Career change at (nearly) 40?

[fizzy]

A friend must of been mid forties when he did a career change, went from accountancy to grave digger

Did he work for HMRC

 

[voipio]

A long hard realistic look at the finances is a good starting point. What is spent keeping the present lifestyle, what can be done without. Is downsizing the house an option, and so on. The best job in the world can start to appear a lot less so when the bills can't be paid and the bailiffs come knocking.

 

[Keith 66]

47 this year and considering I've spent the last 18 winters in freezing boat sheds, I'd like to think next winter I'll be doing something different, really would like to start my own business, but fear the lack of a regular salary, what with kids, mortgage and a wife who's not working.

Time will tell, but I have a plan.

I spent most of my life in freezing boat sheds, then i got a technicians job in a school, pay was rubbish but at least it was regular & a lot warmer! Most boatbuilders who stuck at it had wives on regular public sector salaries ie teachers, environmental health officers, council employees etc.
Today at 60 im retired? or as i like to say "Self unemployed". Im still looking for the angle that may make me some money. But so is everyone else.

 

[Migmac]

Did he work for HMRC

Nearly but not quite CCC

 

[Nick DV]

After being in the comms game since I left college, I took voluntary redundancy at 45. Joined a plumbing/heating firm and went back to 'school' to get my C&G's. The big 'C' hit me in 2015, and now work in an office for a mate's company supplying and converting specialist disable and school transport vehicles. Ok, on less money now, but I work with a great bunch of lads and lasses, it's very easy going and best of all, I leave my job in the office when I go home at the end of the day - and that's priceless

 

[MetalMonkey]

A friend must of been mid forties when he did a career change, went from accountancy to grave digger

Sounds like it could be a bit of a dead end job...

 

[Ubique]

I've changed direction several times, sometimes because I wanted a change, sometimes it was due to a change in circumstances. If you have a bit of a financial buffer, it can help a lot - not even tens of thousands, but enough to pay the bills for 2-3 months +. There is also a balance between managing the fear of the unknown and the fear of missing out. Don't overthink it or the opportunities will pass you by.

 

[tom2207]

A friend must of been mid forties when he did a career change, went from accountancy to grave digger

Dead end job that is,

 

[tom2207]

I have always run by the simple rule ,,
Mon ..... dont want to go to work
Tues ..... dont want to go to work
Wed ..... dont want to go to work
Thurs ,,,,,, dont want to go to work
Fri ,,,,,,, No problem going to work , to hand in notice , I quit.

Lifes too short to sell your soul for a few quid , but then Im in a fairly good place to be able to do this , own house [ several actually] no dependents , decent set of qualifications , and a good name locally.
Ive had a few jobs that have lasted well , and some that haven't , Ive been self employed , an employer and an employee ,,, But Ive never been hacked off in any job Ive had , It may not suit everyone but I wouldnt change a day of it.

 

[Domdom]

Within the realities of economics, i.e. the finances have to work for you, do whatever you fancy. I've changed completely at least 4 time. Engineering (toolmaking), then electronics engineering (test & repair), then truck driving (including a bin lorry), and now Computing.

I know several very interesting people who haven't find their final career path even in their 40's. If you wanted to read something similar try the book "Grinding it out" (Ray Kroc) which is the story of how a soda siphon salesman started the McDonalds empire at the age of 53.

 

[500e]

As you get older you find time marches forwards much faster and the finish line rapidly comes into view as you accelerate. How true Rob
Time will tell, but I have a plan. Not cunning I hope Mat
Had a few changes in my time Kayos as long as it is thought through & not something that just seems a good idea as Bob said thought you were settled.





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[Rannsachair]

I did the career change at 39, I do still miss my old job at times....

See post #30 on https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum...f-the-hydraulic-design-engineer.104969/page-2

 

[Mr Fro]

Yes, I did it at 38.

I'd been a scientist for 10 years and every day I'd dread going to work to crank the same old handle. At 33 I started a BEng part time over 5 years while still working (and popping out 2 kids) which I completed last year.

The day after my final exam I had an interview with a design consultancy and that was that. I got the job offer about 10 mins before my annual review. Quick text to the wife and it was with some relish I told my boss to poke his job.

Now I do something I really enjoy and the days fly by rather than drag like they used to. I took a hefty pay cut as I used to be quite senior but I simply don't care as I'm so much happier. 15 years in a job you hate is no fun!

My advice is to seriously consider it. Figure out the money side of things and if you can manage then get on with it!

 

[Blobber]

I think 40 is probably a good time to change, your young enough to do just about anything but old/wise enough to know what you need for a good/happy life

Ive been self employed since 1987 when i was 23 by fate really as the firm I worked for went bust but I picked up most of the customer base, very loyal customers that very rarely wanted prices for jobs as they new they wouldnt get ripped off, could I have charged more? probably should have, It never made me a million, never had a paid holiday or sick pay, was it hard? it sure was at times, would I change anything? probably not!

 

[bigegg]

I changed careers at 47:
Back to college to retrain as an electrician.
I love every time I go out to do a job (it helps I pick and choose which jobs I want to do).
Wish I'd done it years ago - I've always loved messing about with elecktrickery going back to sitting on grandad's bench at 2 or 3 years old taking broken plugs off power tools.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

went from accountancy to grave digger

And I understand you don't need to be physically fit these days - all done with mini diggers, innit?

 

[northwest]

Iwas 18 and my pal called me up to see if I would go visit him as he was in Germany and I guess missed the Guys so I went off to see him for a week, came back three or four years later. Went off to South America a little later and disappeared for a couple three years and reappeared married with child on the way. It must have been hard keeping up with me.
It's all very well saying "look at the money and the savings", What's in the bank?
The stark reality is if you are skint it doesn't matter, anything is better than hunger, real hunger, not just an empty larder. Been skint in some strange situations and strange countries, have always found a job and made my way. Had a great job in Amsterdam one time but that is for another day, sadly it didn't last long.

 

[Morris]

And I understand you don't need to be physically fit these days - all done with mini diggers, innit?

Accountancy?

 

[Stephen C]

Anyone done it?

I have a good, secure and well paid job, where other than the odd mandatory meeting I am pretty much left to my own devices, I plan my workload and even how I do my work

However recent and current life events are making me think about where in going. I would love to work doing something like countryside management, indeed had I not got my apprenticeship at British Gas I had also applied for and got on a course to do just that, however paid apprenticeship or living at home while continuing college was not a hard choice at the time

Im probably babbling, a few know what is happening but i just wondered if its possible at my age?

Hello,

I changed career at the age of 30 from marine engineer to one in the environmental field. Went to University and got my degrees. While environmental matters are high on the world agenda, the pay, especially for countryside management etc is not good. try volunteering with your local wildlife trust for a start or another voluntary group who do practical conservation work. Give you an idea if you like it and also develop contacts. getting the first job in the field is always hard.

Stephen

 

[MattF]

What's the underlying problem? Sounds like both work & home life are good, so what's prompting a change?