‘I feel more energised than I have in my whole life ... I feel 25 again’: midlife career change trend
Gone are the days when approaching 40 years old meant a new perspective on just marriage or family life.
Lifestyle
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Forget the seven-year wedded bliss itch, increasingly it’s jobs people are parting ways with as they look for a career shift that “resonates with the heart” – and it can happen seven or 37 years in.
Last year, in the 12 months to February, 1.3 million people changed jobs, equating to a job mobility rate of 9.5 per cent, the highest rate in a decade.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported just under 10 per cent of workers changed jobs, citing “a better job” and “just a change” as the most common reasons given.
And life coaches, psychologists and career counsellors say older workers are powering the career-shift trend.
They say “more and more” parents are looking for career counselling sessions, booking themselves in at the same time they seek guidance for their teenager.
Psychologist John Hogan, who runs Revolution Careers in Adelaide and Melbourne, says January is his busiest month and it’s not so much a midlife crisis but people seeking to do something meaningful and in sync with their values during “half their waking hours”.
“I think what happens is that when people come up to their 40s, they get a bit more reflective, they have some life experience, they may or may not have had a family … they’ve been out in the world, they’ve looked around, they’ve travelled and started to get a bit of perspective,” he said.
“They are reflecting on what makes them happy and what makes them unhappy … they are wanting to be engaged at work – not just clock in and out.”
Adelaide clinical and organisational psychologist Darryl Cross, also a leadership and executive coach, estimates 20 per cent of adults he sees are looking to change career direction with most taking a year or longer to make the transition.
“Lots of people know what they don’t want to do – that they don’t want to be in the job they are in for the next 10, 20 or 30 years – but not everyone knows what might be a better fit for them,” he said.
His top tip?
“It is the age-old question of playing to your strength … everyone has their strengths, they just don’t necessarily recognise them,” he said.
Sometimes, he says people just need to be reminded of their strengths, pointed in the right direction and given a bit of a confidence boost, including mums who’ve been out of the workforce for a time, or are seeking a different career path post kids, or as an empty-nester.
While some actively choose to change jobs, others are forced to take action due to a changing situation, at work or home.
Most admit it can be daunting, especially in relation to how they are viewed as an older worker but tell of the unexpected joy in finding work that better fits their personality or challenges them on a personal level.
Here are the inspiring stories of some who’ve changed work direction midlife.
Tracie Mason, 58
Hairdresser to nursing
A hairdresser for 37 years, Tracie Mason spontaneously shared her bombshell decision to pursue nursing aged in her mid 50s.
“When my last child moved out of home, I woke up one morning and said to my husband, ‘I am going to do nursing’ … I had wanted to do it years and years – and years ago,” she said.
But having been busy raising her two daughters – now 38 (a hairdresser) and 21 (a student registered nurse) – owning and running several hair salons, in the UK and Australia, stints with a global hair and cosmetics company and professional musician gigs, it got put by the wayside.
Finally the time was right.
“I feel like hairdressing is changing quickly and is a young (person’s) industry … I was feeling like the older I got, the less I was accepted even though I’d done so much at a high level and inside I still had a lot to give,” she said.
“I thought, ‘if I stay in this industry another five years, I am not going to be able to do anything’.”
She considered enrolling in university to become a registered nurse but decided to do the shorter TAFE course to qualify as an enrolled nurse, engaging a tutor to help get her started, studying while continuing to work as a hairdresser.
“At 56, I had a degree in life but hadn’t been to school since I had done hairdressing at 15, so was starting from the bottom … (my tutor) taught me to type, my way around a computer, how to use digital libraries, to reference … to do a research project,” she said.
“I did push and push and push – I literally did 50 to 60 hours a week for two years.”
She has now been offered a full-time nursing position, at a private hospital, starting early February.
“I just love the fact I am going to be working, as I have done for 37 years, with people … no one is going to judge me for how old I am, all that matters is I do my job well,” she said.
“I might only have 10 good years in this industry but who cares?
“I am going to give of myself and who I am, something that means a lot to me … as a hairdresser I gave people confidence, that was mental health, in this job I am helping people get well.
“I’ve proved that even in your 50s you can make changes and continue to learn … it is the learning that keeps you young and active.
“I feel more energised than I have in my whole life, I feel proud of myself, my children are proud of me … I feel 25 again.”
Susan Holroyd, 49
Florist to mortician and qualified embalmer
It took a leap of faith for mum-of-two Susan Holroyd to step outside her work comfort zone aged in her 40s to pursue a lifelong dream to work in the funeral industry.
And, she says, she hasn’t looked back.
“One day I just thought, ‘I am going to do this, I am going to live out my dream’ ... the idea of contributing to a unique and dignified send-off for loved ones felt like a calling I couldn’t ignore,” she said.
Initially Ms Holroyd got a part-time job at Unley-based funeral home, Alfred James & Sons, working two days at it while maintaining four days a week at the florist shop.
But she soon decided to focus full-time on training as a funeral consultant and mortician, all the while supported by her new employer, including to travel to Melbourne to qualify as an embalmer.
“That was four and a half years ago and I have not looked back – I absolutely love it,” she said.
“My transition to the funeral industry was driven by a longstanding passion for providing support and comfort to others during their most challenging times … now (as a qualified embalmer) it is an absolute privilege to be that last person to look after someone’s loved one, to care for them and make them look beautiful for their families.
“What I love most about my new role is the profound impact we can have during a family’s difficult time … each day brings a new opportunity to provide comfort, create meaningful experiences and help families honour their loved ones in a unique way.
“It’s a role that constantly reminds me of the value of compassion, empathy, and human connection.”
She says she has been supported on her journey by her children, now aged 21 and 26.
Matt Wilshire, 46
Mechanic to disability worker
Matt Wilshire was happy and settled in his day job on the production line at the former Holden Elizabeth Plant – that is, until it was shut down.
Seven years on, now working as a disability worker at not-for-profit Lighthouse Disability he has discovered a side of himself – and a passion for work – he never could have imagined.
“It’s completely different work to what I did before – I am now working with people rather than tools – but I guess I found my calling,” he said.
“My work life has turned out totally and absolutely different than what I thought it would … I certainly thought I would be in the manufacturing industry for the rest of my life.
“It’s not an easy job, there are plenty of challenges, but you can make a difference – in the lives of clients as well as their families.
“I feel like I’m really valued”.
The Paralowie dad said he initially opted to train in aged and disability care as a way to provide for his family, surprising himself how much he enjoyed a work placement in disability care.
“I thought I would do it for a year, then reassess … I’ve now been doing this for seven years and can’t imagine life any other way,” he said.
“(This work) has certainly changed me … my home life is a lot different now also, as working with people, and different types of people, means I am a lot better at communicating.
“I now see the world and the challenges some people face in a different way … rather than being locked away in a factory, I am now in the real world.
“I have learned just how empowering this industry, and supporting people with a disability, can be … it is going for drives, bowling, playing Eight ball, just working with people.
“I am now working with people who all have unique personalities … it certainly makes going to work interesting, in a good way.”
Adam Carpenter, 48
Graphic artist to gin distillery owner
Adam Carpenter had established himself as a go-to graphic designer after graduating from UniSA with a Bachelor of Design in 2002, creating his own studio, Toolbox.
“After 12 years running my own design business, I was looking for a new challenge and keen to create something in a product-related business, rather than another service industry … funny that we have ended up in the ultimate service industry – hospitality,” the now CEO of Prohibition Liquor Co, a craft spirit distillery and venue said.
He said research was key to the unlikely transition.
“(It involved) lots of learning and research around craft gin, where the gaps and opportunities were in the industry and what we believed would make a great craft gin … then it was about learning all of the ins and outs of everything from making craft spirits, to running a hospitality business, starting a coffee shop, a manufacturing operation, an export business and managing lots of staff.,” he said.
“Everything was a learning curve … which never stops.”
On reflection, Mr Carpenter said he wasn’t prepared for how quickly his venture would grow.
“(We grew) from a backyard ‘hobby’ to national distribution within six months … then to a venue business, exporting to six countries and employing 40 staff within the first five years … it was tricky,” he said
“(But) every day is a new adventure, from gin festivals all over the country and now all over the world, to hosting up to 12 functions a week, including weddings and corporate launches and creating world-class products from our distillery here in Adelaide CBD, it’s always an adventure.”
Mr Carpenter says his advice is to follow a passion and be “relentless in your pursuit of your goal”.
“Have a strong passion for what you do … creating a business is not always a money-earner, it’s often a money-pit but if you have a passion for what you do and the grit to keep going every day, no matter what gets thrown at you, you can succeed, despite the odds often being stacked against you,” he said.
“Also, do your research, the grass is not always greener … what looks romantic and exciting on the other side of the fence, is often a lot of work and still becomes a ‘job’.
“But if you know there is a gap in the market and what you’re creating answers a need, then there’s every chance you’ll succeed – be relentless in your pursuit of your goals.”
Rebecca Hoffmann, 45
Fashion store owner to yoga instructor
The former owner of Birdcage Boutique, an online and bricks and mortar clothing store on The Parade at Norwood, hadn’t intended to transition to a new industry.
“When Covid hit, our supply chain for stock came to a standstill,” she said.
“While we tried to adapt to this very fast-changing environment, we eventually found the challenges too much.
“Closing the store and selling the online business meant that Birdcage was no more … this was a very challenging and exhausting period of my life.”
In the aftermath she took some time to “sit with what would bring me fulfilment and purpose going forward”.
The answer came in the form of health and spiritual disciplines – in March last year she opened her own studio, Loft Meditation Yoga, after training as a yoga and meditation teacher.
“Yoga and meditation have always been huge passions of mine … I soon realised I wanted this to be my new career path in some way,” she said.
“Initially, I began teaching family and friends … while I still teach all the meditation courses and a fair chunk of the yoga classes, I now have five other divine teachers teaching different styles of yoga in the space … we also offer very personalised classes to some fabulous corporate clients on a weekly basis.
“I have truly found my purpose in life … to be able to share your passion in life is a massive privilege that I do not take lightly; to be able to bring the joy of a regular yoga and meditation practice to people and truly help change peoples lives for the better has been life-changing for me.
“I wake up every day so excited to interact with our beautiful community.”
And her advice to others thinking of making a change?
“You need to take the time to really work through what will give you fulfilment in life and then take small steps every day in that direction … staying truly clear to your purpose will eventually lead you to a more fulfilled life,” she said.
“I think it’s so important to take time with these things; this has taken me over three years and I’m still really at the beginning.”
David Schaefer, 65
Cartoonist and newspaper artist to funeral consultant
For more than two decades, David Schaefer loved life as a newspaper caricaturist and artist but his job fell victim to the global financial crisis.
“Quite a few people were let go at this time,” he said, of his 2009 exit from The Advertiser after 21 years.
“It happened very quickly and was quite a shock … and was really weird because I had been doing something that I had enjoyed and had done for so long.
“All of a sudden, the rug was taken out from under me and I had this feeling of being a bit lost and unsure of where to go … I had to find a way to support myself and my family.”
He was 51 at the time and tried to turn a side caricature business that he still runs – Creative Caricatures – into a full-time venture.
“However, I wasn’t an entrepreneurial-type person and found I wasn’t getting enough work to earn a living full-time,” he said.
So, he tried moving into real estate but found that wasn’t a good fit either.
“I was conscious of trying to get into something where my age wouldn’t detract from my ability to do a job,” he said.
“So, I answered an advertisement in the paper for the funeral industry, at Alfred James … where you got paid while you were trained. I ended up there for 10 years.”
Recently retired, he said the work move proved to be a life-changing one.
“I found I could actually make a big difference … in the lives of those people who had lost something very special, someone they loved,” he said.
“What I enjoyed most was being able to help them transition through a very difficult period of their lives … to help them face that in a very practical way and to say goodbye.
“I think it has made me more conscious of how short life is and how you have to make the most of your life as it can be taken away from you so easily … it has made me value what you do with your life.”
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