Ian Said:

Have you had a mid-life career change? From what to what? Are you pleased with the result?

We Answered:

well i am retired now but yes i did -- i retired from the military when i was 39 and enter the work force in a completely different field!!! from airborne radio to contracting and i was very successful!!!

Katie Said:

Mid-Life Career Change-Writing?

We Answered:

Writers WRITE. They have something to say. If you don't, and you haven't been, it's not a good career move. Writing is not an easy field to enter--professional writers don't make that much money unless they're writing best-sellers or technical pamphlets.

Most writers have "day jobs" until they sell their writing. To sell writing, you will need an agent--no one sells writing these days without one. And you will need skill. You can't simply write a bunch of stuff down and hand it over to a publisher.

Self-published books are not considered "published works". They don't get marketed unless you do it yourself. They don't get ISBN numbers so that bookstores will sell them. They don't get publicity unless you generate it on your own.

There aren't any "writing jobs" unless you go look in large area markets like NY and LA, where there are publishing houses. The chances of getting one of these jobs at your age and with your lack of experience in the field is almost nil. The jobs available are few, the type of work isn't even writing (unless you count writing rejection letters to prospective authors as writing) and they pay lousy wages--and they're usually snapped up by young, fresh grads who have English degrees or journalism degrees and who are willing to work at these sorts of jobs while looking for their "real" careers.

i'm not trying to be discouraging, but if you ARE a writer, you will WRITE. Whether you ever publish anything or not. Whether you actually work in the field, or not. That's what writers DO. Like artists, actors, musicians and other creative people who play, act, sing, paint or make things--they just....WRITE.

Randy Said:

Mid life career change?

We Answered:

If you can afford to suppport yourself for 3 years, and pay university fees, and are sure you can meet the academic requirements then just apply for a place on a psychology degree course.

Once you have started a degree then you will know more accurately whether you wish to (or are capable of) pursuing matters further.

The first thing to sort out is getting the degree. Your age, in this respect, is entirely irrelevant......your academic ability and financial means of support are far more important.

Michele Said:

What's the best way to proceed with a mid-life career change (teach), including returning to college at age 47

We Answered:

It really isn't too late. If you already have a bachelor's degree there are a couple of options. Most states have a license option called "lateral entry" whereby career changers can get a temporary teaching license and teach while taking courses to get the education courses you need for permanent licensure. Advantage: You don't have separate student teaching, can work while you get the courses you need. Some places offer summer coursework to get you the knowledge you need (see below). Disadvantages: You have to be hired by a school district before you can apply for a lateral entry license in most states; your program of study isn't as organized as if you went to an organized program.

There are also programs that offer you teaching training and student teaching as part of a masters degree program. Commonly referred to as Masters of Teaching degrees (MAT) they offer a more coordinated approach to learning, embedded student teaching, and a masters degree license (which means a higher salary).

Check out the resources below and find some in your state. Go to your state's Department of Education (or Department of Public Instruction or whatever its called in your state) and look up alternative licensure on the search feature for more details.

Go for it! We need good teachers!!!

Leona Said:

Mid-career change. Please help. In or around West Coast of USA?

We Answered:

When we find ourselves in this situation we have to plan our career. Career planning is a deliberate process of knowing WHO we are so that we can be sure WHERE we want to go or WHAT we want to be at some defined point in the future.

Here are some sites, which can help you plan your career.

Job Hunters Bible - My favorite. I have taught their system to hundreds of people with great results. Richard N. Bolles, America's dean of Career Consultants, heads the company and is also the author of the book, 'What Color Is Your Parachute.'
http://www.JobHuntersBible.com

U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/

CareerBuilder.Com
http://www.careerbuilder.com

The Princeton Review Career Quiz - Free. A brief 24-part questionnaire related to the Birkman Method, with intriguing career suggestions.
http://www.review.com/career/careerquizh…

The RHETI Test - Free. Related to the Enneagram
http:/www.9types.com/

Tests for Sale

Analyze My Career - Aptitude tests, personality tests, occupation interests, entrepreneurial index.
http://www.AnalyzeMyCareer.com

John Holland's Self-Directed Search
http://www.self-directed=search.com/

Other Career Tests and Sites
http://www.assessment.com/
http://web.tickle.com/take/online-career…
http://careerplanning.about.com/mbody.ht…
http://www.ncda.org/

Peace and every blessing!