I should have done this 10 years ago....

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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:09 pm

Do you think it's possible to change your career at a late stage in your life?

Anyone here had a complete turn around? Did it cost? How did you manage that?

Did you do it on your own or with support?

I'm a geek, I like being a geek, but I'm also a creative. I have for years designed and made stationery, I've just got into photography having seen that I'm actually quite good at it (will send links to websites etc in PM if you're interested). I'm wasted in my job and really want to do something about it. I'm 38 this year.

Edited because clearly being a geek means I can't write properly Sad

Elite Baiter Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 1407

38 isn't too late to change careers.

Are you considering striking out on your own, or changing employers?

Have you any formal education? (IE Bachlor/Master Degrees)

Have you any friends in the field you are considering changin to? They might have some good advice.

I went back to school at 32, and got an MBA. I'm now looking to change careers again.

It's scary, but can be done.

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 2:53 pm

Are you considering striking out on your own, or changing employers?

Going out on my own perhaps, although maybe not full time to start with.

Have you any formal education? (IE Bachlor/Master Degrees)

Nope I have nothing....I am self taught in everything I do.

Have you any friends in the field you are considering changin to? They might have some good advice.

Not really.

I went back to school at 32, and got an MBA. I'm now looking to change careers again.

wow! well done, scary yup....I'm not scared of scary....

Elite Baiter Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 1407

Well, honestly here would be my advice.

Contact some local schools. I'm not sure how it's done in the UK, but at least in the US we have 'community colleges'. One can take classes even if they haven't gotten a 'formal' degree.

Take some photography classes. Then talk to the instructors and quiz them as to they types of opportunities that exist in the field. Specifically in your area.

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert in photograpy, and what I feel is 'good' might be utter rubbish to those that do it for a living.

The other option would be to seek out some area photographers (good ones) and see if you could pick up some hours working part time for the studio.

By doing it on the weekends/holidays you might get a better appreciation for the field, and the business of photography. Probably a better start than just quitting and trying to start up on your own.

It can be done, but getting the right type of equipment etc could be difficult without some help from an 'expert'.

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 11:22 am

Well I think I have a sign.

I got in this morning to an email that says this:

I can confirm to you that [co name] will not be occupying Unit 300 (the new building) on Frimley Business Park as originally intended and instead all [co name] staff will be relocating to a floor of [building name] in Maidenhead.

I cannot afford to move to Maidenhead, nor travel that far...so...

This is a cheap way of getting rid of people, no redundancy required and I can kiss good bye to my bonus in June too.

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 11:29 am

Ms Mockinatrix wrote:

This is a cheap way of getting rid of people, no redundancy required and I can kiss good bye to my bonus in June too.

Nope. If the business is moving out of the area in which you were originally employed and you don't have a mobility clause in your contract, you are being made redundant.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/EmploymentContractsAndConditions/DG_10028541

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 11:40 am

SOOI, thank you!

I didn't know that and I don't have a 'mobility clause' in my contract. However, my job is not one that can be made redundant.......

We find out more tomorrow.....

Not quite a Newb Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 39

I don’t think anyone wants to be lying on their death bed with regrets of untaken opportunities or unfulfilled dreams. I also think age shouldn’t matter when switching careers . . . have you heard of Ann Landers who use to write a syndicated advice column? One time a woman wrote in saying she wanted to go to law school but it would take her five years to complete the courses and by the time she finished school she would be 54. Ann Landers’ answer was, “Well, how old will you be in five years if you don’t go to law school?” (I paraphrased as I don’t remember it exactly word for word) I think what Ann Landers was telling this woman is not to let her age be a deciding factor. Heck, I met a woman a few weeks ago that was an accountant and at age 42 she decided she wanted to be a veterinarian. She went back to school. She said it wasn’t easy, but, she did it. She’s in her seventies now and has a thriving practice. Another woman I know was a realtor and always dreamed of being a Psychologist. She took night classes at a University. It took her close to ten years, but guess what? She completed the program and is now a practicing licensed psychologist.

Something else I believe is when a person makes a decision to take their life down a different path, opportunities will be set in their path that will help them achieve their goal. There’s a motivational speaker named Les Brown and I think it was him who said, “Jump and the net will appear”. I think that takes a type of faith to not pre-worry. I myself live by that saying and have no regrets so far.

I may have a “Pollyanna” view of life but I also believe something Henry Ford said, “If you think you can’t you’re right. If you think you can, you are right”.

Ms Mockinatrix, I think you should go for it! And, if it doesn’t work out, so what? At least you won’t be sitting at the end of your life wondering what could have happened had you followed your dream. And chances are in your favor to succeed.

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:57 pm

Tastysnack has some great ideas. I've changed my focus 4 times. The first time was right after I graduated from college. I came out of an "elite" school with great scores and not wanting to continue in graduate or med school. My adviser told that he would write a recommendation to one of his friends on the admissions board of a med school and I told him I was no longer interested. After a while I decided to become a chemist. I had the skills so I lasted 57 days before I moved on to management. I thought I liked that so I went for my MBA. In school I learned that I hated management.

Then there was the gigolo thing. Talk about hard! This was before the days of Viagra.

If you think that photography is what you want to do, I would suggest that you "job shadow" a photographer for a few days. Both my kids did in other fields and they went on to intern for a 5 months before they went on to college. My flight instructor had a 4 year degree in commercial photography and his own studio. He told me that he wished he knew what he was getting into. After 6 years all he had to show for it was about $50k in toys. He enjoyed flying and was one of the best instructors I have ever seen.

The one point is that moving on can be a good thing and that the most important thing is to be happy with what you do.

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:22 am

Look around, if you like photography, find stuff (courses etc) related, and do them. Although from my experience most courses can be what the tutor/instructor has decided are relevant.

Medical photography is always needing good people with a camera, I know it may not be for you, but look at specialist niches that you have an interest or knowledge of for that type of work. Archeology (sp) is another.

Remember that age is a concept, not a precise fixed thing.

I've been, Maintenance fitter (time served trade cert etc), Market Gardener, Boilermaker (welding), Nurseryman, Photographer, BA Horticulture, Adult Education Tutor (Photography, Horticulture, Welding), Carpenter, Baker, and now I have the joy of doing a job I like and I think all the experiences I have had have trained me for, as a Volunteer in a 3rd world country as a Horticulture/Fix it advisor.

And I'm only mumblety mumble years old

My advice, check out what Slightly has said, then start to do what you want to do. If it doesn't work out, then find something else. You are what you want to be, not what everyone else expects you to be.

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:29 am

I made a dramatic career change at age 44. Best thing I ever did. I'm not saying it's necessarily easy but it does not need to be scary.

There's at least a tiny kernel of truth in the expression "do what you love, the money will follow." It takes dedication and persistence to start a viable career at any age, but you're certainly not too old to do it.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

I made a serious career change at 41 - I have not regretted it once, and look forward to going to work pretty much everyday.

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:05 am

I can remember from the mid eighties recession when 'they' (whoever they are) were telling anyone nearing 40 that they were washed up and would probably never work again. Idiots. Rolling Eyes

If you're thinking of setting up on your own, my only advice is get any job to keep you going while perusing the thing you really want to do. Then if your chosen career takes off you'll find that the day job is getting in the way and holding you up. When it gets to the point where you don't have the time to do both, you'll know it's time to take off on your own and will most likely malke it.

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:15 pm

Thanks guys, always get good rounded views here Very Happy

I have found some Open University courses (for those that don't know this is home study) with one course recognised by the RPS (Royal Photography Society).

I have more info on the office move, not for 6 months, so I am giving myself a 3 month deadline to make a decision on which path to take. There are plenty of options to think about, all positive.

I will be making a career change! Exciting or what! Very Happy

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:36 pm

Yeah!

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 5:41 pm

Go for it ms Mockinatrix! Follow your dream and don't worry if your plans fail or not. And even if your plans fail you can cherish the thought that you really dared to make that step. You don't want to stay in the flock, you look up and see an opportunity and you take it. And like some others said, make sure you have a specialty. Then there will allways be a demand for your skills. And my advice will be that if you decide to be a full time freelance photographer, make sure you have some savings on your bank account. The more the better. I just started to be full time freelance and i'm glad i have some reserves.

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:16 am

I have changed careers several times. Like so many of my intelligent countryman, we are generalists.
First job was in a recording studio, and I had the opportunity to work with several well known bands&singers from my country.
Then I went into education. Worked as an IT tech at a school for almost 8 years.
Then I worked as service repair engineer of central heating units (lasted only 8 months, due to the owner and COO of the company, who is a big PITA and payed when he wanted to; In 8 months I received money only 3 times... the bastard left me pennyless for Christmas&New Year 2008/2009 and for Easter 2009; At the end of April '09 I said GOOD BYE to the prick, received half of my back pay; the rest I received a month later, and that not from that cheap greedy boss but from the CFO, a decent woman who was the bastard's wife for a while; no wonder they divorced; in the company they are bad guy/good looking and decent woman);
Then I just spanked the monkey for several months, and now I am an IT expert/automobiles parts salesman in a small family business.
I am the only employee which is not a family member.

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:10 pm

Best of luck to you Ms Mockinatrix.

I have changed career 3 times so far and am just about to embark on an openings course myself.

I only hope it works out this time as I can't help but worry I'm stagnating in current role. Am still unsure yet of where I want to get to but it must be better than here. Wink

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