Hello,

16 Comments

1. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 4,2023 at 10:51PM UTC

   What do you do and what do you want to do? Some transitions are easier than others.

2. Robyn SealeyJuly 5,2023 at 11:20PM UTC

   I'm in food service street sales.  Been here for over 25 years, I'm not sure what I want to do which is the problem.  I'm very good at what I do, I'm just not in love like I used to be.

3. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 11:47AM UTC

   You could pivot to catering or event planning. If these suggestions don't interest you as yourself what do you enjig doing. What is something that you like doing so much you would do it for free.

4. AnonymousJuly 4,2023 at 11:05PM UTC

   Well I would definitely consider your pivot. The best way to plan for the switch is to assess your transferable skills and then augment that skillset where needed to make you competitive for your new career.

   While you may need to adjust your earnings expectations, with planning and leveraging what you already have you could realistically set yourself in motion in 24 months.

   58 is not a factor if you still want to work hard and fast to get what you want. Having that drive is more the deciding factor.

5. Maggie CarlsonJuly 5,2023 at 11:05AM UTC

   I understand your concern over age, but don't let it hold you back! I think most people make a few pivots in their career. Many employers will appreciate your experience, drive and overall fit with their company culture.

   While you may unfortunately run into a couple of cases where hiring managers do judge your age (whether making stereotypes or worrying you may expect a higher pay than someone younger)... the GREAT news is that there are so many companies out there that would be happy and lucky to have you on your own merits and what you can bring to the team.

   I would echo the recommendation to take a look at your transferrable skills. There are many ways to start positioning yourself for a pivot. There are many free/cheap opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in a different field. Continuing Ed through a college, training on something like Udemy, using LinkedIn Learning, getting 1:1 career coaching like BetterUp.

   You could look for opportunities around work to start practicing those skills. Catchafire is an AWESOME place to volunteer your professional experience and help nonprofits. Then resume-wise, you could look at sample resumes and job descriptions in the field you're switching to find language in previous job descriptions to tweak.

   Hope that gives you some inspiration :) Millennial here without major career shifts, but my HR mama tried to instill a lot of wisdom in me haha.

6. Robyn SealeyJuly 5,2023 at 11:11PM UTC

   Thank you so much for the advise.  I will check into cathafire to see what they offer.

7. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 11:44AM UTC

   58 is not dead. There are many people who found success in their golden years. Grandma Moses didn't start painting until she was in her late 70s, Col Sanders was in his late 60s when he started KFC. You should focus on what you can do that both utilizes your talents and is something you enjoy. You can either go the career route and search for a new job or start your own business. If you need help with figuring out what you want to do you should consult with a life coach. You have plenty of options. God is not done with you. Go get em!

8. Marcia SmithJuly 6,2023 at 1:38PM UTC

   Get over your age. We are never too old to begin a new journey and PLENTY of women start a new career path in their 50s...depending on how long you plan to work before you retire, you have another 12-15 years or more and that is PLENTY to enjoy what you are doing. Think about what you love and where does your heart take you? go there!!

9. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 2:54PM UTC

   I'm in the same boat BUT I did review my transferable skills. I found something else I could do and my age hasn't gotten in the way.

10. BethBJuly 6,2023 at 2:55PM UTC

    I’m just a few years older and I totally get it. I wanted to become a therapist and would need to go back to school and then work in a supervised setting and by the time I was able to build a practice I’d be wanting to slow down in life.

    What are your retirement plans? For instance if you are planning on retiring at 62, maybe finish out in your current career. If you are looking at 67+, look at your transferable skills and get going. You are going from a position of strength, so nothing ventured, nothing gained. Network like crazy. I know someone who was looking for a change who met her current boss when they were volunteering for their church.

11. CarynJuly 6,2023 at 3:23PM UTC

    I sold my retail business at 56 and got a job as a receptionist at a school. They specifically wanted an older person as a 'mother' figure to the kids, more patient and less stressed than a younger person would be as I have no other responsibilities like children etc. So to answer your question, yes older people have options. I would look for those kind of jobs where you are appreciated for being 'older'.

12. Marlo BrooksJuly 6,2023 at 4:48PM UTC

    Unless you have been working in a super specialized field, you will have many skills that are transferable to different roles and/or industries. I am a finance professional, but hated the finance professional landscape. I use my skills to support a non-profit environment organization - so still finance, but in an area that speaks to me personally.

    Ageism is real, but you have plenty of work life remaining. Work will always be "work" but you shouldn't dread going to your job.

13. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 9:50PM UTC

    Some areas of the country you may face less ageism. Find out if yours is one, find a good niche/interest and you may make a go of it!

14. tiffany birchJuly 6,2023 at 9:59PM UTC

    Take a look at your value which you could do in any industry and find one that speaks to you, one that you enjoy. Many of us have transferrable skills that we don't think about until we are in a position of change. Another boost to yourself, is age is a number, attitude keeps you much younger that your birth date. Much success! I am my shoe size!

15. Jennifer AndersonJuly 7,2023 at 6:01PM UTC

    My first question is more of a logistics question. Are you set up for retirement? If yes and your future retirement plans are funded then you should move/change to what ever you want.

    If they are not funded then your question is a bit more of a challenge as you may be expecting to fund based on your current salary level, which might not translate should you change industries and/or jobs.

    You do, however, have options!!!!!!

    The question is what is important to you both now and in the future? For us, hubby wants to retire at 60 (he's 51 now). We thought that was fully doable but hubby also wanted a job with more management and less technical. Making this change required him to take a pay cut. He weighed his happiness versus the ability to retire at 60 and decided that being happy now was worth an extra two years of working. While I would have liked him to retire when he wants, I'm also happy because he feels challenged and stressed in a good way now versus before where he was just upset and stressed.

    Good Luck in what ever you decide!

16. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 7:17PM UTC

    Find your passion take some aptitude tests or take your hobbies and find work around what you like to do. It's never ever ever too late to do what you love and just htink of chapter 2 as being the love language of your career aspirations. 58 isn't old you have lots of time left to do something new and best of all you bring world experience to the mix.