Midlife Career Change? Your Guide to Success at Any Age

There was a time when you selected a career for life. No more! Now, at least in North America, it’s much more common for people to take on new challenges, embrace new opportunities, and change careers during their 40s and 50s – for all sorts of different reasons. Sometimes people are bored and want to pursue a new passion. Others have lost jobs or been laid off due to economic shifts, company shutdowns or, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigrants might discover they need new or renewed certifications to work in Canada and decide to embark on a different path instead. Some people entering midlife are dissatisfied with their work-life balance and hope a career change will give them a more desirable schedule. Some are simply hungry for an exciting new challenge.

If you’re feeling this way, then we salute and encourage you. It is important to realize that it’s never too late to change or upgrade your career. In fact, career experts find that age and life experience help you make better employment decisions that lead to higher job satisfaction. Starting the process, however, can seem overwhelming – especially if re-training is involved. Here’s a guide to get you started on that exciting second career.

Decide What Career You Want

Figure out what you want to do. If you’re currently working, but want a change, assess the kind of change you’re seeking. Do you want to acquire a new skillset and step into an entirely new role? Or do you want to work in a new environment with different coworkers? Take an honest look at your goals, your needs and your circumstances and figure out what’s most important to you in choosing a new career. It might be for reasons of personal growth, higher salary or improved work-life balance. List your job skills and natural talents and consider jobs that fit your skills, interests and personality. Think about the specific industries you want to work in and what kinds of contributions you want to make.

Take the “Anderson College Career Discovery Quiz”

Research the Position

Research the industries you’re considering. Look at what positions in those industries are in demand. Are there opportunities where you live, or would you have to move? What education and experience will you need for the position? What salary can you expect? What are the working conditions like? Do you have the right qualities to be employable? What transferable skills do you have that will give you a head start in the new area? You can get a good general impression about the positions you’re interested in by reading job postings on employment websites, such as LinkedIn and Indeed. For more information, consider talking to a professional in the field, or make an appointment with a career consultant to discuss the industry and potential positions.

Choose a Training Program

Depending on your choice of second career, you may need to re-train to learn new skills or acquire a particular certification. Figure out what kind of training you’ll need and what the options are. Determine if there are training programs available in your area, when they start and whether they are full-time or part-time. Compare programs according to what they offer and their cost. Many people who change careers in midlife want to get trained quickly so they can start working sooner. Several programs at Anderson College, for instance, take less than a year from first day to diploma. Look for programs that include an on-the-job-training component so when you complete your program, you already have experience and contacts in the industry.

Look for Funding

You’ll need to support yourself while you re-train, so figure out your school or college funding needs. How much will you need for tuition, books and materials, living expenses, transportation and childcare? Next, explore what funding is available to assist you. Depending on the school and the program, sometimes bursaries and scholarships are available. In Canada, provincial and federal programs offer assistance to students starting second careers. Ontario, for instance, has a Second Career Program that makes $28,000 available to individuals training for new careers who meet certain eligibility criteria. Talk to an enrollment advisor at your school or visit an Employment Ontario Assessment Center to learn more. We know that the more resources you have, the faster you can reach those career and life goals.

Once you’ve enrolled in a program and secured funding, the only thing left to do is start learning, which is enjoyable and valuable at any age. Keep in mind that one-year programs get you started sooner, and Second Career funding is there to support you along the way. And be rest assured there will be many students making a career shift midlife who will understand the challenges and opportunities you face – you will not be alone, any fears you have will dissipate once you’re learning something interesting and the rewards of a new career will be extraordinary.

Interested in starting a new career? Find a fit with one of our 30+ leading-edge programs. Connect with an Anderson College Admissions Advisor today and let’s get you started!