Should we have established careers by late 20s/early 30s?

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chris1989
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04 Jul 2024, 7:54 am

I seem to think I see a lot of people in that age group who become business men and women by setting up their own businesses or work their way up through a business they work for and it does sometimes make me think that that is what lots of people seem to want to do and I did business studies in sixth form but at the time I found it uninteresting and didn't want to pursue a career in that field. I have no idea what I'd do as a businessman, I've been perhaps trying to become a writer or author but I haven't actually written any chapters or published anything yet and there were times during my projects when I changed my ideas and started all over again with another idea and when I see guys who look my age or younger in nice suits in places, it always leaves me thinking they have got their career and life ''sorted'' and knew from the very beginning what they wanted to do. Obviously I don't know but I still make these ridiculous and perhaps unfounded assumptions in my head that that is what is going on.



JamesW
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10 Jul 2024, 3:38 am

No. I'm 60 and I haven't got a career even now.

I was lucky enough to end up in software development - non-people-facing tech. It took me years to realise that it's not a career - it's a trade, like plumbers or electricians. The better you get, the more you can charge.



autisticelders
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10 Jul 2024, 7:08 am

no, many people never have "careers", many people today move from job to job several times as they grow in skills or their interests change. It is more usual to change jobs every 3 or 4 years these days. Even if you have niche skills or a trade, you are likely to move on to a different job that offers better working conditions, better pay or benefits, etc.


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famimalemon
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11 Jul 2024, 1:04 am

JamesW wrote:
I was lucky enough to end up in software development - non-people-facing tech. It took me years to realise that it's not a career - it's a trade, like plumbers or electricians. The better you get, the more you can charge.

That's a good approach. I can't do meetings or management but I'm paid well because I know software nobody else knows.



IsabellaLinton
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11 Jul 2024, 1:40 am

My guy is 62 and he just went back to work in a slightly-different career direction after retirement.
It involved going back to Uni and recertifying and sitting licensing exams.

There aren't as many "shoulds" in the world as you think, OP.


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Oddism
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12 Jul 2024, 9:05 am

I have been consumed by that kind of thinking for years, but it is a cancer. Part of me envies these people with their normal lives, getting married, buying a house, retiring at 65. None of those things are requirements for happiness though.



Fnord
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12 Jul 2024, 5:58 pm

chris1989 wrote:
Should we have established careers by late 20s/early 30s?
Whether you like it or not, your career is established by your mid-thirties.  Whatever you have been doing up to then IS your career, be it a C-suite position or a job in telemarketing.

There are exceptions, of course.  Some people may experience improvements in their work situations.  Sadly, they may also face disasters that make employment virtually impossible.

By the time a person reaches middle age (appr. 36-72 years), their careers are usually set.


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MatchboxVagabond
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12 Jul 2024, 6:08 pm

Fnord wrote:
chris1989 wrote:
Should we have established careers by late 20s/early 30s?
Whether you like it or not, your career is established by your mid-thirties.  Whatever you have been doing up to then IS your career, be it a C-suite position or a job in telemarketing.

There are exceptions, of course.  Some people may experience improvements in their work situations.  Sadly, they may also face disasters that make employment virtually impossible.

By the time a person reaches middle age (appr. 36-72 years), their careers are usually set.

This is somewhat less true than it was in the past, but generally speaking, it can be hard to change careers in your 30s and on, so it does still largely apply.

It does suck, but compounding interest compounds for or against you and so does work experience and connections.



Brian0787
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20 Aug 2024, 8:03 pm

chris1989 wrote:
I seem to think I see a lot of people in that age group who become business men and women by setting up their own businesses or work their way up through a business they work for and it does sometimes make me think that that is what lots of people seem to want to do and I did business studies in sixth form but at the time I found it uninteresting and didn't want to pursue a career in that field. I have no idea what I'd do as a businessman, I've been perhaps trying to become a writer or author but I haven't actually written any chapters or published anything yet and there were times during my projects when I changed my ideas and started all over again with another idea and when I see guys who look my age or younger in nice suits in places, it always leaves me thinking they have got their career and life ''sorted'' and knew from the very beginning what they wanted to do. Obviously I don't know but I still make these ridiculous and perhaps unfounded assumptions in my head that that is what is going on.


In my humble opinion it's never too late to change careers or establish one. Never. Society may say you should be at "x" point by this time but it dosen't really matter what society thinks. It's never too late to make a change in my opinion. I heard of those in their 60's going back to school and getting a degree. You pursue what makes you happy. It may take some work and some small steps here and there but keep going. If you need help to find out what area you would like Career centers are always good places to get advice from if you have any in your area.


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