OT - mid-life career changes
I'm a former CPA and business exec who took a step back from career demands over the last few years so I could focus on relationships w/my kids after a recent divorce. I've been self-learning various coding languages over the same time, and have decided I want to explore supplementing my income with freelance web development projects (likely focus on JavaScript), with the idea that I can ultimately do that full-time.
1) Anybody else have interesting stories about mid-life career changes? Those are always interesting for me to hear :)
2) Any advice from people who code for a living about the best way to go about a mid-life transition like this? Or even alternate skills/languages to focus on besides JavaScript so I understand the landscape better? (If it matters, my core accounting skills focus on financial statement prep and consolidation, fp&a, and erp/other system implementations. And I would say I have 101 level experience with JavaScript, Python, and Solidity.)
Happy end of OT week!
August 20th, 2023 at 7:58 AM ^
I applaud you for being bold enough to step away to focus on life. Too often we convince ourselves that we are nothing without our career. I was on a similar path until some health issues popped up and I was forced to turn down a foreign assignment. In my company, that is frowned upon. It took a while, but I finally realized that I needed to live my life. Good luck with your new gig and I hope you get to spend a ton of time with your kids.
August 20th, 2023 at 8:44 AM ^
CIA?
August 20th, 2023 at 1:05 PM ^
No, however most CIA spooks will only say “State Department” and will change the subject
August 20th, 2023 at 8:05 AM ^
I’m currently a criminal defense attorney, looking to change careers and join the parks service or forest service. For now, I’m taking online classes and volunteering with the local parks.Not sure if this counts as an interesting story.
Kudos to you - life’s too short.
August 20th, 2023 at 8:35 AM ^
Same profession, but have centered much of our family time on rv traveling and even moved to a wooded and private location to scratch that itch. I'm curious to know what you don't like about your current work.
August 20th, 2023 at 9:57 AM ^
It’s the best job I’ve had. It’s just wearing on me - stress + little I can do about most of what comes in the door.
Has travel and home succeeded in the itch-scratching?
August 20th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
I'm a civil attorney (commercial lit and a little bit of employment law too). I agree with all of this. I'm in my mid-40s and it's draining. I can't pass much off, the associates at my firm aren't great. I'm writing a brief in one case right now on a Sunday morning and then I'm moving onto trial prep for a case that goes to trial after Labor Day, which has ruined by Labor Day plans. In the last 5 years, I've had 3 Thanksgivings, every summer holiday, and a couple of Christmas/Jewish holidays ruined over shit that's come up in cases. It's really no way to live. Unfortunately, given where we're at financially with kids going off to college soon, I can't really take a step back. That said, I'm giving up equity at 55 and moving on to an of counsel role or retiring completely and just getting into something else. This job gave me high blood pressure and a drinking problem in my 30s.
/rant
August 20th, 2023 at 1:14 PM ^
Glad you were self-aware to see what the job has caused. I am with you on the getting out early idea.
August 20th, 2023 at 2:40 PM ^
while in a totally different field, having great associates (or equivalent in other fields) who can be more independent feeds a positive feedback loop where partners (or equivalent) can spend more time on high value work...leading to being in a place with the best associates etc. (or the opposite negative cycle)
August 20th, 2023 at 3:24 PM ^
It's been great. There's not a more reasonable alternative as the family is pretty settled and we have some younger kids. Changing careers would seriously impact income and likely my autonomy.
I'm jealous of those that get to clock in and out and forget about work when they're off. Just want to make it to retirement and hope I don't stroke out before then.
August 21st, 2023 at 7:49 AM ^
We don't have it any better. (I'm salaried, not hourly, but can leave everything at the office when I leave.)
August 20th, 2023 at 8:12 AM ^
I have nothing to add other than to say it takes courage to do what you are doing. Good luck!
August 20th, 2023 at 8:22 AM ^
1) subscribe to an online learning academy. educative.io is a good one that focuses on tech skills and is not video-driven.
2) learn some DevOps, especially on the cloud...git, github, containers (Docker), and deployment tools such as Jenkins.
3) for web development, JavaScript frameworks such as React and Angular are becoming increasingly popular
4) if you're willing to do entry-level and want to open doors, you can try looking for technical support jobs with a financial/accounting software company.
August 20th, 2023 at 8:22 AM ^
I have no interesting stories because I'm too lazy to switch careers, and too scared to give it a try. Besides, I kinda like what I'm doing... I currently run the O&M operations for a digital engineering shop maintaining the tools and the OS/VPC's they run on, and keep the ~5000 users happy. (Dig Eng = digital modeling, requirements mgmt, and project scheduling.)
As far as authoring web pages, you can't just concentrate on the three codes you're working with. You'll also have to know a bunch of other scripting formats (Ruby, PHP, JSON, XML, yadda yadda yadda...) along with the DevSecOps stack. It's a competitive space, but can be rewarding if you have a graphical ability to put on a screen what someone else can visualize. And if they can't visualize it, you have to. I, for one, do not have such a graphical ability. Check out this story about how Ars Technica runs their website. It's a long read, but I thought it pretty interesting.
Good luck!
August 20th, 2023 at 1:19 PM ^
Also Drupal. MUST know Drupal! /s
August 20th, 2023 at 8:27 AM ^
I went from selling crack to smoking crack and whoring myself out for crack in my early 40s. So far so good 👍
August 20th, 2023 at 8:31 AM ^
Any advice to get started? I'm considering a career change
August 20th, 2023 at 9:57 AM ^
Start stretching out that prison pocket.
August 20th, 2023 at 8:35 AM ^
Good luck! I’m within 10 years of retirement so no change for me now. Looking forward to being a golf course ranger/amateur woodworker for my post retirement second career.
August 20th, 2023 at 9:17 AM ^
I recommend wood burning too, it really adds an artistic element to woodworking! There are very interesting designs and processes that enhance the natural beauty of the wood, it gets to be quite an addicting and satisfying hobby!
August 20th, 2023 at 8:42 AM ^
I salute you in your courage and your efforts. Left my first career (business/marketing) feeling like I failed at life; then I became a teacher and found my calling. Find what you love to do, and soon you'll look back and wonder how you didn't make the move sooner.
August 20th, 2023 at 8:56 AM ^
Hmmm, I suspect I can give you some perspective: I'm in my (about) 7th career slot. My path is "interesting" and a bit opposite to yours. Self employed statistician/data guy; then personally funded tech startup with nice sale/exit; Fortune 50 tech exec with golden handcuffs; Wall Street brokerage after tech employer's historic collapse; leave Street brokerage to start privately funded hedge fund; nice exit after good run; pause; venture capital (serial entrepreneur) either buying/running or founding/running small businesses with either a tech or finance/funding flavor (including one business that confirmed that I should never serve the retail/public in any way). Took several breaks along the way to focus on sons and give Mom a well deserved breather at key points in kids' lives, from which we *all* benefitted tremendously. That's (more than) enough about me.
Only strong suggestions I can offer are to ponder ways to exploit your current accounting/business knowledge set with your nascent tech skills. That background is your differentiator, your competitive advantage against the "pure coder". You can talk the talk when dealing with potential business clients. And ponder. What would your former employers and/or business associates pay decent money to "programmate"?
If you don't want be self employed, possibly consider looking for an AI startup that intends to focus on the professional areas in which you've worked. You can cherry pick your situation: it's important to jump on board with a group that not only interests you but respects and values you. You need to be happy while working very hard.
I can instantly think of some big projects you could crush in the automation of G/L recording, reconcilation, and reporting that I know most banks and credit unions struggle with currently. We'd have a good time ruining many napkins.
Good luck, good hunting ...
August 20th, 2023 at 9:12 AM ^
That's an interesting thought - sales engineering. A lot of tech companies have plenty of coders that can do all the stuff, but what engineers lack is a personal touch. It's the rare engineer that can write, or talk to, a proposal. By and large, if you put an engineer in front of potential customers to answer their technical questions they'll see a guy out of his element that lacks confidence. You want customers to feel like they're talking to professionals that they like, enjoy the company of, and laugh with.
OP, being an actual accountant, could probably knock that out of the park. Providing that he wants to speak with customers and sell them stuff...
August 20th, 2023 at 9:37 AM ^
Yep, if he wants to straddle, as an employee, his old and new worlds. Absolutely.
I was contemplating coding tasks for which to bill his time or a company he might want to start.
August 20th, 2023 at 10:01 AM ^
You seem like you have some money. May I please have $5000. I promise to use most of it to buy crack
August 20th, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
Sure thing! Send me a brief synopsis of the "use of funds" plus our expected returns on same in both the short and long runs.
Also, what capital contribution(s) you can make that we would keep in the structure's capital accounts. And your unique expertise that gives us a competitive advantage.
😉
Hey, you still clocking 14 hour days? Genuinely hope it's either what you want to be doing or adding a nice cushion to your personal balance sheet. Or both. 👍
August 20th, 2023 at 11:46 AM ^
Obligatory
August 20th, 2023 at 12:13 PM ^
what would you say....... you do here?
August 20th, 2023 at 11:44 AM ^
So username definitely checks out
August 20th, 2023 at 9:07 AM ^
Thanks!
August 20th, 2023 at 9:16 AM ^
H. R.
Talk to your HR rep before doing anything else. Also, if you have a lawyer on retainer (who does that?), ask about your legal liability for snooping through someone's email. But HR is your answer. In any case, it's probably time to look for some other entity to work with. Don't waste your time doing good work for someone that doesn't like you, or lies to you (talking shit behind your back and being friendly to your face...).
August 20th, 2023 at 9:44 AM ^
Lawyer first to understand local statutes regarding email privacy issues *before* talking to HR. HR represents company and its interests, not specifically any individual's interests. Not their job to make someone think differently or better about you unless the dislike runs afoul any regs.
Might be best to just work on moving on instead of trying to "fix" your working relationship with your detractors.
August 21st, 2023 at 12:17 AM ^
Responding to Beta as well as VA Blue. I have led people for a while and agree with B that HR is not your friend—they rarely are.
Sad as it is to say, I counsel people managers coming into leadership that if you lead people, you need some sort of relationship with your own attorney. It is only necessary from time to time, but it really pays to have someone to talk to about various things that come up. And when you really need the help, you really need it.
August 20th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
Baughz, I'd say that you should count yourself fortunate in at least one way. You've acquired valuable intelligence with minimal effort. (Aside: I hope there's an e-mail somewhere that asks you to check someone else's e-mail. General principle ... it may not be needed.)
Echoing others and perhaps stating the obvious, I think you need to determine whether your job is in danger and act accordingly. Even if it's not in danger, you need to decide whether you can continue working with these people.
I'd avoid HR for now. (I don't see how they could help you.) I'd go shopping for an employment lawyer but wouldn't bother engaging with them yet.
August 20th, 2023 at 9:07 AM ^
Good luck! Do what makes you happy!
For me... worked as a teacher then switched to working as a registered nurse in the ICU. Currently in CRNA school.
August 20th, 2023 at 9:08 AM ^
I got nothing. I do however have a 17 yr old to get off to college and then it’s RV time for the wife and I, winters in Florida and will keep my northern home, cause floridas just to dam hot in the summer. My job requires lots of travel so I figure I’ll let my company pay for 65 cents per gallon of what a somewhat large motor home would use and the tightwads will save on rv parks versus Marriott and Hiltons. I’m sure someone or something will throw a 90mph wrench in this but for right now those are the plans.
August 20th, 2023 at 9:17 AM ^
Rust and python
August 20th, 2023 at 9:32 AM ^
I went from advertising copywriter to pastry chef back to advertising copywriter once I had kids. Working full time in a kitchen and being a mom don't mix well. Some people are lucky enough to find the one career that is truly satisfying all the way through. But if you're not one of those people, a career change can be really exhilarating.
August 20th, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
Among the many fascinating responses here, I particularly liked yours: advertising copywriter to pastry chef back to copywriter. Cool.
I wonder how many people any more will have a single job..
August 20th, 2023 at 1:47 PM ^
I have a slew of ad colleagues who went on to do different things: stand up comedian, actors, teachers, social workers, podcast creator, farmer, contractor. So many interesting fields out there and sometimes taking a class or going to school to learn it isn’t enough. You have to do it professionally.
August 20th, 2023 at 2:16 PM ^
I don't mean this as a joke but ad copywriter and stand up comedian feel like roughly the same work, taking something common and describing it in an interesting way.
August 20th, 2023 at 8:13 PM ^
It is a logical transition. We came up with ideas, wrote them while trying to make people laugh, and then had to stand up and present them in house and then to the client. Good practice for telling jokes in front of an audience.
August 20th, 2023 at 9:39 AM ^
I love this topic. I've been a relatively successful sustainability and social impact professional, burnt out with COVID remote work and moving my large family to Europe, took about a year off and now I'm freelancing again helping with HR, sustainability and advisory work. I am debating a startup or freelancing in impact investing (economics LSA + full expertise on the impact side) but I am just so much more excited about helping the transition toward automation and playing around with AI these days. Any advice for a very open, but happy EUWolverine?
August 20th, 2023 at 11:58 AM ^
That sounds very cool, UE.
August 20th, 2023 at 12:13 PM ^
Ha. I just realized that my short handle is UE and I'm in the EU.
August 20th, 2023 at 2:46 PM ^
Welding. Metal stock comes in the front door and finished parts or trailers go out the back. Indiana is a haven for that work.
August 20th, 2023 at 9:42 PM ^
I think everyone’s burnt out with remote work. While cool at first, it ran its course. I travel 26 weeks a year and embraced the shit out of working from home,,at first. I’ve been home for 3 weeks and can’t wait to get out and meet people.
August 20th, 2023 at 9:44 AM ^
Started out of law school with a partner from scratch. Partner and I parted ways after a few years and worked on my own for a few more years.
Had several terrible cases in a row and decided I couldn’t do it for the rest of my days. I’m now in the car wash business.
I work significantly more now than when I was practicing, but the court and clients aren’t running my life. Just got back an hour ago from taking my first real vacation in five years with my five month old and wife. Two weeks away helps to out a few things in perspective.
I’m in my late 30s and who knows, I may make a change again at some point. Graduating in 2008 taught me that you have to be adaptable because jobs can vanish overnight. I never wanted to work for someone and haven’t yet.
Hopefully some of this makes sense. Just bit tired from the red eye from Honolulu.
August 20th, 2023 at 9:49 AM ^
Ever since Breaking Bad I’ve steered clear of the car wash business but I wonder if it’s a bit safer these days.
August 28th, 2023 at 11:17 AM ^
Car wash business was what I said I think I'd be if I hadn't been an engineer. I love seeing how cars can transform when they are properly cleaned. People were always asking how my car was so clean and I was surprised because I'd tell them that I just take it through the car wash.
One thing that I did not like about living in New England was the lack of car wash's. The few they had were all super expensive. Michigan $4-$5 washes truly are a luxury.
Wish I had more free time to spend getting my cars as clean as I used to. Great choice in career change.