Age 50 and want totally change career - ideas

California Dreamer

Spent most of yesterday with the fear, although i was was working inbetween xmas and new year.

Back to the prison sentence today!

Wanderer78

California Dreamer wrote:

Back to the prison sentence today!

That really is a horrible feeling, any options for you for a change of career?

California Dreamer

Wanderer78 wrote: »

That really is a horrible feeling, any options for you for a change of career?

Not anytime soon doing my best to pay down outstanding large debts. As I said previously, the big car, big lifestyle came from the big salary so I am trying to scale back. Will get there eventually and this year will certainly be my last in this situation. Not easy when you have a family to support

Wanderer78

California Dreamer wrote: »

Not anytime soon doing my best to pay down outstanding large debts. As I said previously, the big car, big lifestyle came from the big salary so I am trying to scale back. Will get there eventually and this year will certainly be my last in this situation. Not easy when you have a family to support

oh keep going, lifes too short to maintain that life, tip away at trying to create a change of career, it ll eventually happen, i wouldnt be overly self critical either, your lifestyle is common, sometimes it works for some, and sometimes it doesnt, best of luck with it.

LowOdour

I am approaching my 40's and im in the same boat.
The Covid year has been bad enough, but work has caused me a lot of stress and have been suffering (from what I can tell) from anxiety the last 5 months. I get very little sleep during the working week due to waking up stressing about work. Have had some seriously down days, close to breaking point at times.

Odd thing is, alot of the stress I put on myself. To be fair to my employer, they don't put pressure on me individually, but the way they operate things causes alot of my stress.

As with many, supporting the family trumps everything so I have stayed with the job.

I have promised myself that this year IS the year where things change, but have been saying the same for the last 5 years!!

Wanderer78

LowOdour wrote: »

I am approaching my 40's and im in the same boat.
The Covid year has been bad enough, but work has caused me a lot of stress and have been suffering (from what I can tell) from anxiety the last 5 months. I get very little sleep during the working week due to waking up stressing about work. Have had some seriously down days, close to breaking point at times.

Odd thing is, alot of the stress I put on myself. To be fair to my employer, they don't put pressure on me individually, but the way they operate things causes alot of my stress.

As with many, supporting the family trumps everything so I have stayed with the job.

I have promised myself that this year IS the year where things change, but have been saying the same for the last 5 years!!

its time to move on, but your reality is understandable, explain to your partner where your heads at, and try work on a plan together, so you can get the hell out. im autistic, so hardwired for anxiety, its not a nice world and very debilitating, best of luck

California Dreamer

Wanderer78 wrote: »

oh keep going, lifes too short to maintain that life, tip away at trying to create a change of career, it ll eventually happen, i wouldnt be overly self critical either, your lifestyle is common, sometimes it works for some, and sometimes it doesnt, best of luck with it.

Oh its great having the lifestyle and you convince yourself that its a price worth paying. Change my car every 2 years, sure! 3-4 holidays a year for the family, no problem. Disposable income and a new gadget here and there, that will do!

Very common theme for a lot of people and those of us that lived through 2009/10 should have learned out lesson but sure it is what it is.

LowOdour

Wanderer78 wrote: »

its time to move on, but your reality is understandable, explain to your partner where your heads at, and try work on a plan together, so you can get the hell out. im autistic, so hardwired for anxiety, its not a nice world and very debilitating, best of luck

Thanks...my wife has been telling me for years to get out and that we will be ok. My big fear is that I move job and i end up worse than I am now....better the devil you know and all that

Green farmer

It's sort of an individual thing for everybody. No one hat fits all. Maybe in some cases it's just a change of employer, as opposed to a change of career is needed. I did the same job in different companies and their was a huge variation in stress levels, dependent on where you went. Maybe it's just about finding a place with people on a similiar priorites and outlook as yourself ?

Richard Hillman

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Funny enough know a guy who got accountancy degree at 40 and same story , very closed off profession in some regards .

I managed to get one accounting interview in the 2 years after I graduated. One of the first questions was "What school did you go to?" :pac:

larrykinney

https://careerchanger.ie

Jim2007

Richard Hillman wrote: »

I managed to get one accounting interview in the 2 years after I graduated. One of the first questions was "What school did you go to?" :pac:

Accountants place a high value on consistency. They expect you to have hit the mark every time. As my training partner (RIP) of 30+ years ago, used to say: clients don't pay you to get it almost right.

JimmyVik

I spent the last few days dreading going back to work today.
And as expected, its sh!t.
I did work out with the other half that we need about €2k a month to be very comfortable though.

TheBlock

JimmyVik wrote: »

I spent the last few days dreading going back to work today.
And as expected, its sh!t.
I did work out with the other half that we need about €2k a month to be very comfortable though.

Night Shift in the stores IKEA will pay you that.

doc22

TheBlock wrote: »

Night Shift in the stores IKEA will pay you that.

Near full time minimum wage

Dyr

Jim2007 wrote: »

Accountants place a high value on consistency. They expect you to have hit the mark every time. As my training partner (RIP) of 30+ years ago, used to say: clients don't pay you to get it almost right.

Most accountants that I know, and a I know a lot of the buggers, are not in accounting roles.

Tow

Bambi wrote: »

Most accountants that I know, and a I know a lot of the buggers, are not in accounting roles.

It is the same with barristers and solicitors. I have about 8 in the extended family and only one is practicing.

Bowlardo

JimmyVik wrote: »

I sent him on a link to this thread last night.
Just got a message from him saying he is handing in his notice on Monday
His new idea now is to go to a town in Portugal and live there with the wife for a few years, soaking up the sun.
Ive been there with him. Paradise. He has stayed there for 2 months at a time before. But I dont know about staying there for a few years.
Wonder how he will feel Monday

To be honest I think this is the best idea. He just needs to recharge the batteries.
He sound qualified to the tits so he can always get a role in IT

Jim2007

Bambi wrote: »

Most accountants that I know, and a I know a lot of the buggers, are not in accounting roles.

I qualified with a big four, 30 years ago and resigned within 6 months of qualifying and never practiced after that. It was not intentional though, I took a couple of months of to go climbing in the Swiss Alps and life happened....

stevie.enright

Compelling thread with some very constructive input for the very most part.

partyguinness wrote: »

The problem with a trade like that is the 4 year apprenticeship. At 50 do you really want to be dragging yourself around building sites, up and down ladders on cold wet mornings. The novelty will soon wear off.

I often imagine a trade but I spent all my summers working on sites and I just think back and remind myself how grim it could be.

I agree and somewhat disagree. In fairness its far from ideal to be launching into a 4 year apprenticeship program at 50 odd years of age. That said its hardly the case that most trades are extremely physically demanding anymore. The ones that are labour intensive as in heavy tough labour are probably the exception to the rule and 50 is the new 40 and all that.

The older generation will often tell younger people that they have never had it better overall. While as a whole jobs have become less strenuous from a physical point of view even labour intensive jobs I reckon jobs as a whole have become more stressful than ever, in particular IT, financial services and legal roles.

My own story - I worked in the broad area of back office Fund Administration for 16 years after graduating from college. Moved internally in 2014 to a more focused role. Really enjoyed it at first but eventually there was a big change program whereby there was a drive to automate the vast majority of the processes. Found myself on more and more conference calls with IT Specialists - absolutely no interest and found myself out of my depth for the most part. Part of the problem was also that it was difficult to fully focus on the new organised choas as had to keep up the level of service always provided to internal departments. So many conference calls I was on where I was coerced into getting involved in group IM firefighting type conversations - looking back it was just ridiculous. Another part of the problem was the ongoing absence of my immediate manager. Very supportive when she was in, or so it felt, problem was she was seldom in.

In the end for the last couple of years even I have to say it was burn out. Despite putting in long hours I never felt ahead and fair to say the job was affecting relationships in my personal life. In early 2019 I jumped ship and moved to a front facing role, again within the broad financial services industry. I like the job but it has its own challenges. Probably fair to say its a pretty crowded and competitive industry and is fully commission based. It is very satisfying when you get the right product for the Client and they are appreciative. Unfortunately for the most part Irish people seem to have a problem saying yes or no. Since last March has being a bit of a write off with the pandemic. Zero mental stress though as there was in the previous role.

Back to the trades - I am seriously considering one myself. I have always being good at doing various DIY jobs around the house and on the car. Plumbing, putting in electrical sockets, tiling, gardening, painting servicing the car etc. I am somewhat of a perfectionist and must say many of the jobs I do have their admirers. May not be the quickest but part of that is not having the professional tools, tricks of the trade and the ongoing repetition.

I'm in a good position financially in that I own my own house, mortgage free, no family, loans or big costs to be dealing with in my life. Even if I have to take time out to do a course I should be able to carry on my current role on a part-time basis and money should not be an issue for a certain period anyway. Although I'm 39 I consider myself a relatively young and physically fit and able bodied 39 year old. Yeah I know I'm not 22 though. I know from trying to get tradesmen to do a job they seem difficult to get hold odd or even speaking to them in my current role they seem to hardly have time to breath never mind talk for the most part so seems lucrative from where I'm standing anyway.

Apologies, don't want to derail or hijack the thread. Just to document my own experience and thoughts which hopefully some can relate to. Better still if there is anyone that can relate to where I was a few years back, made the bold jump they might let us know of their experience.

Tinder Surprise

What does a postman job pay these days, anyone?

stevie.enright

stevie.enright wrote: »

Compelling thread with some very constructive input for the very most part.


I agree and somewhat disagree. In fairness its far from ideal to be launching into a 4 year apprenticeship program at 50 odd years of age. That said its hardly the case that most trades are extremely physically demanding anymore. The ones that are labour intensive as in heavy tough labour are probably the exception to the rule and 50 is the new 40 and all that.

The older generation will often tell younger people that they have never had it better overall. While as a whole jobs have become less strenuous from a physical point of view even labour intensive jobs I reckon jobs as a whole have become more stressful than ever, in particular IT, financial services and legal roles.

My own story - I worked in the broad area of back office Fund Administration for 16 years after graduating from college. Moved internally in 2014 to a more focused role. Really enjoyed it at first but eventually there was a big change program whereby there was a drive to automate the vast majority of the processes. Found myself on more and more conference calls with IT Specialists - absolutely no interest and found myself out of my depth for the most part. Part of the problem was also that it was difficult to fully focus on the new organised choas as had to keep up the level of service always provided to internal departments. So many conference calls I was on where I was coerced into getting involved in group IM firefighting type conversations - looking back it was just ridiculous. Another part of the problem was the ongoing absence of my immediate manager. Very supportive when she was in, or so it felt, problem was she was seldom in.

In the end for the last couple of years even I have to say it was burn out. Despite putting in long hours I never felt ahead and fair to say the job was affecting relationships in my personal life. In early 2019 I jumped ship and moved to a front facing role, again within the broad financial services industry. I like the job but it has its own challenges. Probably fair to say its a pretty crowded and competitive industry and is fully commission based. It is very satisfying when you get the right product for the Client and they are appreciative. Unfortunately for the most part Irish people seem to have a problem saying yes or no. Since last March has being a bit of a write off with the pandemic. Zero mental stress though as there was in the previous role.

Back to the trades - I am seriously considering one myself. I have always being good at doing various DIY jobs around the house and on the car. Plumbing, putting in electrical sockets, tiling, gardening, painting servicing the car etc. I am somewhat of a perfectionist and must say many of the jobs I do have their admirers. May not be the quickest but part of that is not having the professional tools, tricks of the trade and the ongoing repetition.

I'm in a good position financially in that I own my own house, mortgage free, no family, loans or big costs to be dealing with in my life. Even if I have to take time out to do a course I should be able to carry on my current role on a part-time basis and money should not be an issue for a certain period anyway. Although I'm 39 I consider myself a relatively young and physically fit and able bodied 39 year old. Yeah I know I'm not 22 though. I know from trying to get tradesmen to do a job they seem difficult to get hold odd or even speaking to them in my current role they seem to hardly have time to breath never mind talk for the most part so seems lucrative from where I'm standing anyway.

Apologies, don't want to derail or hijack the thread. Just to document my own experience and thoughts which hopefully some can relate to. Better still if there is anyone that can relate to where I was a few years back, made the bold jump they might let us know of their experience.

Great post!

What about thatching? I’d say it’s a dying trade but still in demand. I’d love to do it but don’t have the nerve for heights or the nerve to take the plunge.

YellowLead

I’d do a trades job like a shot if I knew I could earn enough to buy a house tbh. Not working in a stressful corporate environment for the craic, but out of necessity. Not because I want the latest BMW but because I’m crippled with rent and supporting a child.
I earn more than double what I was 10 years ago, but it’s still not enough.

Cluedo Monopoly

I love this thread. Great to see it back active. It's very interesting. I am also at a crossroads in my career.

Padre_Pio

A word of advice for anyone looking for a career change or to move from one field to another.
You should write on your CV that you're looking for something new and you potentially expect an entry-level position.

interviewed some people recently and had a guy with 15 years of experience in a very different field. I thought no way, this lad is overqualified, definitely not for us, until I pushed him about why he applied for this specifically.
Turns out he wanted a change and was willing to accept a lower salary and position for the opportunity to learn about this field.

So, be forthright in your expectations on your CV, or people may write you off as overqualified and not suitable.

JimmyVik

Padre_Pio wrote: »

A word of advice for anyone looking for a career change or to move from one field to another.
You should write on your CV that you're looking for something new and you potentially expect an entry-level position.

interviewed some people recently and had a guy with 15 years of experience in a very different field. I thought no way, this lad is overqualified, definitely not for us, until I pushed him about why he applied for this specifically.
Turns out he wanted a change and was willing to accept a lower salary and position for the opportunity to learn about this field.

So, be forthright in your expectations on your CV, or people may write you off as overqualified and not suitable.

So my brother quit his well paid IT job. His wife is quitting at the end of this month.
They are off to live in Portugal in September. They have a rental there for 6 months already arranged.

Never seen him happier. Im thinking i might do the same after the summer.
I might just stop working for a year or so and then maybe go back ... or not
I think i'll land on their doorstep in Portugal for a few months and try it on for size

BingCrosbee

I’ve changed career at 61. You are never too old. All you need is a neck like a bockeys jollux.

YellowLead

JimmyVik wrote: »

So my brother quit his well paid IT job. His wife is quitting at the end of this month.
They are off to live in Portugal in September. They have a rental there for 6 months already arranged.

Never seen him happier. Im thinking i might do the same after the summer.
I might just stop working for a year or so and then maybe go back ... or not
I think i'll land on their doorstep in Portugal for a few months and try it on for size

You need savings to be able to do this right? I’d be worried about expanding the gap on my cv upon return.
But I have often thought of living abroad in parts of Spain Portugal or indeed France where it’s cheaper and just having an easy job in a tourist shop or bar and just earning enough for a roof over my head, as the sunshine and scenery takes care of the rest of my needs. Not sure what I’d do when I got old though. Move back to Ireland and collect the pension I suppose!

JimmyVik

YellowLead wrote: »

You need savings to be able to do this right? I’d be worried about expanding the gap on my cv upon return.
But I have often thought of living abroad in parts of Spain Portugal or indeed France where it’s cheaper and just having an easy job in a tourist shop or bar and just earning enough for a roof over my head, as the sunshine and scenery takes care of the rest of my needs. Not sure what I’d do when I got old though. Move back to Ireland and collect the pension I suppose!

He has enough savings and sure he can hit his pension in his 50s.
Hes renting a 3 bed apartment by the beach for €400pm for the six months.
They are keeping their house here, but they might trade down if they decide they are going to stay ;living in Portugal most of the year.
His wife doesnt want to have no base in Ireland though, just in case.
Myself id be happy enough to sell up and go Maybe in a few years, but im definitely going to take a year off.

xlogo

BingCrosbee wrote:

I’ve changed career at 61. You are never too old. All you need is a neck like a bockeys jollux.

From what to what?