Career Change at Any Age: Where to Start

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Thinking about a career change can stir up a mix of emotions, excitement, uncertainty, and even a bit of fear. Whether you’re in your twenties, forties, or sixties, the idea of starting fresh can feel both empowering and overwhelming. Maybe your current role no longer challenges you, perhaps you’re craving a better work-life balance, or you simply want to pursue something more meaningful. Whatever your reason, you’re not alone.

More people than ever are rethinking their careers at all stages of life. It’s no longer unusual to switch paths midstream—or even well into retirement. But recognizing the need for change is just the beginning. The bigger question is: where do you start?

This guide breaks down the process into practical, manageable steps. Whether you’re early in your career, somewhere in the middle, or exploring new directions later in life, there’s always a path forward. Let’s walk through how to find it.

Reflect on Why You Want a Career Change

Before jumping into a new direction, it’s worth pausing to understand what’s driving the change. Are you feeling unfulfilled in your current role? Have your values or priorities shifted? Or maybe you’re ready to find work that feels more purposeful or aligned with your strengths.

Knowing why you want a change helps shape what kind of change you’re actually looking for. If you’re experiencing burnout, you might be drawn to a slower-paced environment. If you’re craving more impact or connection, roles that involve helping others or contributing to your community could be worth exploring.

This kind of self-reflection often opens doors to careers you might not have considered before, like counseling, education, or social work. If those areas resonate with you, pursuing something like a psychology and human development degree could be a meaningful first step. This kind of study can help you build the skills needed for roles that involve supporting others through life’s challenges or transitions.

Jot down your thoughts, patterns, or recurring interests. The more clarity you gain here, the easier it becomes to navigate your next steps with purpose.

Evaluate Your Skills and Interests

Once you’re clear on why you want a change, the next step is to figure out what you’re good at and what you enjoy doing. You probably have more skills than you realize—especially ones that can be transferred into a new role. Think about your strengths: Are you good at organizing, problem-solving, talking to people, or managing projects?

Also, think about what kind of tasks you enjoy. Do you like working with people, or do you prefer working alone? Are you creative, analytical, hands-on, or strategic?

Make a list of your skills, past experiences, and interests. You can also use online career tools or take free self-assessment tests to get more insights. This step helps you match who you are with jobs that might be a better fit.

Research Potential Careers

Once you’ve got a good idea of your skills and interests, it’s time to look at what’s out there. Spend some time researching different careers that align with what you’ve written down. Look into industries that are growing or changing, especially if you’re open to learning something new.

Websites like LinkedIn, job boards, and industry blogs can give you a good idea of what different roles involve, how much they pay, and what kind of qualifications they need. You can also watch interviews or read about people who’ve made similar changes. Informational interviews—where you chat with someone in a role you’re interested in—can also be helpful.

Don’t limit yourself to what you already know. Be open to exploring areas you hadn’t considered before.

Upskill or Retrain if Needed

Depending on the career you’re aiming for, you might need to gain some new skills. The good news is, you don’t have to go back to university for years to do this. There are plenty of short courses, online training platforms, and workshops that can help you learn what you need to know.

Think about what qualifications or experience your new career might require. Some jobs may ask for specific training, while others might be more flexible. Platforms like Coursera, FutureLearn, or even YouTube offer low-cost ways to get started with something new.

Remember, learning doesn’t stop just because you’ve been working for a while. Picking up a new skill can be energizing and give you the confidence boost you need to move forward.

Create a Career Transition Plan

Once you know what direction you want to go in, it helps to create a basic plan. Changing careers isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes time, and having a plan can make the process feel less overwhelming.

Start by breaking things down into small steps. For example, maybe you want to spend the first-month researching jobs and updating your CV. The next month, you might take a short course or start applying for part-time roles in your new field. Think about what you can realistically do each week or month to move forward.

Also, don’t forget to consider your finances. If you’re planning to take a pay cut or go back to school for a while, you might need to save up or adjust your budget. Planning ahead makes it easier to deal with these changes when the time comes.

Even if your plan changes along the way—and it probably will—it’s still helpful to have something to guide you. It keeps you focused and gives you a sense of progress.

Update Your CV and Online Presence

When switching careers, your CV and online profiles should reflect the direction you want to go, not just where you’ve been. This means focusing on the skills and experiences that can apply to your new role, even if they come from a different industry.

Start by rewriting your CV to highlight transferable skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, or leadership. Use clear examples to show how you’ve used these skills in past roles. Tailor your CV for each job you apply to so it matches what the employer is looking for.

Next, look at your LinkedIn profile or any other online presence you have. Update your bio and work history to show your career change goals. If possible, share articles or insights related to your new field to show your interest and knowledge.

If you’re moving into a creative or freelance role, having a simple portfolio or website can help you stand out. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just a place to show your work or talk about your experience.

Changing careers at any age is completely possible, and many people are doing it successfully. Whether you’re in your 20s and just starting out, in your 40s looking for a fresh start, or older and ready for something more meaningful, the steps are the same: know your reasons, explore your options, make a plan, and take action.

You don’t need to have everything figured out right away. Even small steps can lead to big changes over time. What matters most is that you’re doing something that feels right for you.

It’s never too late—or too early—to start something new. If you’re thinking about a career change, trust yourself and take the first step. You might be surprised at what you can achieve.