Changing careers at 40 is both exhilarating and daunting.
It’s a new challenge and adventure. However, many unknowns exist, especially if you’ve been engrossed in your current career. That’s no excuse to stay complacent or not pursue your goals.
Should you change careers at 40? This article will explain why professionals change careers after 40 and how to change careers. We’ll also list some of the best-paying careers to start later in life.
Why Do People Change Careers At 40?
You’ve invested time and resources to build your career. Why would you turn your back on those achievements to pursue a new career?
Let’s look at the most common reasons people start new careers at 40.
- Current career lacks satisfaction: About half of U.S. workers are highly satisfied with their jobs—others are less than excited. Dissatisfaction can cause procrastination, disengagement, and a negative attitude. It can also leach into your personal life, causing needless stress. If the cause of dissatisfaction is your profession, it may be time to seek a new career despite your age to increase your job satisfaction and quality of life.
- Hit a growth ceiling: If you’re a go-getter, you may have gotten all you could out of your current career. You can stay put or seek a new challenge that allows for fulfilling personal and professional growth. The safety and predictability of a familiar career are enticing; however, for go-getters, the challenge of developing new skills can bring greater joy and satisfaction.
- Seeking job stability: Inevitably, some professions become obsolete. Consider how automation and robotics impacted sectors like the car industry. Robots now perform manual tasks, increasing efficiency and reducing the labor market. People may want to get ahead of labor restrictions and transition to in-demand careers.
How to Change Careers At 40
Evaluate Your Strengths and Passions
Changing careers is like turning a new page; instead of proceeding without decades of experience, you have a wealth of knowledge to lead you. This is your superpower in the job market, and you should leverage it.
Take the time to explore and list your strengths—and passions. This activity serves two purposes. First, you will identify strengths you’ve built throughout your career. Second, you can identify and match passions with strengths. You can use this practice to direct your next career steps.
Consider this real-life example:
Beth is a senior data scientist but thinks it is time for a change. She loves digging into analytics and innovating creative solutions, but even more, she is passionate about leading a team. In fact, throughout her career, she’s pursued several leadership certifications. She loves leading people and helping them achieve the best version of themselves. She’d like to transition to a career that allows her to do just that.
Research Potential Careers
Examine a range of professions that align with your strengths, passions, and values.
Consider factors such as job stability, growth prospects, required education and training, earning potential, and workplace environment.
Utilize resources like career assessments, informational interviews with industry professionals, and labor market trends to gain a comprehensive understanding of each career option.
Beth continues her career transition:
Beth knows her strengths and passions. She wants to support colleagues and provide resources for them to achieve their best selves. She loves seeing close ones win! Consulting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, she learns that human resources can be a good fit. The profession allows her to work directly with colleagues to resolve workplace challenges and create performance plans for professional growth.
Acquire New Skills, If Needed
Some people with established skills and experiences may find it hard to learn new concepts and technologies. And we get it.
Technology is evolving at the speed of light. AI, anyone? That said, you can pick up technical skills with the right mindset—a growth and lifelong learner’s mindset.
You don’t need a four-year degree, either. College alternatives, like certificates and certifications, are an expedited avenue to new skills.
Beth steps outside of her comfort zone:
Beth set the goal of transitioning into human resources. But she doesn’t have the qualifications to transition into HR. Merit America can help Beth acquire the necessary skills, earn an aPHR certification in 18 weeks, and successfully transition into HR—or get her money back.
Reach Out To Your Network
Job hunting typically is not an activity that inspires joy. The monotony of researching and applying to job listings can impact your confidence and patience. That said, it’s not the only tool in your kit. Networking should be your go-to avenue for starting a new career at 40.
Why? Because throughout your career, you’ve amassed countless connections that can make a recommendation, introduce you to a recruiter, or vouch for your candidacy.
If you don’t think you’ve been actively networking, think again. The friends you worked with 10 years ago and still grab coffee with occasionally? They are a connection. The junior professionals you mentored for a summer program? They are connections.
Engage with your contact to open new job opportunities and switch careers—even at or after 40.
5 Best-Paying Careers to Start at 40
Changing careers is rewarding, especially when done correctly; you can increase your earning potential.
Here are five best-paying careers to start at 40:
- Human resources: Human resource professionals recruit, train employees, and ensure their workplace complies with labor laws. In this role, you would shape the company culture and improve employee satisfaction. Human resource managers earn a median salary of $136,350.
- Project management: Project managers oversee specific projects and ensure they are completed on time and within budget. You would coordinate teams, resources, and stakeholder communication to achieve project goals. Certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) can boost your earning potential, with experienced project managers often earning median salaries close to $100,000, depending on the industry.
- Cybersecurity: With the increasing frequency of cyber threats, cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. In this role, you will protect an organization’s data and IT infrastructure from breaches and attacks. Roles include information security analysts who earn median salaries that reach $120,360.
- Data analytics: Data analysts gather and interpret complex data to help businesses make informed decisions. In this role, you’ll use statistical tools and software to analyze trends and patterns. Many organizations value professionals who can translate data into actionable insights, with the median salary being $108,020.
- Information technology: The IT sector encompasses various roles, including consulting and IT support. As technology continues to evolve, the need for skilled IT professionals only grows. And the barrier to entry is low—the Google IT Support Certificate is a good place to start for beginners with minimum technical know-how. Entry-level positions, like computer support specialists, have a median salary of $60,810. Experienced specialists, particularly those with expertise in emerging technologies like cloud computing or artificial intelligence, can earn upwards of $120,000 annually.
You Can Change Career At Or After 40
You can succeed in your career transition with Merit America! With an 80% completion rate and an average salary increase of $24,000 for alums just three months after completing the program, the outcomes are clear.
Take the first step toward a successful career change by speaking with one of our dedicated admissions advisors. They can provide valuable insights tailored to your unique aspirations and background. Alternatively, you can apply online to Merit America today. We are eager to assist you on your journey to a fulfilling and prosperous career!