Find Your Passion: It’s Never Too Late to Change Careers

It’s often said that 40 is the new 30 when it comes to physical fitness and exercise goals, but what about career considerations? Is the big 4-0 just too late to change jobs, or better yet, switch careers entirely? The old school train of thought may say so, but recent years have seen a number of trends emerge among modern workers that would have been considered flat out bizarre in decades past.

Indeed, while hopping from job to job and even industry to industry may have raised serious red flags just a few short years ago, it’s very much the norm for most employees nowadays. One survey of Gen Z workers specifically found an astounding 2 in 3 plan to leave their jobs within just one year of being hired! This shifting mindset isn’t restricted to younger generations either; another poll conducted at the end of last year tells us as many as one in four Americans set out to change careers in 2023. Notably, 34% of polled workers even said they’re excited to try job opportunities that didn’t even exist when they were younger (IT, Web3, etc).

The underlying reasons driving these generational changes in employment are too numerous and nuanced to explain in full detail, but to put it succinctly: The Times They Are A-Changin’. Once upon a time the American career trajectory looked very much like a straight line; work hard in school, major in the field you want to work in, land a job at a respected company, and continue working there for decades until retirement. This was the reality of work for hundreds of millions of Americans for a long time, but today typical career trajectories look more like a scribble than a straight line. 

Older employees may feel like they are trapped in an unrewarding career simply because it’s all they’ve ever known, but the majority of college grads these days don’t even work in the field they originally majored in.

Many seasoned employees fear “starting over,” or feel as though they’ve already invested far too much time and effort to switch careers so late in the game. While such reservations are absolutely understandable and relatable, starting from scratch in a field you actually care about will almost certainly pay off in the long run compared to slaving away in a position that makes you miserable. One survey focusing exclusively on adults over 45 who switched careers found the vast majority (87%) were either happy or very happy with their decision. There’s no reason, at any age, to report to a job you hate day in and day out.

Finding meaning while making money

Different people want different things out of their careers, but it’s a safe bet to say most of us want to wake up each day and feel good about what we do. Revealingly, fascinating research published in the scientific journal Work Employment and Society reports many Americans see their jobs as “pointless” and of little value to society as a whole. Employees working in sales, finance, and management were deemed the most likely to hold such a view. Yet another poll of U.S. office workers found two-thirds consider their jobs far too monotonous.

Regardless of whether you work in any of the fields mentioned above, if you haven’t felt genuinely excited or happy about your job in a long time (or perhaps ever), it’s likely time to consider a career change. The benefits of finding meaning in a career extend far beyond a paycheck. 

Countless recent studies tell us the importance of cultivating a true sense of purpose in life. One study, published in Psychology and Aging, found purpose helps stave off loneliness. Another project published in Preventive Medicine even reports a stronger sense of direction and purpose promotes a longer life in general. 

In other words, switching industries towards a career you’re more passionate about offers far more than just professional benefits. A job you actually care about will promote a more rewarding, fulfilling life far beyond the hours between nine and five. Ready to take your first step toward a better career? Take a look at Ladders’ job search page today.