OP, my dad went back to school at 45 and got a PhD in a brand new field. He is now 70 and very happy!

I agree that you should test the waters first by taking some classes, researching the field, perhaps even shadowing or volunteering with an interior designer a few days to see what it is really all about. Find a mentor.

Next step would be to make a plan - how can you cut back on your hours and juggle your other responsibilities to get the training you need? As an MD, I suspect you are in a better financial position than many people, but you will still need to do a financial plan -- will you have to cut back on retirement savings, take the kids out of private school, buy fewer clothes? Is your family on board with that? I don't say this to discourage you, just to think through the steps you may need to take. And if/when you get to the point of making the leap, determine what success means -- XX amount of money or spending more time with family or feeling more fulfilled? And if you don't achieve that "success" by a certain time, what happens? Do you go back to medicine or work as a hospital administrator, etc.?

As someone who is also contemplating a career change, I say go for it, but do it in a methodical way that won't put a huge amount of stress on you or your family.

At the store today, I literally turned a corner and saw a card at eye level that said "Life begins outside your comfort zone." I felt like it was the universe speaking to me. Maybe it was talking to you too. Best of luck.

Op here - what I mean by a passion for shopping is for instance we remodeled part of our home and I researched every material to exhaustion. I enjoy doing that sort of thing. It could be the smallest detail such as we recently got a new mailbox - I could tell you just about every manufacturer, material, design available - silly, I know.
To the pp who asked about my specialty I'd rather not say as dcum world is small. I do find medicine rewarding but I never feel like I'm at the top of my field and I think it's simply because I don't have a passion for it. I'd say I had a passion for it when I was "studying medicine" but "practicing medicine" is quite different.

I would think you could practice part time, maybe moving into a type of medicine that you found more interesting, and then pursue your passion for the arts more vigorously on the side. The thing about doing your passion as a profession is that it loses a lot of the fun that drew you to it in the first place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is a passion for shopping?

I think some people are good at shopping and picking out furniture, clothes, paint, etc. I am a terrible shopper, am not crafty at all, and could not visualize an interior to design or decorate. I find shopping draining. My DD on the other hand has a good eye when it comes to shopping, fashion, design. Perhaps the OP has a great creative flair that I know I lack.

Me too. I hate to shop, just hate it. If I could afford a personal shopper for everything -- clothes, furniture, paint colors, appliances -- I'd hire them in a minute.

I think you should pursue your dreams but... I have read that architecture and interior design careers have some of the highest rates of unemployment. Whatever you do, go into it having thoroughly researched it. GL.

Anonymous wrote:What is a passion for shopping?

I think some people are good at shopping and picking out furniture, clothes, paint, etc. I am a terrible shopper, am not crafty at all, and could not visualize an interior to design or decorate. I find shopping draining. My DD on the other hand has a good eye when it comes to shopping, fashion, design. Perhaps the OP has a great creative flair that I know I lack.

What sort of md? Culd you just moonlight a couple shifts a week? I wouldn't count of interior design earning that much, ESP at first. That is often a society wife job

What is a passion for shopping?

Anonymous wrote:Thanks pp - so many people change career paths but it is almost unheard of for doctors....

You can do it. Our division head is a medical doctor. What she does has nothing to do with medicine at all.

Thanks pp - so many people change career paths but it is almost unheard of for doctors....

Can you do both part-time thereby getting the best of both worlds? I would start by deciding whether you want to do an online program or on campus classes. Corcoran has an interesting program.

Go for your passion! Though much depends on your life commitments right now, you should try and squeeze in that passion! Good luck.

http://www.corcoran.edu/degree-programs/graduate/ma-interior-design

40yo MD turned SAHM here with a passion for shopping and interior design. Is it too late to pursue a career in architectural design ? Where to begin ?