Changing careers in my thirties, ... has anyone BDTD?

[transylvania_mom]

I currently work as a teacher in adult education (which is the least bad choice in my field - for me anyways). Where I live right now there are very few permanent jobs, so I always worry about losing my job. Teaching was a temporary situation when I started 11 years ago... first I decided to teach for a couple of years until I moved... then for another couple of years until I finished my Master's... then for another couple of years to get maternity benefits after I had the kids, and so on.

I hate teaching. I'm not a social person, and I have to make a conscious effort every day to speak in front of an audience. I would like to try something different.

I've thought about Accounting. I found a program called Professional Accounting at a local college. It would take me 1 year to finish it and most courses, if not all, can be taken through distance education. Do you think anyone would hire a person with a college diploma but no experience whatsoever?

Or should I find a job in something related to the field and pursue my studies at the same time? I really have a hard time deciding what to do.

I would appreciate your advice, or any BDTD stories... am I crazy to change my career after 11 years in my field?

[AdinaL]

I kind of did.

I was a stage manager for theatre until I had my DD when I was 31.  I had been working semi-pro/pro since I was 18 years old, and discovered that stage managing and children were mutually exclusive (for me anyway...and for most stage managers, never met one with kids)

I did a few other things since then, worked at a retail diaper store with my daughter until she was nearly 3.  Then working here for Mothering.  It is very different, but fun and I love the people I work with.  

It is a big change for me, and I struggle sometimes with not starting a new show every couple of months, and not being physical at my job.  But on the whole, it works for my family.

[DariusMom]

I did. I did various jobs (teaching English, working retail, working for  the government, working in the private sector) interspersed with going to school and backpacking around the world. Never really found my bliss. I finally decided to start my PhD when I was 32. Finished when I was 37. Now post-docing at 40. Wouldn't change anything, though sometimes I wish I'd started out in academia earlier, as a lot of my cohort are a good 8-10 years younger. Be that as it may, I wouldn't have traveled, met DH, had DS, etc. So . . . no regrets.

Anyway, the whole point is that you're going to be whatever age you're going to be anyway (God willing!). So you're going to be 37 or 43 or whatever *anyway*. You might as well reach that age in a job that you like and that satisfies you. I just never understood the logic of, "Oh, but you'll be 52 when you finish your degree [or start in that career]!" Yeah ...so what?? You'll be 52 anyway, so why not reach that age being happy in a very intrinsic part of your life?

Plus, lots of people change careers in their 30s and 40s. It's very rare these days for people to stay in the same career or profession (much less the same company or institution!) as they started out in. It's really the norm. So I say, research the options open to you, maybe shadow an accountant for a day or two, or even just talk to one about what the job is like, see what the career prospects are, and make a plan. Life is truly too short to stay in a job that doesn't fit if you don't have to (and hats off to those who do stay in order to support their families)

[CatsCradle]

OP, I have a very good friend that went back to school and became a CPA when she was about 40.  She loves it and has no regrets.  She had been doing retail management for years prior, but was burnt out and felt that given she would probably be spending the next 40 years working, she needed to make a change.

My story is similar to hers, although I worked in the arts for years (mostly for non-profit galleries, museums and theatre).  I loved the actual work but was tired of being stuck in an income rut.  I went to law school in my late 30's and have been practicing for about 8 years.  It was a hard thing to do but I'm glad I did it.  Like my friend, I found myself thinking very long term and knew then and now that I'll probably be working for many years to come.  The relatively short time that it took to make the change pales in comparison to the amount of time I will actually be practicing.  FYI:  I made the change pre-child, so it was probably a little easier given that I could focus on just one thing. 

I know many, many people who have made a mid-life career change.  Like PPs said, it is way more common than one thinks.  Circumstances change, life changes, interests change.  Good luck with your whatever decision you make!

[petey44]

Wow, transylvania_mom, you and I are in pretty much the exact same position!!  I'm also a teacher and hate it, for the same reason.  I've spent years mentally bouncing around different ideas for career changes, and just happened upon accounting recently.  I was actually coming to this forum just to see if anyone had posted anything about working as an accountant, or going to school to be an accountant...and instead I read your post which sounds like it came from my mouth!

I found a similar program...it's an associate's degree that prepares you to sit for the CPA exam (I guess in terms of credit hours or whatever).  It sounds like a good idea, but I'm wondering how far that will really get me- will I still have to go back to school yet again later on to get an MBA or something like that (I already have two bachelor's degrees, so this is weighing heavy on my mind). 

I'm also wondering about how I could get some relevant work experience, preferably while completing my studies (yet, still bringing enough income into our family in order to survive).  I'm thinking about setting up an appointment with a job counselor from the school that offers that associate's program- is there anything similar where you live, a program that offers someone you could talk to?

Good luck!!  And keep us (well, me, at least!) updated on any progress you make/new information you find!

[Holland73]

I'm 38 and doing it right now.  I was an elementary school teacher and now I am in grad school full-time and working as a MFT (marriage and family therapist) trainee.  I absolutely LOVE it.  It's an amazing experience to actually be doing something I am so passionate about! 

[CI Mama]

I actually think it can be helpful to switch paths when you're older because you know yourself better and you usually are making the change out of a real sense of purpose and clarity.

I worked all kinds of jobs through my 20s (child care/nannying, worked for an educational publisher, ran a small dance studio, plus a variety of odd jobs) and never really thought of myself as having a career. And then in my 30s I realized that I was spending a lot of my free time organizing arts events, which led me to work for various arts organizations, so I went back to school and got my masters in arts administration, and I've never been happier. I'm a theater manager on a college campus, and I love my job. My pay is modest, but the benefits are good & the work suits me. And I'm in a more stable situation than I've ever been prior to this.

Good luck!

[cakemama579]

OP, BTdoingT!  I've been cooking and baking professionally for the last 10 years in my family's restaurant--but since it is my family's restaurant, I've never considered it an actual career.  I care deeply for the business but there is no chance at eventually owning it, and I haven't had a raise in over 6 years due to the economy.

When my ds was born in 2008, I was inspired to become an L&D nurse, and have been working toward becoming an RN since then.  Even through having another baby.  I'm now 1 semester deep into the actual nursing program, with 3 more to go.  I've taken 2 semesters off to have dd and she'll be 5 mos when I go back to school in Jan.

What you are trying to achieve is doable!!!!!!!  Mamas make it work all the time.  You deserve to love your career, and since teaching isn't cutting it, find what does.  The accting program sounds quick and fabulous!  Seek it out.. life's too short not to.

I'm 31 yrs old.

[transylvania_mom]

Wow, thanks so much for the BTDT posts and for your encouragements! I'm definitely more determined than ever to change my career. I'm planning to meet with a career counselor at a local college and see exactly what are the next steps, maybe I get to register in January. My parents are currently living with us for a while, so I'll have more time to focus on my career.

Petey44, I'm in Canada, and as far as I understand here the accreditation is competency-based, meaning I need to get relevant experience while I complete the required courses. So I might need to find some job related to the field, or in a company that can help me acquire the experience while I take my courses. Here, I won't need an MBA to be an accredited accountant, but I do need a Bachelor degree (any specialty) plus the courses required by the association. This is what I understood from what I read on line. Good luck to you too, and keep us posted.

If anyone else has other words of advice for me, I really appreciate it.

[laura163]

I did! I worked in Logistics and Transportation from the time I graduated from college until 28. Then I had a baby and then another. I quit right before #1 was born. Once baby #2 was 6, I went to school at Aveda and became an esthetician. I am now 38 and working full time as an esthetician. I love it!!! 

I was worried about being the "old lady" at school but so many ladies were there getting ready for a second career. My kids would prefer I sat home all day while they are at school but I can't do that! I love talking to new people, learning new skills, helping people with skin problems and making money. I also like how focused and competitive I am. I had forgotten that about myself.

[DCMama01]

I really want to now, but my change would require going away to school for 13 weeks and I have DD now, plus I'm a single mom. I am trying not to think of the logistical piece of switching, because it's discouraging. But I'm pretty sure I need to switch, because I'm not happy.

[meemee]

Originally Posted by transylvania_mom 

I've thought about Accounting. I found a program called Professional Accounting at a local college. It would take me 1 year to finish it and most courses, if not all, can be taken through distance education.

why accounting? because it will only take one year and you could work after that or because you just love it and cant imagine doing anything else. if its love then absolutely go do it. if its just for the convenience of it then find something you are passionate about. 

Do you think anyone would hire a person with a college diploma but no experience whatsoever?

nope. not now esp. during this economy. unless you had a back door entry. 

Or should I find a job in something related to the field and pursue my studies at the same time? I really have a hard time deciding what to do.

i am not sure how you could do that either. if anything check with the school you want to go to (and i'd get a moving NOW). find out from your school. maybe after a semester you can apply to internships in your field through ur school and/or university. you'd be lucky if you were paid. 

do you have to give up your present job to go back to school? esp. if you take online courses? why not continue (if money IS an issue) work full time, school part time, take a couple of years and then see where life has taken you.

figure out your philosophy. will one year of going to school mean missing out on your kids for a year? would you be willing to do that for better options  later on? or do you absolutely have to be there? 

the biggest thing i discover about those of us doing this a second time around, is putting too much on their plate because they want to get it done and dont want to spend more time in school. that is about the worst thing you can do. dont take too much on until you have a realistic idea of how much you can do.  factor in homework time which many forget to do. factor in me time. you cant do this if you dont keep some regular 'me' time for yourself. 

it will not be easy. it will be hard. but it will be one of the greatest things you do. 

but first - the change that you seek - is it really accounting you want to do? 

[cristeen]

Will people hire you with no experience in your field?  Yes.  With a resume that shows you have work experience (in another field, obviously), and a degree/certification in the field, you can get a job.  It may not be easy considering the economy, but it can be done.

However, you really need to think about the impact of going back to school on your family.  Can you quit the job you have now (or cut back your hours) and devote that time to school or would you have to continue working?  How much time per week will you have to devote to homework/studying?  How much will that leave for devoting to your family, household chores, and yourself?  My DH started back to school in the spring (he's in his 40s), and with the plan he presented, I thought we could make it work.  The reality however is completely different.  He rarely has time to spend with me or DS, he's under intense amount of stress because he's also working FT (I SaH), and all household responsibilities fall on me.  He's working 42-45 hrs/week, has a 90 minute round trip commute each day, and 20+ hrs/week of schoolwork.  That doesn't leave a whole lot of time for relaxation or family time, and it's really having an impact on our relationship.  With an autistic 2 yo and another on the way, I'm not sure how we're going to be able to continue this pattern until he graduates (3 years).  However, if you're better at multi-tasking, juggling responsibilities and shifting gears mid-stream, you may be able to make it work.  Just don't short-change your family (or yourself) to do it.  Your 2 yo will not understand why mommy can't play, and she will never be 2 again. 

[hildare]

do it.  keep your contacts.  you might be able to sell yourself into a job based upon your experience in an academic/educational setting.. colleges, universities, library or school systems, and board offices need accountants too.  you can relate your experience into a new position if you find the right thing, for sure. 

i sort of switched, just went back for a different track, but it wasn't such a major change.  i've seen lots of people do so successfully though.

[USAmma]

Originally Posted by cristeen 

Will people hire you with no experience in your field?  Yes.  With a resume that shows you have work experience (in another field, obviously), and a degree/certification in the field, you can get a job.  It may not be easy considering the economy, but it can be done.

However, you really need to think about the impact of going back to school on your family.  Can you quit the job you have now (or cut back your hours) and devote that time to school or would you have to continue working?  How much time per week will you have to devote to homework/studying?  How much will that leave for devoting to your family, household chores, and yourself?  My DH started back to school in the spring (he's in his 40s), and with the plan he presented, I thought we could make it work.  The reality however is completely different.  He rarely has time to spend with me or DS, he's under intense amount of stress because he's also working FT (I SaH), and all household responsibilities fall on me.  He's working 42-45 hrs/week, has a 90 minute round trip commute each day, and 20+ hrs/week of schoolwork.  That doesn't leave a whole lot of time for relaxation or family time, and it's really having an impact on our relationship.  With an autistic 2 yo and another on the way, I'm not sure how we're going to be able to continue this pattern until he graduates (3 years).  However, if you're better at multi-tasking, juggling responsibilities and shifting gears mid-stream, you may be able to make it work.  Just don't short-change your family (or yourself) to do it.  Your 2 yo will not understand why mommy can't play, and she will never be 2 again. 

I think Cristeen has a really good perspective on this. I just finished nursing school last year and it was a five year journey that was hard on our family. I was very driven to be a nurse and dh was looking forward to the second income, so he supported me. I am so glad I did it because I love what I do. I was a SAHM for 10 years, and before that worked in a totally different field. During the interview my past experiences in my job, SAHM and my former degree did play a good role in landing me the job I have right out of school. They valued my professionalism and life experiences. 

[provocativa]

Originally Posted by hildare 

do it.  keep your contacts.  you might be able to sell yourself into a job based upon your experience in an academic/educational setting.. colleges, universities, library or school systems, and board offices need accountants too.  you can relate your experience into a new position if you find the right thing, for sure. 

i sort of switched, just went back for a different track, but it wasn't such a major change.  i've seen lots of people do so successfully though.

this,  and daycares need accountants too.