Career change at 52

[ikeepforgetting]

I am currently self employed, running my own communications consultancy. It has been great for many reasons - worked around kids, interesting and challenging projects, good clients. But now I am getting really exhausted and despondent about the scrabble for work and there are many younger and cheaper versions of me out there these days. I am also getting divorced so can't afford to have the peaks and troughs of freelancing.

I have a degree in Psychology and have always been interested in mental health. Many of my clients are mental health organisations.

I tried an Intro to Counselling course during lockdown thinking that might be a new career but I didn't like it at all (surprised myself!). I was thinking maybe Head of Wellbeing in an organisation, but I have no idea what the demand is for a role like that.

Anyone with any knowledge out there? Or have you restarted at this age and what did you do? I've had a look at some MSc courses in Organisational Psychology so realistically I may be 55 when starting out!

Alright, so you’re feeling wiped out with your communications consultancy and the constant hustle for work has become exhausting. Plus, with a divorce in the mix, you want something more steady. Totally get it freelancing can be a proper rollercoaster.

You’ve got a Psychology degree and a genuine interest in mental health, which is fab because wellbeing roles are becoming more popular. Don’t worry about that counselling course not working out; sometimes you just find something’s not the right fit and that’s fine.

Becoming a Head of Wellbeing sounds like a great idea. Organisations are really focusing on employee mental health these days, so roles like that definitely exist and they value experience. Pairing your consultancy know-how with an MSc in Organisational Psychology will make you a strong candidate, even if you start your new career in your mid-50s.

Many people restart later in life and end up smashing it by blending what they already know with new skills. While you’re studying, dipping your toes into part-time or volunteer roles in wellbeing could really help you build confidence and contacts.
It’s a big change but also a brilliant opportunity to find fresh energy and purpose. Take your time, plan it out, and lean on your network for support.

You could browse MN’s Mature Study and Retraining board, @@ikeepforgetting - an inordinate number of people seem to want alternatives to a Counselling course:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

@BeBluntPinkRobin was that written with AI?

@ikeepforgetting our Head of Wellbeing is also HR, do you have those qualifications as well?

Definitely AI with that post but suprisingly good advice.

It's definitely AI. Is it good advice or is it just written in a overly positive tone though?

On the surface it sounds good, but there's no depth to it.

OP, the job market is dire at the moment, but would you not consider an in-house comms role in the type organisation you admire instead of a complete change?

Would your plan be to continue your consultancy work alongside the MSc? Just thinking it sounds a lot to take on while getting divorced and potentially moving house, especially if there are teens in the mix. However, if you gave up your consultancy to study, would you not face challenge for purposefully reducing your income to get a better divorce settlement?

AI response

I'm career transitioning (at 49). I've just completed an MSc after last year taking voluntary redundancy from 15 years at the same organisation. These are the things I've done recently to help figure out what I'm going to do next:

I just joined Brave Starts (which is kind of like group career coaching completely aimed at mid-lifers career changing or refocusing). I've only done the first session, but it was incredibly helpful. The people running it are lovely and seem to really care. Anyway, that might be useful to you? It's not expensive (£89 a year).

I've also signed up to the ivee site - which is more geared towards career returners, but looks like it has lots of useful stuff/ sessions (and is free).

And, finally, I've signed up for a couple of 1-1 sessions with a career coach who specialises in people transitioning from the sector I was in before. I haven't started those yet...

All this was to help me stop floundering. I was feeling completely overwhelmed by the options, combined with huge imposter syndrome and was beginning to think I'd never work again. Now I'm feeling less panicky and a bit more focused. It's still quite overwhelming, the job market is undeniably shite right now, and LinkedIn is so hideous. But at least now I feel like I've got people in my corner.

Hey OP I run my own freelance design consultancy which I can empathise with you can be great as you can fit round the kids but super stressful. Is there anyway you can work rather than being project based, but more like a permalancer. I have friends that do that 2 days per week for 1 client, 2 days per week for another client on an ongoing basis, paid at end of month like salary.
Or/and being a wellness manager as a permalancer 1 day per week - probably quite attractive to a business. I see so many companies now and know of people who working as freelance HR etc

Thanks for al the responses, so helpful. I spotted the AI too, it gives me the fear as I know I have lost clients to ChatGPT!

Permalancer is a new one for me, that does sound ideal. How do your friends get those gigs @Crapola25 ? Word of mouth?

@FlappicusSmith those organisations sounds perfect, I will take a look now. You're exactly right about having someone in your corner, feels like I am managing everything on my own (actually I am, not just a feeling) including the constant trawl for work.

Maybe it isn't about retraining, and more about putting the effort into the business.....