Matthew Said:

What is the best place to learn how to run a restaurant, school or working in an actual restaurant, or both?

We Answered:

Both are important but you must have experience to be successful. You can learn the business side without schooling but it will be faster and more efficient to take some business classes. There are some things you can only learn in the restaurant business by doing it. But, before you take the plunge, consider carefully if you really know what you're getting into. Have you worked in restaurants much? Do you love the business? Or, are you in love with the idea of being a restaurant owner? Unless you have a lot of experience and really enjoy the business, I would recommend against it.

Tracy Said:

How does a middle aged inexperienced, but talented, writer get her foot in the door?

We Answered:

Cold call any place you might be interested in writing for. Write for various magazines and send in editorials as often as you can.

Write often and bring examples to anyone you're interested in working for, whether they've asked for them or not.

Write in different styles, show you're capable of conforming to their needs, and be positive. If they say no thanks, ask them if you can check back with them in a few months.

Tailor your resume to whomever you're looking to work with, and find out as much as you can before sending in your resume. Write a good cover letter.

Don't give up. Writing is a very hard business to break into, no matter what the genre. Most successful novelists get 10-20 rejections for every piece they submit. Subscription writers get even more, unless they're already on someone's payroll. Be aggressive about submitting your work to people. No doesn't mean never, it means not this piece at this time. Don't be afraid to resubmit after a reasonable time, especially if something changes that makes your work more relavent or appealing.

Sarah Said:

new career at almost middle age?

We Answered:

May I recommend the East-West Center (EWC)and the University of Hawaii for your next step? With your overseas experience, you may get funding from the EWC and live in an international community (heavy on the Asian and Pacific side) while you pursue a graduate degree at UH Manoa. Even the Americans involved in the EWC specialize in Asian-Pacific topics.

Not sure what career you want to transition to, but I had a friend who graduated from college in the 60s, attended UH on an EWC fellowship in the 90s and 00s, then landed a position in California as director of a non-profit NGO. I've known EWC "alums" working for RAND, the Department of Energy, the Bank of the Philippines (as vice-president), the State Department, as a country director for the Peace Corps, as architects, and professors. Quite a lot of them ended up in Europe, somehow.

If you have the combination of overseas experience and a graduate degree that builds on and enhances that experience, age discrimination is not so much of a problem.

Adrian Said:

Iwant to change my career, I am 30 yrs of age, and working in a private IT firm.?

We Answered:

in which area you are looking for change. you can proceed with learning and earning at same time

Jimmy Said:

Middle-aged in need of career advice...?

We Answered:

You need to take a career assessment test, take several there are free and you can take them on line. Be honest with your answers since you will be honest with your self, it may say some thing different than medical.

I have to say that at lest you can read the righting on the wall that is a good thing. I wish you the best of luck.

As far starting your own business and feeling you have only one shot to get it right, that would be true with most business owners.
This can be a good thing, you know were you stand so plan and make it happen. some times it is a good thing to burn the bridge out from under your self so you can not true back. When i quite my job i sure as heck knew this, and relay P O my old boss his last word were you can never come back hear, i felt good knowing were i stood for once and just made it happen.

Plan, and burn your bridge since it will be burnt out from you by some one els on there time as they throw you off it first, then make it happen.