Tremendous changes have happened to the world of business over the past years. People changing lifestyles, places, and careers are stories that have been the trend.
Maybe you’re one of the people thinking about a career shift. However, when you’re already in the 50s, would this be a good thing to think about? The recent pandemic has brought on huge disruptions and layoffs that have upended even the best-laid plans of many people.
Yet, being stuck in a work routine can quickly get old. The excitement you felt when you started this job decades ago is gone. The changes in the workplace have made you feel like hitting a wall.
However, today is seen as the multi-career age. In terms of work life, the new 40 is for people hitting their 50s and up. Research studies have seen that shifting to several careers in a lifetime is possible for many people.
With this said, what is the possible career change for older workers? Would a career change for older workers provide the perfect solution or does career change stop after retirement?
Career Changes for People 50 and above
People 50 and above have different ideas about changing their careers. Shaking things up doesn’t mean transitioning to a new industry. Freelancing and part-time work are some of the career changes older workers could think of.
The career changes that people above 50 may think of include:
Self-employment
Self-employment is the most popular career changes people 50 and above decide on. Jumping into self-employment means older workers let go of their careers in the corporate world. Startup businesses are often dream-come-true for many older workers. Being your own boss and working at your convenient time while earning money provides an ideal solution for many retirees.
Looking for a different niche
Older workers looking for a different niche means staying with the same company but is ready to handle new responsibilities. Promotions, for instance, are typically the ways an older worker can experience a career change. Remaining with the same company but using their experience and skill sets is another way for older workers to create a career change.
Double career shift
The hardest career pathway for older workers to take is the double career shift. Changing industries and careers both happen in the double career shift. For instance, being a doctor to becoming a painter is a double career shift.
While the transferable skills in their past career can’t be brought over to the new career, the intangible experience and skills of a person can make this happen. Starting with few connections and experience with the newly-chosen career can be daunting. Yet, being secure with one’s self and feeling right can help with the double career transition.
Changing industries
Keeping the same job duties and roles accustomed to while changing industries is another type of career change. Too often, not having any experience with the new industry is the case for changing industries career. For instance, a lawyer specialising in criminal cases shifting to labour or employment cases perfectly explains changing industries’ career change.
While the transition may be quite rough at the start, changing industries is not an out-of-the-ordinary career change for older people.
Discovering new things and learning new ideas and skills is never too late for anyone aged 50 and above. There are jobs for seniors. Contact us to know more.