Career change choice for a 35 year old already doing well in the IT field?

Question

Looking for opinions from those who have started working towards new careers in their mid to late 30's. I have about 10 years of well rounded experience in the IT field and I make a very comfortable salary, but I'm getting tired of the IT field. I have no degree at the moment.

If I wasn't so old, I would love to be a lawyer... Looking for a reasonable career where I might be able to take some of my current experience and wisdom and apply it.

I'm a web guy at heart; graphics, photography, some animation skills, programming, problem solving, server administration, network administration; but I can't compete with outsourced salaries in the web dev field, so I have to leave the web dev choice behind.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Project Management is big right now. If you have the skills to be organized and the assertiveness to get things done, you will be good at it. You are still young. Go back to school and get your bachelor's. There are alot of "weekend" colleges for "non-traditional age" students out there. You only attend class 8 or so times a semester for about 4 hours a session. Alot of self work in between...but, made for the more mature student. I started working on my degree in Organizational Leadership in 1999 and now on my last semester. Good Luck!

Answer 2

You soiund like you are repeating my life bro. Look, I was 35 years old and had 10+ years in the Banking Field. Decided to shift gears to Marketing ( My passion) and came to realize that no matter what you know you have to start from ground zero, no matter how confident you are. No organization is going to hire an IT or Finance Guy to do a 180 turn and take a good job in another field if you have no experience. Think about it carefully! I am now 41 years old and was just lucky enough to get back into banking( even though it sux) but hey, its life ! we have to do what we do best.

have a nice day:)

Answer 3

Do you prefer numbers or words? Accounting is relatively stable, there are always openings/growth (depending on the company you work for), there's some stress at year-end (some company's year ends are not in December). I'm in accounting - I love working with numbers. I would suggest you ask someone local if you could 'shadow' them for a day or two to see if you like the job. You may think you like it because of the stability and money, however if you're not a numbers person you will quickly dislike it. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Have you looked at designing comic books? A friend of mine was an artist for Marvel Comics but much of the design is now done on computer (which leaves him out because he hasn't kept up with technology) Many of the designers work from home and send their stuff in when they have it finished. They get paid on a per page basis (aprox $60-$120/page) (contracted) so, as you can see, depending on your commitment to it, you could make a lot of money. You could actually start out doing it in your spare time while keeping your old IT job and then play it by ear.

Answer 5

Start your own business.
Why not do webdesign/photography at home. People are always loking to have someone design a site or do webpages for birthdays, weddings, etc.

Also there are online companies who make logos's/webapges for businesses. You could take a job w/ them. You can stay at home. People looking to get a webpage made or logo put a price and their concept-and you design for them.

You could also start a business similar to Geeks on Patrol
where you fix peoples PC's

Answer 6

I have the same problem as you. However, I am only 26 but doing tech support which I am sick of it. I need a career change! What should I do?

Answer 7

Sounds like you would enjoy and do well in Internet Marketing. The $$$ and benefits go on and on.

You can check it out by visiting: http://TopFreedoms.com (fill out brief 5 item form)

Email me if you have any problems - Larry [e-mail]

Answer 8

do cable