Dana Said:

How many times have you changed careers in your life & what were they & what career did you really want to do?

We Answered:

37. Cook, painter, machinist, the list goes on and on. Right now I'm a Facilitator. Now that is a job discription most people have never heard of.

Kristina Said:

Can you be successful when changing careers mid-life?

We Answered:

Considering that there are probably more age related discrimination hurdles to overcome, I'd probably consider a job that has the most upside to starting from scratch vs. starting a job where all the facts or realities of the dog-eat-dog work world are stacked against you.

Essentially, try for a career that has fewer potential age discrimination hurdles, even if you don't appear old, perception by those doing the hiring is.

Keep your expectations realistic and don't expect to be very good at what you do early on, if you can handle early set-backs and mistakes, heading in a different direction career-wise could potentially be less traumatic than it typically is on an emotionally stressful basis given the stressful nature of changing career flotation devices while treading water (so to speak).

Lynn Said:

Has anyone's career life changed because of some IT certification you passed?

We Answered:

if certification is done after study of the material, it help.
If you just do after reading dump, it wont help as you can not answer the questions asked to you if any job opportunity comes to you due to the certification.

I passed Citrix sertification & it changed my life. Earlier I was a customer support engineer & now a system analyst.

Just read all the material of that certification. But just see that the certification is right & in demand.

Carl Said:

Unsure about changing careers later in life - any online resources that offer solid advice for baby boomers?

We Answered:

"What Color Is Your Parachute?" is the classic career changing manual - you can find a copy on Amazon or maybe even at your local library. Lots of quetions and models that you can use to determine what you really want to do in life, and how to get there.

Good luck!

Darren Said:

thinking of changing careers later in life?

We Answered:

Only late when you are dead GO FOR IT Good Luck

Brandon Said:

I am considering changing careers?

We Answered:

I'm 52 and tried to change careers a few years back and ended up losing my job to downsizing and can't get a job with my new degree! Seems I don't have the right experience. But I don't think that you would have that same problem however the other people who answered have very good points as far as starting at the bottom and being careful where you go to school. Just do some checking around in the area where you live and talk to people who work in the business. You probably won't start out at a 5 star eatery but hopefully you will find your own happiness somewhere. Good Luck!