Starting a new career in your 50s can seem daunting, but it is absolutely possible with the right mindset and preparation. Many people in their 50s find themselves wanting a career change due to layoffs, boredom in their current field, or a longing to do more meaningful work. While there are certainly challenges to changing careers later in life, there are also many advantages that come with age and experience. Approaching a career change thoughtfully and strategically can set you up for success.
The challenges of starting a new career at 50
If you are considering a career change in your 50s, it is important to go into the process with realistic expectations. Here are some of the key challenges you may face:
- Less time to build a career – Whereas someone in their 20s or 30s may have 30+ years to climb the career ladder, at 50 you have 15 years or less before typical retirement age.
- Age discrimination – Unfortunately, age discrimination still exists in the workplace. Some employers may hesitate to hire older workers due to biases about energy, flexibility, and ability to learn new skills.
- Less current experience – If you are switching into a new field, you’ll be competing against candidates who have been building relevant experience for years.
- Less energy – At 50, your energy levels may not be what they used to be. The demands of a new career change could be taxing.
- Financial requirements – You may carry more financial responsibilities at 50, including mortgages, college tuition for kids, caring for parents, etc.
- Upgrading skills – You may find you need to learn new skills or modern practices to be competitive in your desired new field.
While these challenges are real, none of them need derail your career change dreams if approached proactively.
Why a career change at 50 can make sense
Despite the challenges, there are also excellent reasons why changing careers in your 50s can absolutely be a savvy move:
- Your experience is an asset – While a career change brings the challenge of building industry-specific skills, you have a wealth of life and work experience that a younger candidate cannot match. This can make you a unique asset to potential employers.
- You know yourself better – At 50, you know your strengths, interests, values and priorities much better than you did earlier in life. This allows you to make a career change tailored to who you really are.
- Greater confidence – After decades in the workforce, you likely have greater confidence in your abilities than someone just starting out.
- You still have time – While you may have less time than a 20-something, 15+ quality working years is still a significant amount of time to get established and thrive in a new career.
- Financial flexibility – If you’ve saved carefully, you may have greater financial flexibility to take career risks and potentially accept a lower salary initially.
- Network – You likely have a mature professional network you can leverage to help you transition into something new.
Overall, while a career change at 50 is different than one at 30, it brings unique advantages. An older career changer can often bring maturity, perspective, confidence and stability that makes them highly valuable.
How to make a successful career shift at 50
Approaching a major career shift strategically in your 50s is critical to overcoming challenges and leveraging your strengths. Here is a step-by-step process:
- Take stock of your skills, interests and values – Analyze what you’re truly good at, what you enjoy and find meaningful, and what aligned with your priorities in this season of life. This will give you focus for potential new careers.
- Research options – Once you have a general direction based on your stocktake, dive into researching specific, realistic new career options. Assess whether they align with your skills, interests and salary requirements.
- Address skills gaps – Identify any skills or qualification gaps you will need to address to make a particular career pivot. These may include formal education, certifications, technical skills, industry knowledge etc. Create a study plan to close critical gaps.
- Build connections – Tap into networks like professional associations, alumni groups, social media communities and personal contacts to connect with people established in your desired new field. Ask for informational interviews to learn more.
- Consider internships or volunteering – Look into short-term, low-risk ways to experience your target field first-hand, like internships and volunteer work. This can help you build confidence and new skills with less pressure.
- Align your finances – Review your household budget and make necessary adjustments to free up funds needed to cover any training requirements, tuition costs or periods of lower income as you transition careers.
- Craft your brand – Determine how to best position your experience, skills and uniqueness to stand out. Update your LinkedIn profile, resumes and interview skills to emphasize the value you offer even as a career changer.
- Show enthusiasm – Convey genuine excitement and passion when networking and interviewing. This positive energy can help override potential concerns about your age or experience gaps.
- Consider contract or project-based roles – Contract, freelance or project work can provide low-risk opportunities to demonstrate your abilities and build experience in a new field.
- Be patient – Recognize that it takes time to build skills, connections and credibility in a new industry. Allow yourself 1-3 years to successfully establish yourself.
With the right mindset and strategic approach, you can absolutely make a successful career pivot at 50. The key is focusing your strengths while proactively addressing potential age-related hurdles.
Tips for overcoming age discrimination
Unfortunately, age discrimination in hiring and promotion remains an issue that older career changers need to be aware of. Here are some smart tips to help overcome bias:
- Highlight recent education and training to showcase an up-to-date skillset
- Bring energy and enthusiasm to your networking conversations and interviews
- Use resume strategies to de-emphasize dates that give away your age
- Dress stylishly – avoid outdated fashion that reinforces age stereotypes
- Speak knowledgeably about current industry trends and developments
- Back up your experience with quantifiable results
- Stay positive – do not apologize for or worry about your age
- Consider whitening treatments to brighten your smile
- Leverage your mature contacts’ professional networks
- If needed, remind employers of the benefits of your maturity and experience
While it is illegal, some employers may still default to outdated biases about older applicants. By putting your best foot forward, you can minimize unwarranted assumptions and get consideration based on your true abilities.
12 promising career options for those over 50
Wondering which specific careers may be a good bet for an experienced worker seeking a change after 50? Here are 12 great options to consider:
Career | Typical Education Needed | Median Salary |
---|---|---|
University Professor | PhD | $79,540 |
Medical Office Manager | Associate’s Degree | $63,420 |
Paralegal | Associate’s Degree | $51,740 |
Human Resources Manager | Bachelor’s Degree | $121,220 |
Public Relations Specialist | Bachelor’s Degree | $62,810 |
Registered Nurse | Associate’s Degree | $75,330 |
Real Estate Agent | License | $53,910 |
Marketing Manager | Bachelor’s Degree | $142,170 |
Project Manager | Bachelor’s Degree | $97,260 |
Technical Writer | Bachelor’s Degree | $77,160 |
Bookkeeper | Associate’s Degree | $43,240 |
Web Developer | Associate’s Degree | $77,200 |
This table highlights just a sampling of the many appealing options that could be a good fit for an experienced career changer. Roles like professor, medical office manager, paralegal and human resources manager can leverage the knowledge and skills you have built over decades of work. Options like registered nurse, real estate agent and web developer may require going back to school for a degree or certification, but offer great job prospects. And opportunities like marketing manager and project manager benefit from your accumulated leadership abilities and professional contacts.
With some strategic planning and effort, one of these careers could become your successful new calling after 50.
Conclusion
Embarking on a career change after 50 is not the same as starting fresh out of college. There are certainly age-related hurdles to consider. However, with deliberate assessment of your experience and passions, proactive skills development, enthusiastic networking and patience, you can absolutely thrive in an entirely new occupation in this season of life.
Rather than resigning yourself to feeling stuck or burnt out in a career that has lost meaning, see your 50s as an opportunity to redirect your talents to something more fulfilling. The combination of skills and wisdom you have accumulated, desire to make a positive difference, and financial flexibility of later life can be a powerful recipe for starting a rewarding new career chapter. With vision and determination, you still have ample time and potential to achieve exciting new professional goals and make your experience count.