Has anyone totally re-made their career in their 40s? (e.g., law to medicine)

[Anonymous]

I'll preface this by saying that I come from a long line of doctors, and due to youthful rebellion decided to go in the opposite direction (law). I've been a practicing lawyer for over 12 years and I make a really good living. But for years I've struggled with the underlying thought that I just made a bad choice all those years ago, and that I could be doing something more worthwhile and suited to my personality if I was a doctor. I have stuffed the feeling down because of the practicalities of everything -- I'm almost 40, I'd need to do some pre-reqs at night, how would I support my family if I was accepted at all?

Did any of you follow your deep down feeling and change careers drastically, despite the practical arguments against it? How did it turn out and would you do it again? I know it seems crazy but I can't shake it.

[Anonymous]

I am in a similar boat as you and look forward to others' replies. I have been a writer/editor and am now 40. The profession has changed drastically, and there are fewer jobs and less upward mobility than when I started this career. I peaked out in terms of salary, left my job for a variety of reasons (freelancing now), and not sure if I really want to work in the profession is.

Problem is, I am 40. The ROI on investment for me to go back to school for anything (law, medicine, even nurse practictioner, psychology) does not seem worth it at my age and I am feeling really down and stuck.

I hope to hear some positive stories of career switchers in their 40s, but personally, I could not do a switch to medicine at this age. Minimum 8 years before being done with a residency. And the amount of debt that would be incurred would be astronomical and hard to pay off as you want to save for retirement.

[Anonymous]

Yes, plenty of people have. I recommend the book "The Winner's Brain" for some fascinating examples.

[Anonymous]

Pre-recs would need to be taken. Don't know what your undergrad degree was in, but the credits now required could be sizable. And then there is the 8 hour MCAT test. And, lots of shadowing time and research experience. It is endless. I know because my DS in in medical school. Another thing: People apply to lots of med schools. Are you willing to move?
I am not really trying to discourage you, just want to to be aware of the realities.

Perhaps there is another area of law that would make you feel like you are making a difference.

[Anonymous]

Go check out the non-traditional student forum on Student Doctor Network.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who went from law to being an OB nurse. She has found it very fulfilling. That's a shorter road than an MD.

[Anonymous]

I went from engineering to law (not IP). It helped that you can go to law school part time and I did not have to fully commit to changing careers overnight like you would with medical school. I had the comfort of a second household professional income too. But one of my engineering colleagues did the same thing with medical school a few years before me and he just embraced living like a student again in his 30s.

Med school is extremely difficult to get into in the best of circumstances (though I understand alumni/family connections can smooth the way). Start by getting in, with the pre med classes and testing and application cycle, that alone will likely take 2 years... then decide how much you want to do it after the decision is really in front of you.

But we live a long time, there's always time to explore a new passion and a new career. I wouldn't let age stop you! Nor would I worry about ROI too much unless you are going to indent yourself with lots of loans to make this happen. I actually really enjoyed law school, for example, and if you enjoy the new subject you are studying the time is well spent and inherently valuable it doesn't need a later return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in a similar boat as you and look forward to others' replies. I have been a writer/editor and am now 40. The profession has changed drastically, and there are fewer jobs and less upward mobility than when I started this career. I peaked out in terms of salary, left my job for a variety of reasons (freelancing now), and not sure if I really want to work in the profession is.

Problem is, I am 40. The ROI on investment for me to go back to school for anything (law, medicine, even nurse practictioner, psychology) does not seem worth it at my age and I am feeling really down and stuck.

I hope to hear some positive stories of career switchers in their 40s, but personally, I could not do a switch to medicine at this age. Minimum 8 years before being done with a residency. And the amount of debt that would be incurred would be astronomical and hard to pay off as you want to save for retirement.

I'm in exactly the same boat, except the career path I'd switch to is not medicine. Not sure what yet, but it won't be that!

[Anonymous]

I have reinvented myself a few times. I know one guy who went from politician to sales, another who went from marketing to IT.

It’s doable. It requires a hefty dose of luck, some perseverance and usually, a willingness to take a step or two back.

[Anonymous]

PP here, I’m 38. It took me 3 years of job hunting for this last reinvention, but I did it without taking a paycut.

[Anonymous]

My sister became a surgical PA at 38 after tiring of finance. She loves it, and it was only 2 years of additional school but $100k in tuition

[Anonymous]

Yes, my friend went from law to nursing at 40. She saved up a ton to pay off her law school loans and be able to pay for nursing school debt-free, and also took night classes to get the pre-reqs done (while practicing law). It was intense but she's very happy now. I think it's relevant that she was single at the time; it was hard but it would have been impossible with kids, IMO.

[Anonymous]

My friend was a managing director at an investment bank (she is tough as nails) and ended up going back to school and is now a labor and delivery nurse. We were all completely shocked but she loves her new career.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the others that nursing might be a good fit. Paying for nursing and nurse practitioner school will cost around $100K+.
Medical school these days is routinely $80K a year x 4 years (followed by 3-6 years of not making much as a resident).
I think finances have to play a part in any career decision at age 40.

[Anonymous]

If you have the means to do it without having your spouse (and children?) suffer, go for it. Let's put it into the calculator and see, med school + residency and everything would means you'll be done around late 40's/50. Assuming you are truly content and happy, you might be able to pull it off until 70, which is around 20 years. But as other's have said, nursing seems like the most practicable and perhaps only feasible alternative for you.

However, based on the reason you chose law (your medical heritage as an aforethought) would it be likely that you would feel that your family members would look down on you as being a "lowly nurse"? I also come from a family of doctors and I know for a fact that my mom (who gave up the medical field to become a SAHM) looks at doctors more highly than any other profession. Not sure about her views on nurses versus doctors though.