Making a midlife career change? Experts suggest how to navigate one

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jul 15, 2024 16:29 IST

If Falguni Nayar hadn't made the leap from banking to entrepreneurship at the age of 49, we might never have seen the rise of the e-commerce platform Nykaa.

A similar situation occurred with Priyanka Khanna (name changed), who was contemplating a bold move at 35. After a decade in law, she thought of leaving the courtroom behind to pursue her passion for the beauty industry.

Meanwhile, Surajit Dasgupta, 35, spent seven years as an electrical engineer in a central PSU but felt his career had become stagnant. Seeking more excitement, he upskilled with an MBA and landed his first role as a product strategy manager at 31.

He describes this transition as a significant cultural shift, embracing the fast-paced environment despite the challenges he faced. For him, it was a wise decision that fostered personal growth.

In contrast, Khanna wasn't motivated by growth; her well-paying lawyer position didn't fulfil her. Instead, her passion drove her as she transitioned to becoming a beauty content writer. Although her current earnings are lower, she finds greater satisfaction in her work.

Have you ever considered switching careers, whether for passion, growth, or simply to escape monotony? If so, you're not alone.

"Opting for a new path isn’t easy, and leaping into another kind of work is indeed challenging. However, over 30 per cent of people look for a fresh start. The years 25 to 44 are when they expand their horizons," Mamta Shekhawat, career coach and founder of a study abroad platform, Gradding.com, tells India Today.

She adds, "There are occupations that have a decent tenure, such as managers, higher-positioned professionals, and more. Besides, service professionals may not have a long tenure; they shift about every 2-3 years. Further, the career length depends on the domain they work in. However, a person works for 90,000 hours on average in a lifetime. Over the course of about 13-15 years, people think of changing their careers with the prospect of better growth and exciting new opportunities."

Furthermore, career coach Dhairya Gangwani tells Harper's Bazaar (July 2024), "People who have worked for more than 10 years in an industry are usually the ones who have this sudden realisation that they don't want to be doing what they've been doing for a long while. This arises from multiple places, and it's majorly from a need for change."

Making a switch, but why?

"People change careers for various reasons, influenced by personal, professional, and market factors," feels Ahmedabad-based psychiatrist Dr Sarthak Dave.

• Job dissatisfaction: Lack of fulfilment with the current work situation
• Career growth: Seeking better opportunities
• Work-life balance: Desire for less stress or more flexibility
• Financial instability: Seeking stable income
• Job security: Moving to fields with better security or opportunities
• Personal interests: Pursuing passion in another field
• Education and skills: New skills or higher education opening opportunities
• Life changes: Major life milestones prompting a shift
• Burnout: Seeking a more manageable or enjoyable career
• Corporate misalignment: Discomfort with the current employer’s culture or values.

Dr Dave adds that people also change careers due to personal issues. At times, to bring back family peace, they have to change their workplace or the type of work.

Navigating the shift

Mamta Shekhawat explains that one of the challenges you may face is accepting lower salaries.

"It takes resilience and determination to navigate this, as there are many instances when a person switching careers has to accept a pay cut just for the sake of their new path,” she says.

According to Shekhawat, another difficulty that you may face is bridging the new skill gap. It is not about leaving all the experience behind and starting from scratch, but about using your expertise in other ways that suit your new career.

A shift in your profession means building a new network of intellectuals, which can be an exciting opportunity.

"Last but not least, I will mention the mindset block. Many people lose their self-confidence by considering themselves 'too old’ for a profession they are entering," she adds.

Meanwhile, New Delhi-based counselling psychologist Divija Bhasin mentions that a midlife career change ought to be seen as a new beginning.

"People who change their careers midlife are often perceived to be confused or immature. Being stable is considered the key to a good career. But stability is only good if you are content with where you are. Being in a career that makes you unhappy can feel draining and affect your mental health," she tells Harper's Bazaar.

Making a career switch can indeed be intimidating. Experts feel that before making such a move, apart from keeping in mind the obstacles, you also need to be sure that you certainly want to leave your current profession.

As for Divija Bhasin, it is very important to have a backup plan. "The most important thing would be to ensure you have monetary resources to live comfortably and without completely changing your lifestyle overnight," she shares.

It is also important to understand the industry you are getting into and upgrade your skills accordingly.

"Before switching careers, consider self-assessment to align interests and skills, thorough research on the new field, and acquire necessary skills. Build a network for insights and job opportunities, remain flexible to adapt to challenges, and also discuss this step in detail and seek support from family, friends, or career counsellors to navigate the transition smoothly,” adds Dr Sarthak Dave.

The societal pressure

It is the expectation of the community that makes people wonder ‘log kya kahenge?'

But, according to Mamta Shekhawat, you only have to answer yourself about this move. Always remember that your happiness matters the most.

In times when people believe in impressing society, be the one who stands out from the crowd and climbs the victory mountain.

It can be a positive move

A midlife career change can bring a sense of renewed purpose in life, increased job satisfaction, and better work-life balance.

"With maturity and experience, you can make more informed decisions, leveraging your skills and insights. It also offers the chance to pursue passions and interests that may have been set aside earlier in life," says Dr Dave.

It is evident that you will face hurdles once you switch careers, but remember that by using various strategies, you can overcome these obstacles, which can be rewarding.

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