What is a good career to get into in your 40's
I have been in construction most of my life, and due to injuries I have to retrain. It is hard to find something that will pay enough to support a family, as well as finding a career where I will find employment at 43 ans starting. Any ideas.
You have construction experience, why not real estate agent?
Construction is a stressful job and I understand why you may want to quit. You may want to transfer the skills you have gained to the younger generation by setting up a small school and charging people to learn. If this isn't good enough you may want to check this website for new jobs that may fit your interest http://jobs.uphob.com
Just one ideas; what about becoming a shop teacher? They look for people familar with the trades. It would require going back to school for four years; I don't know if that would be too long but you could help other people work with their hands. (Check your area to make sure of the requirements because they vary from place to place.)
In this field, your life experience is an asset, therefore your age would be a plus. It would make it easier to handle those tough kids!
My suggestion is to find something you love to do and then figure out a way to make a living at it.
My favorite saying is: "If you find a job you love, you will never work a day in your life."
Truth of life, but few find it and the few who succeed in finding really make a difference in not just their lives but of others connected as well.
with your kind of experience it seems you would do good as a consultant, provide knowledge and training to people looking to start a career in your field, you could write up some training manuals and give workshops or do public speaking.
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hey who cares....pick something you like and have an affinity for then work until you can qualify to do it. If it is what you want then go and get it.
Having to retrain is like the answer to a prayer for some people!
I like the thought of retraining in something you love or have an interest in.
I love the idea of getting the certificate you need to teach at trade school too - you already know the content you just need to learn how to teach it.
I know two people who have been where you are - one changed career track entirely and went to University/college to get new qualification and 10 years later is now happily working in his new area. The other, set himself up in business (he purchased and renovated a house and now it's a holiday rental) so that he would have income coming in regularly while he still worked in construction but at a much reduced pace.
Hope some of these ideas appeal. May online consulting to non-professionals looking for advice would be another way forward - may be run workshops on how to build?
Time to get creative!
What do you enjoy doing that you can make a second career out of-- I'd start brainstorming there. That way however long you work until you retire, you'll be enjoying the years you do it...
Here is my story, http://hubpages.com/hub/Change-Your-Lif … -to-School
And I haven't regretted a minute of it!
Hi there, I agree with you it gets harder finding employment as we get older, so deciding on a new career is not easy. I have been trough the same a few years ago and it was tough. I went through a program to find out what career I would be attracted to, it didn't really work, then I took a year program where you start your own small business, this didn't go very well. So what to do? It was a big stress so I decided to look on the internet, I thought this is the future so there's got a be some ways to earn money there and I found myself in a new career that I absolutely love; I am now an Internet Marketer and it is going very well! It took me a few months to go through all the training and set up my system but the company I am with is providing all that; the system, the training, and the support, so that could be an option for you. It all depends if you have enough income to support yourself and your family while you are going through the training and setting up your system. What is great about that too is that you can work from the comfort of your home, that's what I love best about it. Something to think about! Good luck with your search and your injury! I wish you all the best!
Your best job is going to be one that you can do from home. There are so many options for you, including customer service, virtual assistant work. And you don't have to start a business either. Get hired as a contractor or employer. Learn more here:
http://yourbestjobnowblog.com/2011/04/w … essionals/
I work with a man that went through the same thing as you...he worked construction for many years and was injured and couldn't do that anymore...He decided to become a PE teacher...and now he loves working with children and helping them to love physical activity as much as he does.
At 34 I left my retail management role and went back to university, got a marketing degree and I'm now a web consultant at 43. It doesn't matter what age you are, if you're in the UK at least you're looking at 70+ before you retire, which means you're at best only halfway through your working life.
The only bit of advice I would give is to make sure you choose a career where theres a demand. Many make the mistake of choosing a new career only to find out that it won't pay the bills. Loving what you do is a luxury, putting food on the table is a necessity.
No one can tell you what career is best for you, think about the things your good at. If you spent most of your life in construction, you know your way around the trade, maybe you choose a career such as surveyor, or planner or something specialist within the industry you know so well.
Finally, think about your value, your 43, and you have a wealth of experience to call on. The things you know, others might not, learn to trade on your knowledge and experience.
I've been a truck driver for 18 years. I was also in construction, but had a motorcycle accident that basically ruined my left knee. After rehabbing my knee for 16 months I trained to be a truck driver. I have averaged more than 50k per year as a driver. I could have earned more, but I chose a trucking company that did not keep me on the road weeks at a time. I'm usually home 3 or 4 nights a week. A little over two years ago, I had some medical issues that kept me out of the truck for awhile, but I got that straightened out and have been driving again. It's a solid career and good truck drivers are always in demand. (even old guys like you and me)
I would suggest to be a Professor. It is great to impart the knowledge that we have to our younger generations.
What career job skills do you have that you can support your ideas you may have in employing yourself. Carpenter, Plumbing, Concrete, Cashiering, Writing, Sub-Contracting with a License, Food Catering or Vendoring with your own Food Licensed and Server equipped and accepted code for Food Preparing and marketing the Public. Work a special learned or receive training, and work at the State Fair. Join the Fire Department. You can start out as a Volunteer. The possibilities are great for a 40s person. Good Luck!
GREAT question. I'm in the same boat. Not for the same reason, but I am looking for a new career at the young age of 46 :-)
I suggest getting a Bachelors degree in something, followed by a Masters degree in what you are passionate about, followed by a Doctorate in your passion and a career will find you...
I would suggest you to go for consultancy. There are some good companies where there is a constant demand of counselors and these companies are available in a wide spectrum of business like construction, aviation, HR, etc. You can become a consultant and if you would succeed in getting a job in the construction sector then your experience would help you. Similarly, you can also join a good BPO on a high position.
It depends on your experience and passion. I'm in the same boat. I chose to give up a very successful career in financial services and became a newborn photographer at 41 - I was able to do it because it was my passion to photograph kids. You've got to find something that you love to do so that that "making a living out of it" is not stressful.
The best career to have is to study horticulture or get a job as a gardener. I think this kind of job is in demand this days. I don't mind becoming a gardener. If you got a piece of land, turn it into a garden. Gardening is a good job to have. You can produce lots of vegetables to sell or eat. Try working in a garden centre first to get some experience. It would be a good start. A lot of people nowadays make a living out of gardening.
I see lots of great responses here, but I would have to ask; do you really enjoy the construction trades? If yes, then I'm sure that you have some knowledge to share. Even if you go back to school for something else you can share your knowledge in ways to get paid for it to earn extra money while in school. Home centers use people with knowledge to give "how to" clinics, there are blog sites that you could start up, or you could be a Project Designer for a larger construction firm. I hope this was helpful.
It actually depends on the kind of person you are and given that you blog i would suggest an advisor or mentor if you're an out door kinda person then what the hell open a fishing camp and if you're an indoor kinda person then maybe a marketing producer
My opinion
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I have worked in industry for many years and have recently become an independent consultant within my field but unless you are very motivated to work for yourself,and have plenty of contacts, it can be an erratic way to make a living. Certainly use your skills to become a trainer in construction subjects, you will have a good knowledge that you can pass on.
Aternatively, think about some roles that are perhaps more tangental to the main stream work that you have done. For example, you could train in purchasing/ procurement in order to work for an industrial or construction company having knowledge about materials or could you do quantity surveying? Or how about going into project management and planning? If you have been a trade union member, it may be worth contacting the local branch to see if they have any programmes that would help you. Another suggestion would be to train in health and safety where again you can use and extend your knowledge.
Please keep positive and don't give up. I am sorry to note that you have suffered injuries and I wish you all the best for your career change
Whatever you do, be sure to diversify as unfortunately there are no jobs for life anymore. If one line of wok dries up you will not be completely stuck. Self employment can be difficult but satisfying nonetheless.
You need to write on a piece of paper. What else you can do beside construction. You need to make an appointment with a counselor in a community college. The counselor will suggest a test. The computer will tell you .What is your best career. Good luck to you.
I would have said run for President because you've already got my vote and no competition but its probably too late to get your name on the ballot.
Have you considered getting your real estate license or becoming a building inspector? If you already know a lot about construction but can't continue doing the physical side, let all that accrued on-the-job knowledge work for you in finding something less strenuous and hopefully better paid.
Also consider what you like doing for a hobby. I know it can be scary to start over but it might be the best thing that could have happened to you if you've been stuck doing the wrong job all these years just to pay the bills. Maybe now is the time to follow your heart?
I wish you all the luck in the world finding both a very comfortable living that will support you and your family and a new career that you will love waking up to do everyday!
Have you thought about teaching what you have learned at a trade school, or writing about what you have learned? or perhaps you can go into real estate or insurance? Maybe you would make a good tutor....
I'd say it's a time in your life to look inside yourself and realize what you love doing and find a way to do it. I asked that once of a man who lost his job after 23 years. He said he liked to go to the bar and drink beer. I told him to start a micro brewery. He and his brother bought a bar and are very happy. That's just one example that's kind of neat story. There are many others. These guys are now going to start making their own beer.
Jump around between a few jobs before settling, don't stay in the first job you're in forever.
Life is tough these days many people like me cannot think of retirement. I knew this long time ago, so I chose to gain expertise in work which is less physically demanding. Thus I came into search engine optimization and website content writing. These works, I can conduct since up to the last day of my life. Since I am a freelancer, I can work from home at my comfort. I am fifty six now and still continuing with my work as naturalist guide in tiger reserve which is physically demanding, if I am not able to do this job because of age...I have an option.
you can work as consultant, painter, musician, teacher and so on post forties.
Anything in the medical field, there will always be sick people.
Sorry to hear about your situation, awoodog, but there's always hope!
What I would do in your situation is
1) Gather the family around the breakfast table
2) Lay out the situation - you've go to find a way to make money. Look to each member of the family for ideas.
3) Look at yourself - what do you like to do? Is construction what you love, or do you have hobbies that you enjoy more? What makes YOU get up in the morning?
4) Look at your wife - what does she like to do? Does she have hobbies that she would love to pursue for a small business? Would you like to work with your wife? (Don't leave your kids out if they're old enough to participate - kids have ideas and dreams too!)
5) Put ALL ideas on how to make money from members of the family on a piece of paper and do a Ben Franklin - list the pros and cons of each.
Another thing I would seriously consider is looking outside the U.S., Central American countries are growing at almost 3 x the rate of the U.S. And they have many of the same businesses that are found in the states, but the cost of living is MUCH, MUCH less.
Look at business in America right now. Shackled by government rules and regulations. You don't have that in many countries outside the U.S.
That's what I did - I left America, I'm currently in Central America and can easily have all the comforts that I want for $500 per month for a house or an apartment, $200 to $300 per month for food.
Where ever you want to live, I would make this a total family "affair". Your goals should coincide with everyone in the family. Align your goals with your wife and kids, and done right, this could be the break you were looking for!
I hope you found the suggestions useful. Best of luck to you and yours!
Cheers
there are many opportunities that you can see everywhere..but true age is of course a barrier at times. But if you have a passion towards anything you can opt for that.Like if you have interest in painting , you can earn living from that.if u are interested in crafts.you can work on that..but its true that the earnings will be on a slow motion. or else any Tuition Institutes if you have interest in teaching.
O else you can be a good counselor ,no one goes to a young counselor of course...
And there are many unlimited opportunities. All the best!!!
I'm in my 40's and I've started a business within affiliate marketing, it's a slow burner but with effort and persistence it's taken off.
Everything nowadays is done online, everyone nowadays needs an online presence.
I would suggest you either become a consultant or find work in the education field. Something where you can utilize your background in construction.
Nothing matters in a Marketing field. All you need is willingness and strong heart. There is always wanted for marketing executives.. in your construction field you might be familiar with some persons like cement suppliers or Tiles suppliers or JCB spare parts.. you can ask a marketing job for them. Since you are familiar with construction field. This will be easy for you.. and also other point of view your growth in marketing has no deadline.. if you earn the skill then you are the boss.... All the best.. never give up yourself
„This too shall pass.“
Edward Fitzgerald
Many people coming out of the military are in the same boat. They have a ton of experience and education but they have to change fields. This happened to me as well.
So, I found Logistics is a very rewarding and decent paying. Transportation, warehouse operations, and operations can be transferable. Might have to start a little lower than expected, but it's a start.
I think a person should stick to its field because at 40's you get the maturity on what you have been doing.
Moaaz Malik
You'd need to consider your health first. Health is wealth. Also, i think at this point in your life, you should tend to focus more on what makes you happy. I understand that you'll need to provide for your family, but if you spend all your time chasing money and not enjoying it with them, it's of no use. Hence, I'll suggest you work at developing yourself for a short period, discover what brings you satisfaction and chase it. I also find this article interesting, i hope you'll make use of the suggestions found in it. Although it refers to entry level graduates, it's advice cuts across. https://www.myjobmag.com/blog/407/caree … graduates. Cheers!
Hi
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One of the biggest benefits of starting online business is the fact that you can fail and not lose your life savings. Assuming you go into the venture responsibly, you can afford to make a mess of things. But if you bought a franchise and things did not work out, you could be left with a financial deficit for a long time.
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Regards
Samson N
You can sit down and think for having a small shop which you will be selling all goods which are necessary to human being take an example of onion,vegetables, fruits,tomato's etc
I would suggest to find something which you love to do and then figure out a way to make a living at it. https://www.vacancies.ae
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