In my 50s.

23 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 27,2023 at 2:03PM UTC

   Consider first your transferrable skills. During QA, did you do extensive documentation when you found things that needed addressing? Have you already done some writing that has been published? I assume you believe you have the skills, as you have done something similar, which is why I am asking. Is there any way to assemble a portfolio of something you have done? (Be sure to de-identify who they were for first).

   If you want something more intensive, you might look for classes on Coursera or LinkedIn. There may be some certification courses you could take, and once you have the certification, it will be much easier.

   I'm so sorry for your dilemma, as it happened to me right before I turned 50. I chose a career pivot during my "empty nest" years (and after a divorce). They aren't easy, but you end up much happier on the other side if you have already burned out where you are, even if the pivot doesn't pay as well as what you did before.

2. AnonymousNovember 30,2023 at 1:20PM UTC

   Might be time to start your own business. I see so much about copywriting and creating blogs. Do some research

3. GirlBossanova934974November 30,2023 at 1:44PM UTC

   Start applying for Business Systems Analysts (BSA) roles. There are many many jobs for BSAs these days, they pay quite well, and there are plenty of remote positions available. There are many BSA roles that are attached to banks. These bank BSA roles usually require banking experience so you already have 1 foot in the door.

4. AnonymousNovember 30,2023 at 3:04PM UTC

   Keep working as long as possible.. Well, it's fun to dream about a new career, it's not fun at all when you don't have a job... I've been there and done that...consider taking an evening college course in technical writing, And wait for that layoff. It will likely provide you with severance and unemployment and some benefits.. If you do lose your job, then you'll have some time to really pursue pursue.

   A career pivot

5. AnonymousDecember 1,2023 at 1:25PM UTC

   I would encourage you to reach out to either Lynden Kidd or William Craig III, moderators of Platinum Talent Community on LinkedIn (you can access LinkedIn for free, and the Platinum Talent Community is sponsored by AARP).

   Lynden and William are a wealth of wisdom, information and experience about navigating career at 50+

6. AnonymousDecember 1,2023 at 1:55PM UTC

   I feel your pain. I doubt any companies will be hiring during December due to the holidays. I'm hoping things will pick up in 2024

7. GK ThompsonDecember 2,2023 at 3:42PM UTC

   Actually, companies do hire in November/December. I know of someone who got 2 job offers last week. I work in a law firm and they hired someone who started last week. They also have at least 2 new staff starting in December.

8. Ellen Smith FaganDecember 2,2023 at 1:27PM UTC

   OPEN YOUR EYES - this time of life is a bit uneven for many - menopause and our children empty-nesting etc., but we live to be 100 today and your life is at a point of new beginnings for you! Google it - more and more people find that this time of life is full of new opportunities- miracles, fun and happy resolution of things past and a chance to satisfy goals and needs that you sacrificed when you were young to get your young adult life going. It's a whole new world if you want it, or enrichment of the world you have. IT IS YOUR CALL - get rested, and take your vitamins and fix your health woes so you do not miss it. LIFE ABOVE ALL

9. AnonymousDecember 2,2023 at 2:35PM UTC

   My latest "The Art of Finding Work" column deals with the question of whether a career is worth it (Is the juice worth the squeeze?).

   You're in your 50s, hence trying to get into technical writing is a pipedream that will inevitably lead to heartache. Think about who you are competing against... younger and hunger candidates who have relevant experience and education.

   Read my column "A Job, A Career… Which Do You Really Want? Why?" [ https://canadanewsmedia.ca/a-job-a-career-which-do-you-really-want-why/ ]

   What you probably need—what most people probably need—is a job, not a career. As I explain in my column, a career is not for everyone and requires constant maintance.

10. Kristie WhiteDecember 2,2023 at 3:28PM UTC

    I understand your fatigue. Working full time plus caregiving equals two full times jobs. Now you have the stress of the layoff on top of it. My advice would be to avoid making a big career decision right now. I have done the caregiver role and it may be difficult to have the focus or energy for a pivot. But you might check out remote jobs on Upwork or other freelance sites. Some people can make a living this way, I know I did for about eight months. But you have to hustle for these jobs, watch the job announcements by setting up notifications, jump on a job asap so you are a first responder, take some jobs at low pay to gain references, etc. Good luck!

11. Merris HawkDecember 2,2023 at 3:58PM UTC

    You might want to consider a staffing agency. I learned and expanded my knowledge quite a bit while working different assignments. I was able to manage the time off that I wanted and still make a decent living. Benefits are now something that's offered by many agencies and I was offered full time work more than once by the companies I was assigned to. I wish I could say "follow your dreams" but you're smart enough to know that you have priorities that might take precedence. Don't give up, but it's possible a change of scenery and coworkers might lift your spirits.

12. AnonymousDecember 3,2023 at 5:01AM UTC

    Change of career in 50s may be difficult because they will start you from scratch and pay not be commensurate with your experience.

13. Afo Ogbeyalu KaluDecember 3,2023 at 2:44PM UTC

    https://www.ratracerebellion.com

    https://www.flexjobs.com

    https://www.citylimits.org job board for remote work

    Also consider using your transferable skills in a new industry, like healthcare. Hospitals and long-term care facilities are often in need of QA specialists in their Finance Depts

    Becoming a consultant may be a viable option as well. Best of luck!

14. caitlin lopezDecember 3,2023 at 3:40PM UTC

    Join an open-source project. This will allow you to get the experience.

    And I am the same, tired to deal with idiots

15. AnonymousDecember 3,2023 at 4:12PM UTC

    I know exactly where you are coming from - got laid off this March at age 55 with parents in their 80s starting to need more support.
    It didn't end up quite how I expected (I thought I'd be back working fulltime by now!), but it's worked out. As I approach the end of the year I've billed for enough consulting work that I'm at par with my former salary and had the flexibilty I needed to spend some time with my parents and help my mother do things she enjoys before she is no longer capable.

    So it's definitely possible! As others have noted, I would wait to be laid off and take full advantage of the remaining time you have on salary/benefits. I know you are already working 2 jobs with caregiving, but if it's possible to "phone it in" at your day job - doing the minimum so you can't get fired for cause but not going the extra mile - that might give you some time to explore trainings in your new desired field while poking around about contract opportunities in your established one.

    Focus on minimizing your expenses and saving as much as you can now, and create a survival financial plan - if you know anyone else who's been laid off from your firm, ask them what you can expect in terms of severance and benefits so you have a baseline. If you do get outplacement services, take full advantage of any training resources you can get (LinkedIn Learning is a common benefit for example). And if you really cannot manage right now, go on FMLA rather than quit - this won't protect you from getting laid off, but you will still be eligble for severance and COBRA that way. Hope this helps!

16. Alicia MascarenasDecember 3,2023 at 4:53PM UTC

    Just got laid off 3 weeks before Christmas at 51. Trying to regroup!

17. Deborah GoldsteinDecember 4,2023 at 1:38PM UTC

    great advice!

18. AnonymousDecember 3,2023 at 8:29PM UTC

    I'm going to be 60 this year. I was working as a maintenance controller in a VA hospital for years. I received a scholarship for war veterans and went to grad school. I earned an MSW/MBA degree. I thought I would not get hired at 58 but I was hired by another VA hospital in a new state. I moved, and social work is now my retirement career.

19. Deborah GoldsteinDecember 4,2023 at 1:39PM UTC

    Love this!

20. Dereine ColemanDecember 4,2023 at 3:15PM UTC

    Bravo!

21. AnonymousDecember 4,2023 at 4:06PM UTC

    Check out companies like Contently, where you're able to "sell" a service. Technical writing is a specific skill set looked for by many industries. I assume the company you worked at produced products requiring technical writing? I would take one or two of their products and create your own samples of writing for those products. Get some traction with smaller jobs there and use as your portfolio in your resume.

22. AnonymousDecember 4,2023 at 7:54PM UTC

    I have to agree in my case it’s more new management, disrespecting not appreciating all the years of dedication of work

23. AnonymousDecember 6,2023 at 3:33AM UTC

    Also in my 50's - been with the same company for 17 years moved up into a senior position, 3 universty degrees, some industry certifications, and many of us are facing layoffs.

    The day I am given notice I am going to fish for a week. Central to any QA role is the ability to articulate test cases clearly, you probably can just get a certificate in Technical Writing and leverage your years of experience. It also helps to spell check your posting, as I suspect you meant 'do' instead of 'fo', unless you meant Phở :). I do sincerely wish you the best, and happiness in new found freedom.