Changing careers is becoming a popular choice for people who want to head in a new direction. About 58% of the 2,600 working people surveyed in 2023 by FlexJobs were pursuing a career change.
Moving into a new profession can be an exciting endeavor, and this option is not limited to younger adults. Making a late in life career change can be the key to entering a more fulfilling line of work, joining an in-demand field, or pursuing a job that better aligns with your passions. It’s never too late to chart a new course.
People who may be considering enrolling in a new training or educational program with an eye toward making a career change late in life can benefit from exploring the options that are available to them.
Why Do People Change Careers?
People change careers for many reasons. For example, they may want to:
Achieve a better work-life balance
Earn a better salary
Pursue opportunities for advancement
Find work schedules that better align with their personal lives
Move to a new city
A 2023 report from AARP noted that people ages 50 and older change careers because they:
Want new careers that better meet their preferences after their children begin to support themselves
Want to work in less-stressful careers
Want greater autonomy
AARP also noted that our life spans are increasing, meaning that people over the age of 50 may start new careers in which they work for another 20 years.
Benefits of Making a Career Change Late in Life
Making a career change late in life has many potential benefits. For example, relatively older adults who move into new careers can:
Use the skills and talents they have developed throughout their lives in new ways
Pursue careers that did not exist when they originally entered the workforce
Pursue their passions in new professions
Strengthen their financial position
Improve their level of job satisfaction
As people get older, their priorities may also change. As a result, they may want to move into careers that enable them to perform more meaningful work. New careers can also represent new challenges and provide older adults with a renewed sense of accomplishment. Older workers may also be in a better position to start doing contract or freelance work that provides them with greater flexibility.
Career Change Opportunities for Older Adults
Older adults have an extensive range of new career opportunities. For example, with the right training and education, they can move into careers such as those described below.
Skilled Trades Careers
Strong demand for individuals to work in the skilled trades translates into good opportunities for older workers moving into new careers in fields such as electrical work or welding. Demand is also strong for individuals who work as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians.
Careers in the skilled trades are a great option for older adults who want to work outside of a traditional office work environment. They are also a good fit for people who enjoy applying their technical expertise, interacting with customers, and working with their hands.
Attending a skilled trades school is a great way to acquire up-to-date expertise and get hands-on experience to enter a new career in the skilled trades in fields such as welding and HVAC.
Healthcare and Medical Careers
Now is a good time to consider pursuing a career in healthcare. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the U.S. healthcare system will have an average of 1.8 million job openings per year from 2022 through 2032.
Attending a medical training program or earning an associate degree can enable older adults to fill much-needed positions, such as:
Nurse
Medical assistant
Medical billing and coding professional
Pharmacy technician
Lab technician
Older people who move into new careers in healthcare can work in a wide array of settings, such as hospitals, medical practices, and clinics, or even in telehealth.
Medical Technologist and Medical Technician Careers
Older workers can also consider moving into medical technologist and medical technician careers. For example, working as a surgical technologist, radiology technologist, or medical lab technician can be a good career option for people who enjoy using technical skills and want to make a contribution to healthcare.
Medical technologists and medical technicians are crucial players in healthcare, and without their efforts, other healthcare professionals simply could not do their jobs. Whether they are preparing instruments and equipment for surgery, performing imaging to assist in diagnosing diseases, or conducting critical lab tests, people in these positions get to make a difference in healthcare each day.
Attending a training program to work as a medical technologist or a medical technician can lead to a position in this in-demand field. The BLS projects 7% growth in medical technologist and medical technician positions from 2022 through 2032. That growth rate is more than double the agency’s 3% growth projection for all occupations.
Beauty and Wellness Careers
The BLS has also projected strong growth in positions in the personal care industry. Therefore, this is a good time for older adults who want to move into a new career in cosmetology or massage therapy to consider making that transition.
Careers in beauty and wellness can offer flexible scheduling and opportunities for workers to set their own hours. Acquiring expertise in beauty and wellness by completing a technical training program can position individuals to start their own businesses. In addition, beauty and wellness careers in fields such as cosmetology offer the opportunity for individuals to apply their creativity and enable clients to feel better about their appearance and improve their overall wellness.
Commercial Driving Careers
Completing a commercial driving training program and securing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) can be an appealing option for older adults with a desire to travel and see places they’ve never been. Truck drivers are also in demand, with the BLS projecting 4% job growth in the field from 2022 through 2032.
Driving a commercial truck is an attractive career for people who are self-starters and do not want to be tied down to an office. It is also a stable career, and some drivers are able to set their own schedules.
Making a Late in Life Career Change Can Lead to a Satisfying Second Act
Switching professions late in life can lead to a rewarding career in a new field. Changing careers as an older adult can set the stage for pursuing new goals and finding new opportunities to make a difference.
Fortis offers various training and educational programs that can help individuals achieve their professional goals. Offering training in fields such as the skilled trades, nursing, medical technology, and commercial driving, Fortis programs can equip students with the expertise to enter a wide range of careers. Take the first step toward a new career today.
Recommended Readings
Benefits of Trade School: Why a Hands-On Skilled Trades Career Might be a Good Fit
How to Choose Your Medical Assisting Niche
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse?