Considering a career change

[Captain Hindsight]

I have been working in the energy industry (specifically energy efficiency) for over ten years and have reached a point where I genuinely don’t like it. I stated in lighting, which I was good at, I enjoyed the people I worked with etc.  then Covid hit and people moved on and eventually I did too. 
 

I took a semi management type position with a tech startup that was good for a while but they made it clear they were going to force everyone to relocate to Denver so I took my current job. 
 

I was hired to take on a very specific contract and the work was exactly what I was comfortable doing and I enjoyed it. My second child was born when I started this job and I was making the best money of my career. About a year later (a year ago) I was told rather abruptly that my company didn’t do some paperwork properly (before I was even hired) and I was now no longer eligible to work on the contract (govt contract) so once that ended I was doing some random work on projects, but the work we were doing wasn’t really in my skill set, we bid on and won a few contracts that I was working on but they haven’t worked out like the company hoped (not enough work essentially). A few weeks ago my boss called me and told me that he’s just not sure there’s going to be enough work in my current role and to “take care of myself”. He suggested talking to HR and seeing if there was a different role at the company I might be suited for. I looked and nothing seems like a fit. I’m also getting the vibe, that something is off. I worried they are are going to let me go, maybe not in the next few weeks, but by year end. Essentially, I am tired of feeling like a square peg in a round hole and wondering if I would be better off in a new field. 
 

Has anyone ever done a late 30s career change? How did it work out? 
 

I applied to a bunch of jobs in the last few days to protect myself, but if anyone is hiring…

[Another Fan]

23 minutes ago, Captain Hindsight said:

I have been working in the energy industry (specifically energy efficiency) for over ten years and have reached a point where I genuinely don’t like it. I stated in lighting, which I was good at, I enjoyed the people I worked with etc.  then Covid hit and people moved on and eventually I did too. 
 

I took a semi management type position with a tech startup that was good for a while but they made it clear they were going to force everyone to relocate to Denver so I took my current job. 
 

I was hired to take on a very specific contract and the work was exactly what I was comfortable doing and I enjoyed it. My second child was born when I started this job and I was making the best money of my career. About a year later (a year ago) I was told rather abruptly that my company didn’t do some paperwork properly (before I was even hired) and I was now no longer eligible to work on the contract (govt contract) so once that ended I was doing some random work on projects, but the work we were doing wasn’t really in my skill set, we bid on and won a few contracts that I was working on but they haven’t worked out like the company hoped (not enough work essentially). A few weeks ago my boss called me and told me that he’s just not sure there’s going to be enough work in my current role and to “take care of myself”. He suggested talking to HR and seeing if there was a different role at the company I might be suited for. I looked and nothing seems like a fit. I’m also getting the vibe, that something is off. I worried they are are going to let me go, maybe not in the next few weeks, but by year end. Essentially, I am tired of feeling like a square peg in a round hole and wondering if I would be better off in a new field. 
 

Has anyone ever done a late 30s career change? How did it work out? 
 

I applied to a bunch of jobs in the last few days to protect myself, but if anyone is hiring…

You're not alone in feeling this...  I'm around a similar age as you and have been with my company and same job for 10 years also.

 

 

My case is ironic in a way, my job caused me a lot of job related anxiety over the years.  To which I've PM'd members here on the side about as well.  You included I'm pretty sure (I think I remember you telling me your wife is a big Bills fan too and you know this was the one).  But yeah anyway overtime I built a certain level of comfort at my job.  At the same time though I don't think anyone these days should ever really get too comfortable.

 

 

But yeah my issues now at work just feel like largely just burnout from the industry I'm in and trying to find meaning in every day life kind of thing.  I mean yeah I suppose I could find another job in my industry but it would just feel same crap different company/faces kinda deal.  I would want to lean toward leaving this industry all together.  

 

But yeah I get it 

[Poleshifter]

What kind of degree do you have?

What sort of useful skills and experience could transfer to a new industry?
 

This will help folks make suggestions for new roles.

 

Best wishes in your career change endeavor.

 

[Draconator]

Mine wasn't necessarily a career change, but I went back to a former career. 

 

For 6 years, I was an Incident Manager at Yahoo. Well someone got the bright idea to replace the entire incident management department with AI. I was laid off in August 2024. I had spent 6 months applying, in interviews, with nothing happening. 

My wife owns a literacy center for children and adults who fit the Dyslexia profile. Her office manger and services coordinator got together, and went to my wife claiming each of their jobs should be full time, and with a very high hourly rate. When my wife said she didn't agree with them, they both gave their resignations on the same day, with her office manager only giving a 4 day notice. So my wife walks in my home office and says "Do you want a job?" 

 

I was an office manager for a food distribution company and a couple of construction companies when I lived in California. I said sure. She combined both roles into one. We get along fabulously as her as my boss. The company has tripled its revenue from this time last year. We have over 25 families on a waiting list, where before my wife's longest waiting list was 10 families. I'm quite happy doing what I'm doing. The only downside is when I want to take a day off, there's no PTO so I have to make up the hours, which my wife is totally fine with me doing. 

Edited September 1 by Draconator

[Augie]

 

First of all, I feel for you. I’ve had that terrible feeling in my gut by noon on a Sunday because I knew I had to go back to work the next day. I also know that dread of not knowing how many more paychecks you have coming from that source. BOTH of those things suck, and it sounds like you have them both at the same time which is not uncommon.

 

It’s not like it used to be when a guy would go to work for a company for 40+ years, get a watch and retire. Almost everyone I know closely has been affected by this kind of stuff, me included. In my case I changed fields a bit. I was encouraged by a couple we knew who were both attorneys. He was quite successful but quit to teach high school social studies. It’s what would make him happy, the wife was there as a safety net (even if concessions were made) and he had decades of working ahead of him. He wanted to do something he enjoyed. 

 

Anyway, I was inspired, the wife was on board and I changed to an industry I enjoyed. It took a few years to get back to what I had been earning, but it was the absolute happiest 13 years of my working life. It was awesome for me, and added flexibility to be there more for my family. 

 

My wife had a very long lunch yesterday with a friend and a niece in her late 20’s. Long story, but she’s trying to find herself. They talked, and the one thing she loves is photography and she’s amazing at it, having worked for family production companies since she was a kid. They spent the next two hours talking about each step to get her new photography business off the ground. It’s perfect for her situation, and she’ll love it. When I changed careers, it was into something I actually enjoyed, not something I could just tolerate. 

 

I wish you all the best, and whatever comes next I hope you find a great fit. Finding the right hole that matches your peg may be a bad way to end this, but you just might remember it!  🤣 

[Captain Hindsight]

9 minutes ago, Poleshifter said:

What kind of degree do you have?

What sort of useful skills and experience could transfer to a new industry?
 

This will help folks make suggestions for new roles.

 

Best wishes in your career change endeavor.

 

I’m a project manager now, in the past I’ve worked as an engineer doing site visits and energy analysis. I also managed an incentives team. I had 4 people that reported to me, ( 3 in India) and applied to EE programs across the country. 
 

My masters is in Sustainability from RIT and my undergrad is Environmental Policy and psychology (duel major)

[ExiledInIllinois]

Always looking for a few good button pushers!

 

For more info. please contact my attorney, accountant, & middle manager @BringBackFergy @Mike in Horseheads @Gugny

[BringBackFergy]

10 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Always looking for a few good button pushers!

 

For more info. please contact my attorney, accountant, & middle manager @BringBackFergy @Mike in Horseheads @Gugny

So easy, a caveman could do it!!!

[ExiledInIllinois]

52 minutes ago, BringBackFergy said:

So easy, a caveman could do it!!!

Interlock systems make it even easier.

😏 

[Tenhigh]

3 hours ago, Captain Hindsight said:

I have been working in the energy industry (specifically energy efficiency) for over ten years and have reached a point where I genuinely don’t like it. I stated in lighting, which I was good at, I enjoyed the people I worked with etc.  then Covid hit and people moved on and eventually I did too. 
 

I took a semi management type position with a tech startup that was good for a while but they made it clear they were going to force everyone to relocate to Denver so I took my current job. 
 

I was hired to take on a very specific contract and the work was exactly what I was comfortable doing and I enjoyed it. My second child was born when I started this job and I was making the best money of my career. About a year later (a year ago) I was told rather abruptly that my company didn’t do some paperwork properly (before I was even hired) and I was now no longer eligible to work on the contract (govt contract) so once that ended I was doing some random work on projects, but the work we were doing wasn’t really in my skill set, we bid on and won a few contracts that I was working on but they haven’t worked out like the company hoped (not enough work essentially). A few weeks ago my boss called me and told me that he’s just not sure there’s going to be enough work in my current role and to “take care of myself”. He suggested talking to HR and seeing if there was a different role at the company I might be suited for. I looked and nothing seems like a fit. I’m also getting the vibe, that something is off. I worried they are are going to let me go, maybe not in the next few weeks, but by year end. Essentially, I am tired of feeling like a square peg in a round hole and wondering if I would be better off in a new field. 
 

Has anyone ever done a late 30s career change? How did it work out? 
 

I applied to a bunch of jobs in the last few days to protect myself, but if anyone is hiring…

If the boss is cool enough to give you that kind of heads up, Id definitely start looking.  I changed my career at 38, scary as hell but it was the best thing I ever did.  Think about what you like and want to do.

2 hours ago, Draconator said:

Mine wasn't necessarily a career change, but I went back to a former career. 

 

For 6 years, I was an Incident Manager at Yahoo. Well someone got the bright idea to replace the entire incident management department with AI. I was laid off in August 2024. I had spent 6 months applying, in interviews, with nothing happening. 

My wife owns a literacy center for children and adults who fit the Dyslexia profile. Her office manger and services coordinator got together, and went to my wife claiming each of their jobs should be full time, and with a very high hourly rate. When my wife said she didn't agree with them, they both gave their resignations on the same day, with her office manager only giving a 4 day notice. So my wife walks in my home office and says "Do you want a job?" 

 

I was an office manager for a food distribution company and a couple of construction companies when I lived in California. I said sure. She combined both roles into one. We get along fabulously as her as my boss. The company has tripled its revenue from this time last year. We have over 25 families on a waiting list, where before my wife's longest waiting list was 10 families. I'm quite happy doing what I'm doing. The only downside is when I want to take a day off, there's no PTO so I have to make up the hours, which my wife is totally fine with me doing. 

Sleeping your way to the top!

[Gugny]

1 hour ago, BringBackFergy said:

So easy, a caveman could do it!!!

He IS a hairy bastard!!

[HOUSE]

Congratulations,  you are the only person I know that actually works for a living.

AND, you are the only person looking. 

 

 

 

[ExiledInIllinois]

17 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

Congratulations,  you are the only person I know that actually works for a living.

AND, you are the only person looking. 

 

 

 

Work is for chumps...

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Do your research online.  Find a “headhunter” that is interested in your education/experience.  

[Orlando Buffalo]

4 hours ago, Captain Hindsight said:

I have been working in the energy industry (specifically energy efficiency) for over ten years and have reached a point where I genuinely don’t like it. I stated in lighting, which I was good at, I enjoyed the people I worked with etc.  then Covid hit and people moved on and eventually I did too. 
 

I took a semi management type position with a tech startup that was good for a while but they made it clear they were going to force everyone to relocate to Denver so I took my current job. 
 

I was hired to take on a very specific contract and the work was exactly what I was comfortable doing and I enjoyed it. My second child was born when I started this job and I was making the best money of my career. About a year later (a year ago) I was told rather abruptly that my company didn’t do some paperwork properly (before I was even hired) and I was now no longer eligible to work on the contract (govt contract) so once that ended I was doing some random work on projects, but the work we were doing wasn’t really in my skill set, we bid on and won a few contracts that I was working on but they haven’t worked out like the company hoped (not enough work essentially). A few weeks ago my boss called me and told me that he’s just not sure there’s going to be enough work in my current role and to “take care of myself”. He suggested talking to HR and seeing if there was a different role at the company I might be suited for. I looked and nothing seems like a fit. I’m also getting the vibe, that something is off. I worried they are are going to let me go, maybe not in the next few weeks, but by year end. Essentially, I am tired of feeling like a square peg in a round hole and wondering if I would be better off in a new field. 
 

Has anyone ever done a late 30s career change? How did it work out? 
 

I applied to a bunch of jobs in the last few days to protect myself, but if anyone is hiring…

I switched to being a teacher at the age of 35, which is 13 years ago now. The schedule is great if you have kids and since I assume you are good at math you can tutor as a side hustle. I don't know what state you are in but if FL I can help you figure out the paperwork. Overall it was a great decision for me, but my money decisions changed a lot. 

[davefan66]

I changed careers at the age of 35.

 

Worked telecom out of my first stint in college. Pulling telephone and computer cabling, fiber optics, installing phone systems.  After 6 months, went to a start up for a few years doing the same thing.  Moved up the ladder to an office position designing systems. Moved around a few more companies until I landed at local computer company opening their cabling division. Worked there until my pension was about to be vested and was laid off. A bit of a kick in the gut because the local office president told me no matter what happens, I’d have a job with them…. Guess not. Always thought I hated having a boss, so started a business and was back at that office in two days and became their subcontractor.  Owned my business and did pretty well for the following two years before I realized I hated telecom.

 

Got drunk with my wife camping when we discussed my changing careers. Landed on nursing as it was something I thought of out of high school…but male nurses back then were not as accepted as they were when I changed careers. Got my pre-reqs done for nursing school and the rest is history.

 

Most fulfilling work I’ve ever done. Make good money and landed a decent pension where I work.  Best decision I ever made. Was difficult because we had just moved into a new (old) house 6 months before being laid off.  2 kids aged 6 and 7. Incurred a bit of credit card debt, but totally worth it. 
 

Best part of nursing is the career paths once you get your RN. You can work specialties such as ortho, cardiac, cancer care. You can work surgery and get your RNFA (RN First Assist) where you scrub in and help the MD.  You can get your Nurse Practitioner. You can even become a Nurse Anesthetist.  Great career.

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

14 hours ago, Captain Hindsight said:

I am tired of feeling like a square peg in a round hole and wondering if I would be better off in a new field. 

 

https://www.cavendishknights.com/become-male-escort/

 

[NoSaint]

34 minutes ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

 

https://www.cavendishknights.com/become-male-escort/

 

It was weird for him to share about his square peg, but he was explicit in not being happy about using it for work 

[Draconator]

On 9/2/2025 at 4:10 AM, davefan66 said:

I changed careers at the age of 35.

 

Worked telecom out of my first stint in college. Pulling telephone and computer cabling, fiber optics, installing phone systems.  After 6 months, went to a start up for a few years doing the same thing.  Moved up the ladder to an office position designing systems. Moved around a few more companies until I landed at local computer company opening their cabling division. Worked there until my pension was about to be vested and was laid off. A bit of a kick in the gut because the local office president told me no matter what happens, I’d have a job with them…. Guess not. Always thought I hated having a boss, so started a business and was back at that office in two days and became their subcontractor.  Owned my business and did pretty well for the following two years before I realized I hated telecom.

 

Got drunk with my wife camping when we discussed my changing careers. Landed on nursing as it was something I thought of out of high school…but male nurses back then were not as accepted as they were when I changed careers. Got my pre-reqs done for nursing school and the rest is history.

 

Most fulfilling work I’ve ever done. Make good money and landed a decent pension where I work.  Best decision I ever made. Was difficult because we had just moved into a new (old) house 6 months before being laid off.  2 kids aged 6 and 7. Incurred a bit of credit card debt, but totally worth it. 
 

Best part of nursing is the career paths once you get your RN. You can work specialties such as ortho, cardiac, cancer care. You can work surgery and get your RNFA (RN First Assist) where you scrub in and help the MD.  You can get your Nurse Practitioner. You can even become a Nurse Anesthetist.  Great career.

 

My step daughter landed on nursing while at Alfred University. She originally attend Alfred for their Equestrian program. Transferred to D'Youville. She volunteered at St. Joes when it was a Covid only hospital. She landed at Roswell as an ICU Nurse, making great money and loving life. 

[davefan66]

1 hour ago, Draconator said:

 

My step daughter landed on nursing while at Alfred University. She originally attend Alfred for their Equestrian program. Transferred to D'Youville. She volunteered at St. Joes when it was a Covid only hospital. She landed at Roswell as an ICU Nurse, making great money and loving life. 

Everything fell in place for me when I made the decision…meant to be.

 

Wife is also a nurse and has had some health issues - still working. Kinda feel I was meant to be a nurse to make sure she is taken care of properly!