When is it too late to make a career change?

Andrea Macek, Career Change Coach for Professional Women

August 17,2022 at 4:11PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

When is it too late to make a career change?

A 30-something woman sent me a DM and asked me this question.

It really struck me...

I could have easily thought it was too late to make a career change every time that I did:

- Age 25: I was a recent grad during the Great Recession.

I networked my way into a job that wasn't a part of my plan. And not on ANY of my backup plans.

- Age 28: Career pivot to a new industry and new title.

- Age 30: Career pivot, same industry, new department, new title.

-Age 32: Career pivot, promotion, same industry, new department, new title.

-Age 33: Career pivot, promotion, same industry, new department, new title.

-Age 36: ?Biggest career pivot to date! ?

I was laid off just 30 days after my wedding.

And it allowed me to FINALLY find a career that didn't feel like a job and create an impact in a major way...

I launched my career coaching business.

Now, as a career coach, I get to help other women step into a career that doesn't feel like a job. ❤️‍?

With each change, I could have found countless reasons why it was "too late":

I'm too young

I'm too old

I'm too overqualified

I'm too underqualified

I'm too scared.

Here are a few things you can consider at ANY age or stage of life?

-The role and industry you're curious to explore

-The skills and experience you have that align with the change you want to make

-The "gaps" that you may have in your skill and experience and how you need to fill that gap

-What action you're committed to taking in order to explore that change and make it happen.

There will always be a reason that it's too late

But it's never too late to choose yourself ❤️

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

8 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

8 Comments

Join the conversation

AprilAugust 17,2022 at 5:52PM UTC
What an impactful post! Thank you for sharing this.
Andrea Macek, Career Change Coach for Professional WomenAugust 19,2022 at 9:56PM UTC
You're welcome, April! Thank you for taking the time to read it and I'm glad it was impactful for you! :)
KarenAugust 17,2022 at 7:09PM UTC
True. Age is just a number. It should not be used as an excuse to tell yourself "no" to a better opportunity. Look at Colonel Sanders - he founded KFC when he was a young 65.
Sridhar JayaramanAugust 18,2022 at 7:52AM UTC
Very true. I was running an organization for several decades. Then suddenly, because of extraneous circumstances, it went bust. I restarted my career in a large power project. After five years, when I was 60, I took up as Customer Support and Project Implementation Head in a software Company. Thereafter, when the company couldn't survive, I took up marketing and consulting assignments. Even today, at 72, I feel fully fit and competent to handle any Management role. In my CV, I give my age as 22/72/102 (mind/body/maturity)! Never think you are too old. You are young as you think.
Andrea Macek, Career Change Coach for Professional WomenAugust 19,2022 at 9:56PM UTC
That's amazing, Sridhar! You're a wonderful example of idea I was sharing. Congrats to you!!
Andrea Macek, Career Change Coach for Professional WomenAugust 19,2022 at 9:55PM UTC
Very true, Karen! Thanks for sharing!
AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 1:57PM UTC
This sounds more like an advertisement for yourself and your services than advice
Andrea Macek, Career Change Coach for Professional WomenAugust 19,2022 at 9:55PM UTC
I'm sorry you feel that way. I shared my experience and journey because I wanted others to know they can make a change when they are ready. Thanks for sharing your perspective.