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Career change approaching 50
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So, sitting here on a late Sunday night early Monday morning not able to sleep. Dreading going into work tomorrow and its occurring to me that this is ridiculous. Insomnia is just one of the effects being bought up.
Worked in the IT sector for 25+ years but it's time for a change however scary that is. None of the skills feel that transferable really as IT techs (even bad ones) speak their own language 
So looking for any kind of inspiration, quick training to get started on something new. Options aren't looking good at the moment. |
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Could you apply your skills to digital learning? There are lots of vacancies for digital learning techies, which might be a different IT avenue? Colleges, unis, schools etc are all crying out for people to ebsb digital learning to happen. I work on it from the educator and manager side, but am having to just swim against the tide on the tech side. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Go and do a degree through Open University to get some other qualifications to help you change career.
Do some voluntary work in a sector of work you enjoy to gain a foot in the door.
Use your savings to start your own business. |
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"So, sitting here on a late Sunday night early Monday morning not able to sleep. Dreading going into work tomorrow and its occurring to me that this is ridiculous. Insomnia is just one of the effects being bought up.
Worked in the IT sector for 25+ years but it's time for a change however scary that is. None of the skills feel that transferable really as IT techs (even bad ones) speak their own language
So looking for any kind of inspiration, quick training to get started on something new. Options aren't looking good at the moment."
I bet you have absolutely tons of transferable skills. You’ve just been stuck in the one sector for so long that you’re not used to applying those skills to anything outside of your own work area.
For example, if you work in IT, I’d assume (off the top of my head), that you’re an expert in problem solving, attention to detail, safety and security, data handling and management, working to strict deadlines, etc etc?
If you sit down and went through all the things you do on a daily basis, I bet the list of skills and qualities you could demonstrate from your work experience would be near endless.
Another idea is to perhaps look at job listings for similar roles to your own. If other employers are listing skills and qualities they want in an applicant for a role similar to yours - then you must also have those skills and qualities as you’ve been doing it for 25+ years!
Not too long ago I (Mr) left the emergency services after 12 years, to join another completely unrelated field. I also struggled to see what I could offer any employer that wasn’t just another emergency service.
What I think actually helped me the most was that I paid for a CV writing service (it was only £40 at the time). I filled out a questionnaire, sent them my work history and they sent me a CV written in their own, non-emergency services words. It was then I started to realise I had loads of ways to demonstrate transferable skills - I was just too institutionalised to see what they were!
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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All good advice on here. Unfortunately I think Covid makes it difficult to make easy transitions to other things at the moment.
Tech skills are always in demand and I think will become more so with people continuing to work remotely.
If you really want to change careers don’t jack in the job yet. Consider working fewer days at what you do and perhaps starting something else on a part time basis - maybe online.
You need to work out what activities make you happy. You could consider offering your services to schools and colleges to help them set up good learning resources online - many older teachers and lecturers are rubbish at tech and some have not offered good learning opportunities to their students.
Good Luck. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Just sell up everything and buy cheap in France and sell every now and then to upgrade/make money.
Fuck the treadmill
Fuck working for the man
Live your best life.
Best of luck op.
T |
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"So, sitting here on a late Sunday night early Monday morning not able to sleep. Dreading going into work tomorrow and its occurring to me that this is ridiculous. Insomnia is just one of the effects being bought up.
Worked in the IT sector for 25+ years but it's time for a change however scary that is. None of the skills feel that transferable really as IT techs (even bad ones) speak their own language
So looking for any kind of inspiration, quick training to get started on something new. Options aren't looking good at the moment."
It depends how much money you need? I'm on my third career, doing something I love (or will be again when Covid is over!!) after enjoying volunteering so much.
Work out what you actually WANT to do and if you can earn enough for your needs doing it. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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A lot of your decision making will centre on the essentials, such as finances and geographical holds. Do you need to be based where you are, do you want to be?
How about something very different. Outdoor work, forresty commission. Perhaps driving jobs on zero hour contracts. Retraining to be a train driver, hgv driver? Why stay in the UK? Companies like Indeed and Glassdoor have overseas opportunities.
The temptation is to gravitate toward what you know. However, sleepless nights are no way to live. Perhaps step away from that life?
Good luck! |
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It’s a difficult time to makes jump but not impossible. First thing is too understand your constraints in terms of how much you need to earn and how long you can give yourself to retrain. You also need to know what sectors are changing (it’s a great time to work in health or care and a shit time to become a sound engineer). You have skills some of which can transfer to other sectors. Most people in IT are process orientated. Can you use that? |
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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago
Dubai & Nottingham |
"So, sitting here on a late Sunday night early Monday morning not able to sleep. Dreading going into work tomorrow and its occurring to me that this is ridiculous. Insomnia is just one of the effects being bought up.
Worked in the IT sector for 25+ years but it's time for a change however scary that is. None of the skills feel that transferable really as IT techs (even bad ones) speak their own language
So looking for any kind of inspiration, quick training to get started on something new. Options aren't looking good at the moment."
With 25 years experience in tech why are you not contracting as a PM or transformation / change manager , typical rates £10k - £15k per month. I used to work in IT for UK companies but now focus on global private companies , lots of opportunities right now. Or just get skilled up on Azure or AWS if you want to stay technical rather than management ? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"So, sitting here on a late Sunday night early Monday morning not able to sleep. Dreading going into work tomorrow and its occurring to me that this is ridiculous. Insomnia is just one of the effects being bought up.
Worked in the IT sector for 25+ years but it's time for a change however scary that is. None of the skills feel that transferable really as IT techs (even bad ones) speak their own language
So looking for any kind of inspiration, quick training to get started on something new. Options aren't looking good at the moment."
Slightly different stage in life but I had the same issue. You will be surprised just how many of your skills are actually transferable, things you may have been doing for years and thought nothing of it.
Money was never the motivation, while I was paid well and enjoyed it to start after a while I started to realise what a 'scam' the industry I worked in actually was.
Being young hearing people say 'do what you enjoy' was an alien concept untill I did it.
Look at what you actually enjoy to start with, hobbies and interests. You will already know a bit about the industry/topic so why not follow it and see what happens |
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I retired at 55 from the NHS (kill or be killed) and started my new career in March. I'll be 60 this year, never thought I'd actually have another career, just a job to supplement my pension until my state pension kicks in.
If money is not a huge factor, go for anything you fancy doing. There are loads of online courses, lots of free simple ones too.
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By *ooBulMan
over a year ago
Missin’ Yo’ Kissin’ |
Set up your own cleaning business?
Who would have thought this would have been a top priority in 2020?
Become your own boss... Clean homes/business. Get the right gear....
Something to think about!  |
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