Career Advice at 49!

[Squarah1975]

After being self employed for 18 years in events, marketing and hospitality, I'm looking for a new challenge that takes me out of the house. I have one teen at uni and another heading off in September and would like to transfer my skills....and be around people! Turning 50 this year and in the throes of menopause so have lost a bit of confidence and really not sure what's next! Keen to hear from anyone in the same boat and how they went about navigating the next steps. I'm not closed off to re-training but have limited funds and really don't know what I would do!

Interesting topic! I'm not in the same stage yet so I can't offer practical advice 🙏 Happy to offer a humble bump, though 😉 and to follow and learn too. Good luck!

Have you considered a career in the NHS?

I'm looking for a new challenge

@Squarah1975 … Do you really want to begin with such an awful cliché? It’s … off-putting. And dated. I haven’t watched The Apprentice in a decade but you surely don’t want to sound like one of them?

@Moonshine5 hadn’t considered this as really not v good in hospital environment! But I appreciate there’s plenty of roles that wouldn’t require that…

@NameChangedOfc thank you! Trying not to be too daunted by it, appreciate the well wishes!

@Edmontine I didn’t realise I was pitching for a job, I was just putting some feelers out on a friendly platform in case others could empathise.

I guess the question is - what do you fancy doing? If you allow that you’ve probably got nearly 20 years of work left, what would you enjoy doing?

im at a similar point but only just fully qualified so trying to work out what my working future looks like…

Teaching in FE?
Lots of courses you could teach on incl business or events management or hospitality management.

After being self employed for 18 years in events, marketing and hospitality

This is very vague, what aspect of events, marketing and hospitality

@WutheringBites I think that’s the problem, I don’t know! I’ve wfh the whole time so think I need to be out of the house and around people again.

@Greyish2025 I’ve worked in business development for hotels and venues, been venue finding for corporate events and more recently, content and blogging on behalf of hospitality companies.

@Pinkfluffypencilcase not sure I would have the confidence for this!

Would continuing doing what you are doing but rent a desk in an office space / co working space be feasible, then you would be out of the house and meeting more people, you also might get some leads

@Greyish2025 have thought of this but the industry is on its knees and I’ve lost contracts recently to AI so feel a change is needed. This might be a good short term fix though…

It might be worth talking to a career change advisor and going through all your needs/ requirements with them and see what they suggest

what do you enjoy about your current work?
Are you looking for a complete change?
Working with people in what capacity? In an office environment with co workers? Or helping people?

National careers service has an extensive careers quiz you can try to see what you could be suited to. Avoid neutral answers to get the best out of it.

I am in the same boat age and career change wise! I have been an accountant for 20+ years and since having children I part own an accountancy firm. I've never massively enjoyed it. I'd love a change but I have never worked out what I would enjoy doing. Not alot of help to you but just to let you know you aren't alone! :) Good tip from a PP re the National Careers Service. Worth a look!

@Rool thanks for your message, I know I’m not along in feeling like this! I’ve looked at the national careers website and am researching lots of options. It’s daunting but I’m also excited about what’s next!

This is the exciting bit!@Squarah1975
Where you have lots of choices and opportunities.
I usually advise people to start with their seed of an idea then explore related options (National careers service makes that easy to do).

Then start short listing. Eg look at skills required. Do they sound like you? Would you like to learn them?Then put your theory to the test. This is the no pressure stage, just exploring possibilities.