Anyone here changed careers?

[steveoz]

So I'm 52 and considering the future, has anyone here done a complete, somewhat risky career change later in life? ( meaning taking a leap with no support in the form of big nest egg savings, working spouse, 401K, etc..) Thanks!

[Spaghetti Legs]

I've been trying (same age) but the going has been slow. I'm in health care with pretty much highly specialized skills. I'm interested in a completely different direction and I think I have the personal skills but not professional experience or training for it. I've scaled back to part time with benefits in my current job, but the progress has been slow. I've been trying to do this with minimal risk.

[makoti]

At 47, I left working for the airlines. 28 years as a Flight Attendant. There is no lateral move in that business. You work for who you work for, or you start over from the bottom with someone else. I didn't love it enough to fly crap trips with someone else, so I left, went back to school for Radiology, getting my degree as a Radiographer. An X-ray tech. Took 22 months. As luck would have it, I ended up never actually taking x-rays, but stayed in the field doing MRI. Been at it 12 years. Worth the two years I had no income while in school. I'm on my 3rd place of employment now, having gotten a new job in the middle of all the virus stuff.
It's scary, but I had come to the point where I hated going to work, and didn't trust the company I worked for not to continue to whittle away at my pay & benefits. We had been going backwards for 5 years, at the time.
Plan it out. If you don't know what you want to do, consider career counseling. I was someone's Masters Thesis for Counseling & got a crap ton of testing done. The most helpful was called "The Strong Preferences Test", I believe. You like this, These people like this, too. They do this and like it so maybe you would too. I never would have looked at Radiology, otherwise.
Know what you need to get you through the adjustment period, and go at it full steam. It can be a very good move.

[Bruce K]

15 years ago I left the family business and spent a little time figuring out the next step....

In September I will begin my 14th year teaching Middle School Mathematics.

No regrets.

BK

[54ny77]

I considered pro cycling as a career change, but then realized my average 15 mph riding speed and wattage output similar to a light bulb wasn't going to cut it in the spring classics.

:p

[Ken Robb]

I was 29 when I gave up a corporate sales job to sell real estate. My job would have required several major relocations if I wanted any chance of promotion. I loved San Diego, owned a nice home and knew I was a good salesman so I made the leap. My new career offered no guarantees or fringe benefits plus there is considerable overhead as an independent contractor. Imagine me turning in my brand new Pontiac Catalina company car and buying an 8 year-old Pontiac Catalina with 106,000 miles on the clock and you get the picture.

So I lasted 36 years and I hired and/or trained hundreds of agents. Some of them made good and others didn't. I turned down more applicants than I hired because I KNEW they had no chance either due to lack of aptitude, wrong attitude or inadequate resources to carry them until they started earning commissions.

So, do you know what you want to do and where you want to do it? Are qualified to get a salaried position with benefits so your lack of resources now won't starve you out in a month?

If you want to PM or email to chat about your thoughts that will be fine with me. I can pretend to be your wise uncle. :-)

[XXtwindad]

I changed careers at age 40. I went from “crafting adjectives” to “sculpting triceps.” Interestingly enough, there is some overlay. When I was a full-time journalist, my mantra was “everybody has a narrative.” My job, as a writer, was to find those stories and tell them in a compelling way.

Similarly, as a personal trainer, every “body” has a narrative of movement. It’s now my job to understand that history in order to create a healthy path forward.

I love my job. I’ve had most of my clients for 7-10 years. Writing is still fundamental to who I am, however. It’s the thing the gives me the most pleasure in life, next to cycling.

“Do what you love,” as the old adage holds. If you have that opportunity now, I would eagerly seize it.

[XXtwindad]

15 years ago I left the family business and spent a little time figuring out the next step....

In September I will begin my 14th year teaching Middle School Mathematics.

No regrets.

BK

If there’s any job that inspires awe and envy it’s being a teacher. The psychic rewards are immense. My best friend is a teacher. She’s had students that she hasn’t seen in nearly two decades reach out to her and say how important she was to their life and growth.

What a legacy.

[robt57]

Not recent, but after a recession hit, being a contractor was too rough to hold onto with kids/wife/house.

I turned my hobby then, a SYSOP [dating myself I know] into computer consulting gig that for the following 10 years had me working 2 day a weeks and making 6 figures with-in a few scant years. Best part was no working 90 hr a week while my kids growing up wizzed by without me noticing was avoided. 10+ best year followed.

I had to work a little more and had no time to ride a bike as a contractor.

So being this is a cycling forum, work smarter and less, make the $ame... and ride 5-8k mile a year. Just stop buying expensive stuff..

So there is my 2 cent, worth almost every penny...


Good luck to the OP, better do it now, age and employers a factor.

[eddief]

I was a career counselor for my last 20 years of work. I changed careers pretty radically three times during my work life. There were some overlaps in skill sets but each move required a lot of new learning. Each one did not lead to a ton more money but each one got me closer to true job satisfaction.

If you want to change you need to research yourself first to know what you need for money, type of org or not, other people or not, work environment and many other variables. After that you need to know what you want to do and whether or not that target fits all of the self variables. And finally if there is any market for that work.

Market research and face to face networking are the keys. Enthusiasm is worth its weight in gold.

If you decide to switch you should be able to do so with some level of certainty you will be going to a grass is greener situation. If not, why jump?

[Seramount]

let's see...over my 40-years of employment, had a few jobs. in order of occurrence:

Environmental Specialist (biological impact assessments for major energy company)

Tour Manager (guided camping trips for Europeans)

Bartender / House painter / Tow truck operator

Laboratory Manager (university-operated agricultural research station)

Self-employed (house flipper)

Environmental Consultant (human health/ecological risk assessments)

Self-employed (fungal investigations for insurance carriers)

Environmental Scientist (state regulatory agency)

[Bentley]

I considered pro cycling as a career change, but then realized my average 15 mph riding speed and wattage output similar to a light bulb wasn't going to cut it in the spring classics.

:p

That or the PGA Tour....

[biker72]

Changing careers at 50+ is tough even in good times when unemployment is low. Right now we're in the middle of a pandemic with record high unemployment.

It's not impossible but you'll be the new kid on the block looking for a job with a bunch of 30 year olds willing to work for a lot less money. Who would you hire???

[Joel]

If you enjoy what you do (and it's not clear from your post if you do or not), here's another way to think through it.

I got downsized at age 53 from mega-corp.

Field is Consumer Insights / Marketing Research. Been doing it since '84. Love the work.

So, having never had my own business took a wild shot at consulting in the same field. Just leaned into letting every single contact I have know what I was doing.

Work poured in.

Now approaching 60 I'm contemplating retiring, but actually still having too much fun. I've learned more in the past 7 years than the prior 20.

Just one guy and one experience FWIW...

Joel

[dgauthier]

Changing careers at 50+ is tough even in good times when unemployment is low. Right now we're in the middle of a pandemic with record high unemployment.

It's not impossible but you'll be the new kid on the block looking for a job with a bunch of 30 year olds willing to work for a lot less money. Who would you hire???

Think positively!

A buddy of mine in his late 40's early 50's just changed careers *last week* (from video post production to internet advertising). He wrapped up his old career yesterday and starts his new career July 6th.

I must say I was impressed. It is absolutely do-able, now or any time. Just do it, as they say.

[jlwdm]

I was an attorney for 9 years then switched to commercial real estate and other jobs for close to 4 years. Back home as an attorney for 8 years.

At 48 moved back to second state for residential real estate for 12 years.

At 61 I started over in residential real estate in TX. Been here for 11 plus years.

I find changing things up leads to personal growth.

Jeff

[Chris]

I’ll be 50 this year. Been a psychologist for 20 years. My youngest is a senior, so now I’m going to take acting classes. I didn’t want to be a star while my kids were young and have them spoiled.

[ultraman6970]

I did swap to another thing... IT since back early 90s, several things related with it since cabling coaxial and ethernet networks and OS's all the way up to 2010 ish that i started doing my own stuff till got tired of it. Computers dont fail anymore, market is full of kids aswell, companies as makes sense go for the younger buck so moved to a school bus driver just because I was not able to catch anything in my thing.

Wife works, Kids will be outta home I hope in the next 4 to 5 years. In my case is not that the work pays a lot because it doesnt compared with IT, but is better than McDonalds or any other fast food place and at least in my county for what it is, bus driver is really well payed, plus good benefits aswell, off during the summer, paid summer aswell...

A lot of responsibility but at the same time if you dont screw up boss wont even know that u are there. Nobody is going after your sorry a$$$$S just because, so thats a plus.

A lot of guys with my same background doing the driving thing aswell, that was interesting to see... guys that got fired then they cant find work so they need to drive for 6 more years and they retire so the driving gig has been a good one for them.

In general sometimes you have to take a leap of faith too because u really dont know what is going to happen. Sometimes things work out, sometimes they dont.

[Elefantino]

Retired from newspapers at 55, after 35 years.

Went to bike school. Now in my seventh year working in the bike industry, in and out of shops and bike companies.

[SlowPokePete]

I was an accountant for 5 years out of college, earned and MBA, then quit, went back to school to become a teacher.

6 years of 2nd Grade.

16 years of Kindergarten.

3 years of 5th Grade.

Officially retired as of July 1, age 55.

SPP

[bianchi10]

I considered pro cycling as a career change, but then realized my average 15 mph riding speed and wattage output similar to a light bulb wasn't going to cut it in the spring classics.

:p

Hahahaha!!! literally LOL'd

[Peter P.]

6 years of 2nd Grade.

16 years of Kindergarten.

3 years of 5th Grade.


Boy, you stayed back A LOT!

[54ny77]

:banana:

Boy, you stayed back A LOT!

[GregL]

I graduated college with an aeronautical engineering degree, but wasn’t ready to “fly a desk.” I was a professional pilot for 11 years, from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s. I flew two years for a regional airline and the remaining years for three business aviation flight departments. I was fortunate to have reasonable pay for the time period, well-maintained aircraft, and great training. The downside was unpredictable schedules and lots of nights away from home.

As I hit my early thirties, it was clear that a flying career just wasn’t stable enough to support my family lifestyle desires. My wife had completed her degree and re-entered the workforce at a level that could support my making a career change. With much angst, I jumped back into engineering. Fast forward 25 years and I’m director of engineering operations for a large defense electronics company. While I will always miss flying, engineering has given me a terrific, challenging career and a great life for my family. Bonus fringe benefit: a much better schedule for bike riding and racing! Don’t be afraid to take that chance on a career change!

Greg

[Tandem Rider]

Mrs TR is currently doing that right now. I'm glad I can support my family in it's accustomed lifestyle while she gets going, just no extra spending. I can't offer any help with the decision, I have had the same career field since way before I quit trying to make money racing my bike. Currently looking at retiring in 8 or so years. :)

[steveoz]

Wow, thanks all for the replies - I've been pondering things for a while- shopping my skills to another employer is an option - I can't go without an income while attempting to retrain, and there's no outside financial support (I'm loathe to take out a loan..)

[tuxbailey]

Please don't brag. There are mortals here.

I considered pro cycling as a career change, but then realized my average 15 mph riding speed and wattage output similar to a light bulb wasn't going to cut it in the spring classics.

:p

[Gummee]

So I lasted 36 years and I hired and/or trained hundreds of agents. Some of them made good and others didn't. I turned down more applicants than I hired because I KNEW they had no chance either due to lack of aptitude, wrong attitude or inadequate resources to carry them until they started earning commissions.
I spent a decade on the other end of the business: I was a Loan Officer

I'd love to get back into the business, but can't find anyone to take a chance on someone that's been out of the business since 04. The housing bubble bursting got me.

...except finding and talking to borrowers is still finding and talking to borrowers. That hasn't changed and is hard to train. I had to go hungry a fair bit to learn what to say and what not to say.

I learned to become a walking, talking marketing machine. NOT my typical behavior pattern at all.

M

[JasonF]

I find changing things up leads to personal growth.


Totally agree. I'm in the process of selling my equity stake in a firm (small hedge fund/private equity shop) to my partners and growing the financial planning practice we started some years ago. At 51, I could have coasted for the next few years and contemplated retirement but I never plan to retire. It's terrifying to start from near-scratch...scared but excited.

I realized a change was coming as I've spent the last few years focusing on the financial planning side more than anything and rather than attending industry trade shows getting my CFP, RICP, in addition to having a JD etc...Helping people reach their financial goals makes me leap out of bed in the morning. Talking to management about taking a small stake in their company no longer has any appeal.

Here's some advice I can give you if I put my CFP hat on:

1. Try to build some sort of financial moat/income stream IN ADDITION to the typically-recommended 3-6 months of expenses set aside in an emergency fund. This is especially the case if you're planning to start a new business or the prospects for the new employer are uncertain. As others have mentioned, depending on what you're doing you may be low man on the totem poll. Last hired/first fired and all that.

The stress of a new career coupled with the stress of financial strain can be difficult to manage.

If you're moving into a very stable employment environment (e.g., teacher in a public school) then you can get by with less reserves.

2. Make sure you get your health insurance coverage squared away before making any leap.

3. If you have stock options, carefully review your choices before departure.

4. If there's going to be a gap in income for the current tax year (i.e., lower taxable income) consider making Roth conversions while you are in a temporarily lower tax bracket.

5. Make sure your support system is on board and there to help (spouse, SO, friends, etc...)

Finally, eddief mentioned the career counseling angle. If you're unsure about your next career that would be a great idea. My daughter, clients children and many adults I know used Johnson O'Connor to get an idea of their interests and strengths. There are a lot of similar companies out there.

Best of luck!!!!

[Plum Hill]

I’m still chuckling over Ken Robb’s Pontiac Catalina.

[rounder]

I was pretty much always an accountant, For the first 15 years, I worked in a bank, so thought I was a banker until it was taken over by a larger bank. Then did what I could as an accountant taking temp jobs during the 1980's S&L crisis. Fell in with a firm that was a government contractor and worked with them for the next 20+ years. Lots of travel was involved. Things worked out and am now retired. My advice is think positive and be flexible.

[tmarcus1076]

I worked for 48 years for a local newspaper on LI. Worked my way up to pressroom foreman. Two years ago the printing of the paper was outsourced to another newspaper and I was out a job. Not ready to retire, as hard as it is to believe, I love working. Applied for a job at another paper as mailroom foreman ( no not the mailroom in Elf). Been happily employed there for two years and figure have a couple more left. Tony

[rustychisel]

Band manager; journalist and editor; at age 50 I went back to university to get my qualifications (when the internet destroyed our publishing business) and have been tutoring and lecturing for 7 years.

Mate, it's all good, it's a linear progression, not a 'career change'. Get that straight in your head and proceed from there.

[oldpotatoe]

So I'm 52 and considering the future, has anyone here done a complete, somewhat risky career change later in life? ( meaning taking a leap with no support in the form of big nest egg savings, working spouse, 401K, etc..) Thanks!

Yup...retired from the USN(granted, I had a pension and free medical for family)..BUT, no interest in the airlines..sold our house in San Diego(in the midst of a housing pricing down turn:eek:), wife quit her job, packed up 2 kids and 4 cats and drove out VW bus to Boulder...No leads, no nothing, about $10k in the bank..just the bus, a free stay at sister-in-law and hand full of resume's to be a bike wrench...

Actually pretty easy to find a job(Morgul-Bismark), wife a graphic designer..easy for her too...BUT, yup, pretty scary for about 5 months..

Only 'bad news' was I thought I could eventually 'fly for fun'...nope, even renting a rich man's sport..owning a black hole for money..what do they say? if it flys, floats or f____'s, cheaper to rent..but not really...

[CDRB]

Three careers. 7 years active duty Navy Supply Corps/logistics officer. Stayed in Reserves for my 20. After active duty worked supply chain mgmt computer industry. Never really enjoyed it but with house, kids... I stayed in the game and did well. Laid off at 54 and thought hard about what I wanted to do my final working years. Started volunteering at local VA hospital - realized I missed the comradeship of the military. Now I’m now a Veterans Services Officer in Massachusetts. I guide Vets and families through the system to access benefits they’ve earned. Work with Vets off all generations to share their stories in schools because we can never forget. Very rewarding gig! Best of luck to you!

[Hellgate]

I've had a number of jobs in different careers and industries over the years. I take an opportunity when it presents itself.

In college I worked construction as a laborer, also worked at the University bike shop as a part-time mechanic.

After college, 1988, I worked as a mechanic again during the recession.

Then I joined the Army Reserve in 1990, used my GI Bill for grad school. Retired from the Army National Guard in 2010.

Moved to Texas after grad school to discover semiconductors. In that industry worked as a production control planner, then an ERP systems trainer, managed a training team.

Got laid off in 2008 work for Texas state government as an IT project manager.

In 2012 was recruited to start a training department for a pipeline company in Oklahoma.

Then back to the State after gas crashed.

Then back to semiconductors as a training manager, and went back to grad school a second time on the GI Bill.

This Spring in accepted an offer at USAA, a new industry for me, to create another training department and I'm moving from Austin to San Antonio shortly.

My advice? When opportunity presents itself take it. Don't be afraid to make a change and don't accept "good enough." In other words, don't sell yourself short.

[john903]

I was in the Coast Guard and worked as a diesel mechanic for 20 years. I loved it but 20 years was plenty. My wife and I wanted to stay in one place more then move every two-three years. I retired and got a job as a diesel mechanic and I was miserable for 10 months and my wife, friends ,and family said why are you doing what you did for 20 years, do something different. So I became a School Bus driver and have been driving for 16 years and am also the driver trainer. I absolutely love my job. What do I enjoy about it well the kids, the benefits, the time off to name a few.
I guess my point is don't over look even things you never thought of you may be surprised where you land.
Oh one of my favorite "benefits" are the drawings and cards from the kids, and the kindergartners oh man the things they come up with and say, priceless.
Have fun

[oldpotatoe]

Three careers. 7 years active duty Navy Supply Corps/logistics officer. Stayed in Reserves for my 20. After active duty worked supply chain mgmt computer industry. Never really enjoyed it but with house, kids... I stayed in the game and did well. Laid off at 54 and thought hard about what I wanted to do my final working years. Started volunteering at local VA hospital - realized I missed the comradeship of the military. Now I’m now a Veterans Services Officer in Massachusetts. I guide Vets and families through the system to access benefits they’ve earned. Work with Vets off all generations to share their stories in schools because we can never forget. Very rewarding gig! Best of luck to you!

THANK you for your service, not only in the USN(even as a 'PorkChop'-->:)) but also now to help Veterans..

[bigbill]

I spent 27 years in the Navy starting out as a nuclear-trained submarine electrician for almost 15 years and then a commissioned officer for 12 years before retiring in 2012. I worked for 6 years as an engineer at a Huggies factory until taking a severance in 2018 after my son graduated from high school and left for Annapolis. Since 2018, I have worked as an engineering manager at a large factory. It pays well with a good 401. Last year I started a MA program with the intention of being a history teacher in a few years. I will graduate in June of 2021 and evaluate how to move forward from there. I'll probably start by facilitating online learning for the local community college to get a feel for the workload before resigning from my engineer job. Like oldspud, I have a pension from my naval career along with Tricare for life which gives some stability.

[carpediemracing]

I changed "careers" 3 times, same age as OP now. Last change was when I was 49.

Bike shop - 15 years.
IT - 10 years.
Retail (worked in a hardware store because I could) - 5 years.
Time off to raise son, look after dad - 6 years.
Automotive service writer, sort of - 4 years.

Bike shop was a labor of love. Started in high school, managed same shop after college, bought it 6 years later, closed it 3 years after that. No real money, went bankrupt, but it was my passion. I loved the group of people working with/for me, I loved the camaraderie with the customers, the less formal environment, etc. I still have friends from that time. It introduced me to cycling, to promoting races, everything. I just didn't make money.

IT was decent money at first, good money later. It was fun at first but I hated the last 5 years. I'm guessing that could be what being a pro cyclist might be like - it sounds interesting and glamorous but there are many days where it is not. I did support for a financial messaging system (top 10 investment bank used our software to get 1.5 million instruments' pricing) and was basically on call and working early Sun AM until midnight Friday, pausing typically between midnight and 7 AM each day. I got a lot of blogging, forum, etc done because I was sitting at a desk at home or at work, but it was really tough, never ending. When I got laid off (they gave me a Christmas bonus, 6 months severance, and a lot of profit sharing, so it was amicable and a ridiculous-for-me payday, relatively speaking) the Missus and I went out to dinner to celebrate. I wouldn't stop imagining the support phone beeping for maybe 5-7 more years, it was horrible. I was literally Pavlov Dog'ed into having a stress reaction whenever I heard a Verizon ring tone.

Hardware store - slightly over minimum wage, basically. I was living off my IT monies. I still have a log in now, 8 years later, and if I'm there buying stuff and it's busy I'll ring up a customer or two (and I still know many of them). I quit after our son was born.

Raising son and looking after dad - 6 years. The first bit was a joy, I didn't mind the 2AM wake ups or the poopy diapers. Taking care of my dad was extremely stressful. I told a friend that if I get divorced it's because I've cracked under the pressure of caring for my dad. He wasn't quite ambulatory, could not speak, really didn't comprehend anything. I learned just how hard it is to care for an elderly parent - it sounds straightforward (cleaning and feeding), and it is, but it was for me very stressful. When he passed in Oct 2016 I gave myself until end of year to get a job.

Automotive - surprisingly good. I work for a good company, great benefits compared to what I've seen before, good enough pay (2nd year I made more than my CPA wife although she's now pulled ahead).

I categorize the car work as such: "It's like working in a bike shop with a core team of techs and sales people, they are quirky but experienced and knowledgeable, you deal with customers one on one, you learn about them a bit, you help them out, but the difference is that you can make a living."

About 6 months into my stint at the car place one of the higher ups asked me about where I saw myself with the company in the future. I told him honestly that if things didn't get radically different (policies, work environment, etc) I could see myself retiring with the company, 15-20 years down the road. He had to rethink where to place me as he thought I'd quit in 6 months and go back to IT.

I applied for the job after sitting at a different automotive facility for 3-4 hours while my car was being serviced, listening to the guy at the service pod handle customers, talk on the phone, talk to his techs. It was just like the bike shop, a really good shop, very good morale. I realized that's what I wanted to do for work, the kind of environment I really wanted. Core group of employees, mutually supportive, good morale, some mentoring, deal with issues together, etc. I went and applied for a job right after that, was a bit doubtful in the first month or so, but then moved to the location where I work now and it's been great.

As a bonus we can maintain our cars using my workplace. All cars need maintenance and it helps if it costs less. Plus I know the techs working on the cars, I have some control over who does what work, and I feel very confident my cars were serviced correctly.

*edit - went to the hardware store today. I was still getting employee discount so I nixed it and then bought some stuff. I edited my account, rang myself out. Good to be trusted. *

[skitlets]

I wouldn't stop imagining the support phone beeping for maybe 5-7 more years, it was horrible. I was literally Pavlov Dog'ed into having a stress reaction whenever I heard a Verizon ring tone.


I felt the same way after 3 years and got out when hearing the ring was unbearable. Sorry about your father -- that sort of emotional labor is very, very difficult.

[carpediemracing]

I felt the same way after 3 years and got out when hearing the ring was unbearable. Sorry about your father -- that sort of emotional labor is very, very difficult.

I'm glad now that ring tone is gone, although sometimes I hear it if someone has an old phone. But now it doesn't make me cringe. And I don't wake up multiple times a night thinking my phone rang.

I didn't think of it as emotional labor, but that's a perfect term for it. It was a complete flip of roles, me caring for him. I had to clear his mouth to keep him from choking once, and of course feeding, cleaning, and dressing him. I caught him numerous times as he toppled - he had no "fall reflex" so he just toppled over, rigid as a board. For some reason he couldn't bend at the waist at will, nor lift his thigh. Sitting him down was tough, but once he was sort of on a chair he'd bend his back a bit so he could sit.

We went for walks and I'd hold his arm, I'd talk to him about stuff. I actually practiced how to pick him up and carry him in case he had a problem. Here I'm holding his hand so I can take a quick picture:
https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13082639_10154153416628824_3185580728862206864_n.j pg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_sid=0be424&_nc_ohc=P0lq5PUVryoAX9DjPDz&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=56d5894856a10c4f233b134c2d91ce85&oe=5F191BCA

He must have been in constant pain as they found multiple stress fractures all over his body. He was not processing nutrients well so was very weak, very fragile. My height, I think he was 110 lbs. He hadn't talked in many years and couldn't read or even understand gestures. He knew some of the drills (getting dressed, standing in the shower) and he'd try to eat any small object on a table. I thought he wasn't getting enough food so I fed him quite a bit of food for a while, maybe 2500 cal a day, then realized he wasn't processing it.

He passed at 83 - I distinctly remember the moment I realized he'd taken his last breath as I was timing them while he was asleep / unconscious. He took a big sigh and I thought that a bit odd. Then it was 1 minute... 1:30... 2 min. I couldn't find a pulse so I walked out and saw my wife. "I think my dad just died." Called the nurse, she was there probably within 15 min.

I've taken a bunch of life expectancy tests (well before my dad passed, and I think before my mom passed as well - she passed at 66) and all of them said I'm done at 83 (same algorithm?). Based on my dad's last 10 years, that really puts me at about 73 before I start deteriorating significantly, with about 5 years of helplessness (my brother was caring for my dad prior but he got burnt out so I took over). I think about my exit lightly but often, probably at least once a week.

[clyde the point]

After hucking bike stuff for ~20 years and deciding to go into industrial sales as a grown up job, I bolstered my 9th grade education at age 47 to complete nursing skool. Now I is an ED RN. Turn 60 this year later on. I had many early careers, house painter, prescription drug deliverer, bike mechanic, miscreant. The bike shop days were really the most fun, sort of. The wavering personalities of the owner folks kinda ruined it and I will give it credit for 20 years of fun, travel, being in the PDM team car for a stage of the Tour de Trump, and on and on.

Once the Northwave gig got tanked I lost a lot of oomph for the bike world. Had some interesting discussions with Kona but I wanted to tour the USA in a motorhome so I wasn't ready to commit.

Up until March the ED has been a good gig. Now with the KOVID it sux, especially if you're on the KOVID ward and guess where I end up a bunch. My solution? I bought a new truck and in 5 yrs or so it will be paid off and I will retire! And hope to live the life as a gypsy in a camper with the MRS and the bikes.

[kppolich]

Albeit I've only been working full time for 11 years I have jumped from Biotech to finance to web development. Each time, moving to a smaller and smaller company with better values and more independence.

Startup->Acquisition->Private Equity Held Company->Small independent agency.

Started as a biology major/chemistry minor that turned down medical school to work for a biotech startup. That turned into a foray into project management and software development. As that company grew and was acquired for a few billion dollars I looked to move away from science and into FTE as a Project Manager. I landed at a Financial Technology company where critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills carried forward nicely into a new space. Turns out software basically runs the world and there are endless jobs and also endless clients looking to update something or take a new approach to their technology stack. Here we are today as a full time digital project manager focused on AR/VR, web development, ecommerce, and software development at an independent firm.

Overall, if you aren't happy with your current job and have the skills that translate to other industries or the desire to learn something new, go for it!

[pdonk]

I have tried a few times to leave my area of knowledge (won't say I am an expert) but can't seem to shake it. Went from 15 years in public sector, to 2 years in consulting to 10 years fully private sector. Things are really bad right now at work and I am going through a similar thought process of what else can I do with what I know?

I tried to switch about 10 years ago, when I got my MBA. Unfortunately it just reinforced what I liked and am relatively good at.

Sometimes it is just easier to resign yourself to what you have than to try and fly away.