Gen X workers who changed careers after 50 explain why and offer advice for other employees looking to do the same: 'It's only too late to change lanes when you decide it's too late'

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Isabella Penn
Jun 12, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

Who says it's ever too late for a career change? In reality, we go through so much change in our lives. How can we expect to pick a career in our early 20s and be expected to love it until we retire? Sometimes, that is the case. But most times, you learn a lot of things in life that you couldn't have possibly known about yourself at a young age, and you shouldn't have to suffer at the hands of your younger self when you are, in fact, much wiser and more mature. The truth is, you can change paths whenever you want in life. You deserve to be happy and spend every day doing what you love. But we get it. As you get older, that task becomes much more daunting. So take it from these Gen X folks below. 

It all started with a man in his 50s who has run a painting business his whole life, but now that he's turned 50, he's more than sure he doesn't want to live out the rest of his working life painting. But he thinks he doesn't have any other skills and doesn't even know where to look to find another career. So these Gen Xers who've been in the same boat share their insights about changing careers after 50 and how it went for them. Just remember - it's never too late!

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  • 01
    r/GenX • 6 hr. ago . detroitragace Has anyone hit 50 and changed careers?
    via u/detroitragace
  • 02
    Long story as short as I can... In 1999 my dad talked me into coming into his painting contracting business. The idea was to pay my dues and then run the company. My dad would retire at some point and then it would be mine. We were doing great for a short time but he
    via u/detroitragace
  • 03
    let his wife get involved (my stepmom) and that was that. We went back and forth for years but we haven't spoken in 6 years. I've had my own painting contracting company because it's basically all I've done in my adult life. I have 4 employees.
    via u/detroitragace
  • 04
    I dread the business. I'm tired of the stress and while I've had some success and have a good reputation, I'm not a great business owner. I'd love to do something else with my life but
    via u/detroitragace
  • 05
    what am I qualified to do? I have an amazing family but u find that I'm getting more and more depressed about it. I turned 50 a week ago.
    via u/detroitragace
  • 06
    Foaty McFoatBase • 19h ago I did I am 51 this year and now a pre-service early childhood teacher. I am a guy too. I was a late dad I guess. I have a 7 year old and a 4 year old. Love this age. I was volunteering at my son's school (I hated my old career and wanted a complete change) and thought hey this is fun and I'm good at it - I've been working for 2 years in a preschool. Did on the job training - qualified as an educator and 85% through my actually teaching masters. Never too late to change
    via u/FoatyMcFoatBase
  • 07
    • willboby 19h ago I will be 59 this year, changed career in 2017. I was 52, when I decided to work for the government.
    via u/willboby
  • 08
    boston02124 . 18h ago I did and I wish I hadn't. I did physical work my whole life, and as I got into my 50s it was wearing me down. I took an office job at 51 and I wear a bunch of hats now. I'm miserable, stressed out, and a physical wreck. I could go back to my old job with all my benefits still in place, but my body couldn't handle it now. Life was so great 5 years ago. When I wasn't at work, I never thought about work for one second. Now I wake up in the middle of the night dreaming about i
    via u/boston02124
  • 09
    tedlyb 16h ago I'll be 50 soon and I'm enrolled in college this fall. Does that count?
    via u/tedlyb
  • 10
    MonsteraAureaQueen • 18h ago I am a former massage therapist with a bachelor's degree in literature I never used. At 50 (three years ago) I became a middle school English teacher. is INSANE but I love it and I am never bored. Turns out I've got a knack for dealing with hormonal nightmare 14 year olds. I did my coursework for a full license, and now I'm set to finish my Master's by the end of the year. It's only too late to change lanes when you decide it's too late!!!
    via u/MonsteraAureaQueen
  • 11
    Alternative-Row-84 • 18h ago Idk but I'm right there with you. 49 soon and been in construction most my life in different capacities. I am burned out and ready to switch but still sorting that out. Wife is concerned about pay, while I'm more concerned about benefits and quality of life. Good luck my friend!
    via u/Alternative-Row-84
  • 12
    Todd Bradley • 19h ago I'm trying. Last time I tried, I failed. In my early 40s, I tried to turn my hobby of videography into a career and did some freelance work for a while. But in the end, I felt like I needed a job with health insurance. So I went back to the same thing I've been doing since age 18. Now, I'm going to try to become a part time college instructor, which would be my retirement mini-career. Ask me in 5 years how it went.
    via u/ToddBradley
  • 13
    grrgrrtigergrr 18h ago 48, but after 25 years in marketing, primarily tech I am switching to become a nutrition coach and personal trainer. I took the last year off to focus on health and feel in love with it.
    via u/grrgrrtigergrr
  • 14
    kayne_21 19h ago Well, I'll be 50 by the time I graduate with my undergrad. Starting my first semester this fall at 46. Going from an electronics technician (skill set | learned in the US Navy) to computer engineering. Still keeping my current job because the pay is decent. So part time school, full time job.
    via u/kayne_21
  • 15
    Civil-Resolution3662 • 17h ago When I was 48 I got into a bad business deal with a family member. At 49 I walked out the door having not been paid for 6 weeks, excommunicated that family member,.and filed chapter 7. At 50 I got a job with a non profit company making peanuts. At 51 the company got bought and they started paying me slightly bigger peanuts. Now I'm about to hit 54. I don't make a lot of money, but it's a good job with a good company and great co workers and I work remotely bankers
    via u/Civil-Resolution3662
  • 16
    grabmaneandgo 17h ago 55, just accepted to grad school. Downsized from big house to small one after last child moved out. Tired of the self-employed rollercoaster. I'mma be a scientist now.
    via u/grabmaneandgo
  • 17
    purplepoptard • 16h ago I worked in a lumber mill for 25 years. Two years ago i applied for a job in a medical clinic answering phones. Today I work front desk at one of our clinics. 7-4, climate controlled and benefits. I was 48 with no office skills I am truly appreciative they took a chance on me.
    via u/purplepoptard
  • 18
    puss_parkerswidow • 8h ago Yes. Covid happened and I was 49 and managing a retail store. I hated it even more after having to deal with people who deliberately walked in without masks to start an argument. I jumped at an opportunity to work alone in a shop making products for a small manufacturer. I've done it for 4 years now and love it.
    via u/puss_parkerswidow
  • 19
    Saloose . 19h ago Not quite 50, but almost had a full blown midlife crisis when I hit 45 and got my "dream job" (the one I'd been working towards my whole life) and fukking hated it. I realized I liked some parts of it and pivoted to do more of that and less of the stuff I hated. Now I'm a consultant in the nonprofit sector. I admit my choice would be different if I'd been limited by insurance and other benefits, which I'm fortunate enough to have covered by my husband's job. If you ran a painti
    via u/Saloose
  • 20
    Knight_thrasher 18h ago • At 48 I went from 23 years of truck driving(16.5 same company) to a cement plant operator and I am loving it.
    via u/Knight_thrasher

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