Hi everyone. I'm doing a career pivot from the product management arena to accounting - the field I have my degree in. I'm brushing up on a few concepts since it's been YEARS since I got my degree and I haven't had any hands-on experience in the field. I'll soon be 57 y/o and I'm scared to death. My question is how does everyone handle the anxiety and stress of doing a career pivot?

14 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 4,2024 at 12:38PM UTC

   First accept that this NORMAL. They wouldn’t have hired you if they thought you couldn’t do the job. Just exude the confidence of a mediocre man and you’ll be ok ?

2. Rae WagonerJune 4,2024 at 1:10PM UTC

   Best advice ever. EXUDE THE CONFIDENCE OF A MEDIOCRE MAN.

3. customer JohnsonJune 4,2024 at 1:09PM UTC

   Coach yourself up!!There is a huge shortage of accountants. I just met with mine last week — she says there are not a lot of new grads willing to put in the hours. THEY NEED YOU! You know business and that’s critical to being a good accountant. You are hitting the market at a great time. As soon as you can, find a large membership accounting organization (AICPA or other) in your city or state, and start going to the meetings. Build a network, be active — you can do this!

4. AnonymousJune 7,2024 at 10:54AM UTC

   Thank you! That's exactly what I'm currently doing - putting in the hours studying to brush up on concepts, connecting to people who are CPAs, etc in order to get to where I want to be. I'm determined :)

5. AnonymousJune 4,2024 at 1:48PM UTC

   Do you have a job lined up? I’d keep working in your current field and take classes and certifications while employed. Make contacts in the new field and see if you can get hired. If accounting is your thing , more power to you. The key is networking while you’re training. Not sure what level accounting you’re interested in but it’s a field that is always looking for people. Good luck!

6. AnonymousJune 7,2024 at 10:57AM UTC

   No, not yet. I was laid off six months ago and started looked for opportunities related to the job I was previously doing, but then I stopped and asked myself if that was something I really wanted to do for the rest of my working life, and decided "No, I love numbers, that's why I went for an accounting degree in the first place." I'm currently networking, brushing up on a few concepts and also looking at contract positions to start. Thank you :)

7. Jennifer TaylorJune 4,2024 at 2:26PM UTC

   I pivoted my career at 50 from creative project management to internal communications. My degree is in communications/journalism, so I was getting back to my roots as well. I took contract roles for about a year to get my feet wet and brush up on my skills. Four short years later and I'm running my own corporate communications for a small manufacturing firm.

   YOU can do this! The anxiety is still going to be there, but have faith in yourself.

8. AnonymousJune 7,2024 at 10:58AM UTC

   That's awesome! Congratulations! <3

9. AnonymousJune 4,2024 at 2:47PM UTC

   What other times in your life have you been scared to do something, but did it anyway, and it turned out better than you expected? Rehearse those situations in your mind to give you confidence in this situation. Review your resume or LinkedIn and remind yourself of all the amazing things you have done in the past 57 years. Yes, this will be stressful at first. Yes, you will feel incompetent for a while. But you have done amazing things in your life and you can do this too!

10. AnonymousJune 7,2024 at 11:04AM UTC

    OMG, there have been so many times - being a parent was big, and there have definitely been others. I'm motivated and determined and will be great at this! Thank you! :)

11. Ebony MurphyJune 5,2024 at 2:02PM UTC

    Go to the government

12. AnonymousJune 7,2024 at 11:01AM UTC

    I've already submitted applications for State and Federal positions in the accounting field. I'm hoping to hear something back soon, but you know how slow the process can be. In the meantime, I'm studying, brushing up on concepts, and looking for contract opportunities. :)

13. AnonymousJune 9,2024 at 1:44PM UTC

    Think first of the transferable skills. I went from the IT industry to ministry in my 50s. I focused on my customer service and training/public speaking skills when the "Can I do this?" slipped in. No matter how extreme the differences between the two industries, you can find skills required in common. Do you have budgeting experience from PM? Cash flow analysis? Is there an interim PM step to help you make contacts in the accounting field? I did this as a (volunteer) lay leader in a church. Figure out your accounting niche and work on certifications. This will refresh and update your knowledge. The certification will help in the job search.

14. AnonymousJune 9,2024 at 3:01PM UTC

    Breathe! First and foremost you should be sure to focus on what you know and how you learn new things. Give yourself the grace to get up to speed and set your own deadlines for making that happen. Find a mentor, its never too late for that and use them to help you when you hit a bump.