Career Change at 50: Top Jobs for Career Changers

Few people join the workforce knowing what career path they want to pursue. According to CNBC, 50 percent of workers want a career switch. Moreover, people that want to change their jobs tend to be younger and middle-aged workers. However, you may be wondering, will a career change at 50 be feasible? 

Yes, it is possible to switch careers at 50. You can make any type of career change, whether it is within the same industry or not. ⁠If you are bent on moving toward a different path, you will find this article very useful as we will provide you with all the information you need to know regarding a tech career change at 50, along with several ideas that could come in handy.

Why Start a New Career at 50?

Perhaps you are not happy with your career now, so you want to look at other options available to you. Maybe you are not earning enough or there is a lack of work-life balance, which is the number one reason why people change careers. Whatever your reason is, a career transition at 50 is still worth the consideration. 

According to Indeed, at 50, you’re already aware of where your passions lie, which helps you to find more rewarding or fulfilling career options. Moreover, you have access to career resources, both tangible and intangible, to make effective career decisions. You have time, money, and transferable skills for a vertical career change or to attend tech courses and training if that is what you are interested in.  

Signs You Need a Career Change at 50 

When do you know it’s time to change careers? Just like when you’re coming down with a cold, there’ll be signs and symptoms. Once you feel or experience these signs, that’s the time to jump ship. 

• You feel detached from work, your company, and your colleagues. You can’t remember the last time you were enthusiastic about what you were doing. 
• Work has become monotonous, every day is the same, and you feel you are no longer making any impact or that you’re undervalued. 
• Every day, you feel like you have to drag yourself out of bed just to go to work. 
• Even if you’re paid well, you feel like your salary is insufficient to make up for your discontentment.
• Your personal life is suffering. You can’t sleep, you’re exhausted, and you can’t attend to your time with family or for other personal relationships. 

How to Change Careers at 50 

A National Bureau of Economic Research study shows that workers over 40 years are half as likely to find jobs if employers know their age. Nevertheless, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an increase in the participation rate in the labor force until 2024 of people aged 55 and older. It is not impossible to pursue new career prospects at 50. Below you will find some career change advice that may be useful. 

Figure Out What’s Missing

First, you must figure out why you are not happy with your current career. Is it your coworkers, your manager, the company culture, the salary, or perhaps the commute? Would you be happier if you left your company? Would changing industries make you happier? What kind of environment or tasks would allow you to enjoy your work? Understanding what makes you happy will help you determine where you want to work and what you want to do.

Assess Yourself

Try doing a SWOT analysis. List your strengths and weaknesses, be it soft skills or technical skills. Learn about your options, be it a new job or an entrepreneurial career. Afterward, you can determine what could jeopardize your successful career change, such as the need to upgrade relevant skills. Considering all this information will help you find the type of career change you can make. 

Improve Your Qualifications

Once you’ve identified the career where you will have the best opportunities, make sure you can meet the requirements. Perhaps you will need a special license or certifications. Suppose you plan to shift to a tech career, for example. In that case, you might consider taking an accelerated degree program or a coding bootcamp.

Get an Internship

Internships are the best way to grow your skills and experience, thus increasing your chances of getting into a new career. Look for institutions that offer accelerated degree programs or bootcamps to help you land an internship. 

Market Yourself

You have to put yourself out there for companies to find you. Start with building your CV, tailoring it to the career you want. Then, if the career you are planning to pursue requires a portfolio, make sure yours is available online for easy access. Create a LinkedIn or GitHub account for employers to find you easily. 

How to Change Careers at 50 with No Degree

If you are worried that you won’t be able to change your career because you do not have a university degree, take note that one is not always required. Even for a functional career change, you will not necessarily need a university or college qualification. Below you will find some tips for changing careers without needing a degree. 

• Check out career prospects that align with your interests and career goals. 
• Compare the required abilities for your future career to your current expertise to determine transferable skills.  
• If you like a job but feel you lack a certain skillset, fill that gap by attending training courses or bootcamps. These do not require you to study for years to gain a relevant qualification. 
• Gain experience by doing side jobs or volunteer work.
• Use your network to get career advice or, better yet, to find job openings or request recommendations. 

Best Careers to Transition into at 50  

High Paying Jobs That Are Great for Career Changers: A Closer Look

Massage Therapist

As a massage therapist, you will treat clients by manipulating muscles and other soft tissues with your hands. Through various methods, you will ease a client’s muscular pain, enhance circulation, increase relaxation, relieve tension, and aid general wellness.

 Before you start working on a client, you must obtain a detailed history of their health condition to offer massage services that would benefit them most. You can work in spas, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. To be eligible to take the licensure exam, you will need to attend a vocational course, which could run for at least five months.

Web Developer

You will create and maintain websites when you work as a web developer. You’ll be in charge of a site’s technical aspects, including its performance and capacity, as well as monitoring website traffic. You will also be responsible for the look and functionality of the website. You will make your clients’ visions a reality by working with the design department.

To become a web developer, you need to learn HTML or XML programming languages, which are commonly used for writing codes for websites. Some of the best coding bootcamps develop your skills in as short as six months.

Technical Writer

Technical writers often write documents that explain how a product works. You’ll be writing manuals and how-to guides, sometimes even journal articles and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information.

Technical writing is adaptable, so you can work in various sectors, including marketing and customer service. You might also help researchers and institutions write grants and proposals. You won’t need a degree in writing to do this. Instead, you’ll need strong communication skills and the capacity to clarify complex information so that ordinary people can understand it. 

Social Media Manager

As a social media manager, you are the brand’s voice, thus representing it across social channels. You respond to comments, create editorial calendars, campaigns, and content, and monitor user engagement. You aim to increase your company’s exposure through social media platforms.

You will work with a specialized team to reach your brand’s goals. You will determine which initiatives work best and capitalize on them for continuous scaling of the business. While advanced education is not necessary, you’ll at least need experience in advertising, marketing, business, or press relations. Google Analytics and Google AdWords certifications would be helpful. 

Medical Assistant

Medical assistants aid physicians in maintaining the efficient operation of healthcare facilities. Updating patient records, prepping patients and examination rooms, aiding physicians, and completing front-desk tasks will be your daily duties. You may be asked to take patients’ medical histories and keep track of their vital signs.  

You can work in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other medical settings. Depending on the state where you plan to work, you may be required to obtain certificates through an accredited medical assistant program. 

Is It Too Late to Make a Career Change at 50?

It is never too late for a career transition. No one, regardless of age, should continue to work in a role that they are not happy with. Even at 50, you can go after a career that makes you happy and allows you a healthy work-life balance, a good salary, and a positive job outlook. 

Remember that no matter the type of career change you want to make, it is essential to assess yourself. You don’t even need to earn a degree. You simply need to find your interests, strengths, and weaknesses and explore opportunities that align with them. You will feel more fulfilled if you muster up the courage to pursue a new career and find your dream job.  

Career Change at 50 FAQ

Is 50 too old to start a new career?

No, 50 is not too old to start a new career. You’ll have tons of experience and transferable skills by the time you reach 50. However, you will need to be open to learning new things. 

What is a good career to start at 50? 

A good career to start at 50 is one where you’ll be happy and feel relaxed. Perhaps you can teach, so you can share your experience and knowledge. However, if you are aiming for a higher salary, try pursuing roles with positive job outlooks like web developers, technical writers, or even massage therapists. 

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Is it worth retraining at 50?

Yes, it is worth retraining at 50, especially if you do it for a career path with a positive job outlook and competitive salary. The return on your retraining investment would be faster that way. To stay motivated, you will just have to be passionate about what you are training for. 

Is it hard to find a job at 50?

Yes, it is hard to find a job at 50 and shift to a new career. Nevertheless, it is not impossible with the emergence of online training schools and bootcamps. Besides, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a higher participation rate of people aged 55 in the labor force until 2024. Thus, depending on your career choice, your job outlook is generally positive.