The Best Jobs to Start a New Career at 40
Published Sept 5, 2021
A midlife career change may seem impractical and pointless for most people. Nevertheless, people who are unhappy with their current careers continue to consider changing careers. Moreover, many adults in this generation are still working even in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. This implies that people can step up their professional life even at an old age.
Though you have to exert extra effort to start a new career, this may be the best decision you’ll ever make. In this article, you may find the perfect career as we brief you with the best jobs to start at 40. We will walk you through the salaries, job responsibilities, and requirements that each career demands.
New Career Ideas at 40
If you’re willing to take the risk and make time to pursue a new career at 40, here are some of the best jobs you may want to try:
Medical Administrative Assistant
Average Salary: $16.22 per hour
Job Responsibilities: A medical administrative assistant’s tasks are mostly scheduling appointments, handling patients records, and answering calls. They are also known as a medical secretary. This job also includes interviewing patients for previous case histories and appointments.
Job Requirements: This role requires strong administrative and customer service skills. Most hirings for this kind of job don’t require a degree. A Medical Administrative Assistant Certificate can be earned as quickly as nine months. Taking vocational courses related to the skills needed for this job can be helpful for your resume.
Patient Care Technician
Average Salary: $16.74 per hour
Job Responsibilities: Patient care technicians assist doctors, nurses, or any health care worker in taking care of patient’s needs. They provide bedside care and monitor patient’s conditions. In addition, their role is to conduct tests, collect samples, and record information about patients.
Job Requirements: Some hospital doesn’t require much when it comes to patients care technicians. However, you must undergo training, pass the NCLEX exam, and get the certification. In addition, this job requires patience since many patients have bad manners when in pain.
Event Planner
Average Salary: $17.23 per hour
Job Responsibilities: Event planners organize and coordinate all aspects of an event, from design to food. They are also known as event coordinators tasked to manage every detail of any upcoming event. They are in charge of everything for the occasion, but great power comes with great responsibility. Additionally, coordinators need to make sure that the event goes smoothly and guests have a great time.
Job Requirements: Event planners need to have excellent organization and communication skills to build connections. A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, marketing, communication, public relations, and business can be an advantage and land you more job promotions.
Dental Assistant
Average Salary: $18.86 per hour
Job Responsibilities: A dental assistant’s job includes assisting and monitoring patients. Dental assistants prepare any tools or equipment that the dentist or patient needs. Additionally, they are the ones that book appointments and provide high-quality care for dental patients.
Job Requirements: Anyone with a high school diploma or an associate degree can work as a dental assistant. Dental assistants get certified by joining training programs specialized for dental staff.
Translator
Average Salary: $46,067 per year
Job Responsibilities: If you’re fluent in more than one language, you can be a translator. The responsibility of this job is to translate a written language to another.
Job Requirements: Being fluent in two or more languages is all you need to be a translator. This job has many opportunities since translation services are now commonly used everywhere. Cultural knowledge, a specialized degree or certificate, along any linguistic experience are valuable skills.
SEO Specialist
Average Salary: $52,560 per year
Job Responsibilities: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) specialists are tasked to review and develop website content to improve the website’s ranking on search engines. These specialists analyze and use research to land a higher ranking on a website like Google.
Job Requirements: There is no specific degree required to enter this field. There are many online training courses and digital marketing webinars that provide certification, which can be useful for job opportunities.
Human Resources Manager
Average Salary: $68,678 per year
Job Responsibilities: Human resources managers are the ones who interview, hire, and onboard employees for a company. They decide which employees to terminate and renew. One part of their job is to ensure that the company policies and employment laws are enforced.
Job Requirements: A degree in human resources is a must-have for this job. However, there are online classes you may take to prepare you for this role. In addition, HR managers require excellent administrative and leadership skills.
Web Developer
Average Salary: $70,512 per year
Job Responsibilities: Web developers are programmers that develop and design websites. The skills for this job take more than just being a programmer. Web developers are also editors, graphic designers, and writers. So you must have a balance of being good at technical and being creative. In this job, you may work from home, freelance, or even work in big companies.
Job Requirements: This career path requires a bachelor’s degree in web development or any other related field. You can also take training for more education credits.
Project Manager
Average Salary: $74,671 per year
Job Responsibilities: Projects managers lead any type of planning, managing, or organizing projects. They lead the project team to deliver outstanding results. Furthermore, project managers manage the budget and close projects. In this job, experience is prioritized over qualifications.
Job Requirements: A degree in business administration or marketing can help boost your resume. Moreover, having any office management experience can also work. This job requires administration and communication skills.
How To Start A New Career At 40
Lots of employees probably may have thought of changing careers, but only a few people do it. Changing career paths is a big decision that can change people’s lifestyles as well. Therefore, many workers get scared and overwhelmed, so they brush off the thought, wanting to stay in their comfort zones.
Since you have to start from scratch again, starting a new career at old age may seem impossible. The thing is, it really is scary, hard, and brings lots of pressure. On the other hand, we all know that the hardest thing to do is to start, but this can be the start of a happier chapter in your work life. If your current job only brings you frustration and headache, the efforts and sacrifices you need to make to start a new career shouldn’t be a big deal at all.
Step 1: Look At Your Transferable Skills And Make a Decision
Transferable skills refer to any skills that are useful to employers across different jobs and various industries. These include skills like teamwork, adaptability, and strong organization and communication skills.
Thoughts about quitting and changing jobs have entered most, if not all, unsatisfied employees. For most employees, thoughts like that are just a phase. For some, thoughts like these are always occurring. Still, words or thoughts about starting a new career aren’t enough.
If you truly want to change career paths, you have to decide and make it work. Choosing to start again will help you to take the initiative and make things happen.
Step 2: Identify What Career To Take
You probably have a lot of career ideas in mind already. Either a childhood dream or just a career you want to try. There are a lot of career opportunities you can take, even at the median age. To help you visualize what job to pursue, you can ask your close friends or family things to determine your qualities.
For instance, you may identify your strengths, weaknesses, and what you’re passionate about. There are also tests on the internet like what UCAS offers that may help you determine what career is suitable for you.
Step 3: Consider Different Job Opportunities
At this point, some people are still undecided and have many career jobs in mind. Employees most likely have a plan A to plan Z list of careers they want to try. Considering different kinds of career paths is actually better than sticking to one plan. Research about the employment you’re into, especially the education requirements it demands. Imagine yourself at different jobs and identify which one matches your interest and makes you feel happy.
Step 4: Apply To Part-time Jobs
As I stated earlier, starting a new career requires a lot of effort. First, you have to find the time to fit the part-time job, especially if you’re working in your current career. Then, trying out different jobs can let you experience what that specific job makes you feel.
For example, if you decide to work part-time at your childhood dream job but it don’t make you feel what you imagined, you can easily quit. Then, start to work at another job you’re considering. Finally, when you already know the wrong careers not suitable for you, recognize what career you want to pursue.
Step 5: Determine Which Career Success To Commit To
After all the part-time experience you gained, you must determine and choose which career you will truly commit to. If the job doesn’t feel like a job, then that’s the career for you. Next, determine what inspires you to wake up the following day — the one that makes you feel happy and alive.
Conclusion
Switching careers at 40 is hard and time-consuming. Starting all over again requires hard work and determination. But, despite all the hardships and sacrifices, starting a new career at 40 would all be worth it when you’re in the job you’re happy to do. Nothing feels better than earning money from doing something you love.
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About The Author
Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Before launching a career in SEO, she started as a content writer for various digital magazines and renowned publications. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.
