I am nearly 50 and a teacher.Am I too old to change jobs or to retrain?If not, what jobs would you suggest?

Question

I am at a cross roads in my career. I am good at what I do but I would like other challenges.

Answer 1

Your never to old to make changes to your life and 50 is not old! I suggest looking into going self employed as a trainer. I work for a training company and we are always looking for trainers (and pay them a very generous wage). You can work the hours you want to and still get satisfaction from helping others achieve their goals. Good luck in whatever you decide. Make the break it will be worth it in the end and if it doesn't work out you can always go back to teaching.Just remember,If you always do what you've always done you'll always get what you've always got.

Answer 2

Let me put this into perspective ... You probably started teaching in your early 20s, so you've been at it for 28 years...? Before you got into that, you had little wisdon and learning, right? Look at you now - you've been there and done that on so many levels! "Knowledge is sticky" - so say I - which means we learn by attaching new facts to ones we already have in our mind. As a teacher, you already know that the key to learning is to FIND THE RIGHT QUESTION. At 50, you're pretty much all sorted out - no distracting indecision, no distracting hormones (well, not as many!), you've probably done the family thing. ... Now, let's say you're fortunate enough to be reasonable healthy - I think you must be, or you would not be contemplating this switch. Perhaps you've heard the statistics that claim people our age (I'm a bit older than you but all this applies to me as well) are as vigorous at 50 as we were at 35. And we live longer, healthier lives. That being said, there should be nothing to stop you from pursuing a new dream. Are you free to make a SELFISH choice - a career that isn't as lucrative as teaching? Another consideration - one that makes sense - is to try to find something that utilizes skills and strengths you gained teaching; no matter what you choose, those attributes will play a part anyway. ... As for training, start taking a course at night. Choose anything that interests you a lot, but don't view it as THE choice - it's just a smart starting point - you'll feel you've taken the first step. I imagine that while you're taking the course your desire to change will increase - fortified by your having taken some action! So, stay healthy, be optimistic, use your imagination, and get out there and TRY things! Good luck!

Answer 3

You are never too old you only get one life use it and if you want to do something more challenging why not do it. Suggestions for a career change Social Worker or councellor. you have experience of young people. You do not say if you are single or have a family There is an organisation that assists people to do voluntary work abroad. Try the Saga site they had the address in one of their magazines. What about Politics you could bring some honesty into it or you could start out helping out or working towards it. You could enter the church in some way. There are re-enactment society`s who re-enact the English Civil War although you wouldn`t get paid for this. Start campaigning now for pensioners for when you get there so they get a better deal. Look at what you enjoy in your hobbies and see if you could find work in that field. Good luck in whatever you do. By the way my friends brother is a teacher and he has just applied to work abroad in Chicago. Try working as a teacher abroad to widen your horizons. Or just go for fun and be a holiday rep!

Answer 4

Absolutely not... you are not too old. Though a bit younger, I've done that and it worked out fine. Who knows, I may do it once again... after all it is a short life.
When you change career make sure that you find something where you will use the experience that you have gained. You are a teacher so you must be good in communications or events coordination... these are just examples you have to look into yourself and what options there are.
Good luck...

Answer 5

If you are a teacher as stated , you should know yourself that job changing is possible , you have 15 years yet and should have the inteligence to do what ever you choose, I think it is, that you need this forum to help you to make a decision that you are dubious about, Do you stick with what you are doing and all it provides security and pensions, or get out of it and retrain in something that you may regret, you could , and if not to your liking you have a carreer to go back to

Answer 6

i'm fantastically particular fantastically much everywhere won't hire you except you're a minimum of sixteen. Many places choose 18 12 months olds, additionally. Legally, you could no longer without a artwork enable. And yet, once you inspect the information of unemployed young ones searching for a job, there are various. And what company could decide on a 14 12 months old over a 17 12 months old? no longer many. attempt doing chores around the domicile for money. Or shrink your acquaintances backyard.

Answer 7

Changing career is not as simple as it sounds. I'm not saying its too late to change, but I would suggest you think careful, listing down these things:

- what you enjoy the most about your current job
- what your key strenghs are
- why you're looking to change
- your financial and lifestyle expectations

That'll at least give you some idea as to what is driving your need for a change, and as well as some thoughts on what sort of career might be suitable / good for you.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Take heart , I`m 49 , retired from the police and just recently got a job working with homeless on a new project funded by the Scottish executive . I NEVER thought in a million years i`d get the job , my collegues are all 20`s and 30`s . Make your mind up what you want to do , research it and GO for it . You`ve plenty years left .

Answer 9

www.usajobs.gov is the federal website - looks of good opportunities for all education/skill levels

Also have you considered your local community college/university? Not just in the classroom but also staff support could use your skills and perspective.

Another option might be training, as mentioned by a previous answer. Your state's education agency might have areas like this.

And don't forget on your applications to include all your volunteer leadership positions and volunteer service. Non-paid employment is considered very important, we're seeing more and more for college graduates with internship experience.

Good luck....

Answer 10

Buddy, it is never too late to change your life. You are a teacher, would you not think about maybe moving into social services, like child support or something? There you could use the skills you already have, and would be doing great good at the same time. Not that you aren't doing great good as a teacher that is........

I applaud people that want to improve their life, no matter how old! Well done!