Is changing your career path at 32 realistic?

Question

I'm 32 and have been working in IT since I graduated college. I recently have become extremly bored with my job and am thinking about a change. I know that there are many personality quiz type books out there to help you "do what you love", but when it comes down to it - does anyone really love their job? Has anyone made a successful career change, and was it hard? Is it possible to go into a different field and not lose that much in salary?

I have seen plenty of books on the topic, but I am more interested in anyone out there that has gone through the process.

Thanks!

Answer 1

since many people are working well into their sixties now, don't you think it's better to endure any difficulties that come with changing careers than stay with a job you aren't happy with for 30+ years? isn't it worth at least trying?

Answer 2

Yes, some people love their jobs - they're the lucky minority. Most people work because they need the money. But if you really hate what you do, then it's time to make a change rather than looking at another 35 years or so being unhappy with what you do.

If you can find another job still within the same field, you might not be so bored, and it wouldn't be as hard to make the change. But if that's not feasible, 32 is definitely not too old to change fields. Realize though that you'll almost surely have to take a pay cut starting over in a new field, plus depending on the field there could be substantial educational requirements.

Good luck.

Answer 3

A top equine photographer can easily make a living. The key is to be a top photographer. The down side is that you work most of the time when other people are off having fun-- weekends and evenings. You also need to have a really good feel for what is desirable in different types of shows, and good people skills. Making a horse and rider look good when they are dusty and in either the rain or a glaring sunny environment takes real skill. The smartest set up I saw used digital photography-- people could pick and choose which of a set of photos they liked the best, and even request collages of four or five different photos. The choiced could be made right at the show, right away, and the pictures could be either mailed or picked up the next day. By responding quickly with both proofs and copies, the photographers were able to pull in more customers. In the end, you probably won't get rich that way, but I would say that if you are talented, then you can make a living.

Answer 4

Expecting salary every month is a natural outcome of your choice to work. The growth path for your work in both content and more compensation in a job market is limited to a marginal growth.

It was at the age of 32 when I came back to India and " did not get " the job of my choice and preference, that I decided to become an entrepreneur so that I have the choice to accelerate my work pace and have the right to take even ' take wrong decision" to explore new ways of earning more .. That same International compensation right here in India..

It was indeed trying moment but I knew it will happen sooner or later. It took me 20 odd months and then never looked back .. Have an entrepreneur like attitude even if you are working for others.. That is what WIPR0- an IT company in India taught all of us in those 1990 days.

Now coming to career transition.. It is like a product life cycle or business life cycle. So alsol there is career change that has to happen. Within 8 months of same work, the ennui sets in.. In work places that freedom to set in change is not there unless you are at the top Management. Or your organisation has amply empowered keeping the company's team objective in place.

Just change the very approach to work.. Does your work impact and benefit the customer or the market place ? What more needs to be done than benefiting yourself. I worked for 9 years in IT industry and was in a similar situation.. Changed into Training and Mentoring to suddenly realise that Recruitment was a bigger opportunity and consulting.. That is how the newer and newer opportunity comes in

Become an entrepreneur.. Nothing Venture nothing gained.. And you will earn much and much more than salary . Practice innovation and be in learning mode always.. Just mail back at [e-mail] and I will send an attachment.. They are not those help yourself book but indeed for someone like you to change. One of them is Nick Corcidilos ASK THE HEADHUNTER ( www.asktheheadhunter.com ) and the other Dr Spencer's The Present.

With best wishes

RK Dhanvada
[phone]
Hyderabad, India
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dhanvada/
http://www.ryze.com/go/Dhanvada

Answer 5

I took over the family business at 39, a completely different field than I had worked in for the previous 13 years, and I love it. I did take a hit on salary, but I was able to afford to do so. I also have the advantage that one day the entire business will be mine, and at that time I will be making twice as much as I used to.

Answer 6

I would advise you to change careers now rather than later!
I'm an "old timer" executive recruiter and made my specialty placing people in jobs they love! The first step is to get clear on which industry you would contribute to with passion. A good start would be to examine your spare time activities and evaluate what makes your heart sing.. Lets just say for example you are passionate about golf.. you would choose companies that deal with the golf industry. Golf courses, promotion companies that deal directly with golf.. etc
You would then look at your skills and decide what kind of positions you would most enjoy. After that is done you would refresh your resume to include all of your achievements in the first paragraph of your resume and pay particular attention to achievements that might be of interest to your chosen industry. You didnt say what you do in IT but most areas could translate to other industries. After your resume is ready to sell you then you would map a strategy because you will then begin to call companies and ask for the name of the CEO or if you have been in help desk or some other area of customer service you would able to expand your contact list .
then make the calls selling yourself to get interviews.
If you have more questions or need a tip or two you can send me an email at [e-mail]
Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

Just pick what ever makes you feel the most happy so that you look forward to going to work every day.Even if you dont make a lot of money at first you still have IT to fall back on, like find a few small companies that need a little IT work once in a while.

Answer 8

I made a major change at 39 and have a friend who at that same age is looking to change.

Answer 9

I lost my job when I was 22 after I had my spleen removed. You try finding a job with out a spleen.

Answer 10

ABSOLUTELY!!!...

I'm 44 and changing course myself right now. Go forth and be fearless!!

Find something you truly LOVE to do!!!