Career change ... am I too old?

[Amunti]

I am 32 and I've always wanted to be a writer/journalist ... since this is hard, I'm thinking maybe PR ... work for a sports league or something like this.

Question is, I feel like I am too old to do this. And I have no experience. What can I do? Does anyone have some helpful advice?
I would really appreciate it.
Thanks!!

[renie408]

No. You are not too old. Jeez, I am looking to try something new and I am 43 tomorrow. It never occurs to me that I am too old for anything. I know I have read many times that people generally change their entire careers several times over their working lives.

[Ellesse]

Never say never. Recently, there's a story ran in my local newspaper that talked about this 39 year old brand executive quitting his job and nearly went broke to realise his dream of becoming a chemical inventor despite having no related qualifications in defense science. All he had was a childhood ambition and experience of meddling with epoxy and perspex (don't ask me what's that!). After 2 years of trial and error experiments using his home as a lab, he managed to create a "liquid armour" that has arouse interest from the local defense industry. He may rake in millions just from this invention alone!

There's a paradox to this theory about trying something new (eg, quitting your high paying job to try a new venture, dream) when you're of a certain age, that your opportunity costs is high.

In my point of view, the opportunity of NOT doing something that you've always been dreaming, desiring is much much higher. Because when you love doing something, the upside potential only limited by the your subjective interpretation of your own reality.

Consciously make a decision and just do it. All the best!

[dor]

32!? !?!
lets see:
Gauguin: started painting at age 37
Joseph Conrad: wrote first book at 42, in English, which was his second language
Whit Stillman (film director) made his first film at 39 .

not to mention these days people change careers a lot quicker.

I am older than you....I don't mean this offensively but it just sounds funny when you ask because I remember thinking similar things and now think what a waste of time it was to think that way.
in short NO YOU'RE NOT TOO OLD! and don't go for a 'second best' solution - you want to be a writer journalist - not a pr person? then be one.

[dgorila1]

32....you're just getting started. I'm 38 and going through yet another career change. I just started school to learn computers/networking and in exactly a year from now I will have the 3 main certifications and training I need to get into the field. This is my umpteenth "career". I've been in the military, done manufacturing work, been a firefighter/medic, built medical devices, and currently I supervise 30 people (I hate it....thats why its time for a change again). The thing is, once I get the training and certs for my new career, the starting pay will be at least what I am making now after being with my current company for 6 years! When I found that out that was the final push I needed to motivate be to devote a years time and go into debt to get this training and certifications. Plus my ultimate goal is to work for myself, and computers are a great way to accomplish this.
I'm also contemplating a parallel career by buying a machine shop. It won't be until after my schooling ends next Jan, but the offer has been made to me and now I just need to sit down with him and talk details.
You'll find that in todays job market you will change jobs many times. Just the way it is nowdays with companies outsourcing, merging, constantly changing, and new opportunities always opening up. Just flow with it and do what interests you. The rest will fall in line. Only you can steer your ship and determine your destiny. Go for it!

[trekr5]

We all live in very fortunate times because there is so much opportunity around. You are never too old to do anything.

Why don't you start a blog writing about sport? You can collect a readership and also show magazine or newspaper editors the quality of your work when you pitch them for commissions?

I'm older than you and I haven't given up on my dream.

I read about a man that wanted to become a medical doctor. He started school in his twenties but because he was the bread winner in his family, he had to put his dream to become an MD on hold. Eventually when he started to get serious about it again, he was 40 with a wife + 2 children and a mortgage. He got admission into medical school, was the oldest in his class, and spent the next 5 years holding down a full time job and studying at the same time. He graduated at the top of his class and is now living his dream at working as a brand new MD.

So don't let anything stop you

[Amunti]

You guys are quite inspiring ... I am still very nervous but I suppose it won't hurt to try ... right???

[Saidin]

You know, even if you knew it would hurt if you tried, would you not do it? Step out of your comfort zone a bit and just start.

It's okay to be nervous. It's not okay to want something and not let yourself have it.

[garg]

Age is not an important factor for me at all. I've just started telling people that I'm the "ageless one" haha. It never even crosses my mind. I think that's a good attitude to have

Who knows.. maybe your cells might start "believing" that they are old. Sociology shows that people who take on a label like "mom", "teacher", "old lady" start to unconsciously TRY and fit those labels and roles. Never do that!

[renie408]

I wonder how you avoid taking on the 'mom' label when you have two people screaming it at you all day long?

[Fortune]

Originally Posted by Amunti

I've always wanted to be a writer/journalist ... since this is hard, I'm thinking maybe PR

So you're thinking of changing into another career that you don't really want? That doesn't sound very smart to me. If you're going to change, you might as well change to what you have always wanted to be: a writer/journalist.

[Dwane J.]

I don't think you are ever too old, its an issue of planning. Making the switch involves an assessment of your current life situation and making a plan for the transition. Everyone has different circumstances which enables or limits their choices.

If you have no experience then start volunteering to write articles, write for your neighborhood newsletter, write an article for the community section in your newspaper. Just start, take action and the momentum will build on itself.

[dalante]

If your heart says "be a writer" don't say "maybe PR", because:
a) you're not really following your dream
b) it's disrespectful for people in PR to think "I can't be a writer, so I'll take an easy job like PR." PR is hard and to be really good at it, you've got to love it.

I cannot give you advice because I am actively pursuing the same dream: I intend to make a living off writing this year. All I can do is share what I am going through. If you want to read my ongoing experience, then read my blog.

Best of luck to you!

[Amunti]

It just seems so hard.
I can't afford to go back to school.
I can't intern because a.) I'm not in school and b.) can't afford to intern for free.
I feel like I am not qualified for any of the jobs I see.

I appreciate everyone's advice. It's definitely a choice I have to make. Either do it w/ all my energy or don't. I have a lot of thinking to do. I don't want to keep making excuses and feel sorry for my situation anymore.

Thanks everyone!

[dor]

Look at your language - 'can't ' 'not' 'hard' ....hate to use a sport analogy but you're losing the game before you even step on the field!

Louis Aunchincloss worked full time as a WORKING lawyer and wrote books:

New York Post Online Edition: entertainment

How did you manage to combine a full-time law career with such extraordinary productivity as a writer?

What I learned to do was use bits and slices of time. If you learn that you can cover an enormous amount of ground. I'd go to Surrogate's Court and listen to the calendar being called for a particular case - it might come up in 10 minutes or in an hour - I thought, look, I could write then. Lots of writers think you need rest and calm, your slippers and a cigar, and all that. That's all very well if you can have those things, but you don't need them. So I picked up a great deal of time that way. If you have a notebook, you can fill that in constantly.

[trekr5]

Come on amunti! There's no such thing as can't! We're all rooting for you here.

Take the first step. There are lots of writer forums on the internet. Join them and ask them their experiences.

Don't look at the obstacles. Keep your eye on the prize

[dalante]

Writing is an occupation that welcomes people from all ages, backgrounds, education, etc.

I have started to take action on this dream, while I am still doing my day job. So you can do it too!

>>Trekr5 thanks for the idea, I didn't think about visiting writers' forums. I just joined: Writing Forums (WritingForums.com) - Discussion forums for writers - Powered by vBulletin

[Hugh Hollowell]

By the age of 59, Ronald Reagan was a washed up B movie actor.

Did not know if you had seen this. I have it taped next to my monitor.

So you want to be a writer?

[ahimel]

Check out Ten Things To Know Before You Change Your Career -- pretty good despite coming from a Microsoft-sponsored website.

You'll notice at the top that the writer is switching careers at age 52. I think you'll be fine.

Good luck!

[chicagosuccess]

Originally Posted by Amunti

It just seems so hard.
I can't afford to go back to school.
I can't intern because a.) I'm not in school and b.) can't afford to intern for free.
I feel like I am not qualified for any of the jobs I see.

I appreciate everyone's advice. It's definitely a choice I have to make. Either do it w/ all my energy or don't. I have a lot of thinking to do. I don't want to keep making excuses and feel sorry for my situation anymore.

Thanks everyone!

Okay, here's the number one reason why it seems so hard to you. Because not only do you think it seems so hard, but you believe that so much that you actually typed it in this forum. The power of your words are stronger than you know. Of course it's going to seem hard if all you focus on is the obstacles. Instead of using words like "can't," try using phrase changes like "how can I?" You'd be amazed at how your mind starts working on solutions.

As far as age is concerned, pick up "The Magic Of Thinking Big" by Schwartz. Chapter 2 talks about the failure diseases, among them excusitis. Everybody can generate reasons why they can't do things. It's those that are successful that generate reasons why they can. Too many times people have never even tried because they believed they were too old or too young, but the best time to make a change ... is NOW!

[marky]

age should never be a big deal, but unfortunately that is not the way our society always works.

ive worked for companies that only wanted to hire recent college grads...worked them hard, burned them out in 5-10 years, then replaced with new and fresh blood. kept expenses low and productivity high. the good thing for the older workers that got laid off is they were well positioned in the market place working for that company. it was ironic, the CEO made no bones about it, he said as employees we should maintane the attitude of "eager to say, but ready to leave [when our time comes]".

such a bootcamp in life made me always look out for #1, and have a Plan B, Plan C, etc. this is what i would recommend to you. try and find a way to bridge your deisres. find a way to keep your current salary coming in and do part-time work in your area of interest. if that is not practical, and need to go to school full-time, then have enough money saved up to cover you including unexpected emergencies. but always think through that will happen if...and then what will be my fall-back if...

once you hit age 40, that is where age discrimination really starts, and there are actually laws prohibiting it (if it can be proven). your key to transistion will be to show you are a hard and energetic worker (keep your performance appraisals, letters of reference, etc) and demonstrate how you will want to leverage your newly acquired skills. ideally try and show how your old skillset would be an added bonus in this new professional arena.

congrats on thinking about a change like this, and hope it brings you what you are looking for!

[PMcDonald]

Amunti,

Start with a simple decision. Say to yourself that you are going to find a rewarding and successful career path. Belive that 100%. Visualize what your life would look like, how you would feel etc - do this every day and let the universe go to work for you.

By telling yourself as well as the rest of us on this forum that it is hard you are absolutely telling the universe that you believe it is hard and therefore it will be. You get what you focus on so you need to shift your thinking and start focusing on what you DO want, instead of what you DON'T want.

Hope this helps.

[chopsaw]

Amunti,

I'm 43 and for the last couple of years I've mistakenly called myself a carpenter instead of a writer. Once again I'm calling myself a writer who moonlights as a carpenter. This past month I've sent out three short story submissions, gotten two non-fiction pieces published, and have been contacted by another magazine publisher that may make my day job go away with plenty of freelance assignments.

I was a horrible student in high school, failed out of college the first time around, did well the second time, and went on to get an MFA in Creative Writing when I was 33. I love writing. I love reading. I love the revision process of searching my brain for just the right word. I go out of my way to meet famous writers and listen quietly to what they say. I've got a massive book collection that I'm proud of and use like tools that are in my truck. And whenever I'm stuck on line somewhere, or traffic's at a standstill, I break out a book or my note book and jot down some ideas or a scene.

I'm currently rewriting the novel I wrote in grad school. I know it's going to be the finest piece of work I've ever done.

What it comes down to is this. If you want to do it, why let anything stand in your way? It has taken me a long time to get to say this. And I'll say it for the rest of my life.

Keep an open mind and a pocket full of paper.

Best to you!

[dalante]

Very inspiring Chopsaw!

[Dani]

Well we are pretty much the same age, and I certainly don't feel too old to change careers.

I tossed my $800 a day IT career out the window and came to Japan 2 years ago. Best damn move I ever made.

I am now in the process of tossing aside the job I have here and building a company to produce and distribute Life Coaching products and training here in Japan.

If I can do it at the same age, in a country where I can barely speak the language, I am pretty sure you can do it in a country where people can at least understand you!