Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Guest Author
Published: February 11, 2020
Written by Brooke Faulkner-Guest Contributor
Change is not just for the young. Adventures are not just for the inexperienced. Whether you’re 15 or 50, trying new things is what keeps us youthful. The fact is that life is long and the one constant in life is change. So, whether you are an accomplished professional looking for the excitement of something new, an empty nester seeking new challenges, or a recent divorcee in search of financial security, there are exciting opportunities open to you as you move forward into a new career later in life.
Thinking About Starting a New Career?
No question about it: launching into a new career is intimidating at any age. It can be especially so, however, when you’re making this transition later in life. The fact is that career change after the age of 50 is not that uncommon nowadays. Sometimes life circumstances, such as the loss of a spouse or a medical crisis, force us unexpectedly into the job market. Or, other times, you just reach a point where your career feels stagnant and you begin longing for something more fulfilling in your career. No matter your reasons, there are certain steps you can take today to live a happier, healthier professional life tomorrow.
Attend to Your Financial Fitness
No matter your age, personal situation, and professional status, your financial well-being is one of the first and most important things to consider as you begin planning for your career change.
Taking stock of your finances and developing a sound strategy to guide your finances now and into the future will determine the quality of life for yourself and your loved ones for years to come. This should include everything from tracking your spending and establishing a budget, to managing (or starting) a retirement account, to consulting with a financial planner. When you are planning a career change, your financial plan should also be adjusted to accommodate a possible reduction in income as you transition into your new job.
Consider What You Love
If you are thinking of making a career change, but you are just not sure where to begin, take some time to test the waters. You might, for example, do some volunteer work or explore the local non-profit sector. There are ample opportunities to get out and make a difference in your community, and as you are helping your neighbors, you also get to learn a little bit more about yourself – your talents, your strengths, as well as the things you do and don’t want for this next stage in your professional life.
Don’t Be Afraid to Dream Big
Just because you are embarking on a new career doesn’t necessarily mean you have to start from the ground-up. Depending on your area of interest, you may well be able to leverage your personal or professional experience to get your foot in at mid-level, or even higher! Consider, for example, human resources. If you’re a people person and you’ve spent time leading teams, doing volunteer work, or even managing a home, you may well be able to translate those skills into a fulfilling career in human resources management.
Or, perhaps you would like to use your love of people in a different way, by becoming a healthcare professional. Medicine is not just a young person’s game anymore. Whether your interest is in running a clinic or working in one, the need in the medical community is great, and the rewards are even greater.
Get Tech Savvy
We know, we know. Some people would rather have a boot up the backside than to have to boot up a computer. But if you truly want to make a career change, and if you want your options to be truly unlimited, then you must conquer any tech fears you may have. Now, more than ever, the modern workplace is a global affair. That means that if you enter the job force today, chances are you will find yourself either being a part of or perhaps even leading a virtual team comprised of team members from across the nation and around the world.
Best of all, if the career change you dream of is more entrepreneurial in nature, you might even find yourself turning toward e-commerce by starting your own virtual store. The World Wide Web can be a virtual (pardon the pun) paradise for creative artists and business moguls alike. Perhaps there is an undiscovered painter inside of you just yearning to break free. With the right e-commerce team, you can build the digital gallery you need to showcase your masterpieces to a worldwide market. Or maybe you have a head for numbers; with some tech knowledge, you can create your own virtual bookkeeping firm. The only limit is your imagination and a bit of computer know-how.
The Takeaway
Starting a new career later in life can be scary, but it also may well be one of the best decisions you ever make. All it takes is a bit of planning, some thoughtful preparation, and a belief in yourself and the kind of life you want to live. So take a personal inventory, imagine your ideal tomorrow, start showcasing those talents and refining those essential skills. You have now taken your first steps into your bright new future!
Author Bio: Brooke Faulkner is a mother of two and animal lover from Portland, Oregon.
The views expressed herein this article, written by a guest contributor, do not necessarily represent those of the Red Hot Mamas organization. The content is for informational purposes and should not substitute the advice of your doctor.
