Switching careers in your 40s or older

[CYdTracked]

Do you work for Cerner?

No I don't. I choose not to reveal where I work either because I make an effort to keep that off all my social media. I don't trust companies these days to use anything you'd post on social media the wrong way and use it as a reason to terminate you. We take mandatory annual training that includes such situations so I'm sure companies screen for stuff like that.

I will 100% confirm though I don't work for Cerner, don't even live where their offices are.

 

[deadeyededric]

I don't really care for my job but I can't leave my pension. I wouldn't say I'm miserable but I don't enjoy work that much.

 

[CyCoug]

I kind of did around in my late 30’s. Left a job at a company that I hated (family-owned with advancement based on nepotism), to a tech startup. I had learned enough SQL and DB skills in my finance role at the previous company to squeak in to the new place doing Business Intelligence consulting for them.

It wasn’t perfect, but a lot better and I had a great team. Did the consulting for about six years there, and parleyed that into managing the Business Intelligence department for a smallish company of 300 people and it’s a great fit for me. Not so big that it’s loaded in red tape, and really not too intense or stressful. But enough to keep it interesting.

So from boring corporate finance to overall business intelligence.

 

[andybernard]

I'm 37 and this will be my last year teaching. I've taught 7th grade science or math for my entire career and this year I finally decided I'm not doing it anymore. Every year the students are more disrespectful and apathetic and it's just not worth it. Also sitting through 2 hours of incredibly patronizing and insulting PD every other week hasn't helped.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

You could get a job as a project manager in the tech field. From my experience you don't have to know a darn thing. Sitting on a call at this moment listening to the PM say Uhm, over and over again

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I'm 37 and this will be my last year teaching. I've taught 7th grade science or math for my entire career and this year I finally decided I'm not doing it anymore. Every year the students are more disrespectful and apathetic and it's just not worth it. Also sitting through 2 hours of incredibly patronizing and insulting PD every other week hasn't helped.

My niece taught for one year after graduating. She said she loved teaching but hated the discipline (or lack thereof)

 

[mkadl]

I worked for a small company in sales for 21 years, the same responsibilities as two previous employers. At age 57, I started a new journey moving to an occupation where my responsibilities had nothing to do with sales. The most exciting occupation I have ever had. Difficult and stressful, yes. But I didnt realize how bored I was until I changed career paths. Cancer has a way of focusing your attention where it is needed. I am still cancer free and hope to work past age 65. Thank is how much I enjoy my position. I have no regrets because I took a big chance in changing my career that late in life. I am making around the same money I was 7 years ago (inflation adjusted). But I am much more satisfied when I get home everyday. I am thankful for our successful decision. Go for it OP!.

 

[deadeyededric]

I'm 37 and this will be my last year teaching. I've taught 7th grade science or math for my entire career and this year I finally decided I'm not doing it anymore. Every year the students are more disrespectful and apathetic and it's just not worth it. Also sitting through 2 hours of incredibly patronizing and insulting PD every other week hasn't helped.

I hear the same things from my friends that teach. Thank you for doing that for as long as you have. Teaching is such an underappreciated job.

 

[andybernard]

I hear the same things from my friends that teach. Thank you for doing that for as long as you have. Teaching is such an underappreciated job.

I appreciate the kind words. I'm going to try to still sub every once in a while, and I'd encourage everyone to do the same. I have lost many planning periods because we didn't have enough subs to cover classes. And I think it'd be pretty eye-opening for most of the community.

 

[cycloner29]

I switched jobs at 52. Wished I had done it years earlier. Went from a 200 employee company to a 15 employee company.

My biggest fear is since this is a company owned by one individual, that if something happens to him, as he is 62, what happens to the employees? I’ve asked him this since no one else had the courage to. I figure going to 65 as my retirement age. My boss, like me, is very spry yet, plays basketball twice a week and in good shape overall health wise. He was very open about how he had no plans to retire anytime soon. That was reassuring!

 

[madguy30]

I'm 37 and this will be my last year teaching. I've taught 7th grade science or math for my entire career and this year I finally decided I'm not doing it anymore. Every year the students are more disrespectful and apathetic and it's just not worth it. Also sitting through 2 hours of incredibly patronizing and insulting PD every other week hasn't helped.

I'm in education and have also worked in the corporate world and my first order of business if I were in charge would be to get rid of euphemisms and acronyms.

 

[JerseyGirl]

At 44 i moved to Iowa for a job I ultimately hated. Got a job with a local public entity and within 22 mos, was promoted. It was a good fit. At 59, I transferred to a position that offered a serious learning curve. It was the best thing ever! I felt valued and loved my coworkers. Retired at 63.

 

[bos]

Same boat, the problem is, everything I would enjoy doesn’t pay as well as the thing I do currently (IT). I just don’t have passion or fulfillment in it anymore. I think the covid era was the final nail in it as so many people were demanding and ungrateful. I like the company I work for, I just don’t enjoy supporting end users anymore. Hopefully I can soft retire in the next 10 years and do something more laid back.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

My father was an electrician for the Union Pacific railroad for 18 years and decided to go back to school to be a teacher and coach youth sports. Was really hard for the time he was going to night school at Upper Iowa Univ mobile campus in Des Moines. He worked three jobs and took night classes and got a 3.75 GPA.

He's retired now but he doesn't ever regret the change.

 

[Pat]

You could get a job as a project manager in the tech field. From my experience you don't have to know a darn thing. Sitting on a call at this moment listening to the PM say Uhm, over and over again

If I ever have to go back in a room with colleagues, and some no-nothing PMP calls me a “resource” to my face, there’s a non-zero chance that I will punch them right in the scrum. Put a pin in that.

 

[carvers4math]

I'm 37 and this will be my last year teaching. I've taught 7th grade science or math for my entire career and this year I finally decided I'm not doing it anymore. Every year the students are more disrespectful and apathetic and it's just not worth it. Also sitting through 2 hours of incredibly patronizing and insulting PD every other week hasn't helped.

I really worry about the state of education in this country. My brother is 70, and other than the period he couldn’t work because of IPERS, they have begged him to teach for sometimes full school years and he has done it. Always high school math. They fired a teacher mid year this year. One quit right before the start of a Covid year. He has the leverage now, he just refuses to go to the teacher training. What are they going to do, fire him lol? He has kept some coaching the whole time.

We are falling behind other countries. Our high tech graduate programs rely on foreign students in part because we lack students with the ability and/ or the drive. And we are not investing in public education. Many of our children live in poor home environments, financially and from a parenting standpoint. Our school district has a very high number qualifying for free school lunch, and the guidance counselor is busy finding resources to send backpacks with them every day with food, clothes, and toiletries. I could rant further but do not want to cave the thread.

I always give the great nieces and nephews books. It’s a pretty safe bet I am the only one who does so I know we are not doubling up on something they already have.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

I'm 37 and this will be my last year teaching. I've taught 7th grade science or math for my entire career and this year I finally decided I'm not doing it anymore. Every year the students are more disrespectful and apathetic and it's just not worth it. Also sitting through 2 hours of incredibly patronizing and insulting PD every other week hasn't helped.

Have you thought about switching districts? I understand the teacher burn out factor, because I know I am burnt out and glad to be retiring after this year. Like others have said, I still enjoy the teaching, being around most of the kids, but the lack of respect, total apathy and laziness is out of control.

Good luck in the future, like that you are going to sub, but for me, May 26th will be the last day I ever set foot back in the classroom, no subbing, no going part time for the money. Just finish up and be done.

 

[shadow]

You could get a job as a project manager in the tech field. From my experience you don't have to know a darn thing. Sitting on a call at this moment listening to the PM say Uhm, over and over again

Isn't that what those two girls working from a pool were doing? Anyone else remember that video from like a year ago? Think that was right before a lot of tech companies started laying people off. Tech companies seem like they are either the worst to work for or the best. No in between.

 

[Drew0311]

My job sucks but I make good money, 30 days of vacation a year, and work from home. Not sure I want to give all that up for another job that might end up sucking . When I was younger I job hopped a lot and realized pretty much every job and new company is great for the first 3-6 months and then you realize it’s the same corporate nonsense, just a different version of that nonsense.

 

[BoxsterCy]

For @wxman1 and @dahliaclone. The NWS wants you!