-incided with me starting maternity leave with my youngest DD). I then have 5 years at home with her (fortunately we were able to survive on my husband’s salary at this point, just about!). Around this time I both needed and wanted to return to work but without the long commute i’d previously had (albeit 3 days a week as we already had 3 children at that point). Mornings & evenings were stressful on the days I worked and I felt shattered. I’d previously (way back) worked in a school when i’d done work experience at college, so decided on this route. Initially no schools nearby were recruiting, so I volunteered at my children’s school, initially on a p/time basis…..after the first term they asked me if i’d be willing to increase my volunteered hours. For the rest of the year I worked full time (obviously unpaid) but I think it truly helped having a foot in the door when a vacancy finally arose. I still work there now (employed) and am at the stage where youngest DD who is in Year 6 is leaving to go to Secondary school in September, so for the first time I will be going there without any of my children in tow. It’s obviously doesn’t pay very well, but the benefits of not having childcare fees in the holidays, and being able to spend more time with my family as well as a short walk to school outweigh this.
Similarly one of my sisters worked for HSBC for 30+ years before being made redundant. She looked after high net-worth clients- one of whom offered her a job at his company when he realised she was going. At first she was unsure as it was only a zero-hours contract, but work-wise the role was similar to what she had been doing. As she was approaching retirement, she went for it as the perks for her were that with her redundancy she no longer needed to work f/time. The new role also allowed her to pick & choose with ‘campaigns’ she worked on. So if she didn’t feel like working for a month or 2 she could choose not to. She said she enjoyed the flexibility and continued to do this until she actually retired properly a couple of years ago.