https://www.mindtools.com/blog/my-midlife-career-change/ Essential skills for an excellent career Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:35:39 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 https://www.mindtools.com/blog/my-midlife-career-change/#comment-3594 Sun, 11 Jul 2021 04:11:47 +0000 https://www.mindtools.com/blog/?p=26346#comment-3594 I started a totally new job at the age of 51 (2014). I was a mental health researcher for many years. The pressure to 'Publish or Perish' finally got me and I quit! I studied Floristry Cert 3 at TAFE (a post-secondary vocational training in Australia) and hid my previous life from my fellow floristry students in their 20s. I got a part-time florist assistant job and my mentor (the shop owner) must have noticed the creative flair and potential (a 'can-do' attitude and hard-working) in me. I joked to some really good friends that 'studying floristry with all these practical floral arrangement assessments is harder than writing my PhD thesis! LOL!' Fast forward 5 years to 2019, I founded a Not-for-Profit Social Enterprise 'Community Flower Studio' to help young people facing mental health challenges. My team and myself run creative workshops and sell flowers/bouquets to the public through this social enterprise. I also mentor young people to study Floristry (the way I was mentored) and share my journey of career change with them. Yay! You are Never Too Old!

]]> https://www.mindtools.com/blog/my-midlife-career-change/#comment-3593 Thu, 10 Jun 2021 11:43:14 +0000 https://www.mindtools.com/blog/?p=26346#comment-3593 One need to be young in mind, with good attitude and inclination to learn.

]]> https://www.mindtools.com/blog/my-midlife-career-change/#comment-3592 Tue, 08 Jun 2021 08:40:55 +0000 https://www.mindtools.com/blog/?p=26346#comment-3592 I'm about to turn 60 and hopefully complete a Cert IV in Training and Assessment (both in the same month), which could mean a major change of working for me. Like you, I'd like to think that I'm flexible enough to allow me to fit in where required, and different enough to be sought for my experiences. All best with your future.

]]> https://www.mindtools.com/blog/my-midlife-career-change/#comment-3591 Thu, 03 Jun 2021 12:30:51 +0000 https://www.mindtools.com/blog/?p=26346#comment-3591 I really enjoyed reading this!! Having recently turned 50 I’ve had moments of ‘is this it for me?’ ‘Am I done striving?’ But quickly decided I’ve got a way to go before I’ll accept a career with no challenge! I’m happy where I am and every day has new challenges and opportunities but I won’t let my age prevent me progressing personally and professionally. So well done and good luck .... and thank you for sharing!!

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