Career changes - how old is too old?

I just turned 33. I always consider changing careers and now I feel like - if I don't do it now - I can just forget it.

The programs I am interested in would require me to get my Masters. I am a FT working mom, so it would be a big commitment.

Am I too old

Re: Career changes - how old is too old?

I think it really depends on what the field is that you want to go into.

I tell career changers who want to go into my profession, social work, especially in this area where the market is flooded, that it's hard to find a job if you don't have a lot of working experience already specifically in social work.

Often you will find people who are older with years in X, Y, or Z profession competing with young grads in their early 20's for jobs starting out at only 30 or 40K a year. And they may have made 2 or sometimes 3x that elsewhere.

It can be very discouraging. Again, only talking about my profession specifically, I know a lot of agencies cannot honor past work experience because of specific requirements they are looking for.

Having worked in the field for over 10 years myself, and knowing the types of complex problems we run into daily with our clients as well, I can understand why a lot of experience is needed specific to our field and populations.

Re: Career changes - how old is too old?

I started the process of changing careers at 34...wishing i had started earlier only because i am finding my age is an issue for many of the jobs I want to apply for (age restrictions of 37 which i am now)...but i still say "do it" if it's something that's been on your wish list and you have the support and ability...it doesn't hurt to try!

ETA: i also have a friend in his early 50's who is just starting school to become a nurse.

Message edited 8/17/2010 9:28:38 AM.

Re: Career changes - how old is too old?

I changed careers completely at 31

I went from corp retail/product development

to Real Estate

it hasn't always been easy going from a steady income to self-employment but it's working out for me

I am very happy that I did it- this is what I always wanted to do and it shows in my attitude and work

I used to be so miserable, dreaded each day and now I can say I never dread work!

Re: Career changes - how old is too old?

Re: Career changes - how old is too old?

Ha! I forgot to mention about the school loans.

Re: Career changes - how old is too old?

your not to old

go for it- think of it this way if it takes you 2-3 years to get your degree who cares those 2-3 years are going to come and go whether or not you go back to school so why not have a degree at the end of those years

hope this made sense

Re: Career changes - how old is too old?

nope! a friend had a coworker who retired at 55 and then went to med school and is now a dr. i think as long as you have the drive and a realistic image of what's going to happen, you're never really too old.

Re: Career changes - how old is too old?

I say go for it! If you don't you'll always be wondering "what if" years down the line, at which time you may find it even harder to change careers.

Re: Career changes - how old is too old?

I had a career change at 34.

I am now almost 41 and concidering another career change.

I have another 15-20 years to go. I have plenty of time. So do you!!!!!

I have a co-worker who was a cop. Retired. Went back to school to do my career. He is now going back to school again for another career.

There is no time limit in my mind to do what you want to do.

Re: Career changes - how old is too old?

Its never too old to consider a career change. My MIL had a career change at the age of 40 - and she's almost 81 now and still volunteering around town..If you consider that the golden years is stretching easily past 70, 75, 80 - there's no reason why changing careers after the age of 30 or 40 should be problematic unless you're concerned about repaying a huge amount of student loans...