Thinking
About a Midlife Career Change? You Can Change Careers After 50
By Mary G.
White
It is becoming
more and more common to see people over the age of 50 changing
careers. In decades past, many people stayed in the same career,
and sometimes even the same job, for virtually all of their working
lives. However, times have changed and it is becoming very common
for people to change careers a number of times during their
lifetimes.
A number of
factors are contributing to the increased numbers of people in the
50 and over population who are seeking to change careers. One of
the biggest factors is the sheer size of that age group. The market
segment commonly referred to as the baby boomer generation isn’t
made up of babies any more. The baby boomers are now in the 50 plus
age group, so there is a larger workforce in this segment of the
population now than ever before.
Additionally,
in today’s world of advanced medical technology, people tend to stay
healthy and live longer than those of generations past. This fact,
paired with fears about dwindling social security benefits and the
virtual disappearance of employer-sponsored pension plans has
resulted in people continuing to stay in the workforce longer than
those of prior generations.
However, just
because people are working longer does not mean that they are
staying in the same career longer. People’s interests, abilities,
and financial requirements change as they age, and it is not unusual
at all for people 50 and over to change careers.
Even those who
have the opportunity to retire find that they are bored without a
career to occupy their minds and their time. Some retirees find
that they actually need to continue to earn income to maintain the
retirement lifestyle they want to have. Many retirees who choose to
re-enter the workforce go back into occupations similar to the ones
they held previously.
The good news
for those seeking midlife career change is that there are a number
of excellent opportunities to find and secure the type of employment
they desire. Many companies actively recruit older workers, and
there are a number of occupations that lend themselves very well to
those who are in the 50 plus age group.
When preparing
to make a career change after 50, it is a good idea to give some
thought to what you really want from your new career. You have
probably had enough experience at this point to know what you like
and don’t like about the types of jobs you have had. It’s never too
late to acquire new skills and to pursue a career change in an
occupation that will be both financially and personally rewarding.
About the Author:
Mary Gormandy
White is a career and training expert who specializes in customer
service, management, communication, and career development training
at Mobile Technical Institute
http://www.mobiletechwebsite.com. She also works with MTI
Business Solutions, providing corporate training, public speaking,
marketing, writing, and SEO consulting services to a wide variety of
clients in the Mobile, AL area and nationwide. Stop by
http://www.dailycareerconnection.com regularly for useful
professional development tips.
*This article
may be reprinted provided the author bio and website links are
included. |
