There are so many unknowns around regarding switching careers in your 30s. What these myths do is stop you from reaching your dreams and goals. They make you stick with something that sucks the life out of you. It makes you stay in a job that isn’t rewarding and is very draining.
The truth is that we spend an average of 8 hours at our desk. Given a year, you’ll spend around 260 days / 2080 hours at a job you don’t even enjoy. That is a lot of time wasted!
Don’t you want a change?
In reality, national age of retirement is at 62 years old, which means you at your 30s, you are just halfway through your career. Isn’t it scarier to be stuck in a job you don’t like than to take a step towards a better future?
Don’t Ever Think That You Are Too Old To Switch Careers
You may have always wanted to be a teacher, an engineer or even a lawyer when you first stepped into the workforce, perhaps you aren’t sure anymore or maybe you don’t find your job challenging. You have progressed over time and your knowledge, needs, and interest may have evolved since when you are in your 20s. That isn’t surprising, given that as we age, our exposure to the workforce and the network connection we built will only increase tremendously.
Examples abound of people who hit it big way past their 30s. What did they have that you don’t have? For one, they never let anyone tell them they couldn’t do anything. They never let their age stop them from achieving their dreams.
- World-famous chef Julia Childs had another job before she quit and became a cook at the age of 36.
- The founder of Ford Motors, Henry Ford, created his first fully operational car when he was 45 years old.
- Ms Lee Tang Hwee, 40, a Singaporean who quit a well-paying job to take up physiotherapy so that she can help the growing number of senior citizens with mobility issues.
- Ms Anna Tan, 47, a Singapore PR who has gone through at least 5 career changes in her life to explore different challenges.
- Mr Alan Wong, 57 who had been in the retail industry for 25 years, chose to embark on social work as a career when he was 50 years old.
Age didn’t stop them. It shouldn’t stop you either.
Don’t Ever Think That Switching Careers Closes Most Of Your Opportunities
In decades past, this was true. Once you left a job, you couldn’t go back.
Now, that is different. Careers and personal growth in today’s economy are no longer one-direction. Quote Emerald Insight “As expected, the Matures had a greater proportion of career moves in the upward direction relative to subsequent generations, but the proportion of upward moves did not differ among the Boomers, Xers, and Millennials.”
You can switch careers, learn on the job, and experiment with other jobs. You should be careful though: your CV won’t look good with so many job changes on it. But that doesn’t mean that you should stay in that round hole when you keep feeling like a square peg.
There are so many career opportunities out there. Switching jobs will not close them off to you.
Don’t Ever Think That You Must Know Your Career Before You Start It
Just because you studied Applied Physics doesn’t mean you must be a physicist. There are stories of people who studied at NUS and became freelancers and insurance agents. This wasn’t their plan, but they were flexible, and now they love what they do.
Don’t be fixated thinking that you want to be a doctor when you were young, then doing it because it is what you (or your parents) had planned. If you change your mind halfway through college, then go with it. You don’t have to know your future career before you do it.
Be flexible and adaptable not only to survive in our ever-changing market but to fulfill an inner purpose of your life.
Don’t Ever Think That Changing Careers In Your 30s Is Embarrassing
Learning is a life-long process. Even doctors and dentists have to continually improve on their skills and learn new procedures. Reinventing yourself is a given, and you shouldn’t be ashamed to do it. Even it means a step down from a high management cushy office job to work from the ground up as a prep staff in a kitchen, don’t let anyone judge you for trying on different hats.
If you are tired of that administrative job, there are plenty of ways to improve on the passion you are hungry for, including talking to those who are already in the industry and taking online courses to accredited yourself thus getting one step closer in realizing a dream career.
Conclusion
People who feel switching careers in their 30s are usually afraid of change. Don’t be one of these people. Switching jobs in your 30s are exciting. It is invigorating, and it gives you more opportunities to live, learn, and enjoy life.
Would you take the risk? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
MiddleMe 
I did it. I was kind of forced into the change though. I went from being a qualified nurse that adored what she did every damn day to being a supervisor in a cinema. I was in charge of all the staff on the box office selling tickets. It was a sideways step but I loved it. Then a job came up in my local village grocery store. I snapped it up. it meant I could be nearer my boys for school. The one thing I found difficult was all of the horrible women in the village who have never liked me (I’m a tree hugging hippy) but that’s another story for another day. I just learned to ignore. Then 2009 and every damn illness both physical and mental nailed my ass and I was forced to retire. That’s life though huh?
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Thank you so much for sharing your life experiences with us. I bet you have plenty of stories to share. The important thing about change is that you must embrace the change, learn to adapt and love your job.
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This is such an incredible and inspirational post. I quit my career in finance and started with Gardening. Now I am slowly moving towards agriculture. The fear of being judged is always there. The period between quitting your old career and getting established in a new one… That’s the toughest part. Other than that.. A change in career towards what we love is always very rewarding. Than You for this lovely post.
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And thank you for sharing your experiences with us. To step out to the unknown is always so frightening and therefore, kudos to your bravery!
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Yet again a great post Kelly…Every time inspiring and motivating people out there by your writing…Thank u
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Thank you very much. Your comments inspire me to do much more.
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A topic that is so much relevant today ….it is a delima for many but yes leaving all such inhibitions you can always consider new options for growth and learning.
It is so much satisfying 😊
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts. And so true as well. Have a great weekend!
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Thank you for sharing!!
When you are truly inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project… your mind transcends its limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world! Then those dormant forces, faculties and talents inside you become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” Patanjali “
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Thank you so much for your encouraging words! You are fantastic. Have an amazing weekend!
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Thank you for sharing this out! Have a wonderful weekend.
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Thank you for sharing this out! Have a wonderful weekend.
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Great post! It can be very daunting to make such a huge change “later” in life, but in our current society, it’s very attainable! And more and more people are going into business for themselves, bloggers included! It can be difficult if you have a family, but as long as you make smart decisions, there shouldn’t be too much risk involved. This is a great message!
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Thank you, Katie. I agree with you that it’s harder to switch your career when you have a family or financial obligations. If you have the support of your family and able to plan it out carefully, it is probably for the best to switch to something you love rather than to stuck it out on a job you dislike for money. It’ll suck out your soul.
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By NO means do I intend here to tell God what the 11th Commandment ought to be; BUT in my opinion it ought to be along the line that a person has the right to enjoy the work that they are doing.
Enjoying one’s work is MORE likely to increase one’s lifespan, help solidify one’s marriage, and actually make one a more productive human being. So pray about it; and then GO FOR IT!
Easter Blessings, {Oh… & YES I Did.}
Partick
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Wonderful thought and decision that you shared with us, Patrick. It takes a lot of courage to step out of comfort zone to pursue your passion. And yes, everyone has the right to enjoy their work.
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Great post! Thanks for sharing Kelly! 😊
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Thank you so much for your comment. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Loved this post! 😍
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Thank you very much!
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Very inspiring. Please read more of my blogs. I find yours very helpful indeed. Take care.
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Thank you so much and I’m going over to your blog right now. Cheers!
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Switching jobs is no problem. While the ultimate thing that ravages our hearts should be how we can stand on our own, so that we can have time to serve humanity.
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Thank you, peter for sharing your point to always give back to the world.
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The post deserves it, notwithstanding, you are very welcome. Best wishes!
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Ha, I am almost 46 and starting a new career again. Doing what you love, so much more important than the ‘big bucks’ (money).
By the way, in The Netherlands peoples pension start at 67.
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Patty, 67? how is that?
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I think it has something to do with population aging, so the elderly need to work longer to keep (economical) society going. Up till a few years ago it was 65. Also the option to retire earlier has been made less attractive.
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interesting
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You are not alone. The age of retirement is also raised in Singapore. My Guess is that the government fears that the earlier you retire, the higher chance you’ll become fully dependent on hands out instead of contributing to economy.
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At 46, you’re still young, Patty. You are only halfway through your life and there are plenty to see and do. I totally agree there are many more important stuff than money.
Got your email!!! Will drop a reply in a while. Until then, hugs and kisses.
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Thank you Kally 🙂 I plan to become 99 (somehow this number is stuck in my head), so not even at ‘halfway’ 🙂
Ah great! Already looking forward to it, but not pressure 😉 Big hugs! XxX
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Haha. Love your positivity!! My wish is to live Long enough to have grandchildren. So I can spoil them like I spoil my little one now.
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I enjoyed this post a lot, Kally. It’s very encouraging and true. Times have changed and people have more scope to be flexible now. It’s true for me as well since I’ve changed jobs and industries a couple of times in my 30s, though all my jobs have to do with writing or editing.
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Change with times and the times change with you. I always love a challenge so I never believe in working in the same role for more than 3 years except this time, my role as a mommy gonna stick with me for a looooooong time. Haha!
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That is a good rule with roles. I agree with seeking challenges. I think nowadays working too long in a role/company can sometimes be counterproductive in that it’s easy to stay put and do nothing much. Of course, that’s not true for everyone but for a few people I know, it is.
Good luck on your maternal role and that is indeed a lifetime one, ha.
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I think it depends on the company itself. I do know a few companies like Apple, encourage their staff to rotate roles and department every 2 years so that they learn more from each other’s job perspectives.
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That is a great idea. I think having the chance to rotate within a company is a big plus.
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Definitely a big plus. Especially you can solely concentrate on the new role without needing to adapt to new culture or workplace. Makes it more productive and conducive learning environment.
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That is so true about not having to adapt to a new culture or workplace. More companies should do that.
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very inspiring, especially for someone like me who just got laid off after 5 years.
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Big hugs on your painful departure. It’s not the end but a beginning to perhaps a new wonderful journey.
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What’s your opinion on learning in preparation for career changes?
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Depending what you want to switch to, whether it is the same industry or something similar or even a totally opposite of what you previous do. Udemy and Coursera are both great websites to start looking at courses.
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30s: Wow! Changing jobs is such an adventure!
50s: Hold my beer.
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70s: Back to babysitting, only this time, it’s the grandchildren.
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