Do you feel like you’re not progressing in your current career? Feeling unfulfilled? Just want a change but worried it is too late? A growing number of Australians are switching tracks and pursuing a change of careers at all ages.

Why?

There are lots of reasons why people switch. Many workers switch tracks for better hours, benefits, career mobility, and salaries. Others change careers because they feel bored in their current jobs and want to encounter new challenges. As we age, we evolve and change as individuals and our interests, passions and motivations also change – with that, comes a desire to re-evaluate what we are doing.

Whatever the reason, it is important to consider the decision carefully. What is the source of your dissatisfaction? If it’s your boss, will switching workplaces help with that? Are you looking to change careers totally or simply looking for a different job?

If you don’t have the relevant experience or training for a new career, you may also need to study to attain the qualifications you need. Though this might deter some people from pursuing a change, it’s never too late to start.

Switching at 30

Life truly starts at 30. By the time you hit this milestone, you’ve most likely been working on a certain path for five to ten years. You have a better idea of what you want in life and what stimulates you. You may also be thinking more seriously about putting down roots. Getting a house, getting married, or starting a family may be more concrete items on your agenda.

The challenge at this age is managing your personal life while studying or working. There will be so many things demanding your attention that it can be hard to figure out what to prioritise. The important thing is to lean on your support network. Seek out advice and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Babysitters, nannies, cleaners, whatever you can afford, can make managing your life a lot easier.

If you can’t afford it, don’t be afraid to manage expectations. That means maybe not accepting an extra shift, or not promising to attend an event when you have a competing priority. Don’t hesitate to ask for extensions on work deadlines or course assignments.

By switching careers at this age, you benefit from increased motivation and drive. You’re full of energy to make a change and you’re taking it seriously. Your thirties is the age where you are full of confidence and focus. Get moving!

Switching at 40

More people switch careers in their forties than you think. At this age, the primary motivator isn’t necessarily money. Many people who change careers in their forties are doing so because they want to do something more meaningful in their lives.The challenge at this age is that you may have more serious obligations and commitments to manage than in your thirties. You may have a mortgage, growing children, ageing parents, and a household or a business to run. Your financial obligations and responsibilities may make you feel reluctant to switch to a career where you’ll have to do more training first and compete with the younger, fresh-faced graduates.

But what you have over the younger batch is experience and wisdom. Employers love older workers since they can feel confident in handing them more responsibility. You also tend to be more humble at this age and more open to learning from others who have more experience.

Boosting your professional qualifications is important. Make sure you invest in professional and personal development in this critical time. Take confidence in the abilities and wisdom that you’ve gained over the years, and don’t be afraid to tackle something new.

Switching at 50

You start getting reflective in your fifties. You might have another 20-30 years of work ahead of you, but you can feel that it’s time for you to slow it down a little and start thinking about what makes you happy on a personal and professional level. With the seniority of your position at your workplace, you probably have a wealth of experience in leading and mentoring, as well as in managing responsibilities.

But this doesn’t mean that you’re nailed to the tracks. What you should be thinking about is whether you’ve done anything recently to upskill. When was the last time you did any professional or personal development?

You may not be able to work at the same pace as you did in your thirties or forties, but the purpose is more important now than ever. You’re working smarter, not harder, but you’re also thinking about whether this is what you want to be known for the rest of your life, how your work reflects on you personally.

If you’re switching careers at this age you need to consider what your desires are. Are you looking to make your life more meaningful? To give back to the community? Do you want more time to pursue your passions and travel? Make sure you know what your priorities are and seek them out in your new position. Don’t settle for anything that doesn’t get you what you’re truly looking for.

Like the old Chinese proverb, the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now. No matter your age, it’s never too late to pick up new skills.

MCIE has a range of courses available that are designed to equip you with real skills that employers are looking for.

Visit our website to find the course that’ll help you make the switch to a more fulfilling career.

For more information on any of the courses we offer, give us a call at 1300 737 004 or email us at info@mcie.edu.au.

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By mcieadmin| November 29, 2021| Age Care . Business . Career . Child Care . Disability . Hospitality . Individual Support . International Students . Our College . Social Media Marketing . Student Life | 0 Comments | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Melbourne City Institute of Education (MCIE) is a vibrant and innovative registered training organisation, which offers a range of courses in Melbourne to help students to fulfil their career goals.
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