Changing careers

[IBrakeforPastry]

Just a quick reply because something is boiling on the stove. As far as nursing goes, if it's something you're really interested in, please don't let your age get in the way. My doctor provides training and other opportunities for new graduates and those still in training. They may be qualified, but they're young and have few "real life" experiences. They are very clinical, and their interpersonal skills can be a little immature. I'm sure with the right work environment they will continue to learn (I hope) but I sometimes wish there was someone a little more mature to discuss things with. The younger people need us older ones to act as professional mentors. (although the ones in my workplace simply rebelled and now the situation appears hopeless ). I hope I'm explaining this well without offending anyone. Good luck!

(I'm thinking of a vet tech for my next career which should be in a couple of years )

[Crankin]

I guess the idea that there needs to be more out there for us +50 athletes is kind of part of my motivation to pursue the ACSM wellness certification. There are several ways to qualify for the training course and being a therapist/counselor is one of them. Older people are willing to pay for this service (at least around here) as they often have some life experience with what happens to your health when you don't stay active. I like the idea of combining my 2 interests (fitness and counseling), being able to have my own business, without having to deal with health insurance as a motivator. I always will have to do clinical work at least a few hours a week to stay current; besides I really like what I do.
I've thought about resurrecting my ACE certification (it's been 15 years), only to teach senior classes, or at least slightly easier versions of boot camp/spin, etc. But, I know what will happen, I'll get burned out, so that will stay a thought in my head!

[SFLiz]

Hmm, let me add yet another former lawyer's opinion. Is it that we have a propensity for the sport of cycling or for giving career advice?

Anyhow, there are some philosophical issues embedded in this discussion. Many people tend to tie their identities with their livelihoods; many with their titles. Some excellent points have been made here. I will just add that I don't believe you should be concerned about whether a job seems like a step back, whatever that may mean to you. This touches upon how we perceive work. Is it merely a means to fund your existence, or rather a career that satisfies what you believe may be one of your purposes in life? I won't delve deeper into this except to suggest that you analyze how you think of "work", "purpose". Merely joining the W-2 fray just because you think the world is "geared for working people" may lead you to act summarily without allowing for thorough consideration of alternatives to your financial and emotional needs. Cantril and Bumstead examined our quest to understand our purpose through work in Reflection on the Human Venture. To question one’s meaning, one’s purpose, can be like opening Pandora’s Box. Tolstoy arrived at a great despondency, what he labeled as his “life arrest” in his essay My Confession, when he did so.

I do echo what Indysteel has expressed about debt. I am adverse to personal loans. Home mortgage is acceptable; however, I have strong opinions on this which are outside the scope of this discussion. I do caution against taking out a large student loan without heavy deliberation. I'm not saying it's absolutely bad; just think long and hard about signing onto that. I saw many lawyers who felt trapped in their career options because they had the anchor of their law school debt limiting their ability to leave firm life shackles. After spending too many all-nighters at the firm office as a corporate attorney during deal closings and giving too much of myself to a firm and clients, I had the freedom to leave that lifestyle because I had no debt.

I think goldfinch offers very perceptive thoughts - I agree with everything she's said; in fact, all of it resonated with my own beliefs and opinions. It takes some time to become accustomed to nontraditional work-days, but now that I am independent of an employer, I love it. I find it completely freeing and wonderful. But, then again, I was never one to find that work met any social needs for me. Many people miss the work place because they use it as an avenue for socialization; I never did. I became a lawyer because of the intellectual stimulation. I saw the constant pressure to attend firm functions, parties as an intrusion into my personal time. We all have differing emotional and financial needs. Just offering another opinion.

[OakLeaf]

Is it that we have a propensity for the sport of cycling or for giving career advice?

Ha, that's funny, I always said law school was the last refuge of people devoid of creative ideas about what to do with our lives. It sure was for me, anyway.

/drift

[Amira]

Ha, that's funny, I always said law school was the last refuge of people devoid of creative ideas about what to do with our lives. It sure was for me, anyway.

/drift

Amen, sister.

I actively discourage anyone from going these days. Maybe I've practiced too long. I am burned out and ready to do something else as well, but then I run into problem A, which is 'what do I want to do with my life when I grow up', all over again.

[Dogmama]

Wow, as usual, my TE sisters come through in spades.

First - education - as long as I attend a state university, I go for $5/semester. I retired with full benefits. So, no debt accrual.

Social work vs mental health counseling - sadly in AZ, the only thing available is a BSW or MSW through Arizona State Univ. If I wanted to do mental health counseling, it would have to be through Univ of Phoenix and that is more money than I want to spend. A friends amassed a student loan of $60K there & came out with a masters in counseling that will take her a long time to repay. Mental health counseling with an MSW requires 2000+ hours of internship. So, I'd be looking at 3-4 years before I could be a "real" counselor & take insurance. For me, that's too long.

Returning to the University - I would take basically a droid job. Crunch the numbers or manage some small project - nothing on the scale of what I left. I don't want the hassle or responsibility because I've been there/done that. I do think a half time job would be fine and if they paid my insurance (depends on FTE) that would be even better. I WAS one of those people who liked the social interaction with my peers & can get along with just about anybody. The position I left, senior business manager, was extremely difficult due to budget cuts. I was working 60 hours/week when I finally retired. Middle management sucks. None of the authority with all of the responsibility.

Personal training has always interested me but the gyms seem to employ 20-somethings with no wrinkles. If I did PT, I'd go for ACSM because it is the gold standard and I think it can open doors. I've always wondered if a middle age overweight woman would rather have another middle age woman working with her or a young boy who may not understand physical/mental/emotional limitations.
Here is a footnote to this - I have a good friend who is a Reiki master. I always thought that Reiki + personal training would be a great combination. Especially if I learned how to transfer energy. Just a thought.

Interesting about the lawyers on the boards - I've met so many burned out lawyers that I'm glad I never went to law school. DH is a private investigator - mostly murders. People seem to think that it's similar to TV dramas & it isn't. DH is still actively working. I thought the agreement when I retired was that he would cut back too but that ain't happening anytime soon. I'm not a happy house frau. I'd rather work & pay somebody to clean my house.

I'm relieved to hear about people who also flounder in retirement. My working friends roll their eyes at me. I used to think the same thing and I do enjoy my freedom. But I would like to have a purpose. I've done lots of volunteer work and will continue, but it's not the same as a job where people expect you to be there & depend on you.

[malkin]

Ok...a little OT here... I was just being bugged by my job, and read this thread, and shouted to Brewer (in the next room) Maybe I could become a fitness instructor! and he replied enthusiastically, "I think you'd make a fine chicken inspector!"

[emily_in_nc]

I'm relieved to hear about people who also flounder in retirement. My working friends roll their eyes at me. I used to think the same thing and I do enjoy my freedom. But I would like to have a purpose. I've done lots of volunteer work and will continue, but it's not the same as a job where people expect you to be there & depend on you.

I can totally relate, Dogmama! I retired last August (2011) a week before we moved down to Belize. Since then I've been blogging, and we have been traveling whenever finances allow, but I have been bored a lot of the time. Not used to that! I recently volunteered to be the webmaster for the local humane society, but the amount of time it requires is minimal (5-6 hours a week or so). I am not "officially" allowed to work or volunteer here since we are not permanent residents, and the government does not want anyone on a tourist visa to take away work that a local might be able to perform, even on a volunteer basis, which is so strange to me. But no one thinks they'll notice or care about a behind-the-scenes webmaster role, so I was willing to take that on.

It's definitely a very odd-feeling transition to suddenly not be working after working my entire adult life. I was used to being "needed", being a part of a team, drawing a good paycheck, having insurance through my job, and all those little perks that come with it. I was also very, very tired of the politics and even of the work, which, by the end, was just changing so fast and becoming less and less engaging for me than it had been in the earlier years. I was a software engineer in the telecom industry, and it's really a job that is geared more towards the 20- and 30-somethings who are willing to put in the killer hours and are up on all the latest technology. In my last five years or so on the job, I felt old and out-paced by the younger folks being hired. I was ready to leave and overall don't miss it, just certain aspects of it. If I were offered my old job back, I wouldn't take it.

I read a lot of articles online and found that it's incredibly normal to feel a real loss of "self" when you retire from a career you've done for years or decades. It's not just us. It takes time, too, to find that next identity. I am still working on that part. But I do know that even though I miss the structure of work and many of my co-workers, I don't miss having to go to work every day, having to get up with an alarm clock, the politics, or being told what to do all the time. I can't imagine ever going back to that.

I hope you find your way, whatever it turns out to be. From what you've told us, I think working with dogs would be a fabulous niche for you. Once we are no longer traveling much, I would like to volunteer to work with a Boston Terrier rescue group myself. There are so many opportunities to make a difference that do not involve drawing a salary! I don't think I'd ever go back to school or start another paying career unless I needed to financially. I feel very fortunate that I don't "need" to work for money as I was able to earn a good salary and sock a lot of it away over the years, and DH and I have lived below our means for our entire marriage (27 years so far).

Best of luck as you figure this all out!