Mid Career Shift- CAN?

[robleo]

@shailu- for a while i tried. but stopped. maybe i will. y?

[Strong Eagle]

FWIW, at age 43 I quit my job. I spent the next four years getting a degree in electrical engineering, with some part time work, and at age 47, re-entered the market place.

I finally took the plunge... put some money into a company in Asia, decided to live internationally, and decided to hold myself out as a project manager... something that I did informally as part of my job, but never as a PM per se.

Got here, started a company, and with a stroke of luck, got to rescue a project... infrastructure... never did that... multiple countries... never did that... they never looked at my CV... and I did a great job... endorsed by the top dog of the client company. It set me up for a successful career.

So... never give up... and it takes guts to drop something that is certain to take on the uncertain. Then again, you must know that to gain something, you must take a loss elsewhere.

[ksl]

Robleo:I am experienced in business consultancy and marketing. This is a subject I am positive I can teach about

what did you mean by risk profile? I'm the type who tries to rebound when failure or trial sets in.
It's just that this will perhaps be my 2nd challenge in the leadership role

Right now, the feedback was not good and I'm being transferred to a different role without any demotion or anything. It's just that there was some mismatch. I'm somehow feeling a bit "depressed" with the situation that I'd like to leave the company without any job.

I'm trying to catch up and do not want to lose my belief in myself

I've gone through a lot to get this job- getting into this situation makes me feel I'm the dumbest person in the world. But reading through transition storeis- it's really either you succeed or fail

I just scanned through your posts and my comments, would be to say stay in the job, you have much to learn about yourself. What you need to do is a SWOT analysis on yourself, you are not yet a leader, until you can stop using these words.

1. I'm the type who tries to rebound (don't try, just do it)
2. failure (no such thing in my book just obstacles in the way)
3. this will perhaps be my 2nd challenge in the leadership role (perhaps)
4. feedback was not good and I'm being transferred to a different role without any demotion (feeling insecure)
5.I'm somehow feeling a bit "depressed" with the situation that I'd like to leave the company without any job (very negative)
6.I'm trying to catch up and do not want to lose my belief in myself (again trying is not good enough)
7.this situation makes me feel I'm the dumbest person in the world. (then you deserve the title)
8.But reading through transition storeis- it's really either you succeed or fail (who dares wins, failure is not the issue, but a problem to solve)

I've cut most of my post because it goes on and on.

But basically I would advise you to stay put, you are not cut out to teach students business, but you do have the abilities to consult clients on many aspects of business. You are an asset in any company, when it comes to negotiating, your banking experience is the asset along with what you are learning and have learnt.

Leadership in business, your approach would be much too conservative for the entrepreneurial spirit, who must deal with opportunity cost. You suffer from slight risk aversion, which i expect is drummed into you in the banking business. You can learn a lot where you are, though you must try to pick other peoples brains and/or ask advice in areas where you are weak. We all have weaknesses!

Mismatch is not failure, its just another problem that needs solving, if it means cutting the strings, so be it. All leaders make errors and learn from mistakes. You are obviously respected for your talents, hence you have just been moved without demotion. Do the SWOT on yourself and lay the cards on the table, you need to improve and the only way is to ask for advice, in the areas where you are weak.

Those that have removed you are aware of the weakness, you need to discuss with them and work together as a team, to help you build on any weakness you have.

One can also pose the question why a business consultant, isn't involved in his own business?

Why are they employed by government agencies. Its like comparing a family doctor to a specialist or a business owner, to an export consultant, the difference is knowledge and experience and the decision to be accountable if you are leading.
Read the book "Who Dares Wins" by Bob Mayer. The Green Beret way to conquer fear and succeed. its about analysis of yourself and dealing with fear. a good business guide to knowing yourself, I purchased it for my wife and my brother in laws son, who is 16 and studying business.

There is no right or wrong way in leadership, just many different approaches of solving problems, you learn from others and your own mistakes on the road.

At 40 life is changing hormones are changing too, those attacks of insecurity are a reminder, you are not 16 years old anymore, were fear wasn't an issue, you have to stop fear in its tracks, never think of it in a negative light, respect it and live with it to survive.

The facts are many things happen, divorce, deaths of friends and parents, life is very short take control, be prepared for the worst in life, to recover more quickly no one can escape the grieving period, but you may recover more quickly by accepting the facts of life that you have a lot of fear to deal with.

[robleo]

@ksl- thanks for the words... this is very encouraging.

[robleo]

for everyone's info, I moved on and chose this new assignment as a priority rather than leaving the job and find another one elsewhere.

It's true that whether I find a new job in the same field or shift to a new career- it will be an unknown world. For now, i know where i am and what I can do and I know the playing field.

I have a lot to work on-personally- and moving to a new company may not be the best choice as it will just re-start the cycle. It's never too late.

@ksl- you really have affirmed my decision. would like to catch up with you sometime...

[ksl]

for everyone's info, I moved on and chose this new assignment as a priority rather than leaving the job and find another one elsewhere.

It's true that whether I find a new job in the same field or shift to a new career- it will be an unknown world. For now, i know where i am and what I can do and I know the playing field.

I have a lot to work on-personally- and moving to a new company may not be the best choice as it will just re-start the cycle. It's never too late.

@ksl- you really have affirmed my decision. would like to catch up with you sometime...

I'm happy for that! I have no degree as such, I didn't start my education until i mastered another language on a high level, i was 39 years old at the time, with no O or A levels. So my education isn't structured.
I did my export exam, before i went to business college, and the minimum criteria for the export exam was a degree, or relevant work experience.

I did my A and O levels after that. It was a matter of working and study at night when i could to pay my bills.

I had developed business with others and for others, but never myself until 2004, now we have a thriving multimillion$ business with 2 factory units one is the parent company, and the one my wife and I started was to help in the restructuring and support of a loss making parent company.

So I was 54 when we took the plunge into our own business, after we decided that we had helped others enough. It is obvious of my weaknesses in routine education, but my work experience and practical commonsense stands out more than my academic ability.

My man management skills I can thank 10 years of professional soldiering for, plus my own interests in continued learning for self improvement. keeping an open mind and a positive one is key to progress, take criticism positively on the chin, even though you may disagree and move on, with the next task in hand.

All leaders may not approach the same objective, with the same ideas! Hang in there, I believe your talents are good for the business environment and that talent is required as a reminder, that adventurous people like myself, need reigning in and reminding how the actual financial accounts are doing, and what we can do to improve them, that is a bankers job, they are level headed and not great risk takers, they want win win situations.

Though risk and success go hand in hand, one needs control and team work, you will always fit into the business environment, though you may stagnate in a teaching position, suffering claustrophobia attacks and wishing you was more active. Self improvement to keep young and positive, I'm 60 next month and beaming with motivation not only for myself, but also for others, I like to help others because i can, even competitors....It's like playing chess and if you know you are good or better than the opposition, you ease off and give people a chance, to make the game more interesting, it keeps you on your toes.

Life is very short but good, live it to your fullest ability with confidence and face those fears, believe me i have had traumatic fears in my life, that have almost destroyed my mental capacity, that's why i am a fitness fanatic kick starting the endorphins all the time, other wise the reaper may catch up with me, its very easy to fall into depression, search out the symptoms and know what is happening.

I spent the last year coaching my wife into accepting her fathers death, so that it would ease the grief, you have to be realistic that life ends and medication just prolongs the suffering, its a selfish commercial world we live in, people ignore the dignity of others, for there own selfish reasons, being prepared through experiences of death makes you stronger or a neurotic.

What you learn is the truth about yourself, you have a choice to run or fight the fears, this is the learning experience. good luck!

The older generation like SMS SE and myself, have the survival instincts, we may not always agree with each other because we all have our own independent thought processes. Military life was basically my career which i lost due to divorce, I was conned by the army recruiter with full of promises, that didn't materialise, which kick started my attitude problem in the army. I knew what i wanted and told the major I used to drive, to polish his own f-----g shoes, I'm a pro soldier not his lackey, he also chose me because of my abilities of driving and soldiering, I was also the one to stand out, in the end i was posted out to the desert a punishment posting which i loved, because i was with like minded people, we were all well disciplined with attitude leaders in our own right, and highly qualified because we had improved through being active taking all the courses we could. I had all HGV licences by the age of 22, I eventually left my unit after being attached to the SAS unit and Army Air corps, 4 years before the Army Air corps, was reestablished after being disbanded.
It was a new chapter in my life, but meeting the challenges physically and mentally, was supervised and tested by the best of the best, I was never a SAS member but it was our role to support the front line troops, para's Marines, and special forces so our training regime was at the same level, has we always operated in small groups out stationed for support attachment from squadron level or as a squadron.

I transferred when the Army Air Corps became a reality in 1974, as i was already serving with them for the last 4 years, we had a few SAS members as pilots in the squadrons, and we had to make critical decisions in cases of emergencies, all the routine training pays dividends.

So we are multi skilled in survival, firefighting, first aid, vehicle maintenance both armoured and support vehicles, radio communication and air traffic control, under slung loads and casualty evacuation, air sea rescue and survival training in different terrain, setting up of night landing aids and helicopter ground handling and helicopter refueling duties. The air corps soldiers of today are highly skilled in routine practical emergancies, as well as 4 main trades he must also be a professional soldier. Most westerners have interests in DIY and skill sets, that are useful like welding, building and construction courses, drainage courses, I personally have collected what i could because i had a interest in doing my own work, because i couldn't rely on others to do it, to the standard i wanted.

So the drive to learn and become self sufficient is the basic requirement for my own survival, the only real problem i have ever had in my life, was self realisation after all the traumatic experiences i have lived through. Why is life like it is, why all the wars and suffering around the world, then i woke up and said, that's it.

I quit, I dropped out of the social system to be my own master, that's when i remarried in Taiwan 10 years ago and moved to Taiwan to make a difference genetically in my family history .

A very big step for a westerner to take on the life of Chinese culture, but done with confidence, and for a reason. Moving to Singapore is much more adaptable for me, but not for my Taiwanese wife who would rather be with her mum, though i am here for the family living the Asian way of life supporting Asian ideals and family, having a meaning in life is satisfying, though we cannot always see what the meaning is all about.

Self realisation opened my eyes, to my own ego, calmed me down to prepare myself for transition, now I do what ever i want to do, in a semi retired manner, like a banker, I guide the business through my wife and act as her sparring partner, I have no reason to work, just delegate the responsibility and oversee the outcome and you will also reach that ability, sooner than I have, by learning to solve problems with different approaches, its all about preparation for the unexpected and keeping a cool head, when problems need solving. Team work and input from all members, to evaluate the situation, the team leader then takes the lead and remains accountable right or wrong its an experience learned but never failure.

[hyl]

Dear All,

I am also in career dilemma. After having read all your post and comment on this mid career switch, seems like i am not too late for it. But I need some advise.

I am 26 yrs old and graduated last year from NUS. During my undergrad studies, i planned to go for teaching as I am majoring in Science. However, the interview wasn't satisfy. And I ended up teaching in private sector. Still in education sector...

But i can forsee that teaching without proper training can't take off my career.

Next, other than in teaching line, i always have interest in banking sector. I know there are various position offer out there. But with Science qualification, it wasn't easy to step into the business world when their requirements are either experience or business graduate.

*sigh... I don't know which way I should go...

1) Continue in teaching sector, waiting for another chance to apply for moe as work in public school, which i believe have more personal development and career advancement chance. Rather than teaching in private sector.

2) Find an admin job meanwhile take a master course in either finance or business.

I have done my personal SWOT analysis, career profilling and various test to assess my personality and career planning to know what I really want, yet I am still in dillema, walking in a circle when my peers is dashing toward their goal.

I don't have family nor financial burden, but deep inside my heart, I am "fear of failure". how if i try out the banking sector and it wasn't like what i imagine?

Help!!! I really need advice...

[sundaymorningstaple]

Two questions.......

What is it that you are 'really' afraid of?

What is it that you 'really' want to do?

To put it into another perspective, use the MOE advertisement that often runs on Channel 5. What's YOUR passion?

If teaching is your passion, pursue it. Keep learning, get that masters in education, it may take you a little longer to get to where you want to be, but you will still be happier.

If peer recognition is your aim, you have a different problem that I cannot help you with. (You sound like this is getting under your skin a bit). March to your own drummer. Are you living your life for them or for you?

The banking/finance sector? Is this motivated by $$$? If it is, that's okay as long as you recognize it as such. Will having more money make you any happier? Or do you think you will be "living for the weekend" as the old country song goes? Hating going to work but doing it because it gives you more money so you can forget your frustrations at the political crap you have to put up with in the banking industry.

Most of us who have made mid-life career changes have done so because we were not really happy doing what we were doing before (I was damn good at what I did, but hated going to that office every day!).

At the end of the day, you need to stick with that which gives you satisfaction and well as allows you to put a roof over your head and food on your table. You'll be happier for it.

Oh, worried about failure? Fail once - good, fail twice - even better! Builds up the stamina and teaches you how to actually think on your feet. And those lessons you will never forget.

Good luck.

sms

[ksl]

SMS explains it very well!

1) Continue in teaching sector, waiting for another chance to apply for moe as work in public school, which i believe have more personal development and career advancement chance. Rather than teaching in private sector.

2) Find an admin job meanwhile take a master course in either finance or business.

Looks like it's your SWOT analysis which is failing you.

1. What is the likelihood of a career teaching without a teaching degree with MOM, what are your promotional opportunity's?

Do you really desire business, with a master course in finance, i would think you would blend into business quite easy, though their are some balancing acts to look at, to be successful in business....Risk aversion, not an ideal trait for progression, so on a scale of 1 to 10, where are you! Over 5 and you maybe okay in business if you can solve problems of which there are a 1001, so it's more preparation, strategy, monitoring and plans of alternative action, if things go pear shaped.

If you are good with figures, I'd go for finance, this gives you more opportunities in administrative management where you can gain hands on business experience at someone else's expense.

With a masters in business, pretty damn useless if you have a natural ability to succeed, and if you do, then it's opportunity cost, why pay all that money on a masters, when you can be making a lot more money doing business.

So your character and personality are important in the decision making process, are you very independent in your thought process, and accept and respect authority at the same time or are you gung ho type that doesn't care about the consequence.

My opinion is that you are indecisive because you don't really know yourself, your own capabilities in anything other than study! So my best tip would be to get involved in some risky sports, where you will have to use your commonsense and brain in a very different light, this way you will gain life experience of making the decision for yourself and being accountable for the mistakes you make.

You need some character building adventure training, map reading, risk taking under supervision, and general life experiences, to make you grow.

Be the child you have never been remembering the NIKE motto "Just do it" Then you can look at your SWOT all over again and decide with more confidence. Take a year off and get to know yourself!