Thread: late in life career change - have you considered it?

I was in the same boat a year ago and ended up going with a plumbing certification online that I could fit around my part-time job. It wasn’t too pricey, and it gave me enough background to start helping out with local maintenance gigs. It’s not glamorous, but the work is steady, and there’s always someone who needs a toilet fixed during the week.

My daughter was a nurse, became a doctor (GP), now studying forestry and woodworking in Japan. Maybe she can become tree surgeon?

Originally Posted by Arapiles

Well, in my 30s I switched from a career in the Arts to tax and finance, which tends to confound most people.

And my wife regularly tells me that instead of working for a bank I should go back to being an art curator. I am actually considering doing that once I hit 67 - but it'd be a massive pay cut.

Originally Posted by p38arover

My daughter was a nurse, became a doctor (GP), now studying forestry and woodworking in Japan. Maybe she can become tree surgeon?

An alternative for of wellbeing that originates is Japan is called Forest Bathing. No, not wearing your swimmers to the forest. You walk along being observant and bathe in or absorb the environment.

Nurse ... GP ... Forestry and woodworking ... join a couple of those things together ... forest bathing

Accessed 17th July 2025 from Shinrin-yoku Shinrin-yoku - Wikipedia

Kind regards
Lionel

Originally Posted by crash

A good friend of mine who has been a nurse for 30+ years and is in his early 50's has quit his nursing job to start a plumbing apprenticeship.
Something he has enjoyed doing at home and figures it is now or never for a change. Figures by the time he finishes the apprenticeship that he could do it for 10 years taking him to retirement age. I take my hat off too him. He is not looking forward to the pay cut over the next 4 years though.

I don't think I could do such a big jump, but I do know a few that have and have never looked back.

A guy my wife worked with that was high up in management do a plumbing apprenticeship when he was in his late 40's or early 50's so he could take over his dads plumbing business.

I also know of a couple of guys that after 30years sold their businesses to take up less stressful jobs.

Is this something you have considered or done yourself?

... Should have gone to the Dark Side... Cardiac Surgery... Same idea, cleaning or replacing knackered piping, and getting motza more money for it !


Yes, if someone was generous / foolish enough to make it happen.... would love to do Aerial Fire Bombing. Reckon I've got decades left, many US Cro Dusters are pushing high 70's. to 80's +.
(Younger & Bold ones "retire" early, - Chickens reach Old Age...)

My employment life lasted 39 years with the one organisation. But it contained seven different roles, some of which had a certain degree of supervision in them. The last had a high degree of supervision, but then all of the previous roles included in it as well.

Then I changed completely to being unemployed (retired) while I designed and built a two storey house for our use. Had to teach myself how to the basics right through to building stairs. It all went very well, but took several years. Finished just in time for arthritis to kick in. I now do things but very slowly - mind you I reckon that I only worked at 1/32 of the speed of a regular chippie, before. I am now at 1/100.

Originally Posted by Arapiles

And my wife regularly tells me that instead of working for a bank I should go back to being an art curator. I am actually considering doing that once I hit 67 - but it'd be a massive pay cut.

Yikes!

I won't be working for anyone when I'm 60, let alone post 60?

Originally Posted by Tombie

Yikes!

I won't be working for anyone when I'm 60, let alone post 60?

Some say you haven't worked for anyone yet.