Hello, and welcome to this "Can I change careers at 50: Generation X edition" gathering. I think this is the first time we've all been together since Hands Across America in '86." 

While the Millennials and Boomers battle it out, let's get real. We know it's not too late to make a career shift simply due to our adaptive and resilient nature. 

Only our generation witnessed the rapid advancement of technology from analog to digital to multi-dimensional, and we kept up the pace. We watched the Challenger explosion in a classroom, 9/11 as adults, and the housing crisis of '08 from the living room of our over-mortgaged homes. Underneath the "slacker" moniker that once plagued us, we now have a healthy balance of skepticism, realism, and recovery.

We also realize now more than ever how right Ferris Bueller was when he said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it." 

Why Consider a Career Change at 50?

There are three reasons you might be looking for a career shift at 50–you've been downsized, you're entering the workplace after family obligations, or you're searching for something more than the career path you chose 30 years ago. 

My "aha" moment came in my mid-40s when I realized my hard work ethic and big paycheck didn't matter when I worked 70-hour weeks and threw away weeks of vacation each year. Intending to only take a break, I kept getting calls from professional connections asking to tap my skill sets for a temporary project. I soon started working as a freelancer full-time, at home, and walking my dogs whenever I darn well pleased. 

A career transition at 50 might be the last realistic chance to pivot, start over, or showcase your resilience in a new work climate, specifically harnessing your unique skills. 

Benefits of Changing Careers Later in Life

Changing your career at 50 is a portal to new personal fulfillment and purpose. You've been around a while and have quite the portfolio of skills and wisdom under your belt: You're pretty much valuable in several fields. 

It's a move against stagnation, where you begin to get fresh challenges and opportunities for learning. The key is finding an area that is aligned with those passions or interests that may have changed over time. Plus, a wealth of educational resources supports learning topics and industries that might not have even existed when you started in the workforce. 

By the time you reach 50, you're less concerned with rising the ranks than being present for family events, doing something meaningful, or unplugging after work. 

Challenges to Overcome

Raise your hand if someone has said, "Ok, Boomer" to you recently. Yep, me too. It seems as fast as Judd Nelson can raise a fist at the end of Breakfast Club, we're seen more as Mr. Bender than the Brat Pack in the workforce. 

On the flip side, when we're not being miscategorized, we could be seen as "too experienced" or "too set in our ways." Even the perception of ageism in the workplace is impacting our mental health. That means a revamp of everything from resumes to representing ourselves on social channels, with a healthy dose of that resilient nature leading the way.

Practical Steps for Making the Transition

Practicality must weigh in as your bills won't change with the career, education, or transition time. 

It starts with a gut check–are you looking for a career change at 50 or just hoping the grass is greener than the professional desert you're stuck in? Can you take a pay cut in exchange for a better quality of life? 

Self-Assessment and Research

When I first left my corporate job, I reached out to a dozen people. Some I had great relationships with, and others I bumped heads with over the years. I got their input on my strengths, weaknesses, and standout qualities. Even through some tough talks, the headline was "You're a GREAT writer and so creative." That helped point me in the right direction. 

Then, Artificial Intelligence (AI) launched into the writing space. Was I being eliminated before I had a chance to shine? Take that example as a suggestion to pair your skillsets with the jobs of the future from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Take this quiz to see if you're a fit for the healthcare community because those take several of the top jobs through 2032.

Education and Training

Whether you never went to college, need an advanced degree, or just want a few select courses to reach your goals of a career change at 50, the ability to learn has never been easier. Explore the many options, costs, and career tools that can help you take a carefully calculated next step. 

Networking and Mentorship

I think one of the best parts of being in a career change near 50 is all those contacts we've made over the years. I have no idea what a Wind Turbine Service Technician does, but I bet in my LinkedIn connections I know someone who knows someone who can explain this job of the future to me.

Start following mentors and those in the jobs you're considering and engage with them on social media or set up a time for a 15-minute chat. Plus, sources like Reddit help you find others who have made the transition. 

Updating Your Resume and Skills

It's important to know that how to change your career path at 50 will require a resume remodel. I can give a little insight into this as I have two decades of experience hiring people. There are no hard and fast rules; you're literally catering to the perceptions of the hiring manager. 

I rolled my eyes at any resume longer than one page, and I cringed seeing someone's photo front and center. I never minded years being on a resume, yet the consensus is that it only includes the last 10-15 years.  

Run your resume through an AI program or hire someone to tweak it for you initially. Worry less about the finer points like dates and pages and focus more on that piece of paper reflecting the authenticity of your skills. 

Practical Experience

Before you take any big step in making a career shift at 50, walk a mile in the shoes of the people who do it. If you're considering being a nurse, volunteer to help at a blood drive. If you think entrepreneurship might be more your speed after a career of creativity, use tools like this quiz or sit in on a public business earnings call. 

Put yourself out there through volunteering, internships, or business social events.

Career Change at 50 for Women

Menopause. I step into this space lightly, but it's a topic nobody talks enough about. Women considering changing careers at 50 need to legitimately consider "the other change" we face, like it or not. 

Perimenopause usually starts around the mid-40s, with menopause four to 10 years later. When you consider switching careers around 50, you need to honestly assess how impacted you are by the symptoms of menopause–the fatigue, the emotional roller coasters, and the uncontrollable hot flashes.

Not only do studies show that these health issues impact women at work, but there's little support from the workplace to cope. 

The easiest way to gauge your menopausal path? Ask your biological mother. Expect the same experience for yourself. Then, you can plan a route for advancing education or switching jobs based on what your body and mind can handle. 

Make the Change

Changing careers at 50, especially for Generation X, is not only possible but can also be highly rewarding. Nobody puts Gen X babies in a corner! 

Instead of wondering, "Can I change careers at 50?" get started now. A great first step is found on the Appily Advance free career quizzes. Choose between business, education, and health care, or take all three.