Are you stuck invoice at 50?

[mids2019]

I was at work k yesterday and there was a lot of talk about younger people living themselves up for more senior jobs. A lot of people looking to develop professionally etc.

I am 50 and it seems I don't have this particular interest but not showing ambition may paint me in the boat as coasting toward retirement.

Does anyone else feel in career limbo at 50? Too old to change careers but too young for retirment ? What keeps your drive at work? How do you manage cpd when there isn't a career to develop?

You're not too old to change careers.

I'm 45 and understand what you are saying though. I dislike my main job, I don't want to develop or progress, just turn up do what's needed and go home. I have spent some time since COVID developing other areas of my life, so finding hobbies, I'm studying, I volunteer. I find work being the focus just isn't for me at the moment. I'm not quite prepping for retirement, but I feel I'm in the second act of my life now DC are off to Uni etc.

For CPD at my job, I do what I am required to do, no more. In PDRs I state that I would like to continue to adapt and adjust in my role to new initiatives and technologies, to enable me to continue to perform to a good standard. I'm reliable and consistent. I'm a bit too outspoken and honest, but hasn't got me in any trouble yet.

So for me, I wouldn't see it as career limbo, it just where you are right now.

My job involves having students periodically, and from 54 I've really stepped up the number I take. Around 52 I've also been through a bit of burnout, changed teams (same employer) which helped a lot, aimed to be a calming presence but also aimed to spread a lot of positive vibes about what my younger colleagues are achieving. That cab make me feel good too.

Much to my surprise at almost 56, I've just taken on a new project which is going to stretch me hugely in 2025. There's life in the old dog yet...

I feel stuck tbh. I've been looking for a new role for a year. Feedback at interviews has been wholly positive, I've come second three times this year for senior roles that don't come around that often.

Tons of experience, I'm good at my job, bored stiff and I don't like the ethos of the organisation (which has changed).

I do loads of CPD for different things, have a PhD which is wholly relevant, no point in doing any more qualifications for me.

I've been treading water for a couple of years tbh. Something needs to change, not sure what apart from maybe downsizing and taking a risk on being a consultant but I'm not sure I'm ready to take that risk.

I'm 47 and changed careers this year somewhat, kind of being made redudant and dumb luck, but I was considering this move before the redundancy happened. I find it odd to think that some people would think of me as late career - I'll likely be working until I'm 70, I started working at 22, so I'm actually mid career right now.

I move jobs and changed career.

What I’ve noticed is the young being more forceful and proactive is seeking higher paid jobs, and to be fair they need the money more than I do.

There just been a flutter of job moves and a more exciting role has come up and now they can’t apply - they can’t jump twice in the space of a few weeks. I think I have a shot at this one.

I work for an organisation which does promote leadership but in reality senior leadership though it comes with higher salary also has more stress etc.

Maxed out on a salary scale but have to go through a PDR where the expectation is you move 'up' to something, but what?

I also worry that retirement age is such that if your unlucky enough to have poor health then you may have very few years of retirement 😕

I work in the NHS and though not a clinician I see many retiring at 60 or under or do hours to suit them

Your 50s do seem an age to consolidate? However you can't openly admit this

I dropped a day at 50. By the time I’m 60 I would have dropped another day. If I have grandchildren, I’ll drop 2 days.
I am senior, and I’ve run out of fucks a long time ago. I’m really good at what I do, and I love it. I get involved, I still have the energy and the enthusiasm. But for that, I work less hours and I make my own schedule.

I was offered promotion aged 48 and turned it down. They were pretty gobsmacked at the time. Most promotions were because people changed departments. So you had to usually actively seek promotion. I worked from 18 to 55. Married at 31. Changed careers completely at 23 and 32. Relocated cities twice at 28 and 32. Have taken three lots of professional exams, all paid for by my employers. I’m not a University graduate though. Had two quite short maternity leaves. Could easily afford to stop working and take my relatively decent work pensions at 55. Keir and Rachel are pretty annoyed with the likes of me as was Rishi. But I have had a great time doing voluntary work and my hobbies. I knew I wanted to retire early from around 20. When I looked at how knackered some of my colleagues were in only their fifties (NHS).

I'm 45 and I really like my job. I have a PhD already, and I work in a registered profession.

I struggle with this a bit, as I feel like I should want to move up to the next level, but it's a different job, and I don't want to do it. So, I just want to keep doing this job, but realise that some people will make judgements about me because of this. What will I say during my appraisals for the next 20 years 😄?