Changing careers around 45-years is becoming more common, according to an article on MSN, “Rethinking one’s career at 45: A growing trend”:
“Changing careers is no longer an exception. Major international studies confirm a clear shift in behavior. The international strategy consulting firm McKinsey & Company estimates that approximately 40% of employees are considering leaving their jobs in the coming years. For its part, Microsoft, in its Work Trend Index , observes that more than 40% of workers worldwide are considering a change of job or career.
In the United States, the Pew Research Center also observes that career transitions in adulthood are increasingly common, often driven by a search for meaning or better working conditions. These figures paint a clear picture: the need for professional renewal has never been so widespread.”
The article also mentions that professions (career fields) changing, as well as the shifting job market, contribute to people rethinking their career. But at the core, it seems that better values and lifestyle alignment and the search for meaning drive a mid-career change in career direction.
A Midlife information page on PsychologyToday.com also says that people entering midlife often experience a shift in identity and needs that influences career change. It says, “…by midlife, most of the insecurities of youth have faded away, allowing us to be more confident in who we are and what we value…(people) find that certain factors can help protect their physical and mental health. For instance, having a sense of purpose can improve one’s quality of life in middle age, as can specific lifestyle changes, like staying physically active…” (https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/basics/mid-life)
To reinforce this idea, many of my clients in their 40’s want to spend their time pursuing a passion and making a positive impact through their work. I love supporting them through this meaningful career shift, which often includes learning or upskilling in new, exciting areas of work.