Starting A New Career Late In Life
It is possible, but it is also scary
I’m on what I’d class as my third “career” within my working life.
I started out in professional sports, but due to the inability of my body to copy with the heavy demands placed on it this didn’t last long.
I then moved into cinema management (I know, the obvious transition!). Here I got a good grounded in the day-to-day operations of a business, how to handle customers, and how to manage teams. I also got to learn how anti-social working in a hospitality setting like that can be, so I again moved on.
Finally, I moved into software development and have now been working in that for twenty years and haven’t looked back, however, I’m now at the age where I’m wondering what do I want to be doing during the next phase of my life?
Sometimes a career pivot can be challenging, but there are ways to handle it.
Different stages of life
If we dive straight into the hub of the challenge when thinking about changing careers later in life, it’s down to the stage of life that you’re in that really causes you the concern.
You might have a partner or a family that relies on your income, so making the move to the bottom of a new career might feel like would negatively impact those around you.
You might have invested a lot of time and energy into getting to where you are in your current career and therefore reluctant to “throw it all away” and start afresh.
You might also be worried about transitioning from “success” to “failure” and the impact that this could have on everything from your family, your ability to pay the bills, and to the social circles you mix in.
However, it doesn’t always have to be that bad.
What you bring with you
The first thing to remember is that whatever you’ve been doing before you consider a career in product management, you will have picked up some relevant skills to help you on your way.
If you’ve worked in hospitality then you’re focus on the customer will be honed. If you’ve been in finance then you’ll be familiar with handling data, and if you’ve been a mechanic you’ll understand process flows and the logical steps of cause and effect.
Product management calls on many skills and people transitioning into this career will all need to fill the skills gaps.
How you can start the transition
What are the primary skills and experience that you need in the job of your dreams? Do you need specific qualifications, certifications, or industry experience?
How do these skills vary across different levels of seniority? What does a senior need when compared to a junior? How about a vice president? What are they bringing to the table that the senior isn’t?
Whatever the role you’re aiming for, you can list out all the specific skills and experience that you’d need to demonstrate in your dream job, and then tick off those that you already have. Now you’ve got a list of things to try and train yourself in before your dream can become a reality.
Find courses. Read books. Become an intern. Whatever it takes.
Dip your toe in the water with your own product. Transition within your own company.
If you’re struggling, let me know what you’re struggling with and I’ll see if I can help.
Getting Started in Product operates a bookstore that covers everything product and business-related, including:
Your Next Move: The Leader's Guide to Navigating Major Career Transitions
The Ethical Careers Guide: How to find the work you love
Designing Your Life: Build the perfect career, step-by-step