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I've been working at my job for 2 1/2 years and I absolutely HATE it!! I dread having to go to work everyday but, in this economy, I can't just quit and hope something better comes along.
My plan is to get out of there by the end of this year. However, in the meantime, I have to brush up on skills, etc since I haven't used any marketable skills in many years. The only skill my current job requires is a pulse.
I gave up my career (paralegal) when I had my daughter 11 years ago. I'm thinking of possibly going back into that field but I have no clue what software programs they're using now ('back in the day' we never used them). I've also been thinking about marketing, but am wondering if I'm too old (48) to start a brand new career.
Can anyone give me any advice, input, or anything?
I gave up my career (paralegal) when I had my daughter 11 years ago. I'm thinking of possibly going back into that field but I have no clue what software programs they're using now
This shouldn't be too hard. Can you find one person, a friend, or acquaintance, old school buddy, who is working in that field now, and can explain what the working environment is like and what tools/programs/norms are being used? Maybe connect on Linked In with someone? A professional organization, it's regional office and talk on the phone with an active working member? You might be able to knock this out in a few minutes then get a hold of the software and practice. Online courses if there are new software tools.
Bigger issue: what is the hiring environment like? Even if you had the skills and experience, are there jobs?
Googling "paralegal job description" returned a wealth of info, including interview with a paralegal recruiter, - by the look of things, they don't really use any specialized software (maybe legal databases) - more of the general ability to research. Job prospects look good, too.
Thanks for the paralegal info..... I'm a little "eh" on going back into that field.
I really need something new. I've spent the last 11 years working jobs that I don't like, feeling like my brain is turning into mush, and that I'm just existing --- no excitement, not looking forward to going to work, no sense of accomplishment, no satisfaction whatsoever at the end of the day --- just on auto-pilot and making a wage.
Does anyone think 48 is too old to embark on a new career path?? I would love to get into marketing. Would I need to go back to college for this? Would I need a 4 year degree?
You'd probably need a four year degree and internship to be competitive for entry level marketing jobs. (That's my primary field.)
As far as the paralegal goes, you might be able to get a law firm to allow you to do a three month "internship" so you could learn the new software and any changes in rules of court that have happened. There are a lot of one day CLE conferences you can attend that are generally pretty affordable, I would think having a handful of recent ones on your resume would probably help as well.
Thanks for the paralegal info..... I'm a little "eh" on going back into that field.
I really need something new. I've spent the last 11 years working jobs that I don't like, feeling like my brain is turning into mush, and that I'm just existing --- no excitement, not looking forward to going to work, no sense of accomplishment, no satisfaction whatsoever at the end of the day --- just on auto-pilot and making a wage.
Does anyone think 48 is too old to embark on a new career path?? I would love to get into marketing. Would I need to go back to college for this? Would I need a 4 year degree?
Since 67 is the age to collect full benefits from social security, I'd say 48 isn't too old for a career change. I really don't think there should be a cap on when to change ones life. Go for it. A happier you will result in a healhier you. Much luck!
You're never too old for a career change if that's what you want to do or if it's what you have to do. A free "internship" is certainly one way to get back into the old career but you might try evening classes at a community college to see if there is a field you might really like. There are plenty of careers that can be started with a 2 year degree and certificate.
Does anyone think 48 is too old to embark on a new career path??
Assuming you already have five years experience:
Do you think getting paid what a 28 year old makes is too low assuming you and he have the same experience? Meaning, if you hired on into a company and the 28 year old with five years experience was making $45K and a 48 year old there with 25 years was making $85K, would you be cool making $45K too?
PLEASE do not think you are too old to embardk on a new career path! I'm just one year older than you, just turned 49, and I'm in my second semester of college, while working full-time (trying to get out of my dead-end retail management job eventually).
You are definitely NOT too old to change career paths. Good luck!
In the "career change to teaching" program I was in last summer, the median age of all 125 of us was my age (41 at the time). In fact, in my immediate subject group (middle school math), I was the 2nd YOUNGEST of the 13 of us, most were between 45-55, and 2 members were over 60 (one of whom has a full teaching job now)!
So go for it!
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