Comments on: Midlife Career Change http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2007/06/14/midlife-career-change/ A Future Look at Today Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:38:37 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Mark McClure http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2007/06/14/midlife-career-change/comment-page-1/#comment-63942 Mark McClure Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:26:52 +0000 http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2007/06/14/midlife-career-change/#comment-63942 Ben makes a practical point re: "change in an incremental fashion". I'm reminded that even with fewer obligations and responsibilities in my mid-20s it took almost 9 months to make the transition from teaching to IT. And now in my late 40s another career change is in process - but this one is 3 years and has its bumpy moments. The "fastest" mid-life career changes I've seen have been from those tho chose to "down-shift", in the economic sense. And this was by lifestyle choice as much as by necessity (e.g. layoff). Check out "Mastery" by George Leonard for a long term perspective on the joys of mastery over a lifetime, practiced day-by-day. I suspect career paths require a similar approach with the caveat that YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary). regards mark mcclure japan Ben makes a practical point re: “change in an incremental fashion”.

I’m reminded that even with fewer obligations and responsibilities in my mid-20s it took almost 9 months to make the transition from teaching to IT.

And now in my late 40s another career change is in process – but this one is 3 years and has its bumpy moments.

The “fastest” mid-life career changes I’ve seen have been from those tho chose to “down-shift”, in the economic sense. And this was by lifestyle choice as much as by necessity (e.g. layoff).

Check out “Mastery” by George Leonard for a long term perspective on the joys of mastery over a lifetime, practiced day-by-day. I suspect career paths require a similar approach with the caveat that YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary).

regards
mark mcclure
japan

]]> By: Ben http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2007/06/14/midlife-career-change/comment-page-1/#comment-45070 Ben Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:00:46 +0000 http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2007/06/14/midlife-career-change/#comment-45070 Change is not easily accomodated unless one has the will and the means to accomplish change. I am sure that everyone would love to change, however, educations are not free and bills do not stop because life has thrown you a left curve. For those of us who do not have the resources to change ourselves overnight it may make some sense to stick to what we understand and try to grow and develop from that point. I am not suggesting to continue doing the same, but, to make change in an incremental fashion. Change is not easily accomodated unless one has the will and the means to accomplish change. I am sure that everyone would love to change, however, educations are not free and bills do not stop because life has thrown you a left curve. For those of us who do not have the resources to change ourselves overnight it may make some sense to stick to what we understand and try to grow and develop from that point. I am not suggesting to continue doing the same, but, to make change in an incremental fashion.

]]> By: Tim http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2007/06/14/midlife-career-change/comment-page-1/#comment-19257 Tim Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:44:22 +0000 http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2007/06/14/midlife-career-change/#comment-19257 Donna has touched on many of the life events that result in the need for career change, or return. There are others who have been successful in their career but no longer find it satisfying, or maybe never did. But in mid life they may be able to financially afford to do "something they like". You bring up the point that "the key driver in a mid-life career change is to find greater happiness and more passion in ones’ work life". For many people that greater happiness must overcome the fear of financial distress. After a 20+ year career there is an amount of security in the company health care, retirement, 401K, etc. and the fear of starting over, loss of benefits, loss of security is not easily conquered. Donna has touched on many of the life events that result in the need for career change, or return. There are others who have been successful in their career but no longer find it satisfying, or maybe never did. But in mid life they may be able to financially afford to do “something they like”.

You bring up the point that “the key driver in a mid-life career change is to find greater happiness and more passion in ones’ work life”. For many people that greater happiness must overcome the fear of financial distress. After a 20+ year career there is an amount of security in the company health care, retirement, 401K, etc. and the fear of starting over, loss of benefits, loss of security is not easily conquered.

]]> By: Wesley http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2007/06/14/midlife-career-change/comment-page-1/#comment-9239 Wesley Sat, 16 Jun 2007 15:29:45 +0000 http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2007/06/14/midlife-career-change/#comment-9239 Donna you are correct on all accounts. I think the point of Houle's article however is to go into your new career with your eyes open. If you absolutely love to do something and want to make it your next career, you should be aware whether or not it is going to be a viable career choice over the long run. Particularly if life changes like divorce put you in the position of very much needing the income. Donna you are correct on all accounts. I think the point of Houle’s article however is to go into your new career with your eyes open. If you absolutely love to do something and want to make it your next career, you should be aware whether or not it is going to be a viable career choice over the long run. Particularly if life changes like divorce put you in the position of very much needing the income.

]]> By: Donna McCurrach http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2007/06/14/midlife-career-change/comment-page-1/#comment-9235 Donna McCurrach Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:10:05 +0000 http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2007/06/14/midlife-career-change/#comment-9235 Divorse, disability of the primary breadwinner, death, or working to support increasing family expenses such as paying for the further education of our children are reasons many middle aged people go BACK to work. Some of US have been out of the work force for 20+ years. The goal for all of us should be to love one's work. We think smarter, act more efficiently, and are pleasureable to be around. I found it! Work I love. If at first you don't succeed, try try again. Take computer courses to increase your skills first, or simultaneously, when going back to work. Next, constantly educate yourself about your industry and find a mentor. Know that work happiness is possible, but it takes work. Divorse, disability of the primary breadwinner, death, or working to support increasing family expenses such as paying for the further education of our children
are reasons many middle aged people go BACK to work. Some of US have been out of the work force for 20+ years.

The goal for all of us should be to love one’s work. We think smarter, act more efficiently, and are pleasureable to be around. I found it! Work I love.

If at first you don’t succeed, try try again. Take computer courses to increase your skills first, or simultaneously, when going back to work. Next, constantly educate yourself about your industry and find a mentor. Know that work happiness is possible, but it takes work.

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