Anyone change their career in their 40s?

Short version- I have a Masters in industrial psychology. I have been working at the same company in HR for 18 years.
I’m fried??
I can’t even think of going to another HR job in another company but I’m miserable everyday at work and spend my weekends anxious and typically with headaches dreading Monday.
I can’t afford to go back to school. I can’t afford to take a pay cut. Did anyone start a new career in their 40s? If so what was it? Any ideas what field I might be able to start in at a salary in the low 60’s?
TIA

Anyone change their career in their 40s?

I am an attorney and started a job in a very different area of law when I was 50. I did take a 10% pay cut, but I am so much happier in this job/field.

Sorry I don't have any ideas of what you could do, but it is possible to make that kind of change "later in life."

Anyone change their career in their 40s?

It is possible to make a career change since you have transferrable skills.

I would recommend thinking about what you want to do and going from there. It helps if you have a personal connection with someone within the company when trying to move (my last two jobs were from friend/family connections and they were within the last 2 years - i didn't love the first one)

Anyone change their career in their 40s?

Yes, I think you can change careers in your 40s. But, I wouldn't think of it as a career change, but more of just a job change. I'm sure you have transferrable skills. I guess just look for general office-type jobs for which you might be qualified. Most jobs require Word, Excel, PowerPoint, writing, editing, project management, etc. If you look at Indeed or other job search sites, you may see something that sounds interesting.

Re: Anyone change their career in their 40s?

I work in technology and had zero experience when I started. My degree is in marketing and I was working in media
I got a foot in the door in an entry level billing role - but I was younger- in my late 20's - so I could afford it.
I will tell you though that we hire project coordinators at around $50 K to start with no experience- we just look for people with a great work ethic, highly organized, quick learner, all the soft skills.
So check into project coordination jobs- across all fields

Re: Anyone change their career in their 40s?

Can you change internally within your own company? That would be the best way to use your network and prove your transferable skills.

Re: Anyone change their career in their 40s?

I am in the middle of that now.
I wanted to leave at least my job, but most likely my career, but then I was laid off, so I am forced to changed.

I am looking at my old position in other fields, but that hasn't been so successful, so I am trying to figure out what direction to go in next.

It's hard because it is a combination of figure out what I want to do, what I can do, and how to get there from here.

Anyway, some videos I have found helpful as starting points are:

More practical:

Anyone change their career in their 40s?

No but I'd like to. Mine is a nightmare. I'd rather clean the bathrooms at Penn station than do this stuff. I just don't know where to start...

Re: Anyone change their career in their 40s?

Let me say that I have the same degree, in a similar situation, feeling the same way, but in the last weeks of my 40s.

I wish I had answers for you.

I'm in HR consulting and entry level pay is in the low 60s. Consulting has its own pros and cons, but it's somewhat related work to being inside HR.

Think about skills that may be transferrable. What parts of your current job do you enjoy the most?

Good luck.

Re: Anyone change their career in their 40s?

for the hope!

Re: Anyone change their career in their 40s?

I would ask you to reconsider changing companies. Working with different people, in a new environment, working on different projects could really reinvigorate you. I have typically changed jobs every few years b/c I get bored and like the change of pace. I can't imagine 18 years in one company!

Put some feelers out, go on a few interviews. See how it makes you feel. You may get excited at a new opportunity that will pay you more and not require you to take a pay cut at all!