For real...what do you think of mid-life career changers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think anything of it at all. The way that other people choose to earn their living isn't really high on my "things to make sure I stick my nose in" list! Seriously, if I were the kind of person who judged this sort of thing in a negative light, it would be sad, this life is FAR too short and I don't see the point in spending it in a miserable way when we are fortunate enough to be born into better circumstances than the vast majority of humanity.

Do your thing.

Agree.

[Anonymous]

My DH has made major career changeS (internal medecine to cancer research to bioinformatics) throughout his life, and has met with disapproval and surprise.

He has made these changes because he feels strongly that this is where biomedical research is headed. He cares little for money and not at all for status or prestige. He might become a research director later in life thanks to his multiple hats, or stay as an anonymous cog in the wheel.

I support his decisions, and imagine that all people who change careers do so for valid reasons.

[Anonymous]

Wow, OP - lawyer to psychologist? What I want to know is how you did it! Did you really go back for a PhD? How long did it take? How did you swing the finances?

[Anonymous]

Oh, and I really admire career changers. Think it takes a lot of guts.

[Anonymous]

To the poster who's DH changed from med to bioinformatics...first of all, kudos to him.....I am trying to do the same but am lost. Have a PhD in lifesciences involving hardcore research which I don't enjoy anymore, but would rather love to do the bioinformatics stuff..how did he do it? Appreciate any advice.

[Anonymous]

Hello, 10:48. This is PP whose DH changed careers.

He took classes in biostatistics and bioinformatics as a PhD student in another country (his PHD was unrelated to that) and as a post-doc at the NIH. Then he was hired as a bioinformatician by PIs for their labs at the NIH and also later at a biotech, building up skills and experience (hated the company, which cranked out poor quality work but made clients pay through the nose). Now back at NIH. Started by analysing microarray data and now is doing NGS - next generation sequencing, which he's really excited about!
I think taking the classes at NIH were key.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Forgot to say the most important thing: DH is constantly hearing that bioinformaticians and researchers have difficulty understanding each other. This is because the programmers often don't have much of a biology background, and the scientists don't know informatics.
So if you understand both worlds and can translate requests from one to the other, you will be in high demand!

[Anonymous]

I think they are probably people who have diverse interests and the guts to make a major change in their lives. Sure, depending upon the circumstances, it might not be the best possible financial decision but there are of course other considerations in life than finances. It's better to take a chance on doing something you believe will improve your life than to stay in a profession you do not enjoy due to fear of the unknown. Idealistic? Sure. Romanticizing? Probably. But its not like no one went to law school because they were idealistic or romanticized the life of a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

I think it's a free country and you should be in a career to make yourself happy not others. Not to mention life is too short to live for others. I know two people who are psychologist as a second career.

[Anonymous]

Op again. Thank you for your honest replies, which confirm what I already suspected -- many admire the career changer, a few look down on that person, especially if they move to a lower paying profession, and a few are intrigued and want to the same sort of major change in their own lives.

To each their own, but I enjoyed getting other perspectives on this. No way I could ask a lot of people this question IRL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a lawyer I sort of look down on you - there are many ways to practice law, and instead of sticking it out, you quit. If you are a woman I probably also suspect you are making bad financial decisions (accruing more student loans and forgoing prime work years for school, probably for a lower paying job).

Agree. So long as she doesn't mind still having to work at 70, go for it, but by 60, I want to be down to part time.

OP here -- no way I want to go part-time by 60! I love my work and am just gearing up and in my career prime. I'd definitely be ready for PT by 60 if I'd stayed in law though, so there you go.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the career change and the reason behind it. I don't think too highly of those who leave a decent job for the prospect of more money, especially if they are taking on debt or putting their family in strain to do so. It can be selfish or it can be admirable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Wow, OP - lawyer to psychologist? What I want to know is how you did it! Did you really go back for a PhD? How long did it take? How did you swing the finances?

Yes I did a PsyD and it took 6 years. It was a sacrifice but I enjoyed the school work and training. I learned a lot about myself, and I was busy raising three kids so the time went quickly! It helps that my DH was very supportive. Money was tight but we made it through with some belt-tightening, part-time work in the later years of my program, and money saved from my years as an attorney. I practiced for 11 years and that gave us somewhat of a cushion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Wow, OP - lawyer to psychologist? What I want to know is how you did it! Did you really go back for a PhD? How long did it take? How did you swing the finances?

Yes I did a PsyD and it took 6 years. It was a sacrifice but I enjoyed the school work and training. I learned a lot about myself, and I was busy raising three kids so the time went quickly! It helps that my DH was very supportive. Money was tight but we made it through with some belt-tightening, part-time work in the later years of my program, and money saved from my years as an attorney. I practiced for 11 years and that gave us somewhat of a cushion.

Oh -- meant to add that I went to a state school so saved a bit with in-state tuition. No student loans, although I did take on some extra credit card debt in worst years.

[Anonymous]

Physician to high school teacher. Loved the kids and keeping ahead of them. Hated the lack of prestige. There's nothing lower in the education world than a middle aged+ woman. Sad.