Hi Everyone,

I was a wife and Mother and Substitute Teacher for twenty years. I have worked as a Teacher, Counselor, and also in Real Estate field with my ex-husband. I hated the "dog eat dog" environment, evictions, and made a Career change back in 1984. I loved helping others so of course I thought, well I'll be a Nurses' Aide. I couldn't make enough money to survive or pay my bills. My husband is disabled and stays home with my Mother, who is 81. I have always loved tinkering with computers, and started taking them apart and repairing them in 1994. Financially I must work--or we can't pay the house note and car note or survive. You cannot survive comfortably on SS. So, at the age of 53 I was kind of forced to make a decision to go back to work or school. I applied to many, many different job openings, to no avail. Two years ago, I went to college after thirty five years out of high school. I have my Associate of Applied Science degree from ITT TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. I graduated in March 2009 with High Honors. I am presently enrolled in the BS degree program and will have my degree in a couple more years in September 2011. I will be 57 years of age. Yes, most of the students at the college are in their twenties and thirties. But with God's strength I made the decision that I had to be the breadwinner, and I was going no where without a BS degree. We barely make it financially, but with the loans and grants, we survive.

So, I guess what I want to share with you all---is to do something that you love, pray, and take it One day at a Time and "do the best you can with what God has given you"; and He will carry you through. My Grandfather was working at age 80, as a Bookkeeper. God willing I will be working another 20 or 30 years, and be able to pay off those loans. I pray that God puts me in the job that He wills for me soon.

God bless you all, Sally Frederick Tudor 

Most of us have been taught to make changes and reinvent ourselves with ideas that sound or look good but may not have the emotional satisfaction or instinctual fuel to not only move the money but keep us lit up and in the game for the duration.  I studied hard and began chiropractor because many people told me I would be good at it.  Years later I became ill, from the heartache and years of disappointment, dwindling income and unfulfilled dreams.  Then I met Martin Sage, a coach.  Rather than try to save my failing business he helped me find the vitality inside that was dying to be expressed and design exciting small projects that moved money in this new way.  Now I make more money even in this economy and more importantly I am more satisfied and excited to get up everyday and see how I can assist other to turn their unfulfilled dreams into reality.  If you are curious check out SageUniversity.com.  Martin offers a live weekly show for coaches that talks about finding the clients vitality.  You may enjoy working with one of their coaches so you find the what now that is a match for your vitality, intellectually, emotionally and instinctually.  Best Wishes.  Marie

Can't assist you there. I did everything on my own (like you, reading and talking to people).

I have never used a job coach or 'professional support',  but assuming it's not over-priced and unhelpful, take a look at doing it.

To be honest, when I lost my job in IT and was unemployed for a year (and 52 years old), I was primarily looking at what I could get into, quickly. I worked with Developmentally Disabled for a year, but with all the budget cuts, there is less opportunity now. But next was the CNA (see my profile). I researched that, found I could go to class for only 10 weeks at a cost of about $600 for tuition, books, fees, etc., and practically be guaranteed a full-time job, with benes. A tough, physically/mentally demanding job, but a job. That worked out --- I had a job before I even got my passing grade on the state exam (my continuation of the job was contigent on passing that, however).

   I also knew I could go into nursing, which I strongly considered (and should have done), once I got a job in the field. 

Where do you find professional support in identifying realistic professional job changes or "reinvention" after years in one field? I've been doing a lot of reading and talking to people, but think at this point I need a coach.

It must be very difficult to be considering a career change after having worked in one industry for 30 years. However, you now have the opportunity to think about what you'd like to do for the next 30. I would spend some time writing down what you enjoy and then determine whether what you enjoy could be turned into a career. The best career is one that you really enjoy doing and fits both with your intellectual and monetary needs.

Your question is too broad. If you look at my profile, you'll see I changed careers several times, in disparate areas, and have a large, varied, educational background.

   Are you willing to relocate? What would you really like to do? What are your salary needs/wants?

Can you afford to go back to school, or some type of training in a trade? Are you in good shape physically?

   You get the idea --- you need to narrow down some ideas you may have.

The short answer to 'but what' is 'anything you want'. What you want may or may not be realistic.