career change ideas - mid 40s

andrewf75

Looking at changing career in mid 40s. Currently working in market research/data analysis earning 35k having been at the same firm for 15 years (on the job market I'm not worth that much sadly!). Not looking for more money, just looking to train in something that gives me a more recognised skill. I wouldn't say I hate my job, but I do feel stuck in a rut.

Any thoughts much appreciated! I'm very open to any areas/industries which are in demand and where I would stand a good chance against someone in their 20s.

Thanks!

Kynthia

What kind of change are you thinking? Still desk or office based or something more physical, inside or outdoors? What are you good at and what do you enjoy? Do you have an ideal, which while isn't possible we could come up with suggestions which are similar?

Payroll and finance are always in demand but it can be difficult to get a good in the door and get some experience, but tgats the sane with most things. Gardening and landscaping are in demand in some areas. Sometimes there are jobs advertised which seem like experience is needed but if they think you're capable they will train you, but it's hard to say exactly which they are. I know someone that got an office job in the council without directly relevant experience of that particular field but was already skilled in other professional office work and they felt his skills were transferable.

andrewf75

Gardening/landscaping is actually what I’d love to do and I’m having a dilemma whether to pursue this as a career or keep it as a hobby and stick to office work

Ozzuk

Not enough detail really, it depends on your skills/ability/what you like. My partner retrained as a CBT therapist, taken 3 years but the work is flying in now (but she is very good at it).

Practical trades are always high in demand, plumbing ete but low starting wages.

Cyber security is becoming a huge field, many companies can't justify (yet) a FTE so there will be a growing reliance on consultants. Add in GDPR and it could be a good earner. Could be a nice tie-in to data analysis, as you should be familiar with information security systems.

bugslet

andrewf75 wrote: »

Gardening/landscaping is actually what I’d love to do and I’m having a dilemma whether to pursue this as a career or keep it as a hobby and stick to office work

Is there any way you could drop your current job to 3 or 4 days a week and start a side business? It might answer the hobby/business dilemma whilst still retaining some income?

nobblyned

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andrewf75

bugslet wrote: »

Is there any way you could drop your current job to 3 or 4 days a week and start a side business? It might answer the hobby/business dilemma whilst still retaining some income?

Yes, others do it so its an option. Its just deciding what to do and being brave enough to go for it. I’m too stuck in my comfort zone!

There are RHS gardening qualifications that you can do via distance learning, so I should probably get on with those and then in a few years time I’ll be in a better position.

System

If your personal finances are in good shape give it a go. Worst happens is it doesn't work out, you've lost a bit of money on startup costs and you go back to a 5 day week.

bugslet

andrewf75 wrote: »

Yes, others do it so its an option. Its just deciding what to do and being brave enough to go for it. I’m too stuck in my comfort zone!

There are RHS gardening qualifications that you can do via distance learning, so I should probably get on with those and then in a few years time I’ll be in a better position.

I'm taking early retirement next year around April - May and planning to do some horticultural learning, more on the design side - I'm too old and cream crackered to be doing serious digging:o

The reason I'm retiring, or more the reason I can, is that nearly 28 years ago I walked away from an average desk based job, age 29, and got a couple of vans. I spent around 6 months endlessly repeating '!!!!!! have I done?' whilst worrying about getting work and paying a driver and all the other stuff. There are no givens in this life. If you can cut your days down then that is really helpful to have that money coming in as a baseline.

andrewf75

bugslet wrote: »

I'm taking early retirement next year around April - May and planning to do some horticultural learning, more on the design side - I'm too old and cream crackered to be doing serious digging:o

The reason I'm retiring, or more the reason I can, is that nearly 28 years ago I walked away from an average desk based job, age 29, and got a couple of vans. I spent around 6 months endlessly repeating '!!!!!! have I done?' whilst worrying about getting work and paying a driver and all the other stuff. There are no givens in this life. If you can cut your days down then that is really helpful to have that money coming in as a baseline.

Sounds interesting, what did you do with your couple of vans?

bugslet

andrewf75 wrote: »

Sounds interesting, what did you do with your couple of vans?

Turned them into a very specialist haulage business with a site in the North West, one in the South East running trucks and vans in the UK, W Europe and the Baltic states, employing 25 people.

Corporate **** has got to me though:(, I really can't take twaddle any more, which is a shame as I like the Operations and I have some really good staff. Still I like to occasionally hurl myself off the metaphorical cliff and see what happens:D

Perhaps 'cliff tolerance' is the decider in giving up safety for uncertainty. However, I do think that you are in a decent place if you can do part time for a while and test the market.