Changing careers in your 50’s

[Mollymolloy]

i am early 50’s and have been an accountant all my working life. I mostly work from home which was great when the children were home. However, now that the children have left home, I am now finding home working hard going and am looking for a new challenge.

Has anyone changed career later in life and how did it go?

My dad changed from being an accountant for a big business to working as one for a charity in his 50’s. He got really involved in the management of it and found it much more fulfilling. Might that kind of change work?

I worked in law and by the time I was 50 had completely had enough of it.
I retrained as a gardener (a lifelong passion of mine) and have been working as a gardener for the last 10 years. At horticultural college I made new friends - many of whom were retraining after long careers in nursing, teaching, banking etc.

It was definitely the best decision for me. Obviously it's not as lucrative as my previous career but I have none of the previous stresses, I'm fitter, happier and am outdoors all day doing work I love. No day feels like work. If I could change one thing it would be that I would have made the leap earlier.

I'd say go for it. You might have another 15 plus years of work so if you can spend it doing something that makes your heart sing.

I took redundancy from a bank aged 56 and now work for an insurance company. I was worried when I left about starting afresh and being employable, but it’s been fine and interesting to learn new skills.

I’m an accountant but we are pretty much in the office full time, we’ve also really struggled to recruit. Im sure you’d easily pick up an accountancy office job or do you want a complete career change?

Have you considered moving to HMRC to work in compliance?