At 31, am I too old to change industries?

"Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore" (reivax-rotciv) 09/05/2019 at 10:35 • Filed to: None

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I’m 31yo and work in the automotive industry since I was 20. Always in the same area, so I’m pretty much specialized in what I do.

When I think of changing inside the industry, there isn’t a lot of room with my skillset. Moving to another industry seems like a long shot, with pay cuts involved. I feel stranded, sometimes, and it doesn’t feel good. I like what I do, but the industry is changing and I’m not sure how my experience will be relevant to the new technologies.

I usually like what I do, but tend to overthink the future. It’s almost like I forgot that 30mo ago I was living in a different country, working for a different company, and had no idea that life was about to change. I just need to remind myself that 90% of the future is not under my control.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:04

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Nah, you’re not. Go do what you want.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:07

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Dakotahound > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:07

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Y ou can always change industries, if that is what you want. Just keep your eyes open and look for the right opportunities. I worked as a welder, went to college part-time, and earned my engineering degree at the age of 30. Of course, some companies disregarded my previous experience, and wanted me to start out at the bottom; but some companies valued my previous experience - even if it was in a totally different industry.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:08

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I would say no. I had a person come into the office looking for an entry level position as a scientist/engineer and she was in her mid 40's and has been a business owner for the last 20 years. I would hire her in a heart beat if I had the work because at this point a person knows how to do things independently and wouldn’t need to be babysat all the time to make sure they were on task and efficiently using their time. Sure there is a learning curve but a more experienced person is going to ramp up a heck of a lot faster.

XJDano > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:10

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I feel the same way bu t at 38 with 20 years as a laborer.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:13

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Nah, not at all. I’m a CPA who used to work for one of the “Big 4" firms. I’m still in the accounting field, but looking at friends I had back then I know one who is a nutritionist and another who is a chef. They made these changes in their 30s.

You’re certainly not too old - just a matter of how badly you want to change, how much of a leap you want to make, and the level of risk you’re willing to take to make it happen. If you think your skillset is too niche there may be projects and tasks you can ask to take on/shadow at work to broaden your abilities without having to go back to square 1 .

ranwhenparked > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:16

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No, I went from nonprofit management to CPG outside sales at 31, then from that to bank management at 33.

BigBlock440 > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:17

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Easiest way to find out is to interview and job hunt. If you get offers for an equivalent or increase, you’ll know the answer. There’s lots of people, even in higher up positions that are industry outsiders. You don’t specify your skill set or what you do, but you just have to be a little creative with how your experience can relate to other areas, as there are a lot of base skills that carry over.

sn4cktimes > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:17

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I’m 37 coming up in 38 and have had my welding ticket for years. Last year I started working on my Millwright ticket. I took a pay hit to do it, but it’s been a good change. Can always changeout.

smobgirl > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:22

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I’m a little older but same mindset. I’ve been an environmental consultant for most of my employed life and have pretty much hit a pay cap that’s starting to bother me. So...what’s next? No idea.

Chariotoflove > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) 09/05/2019 at 11:29

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In both a real and metaphysical sense, death is starting over too.

I like this cartoon. 

UggaDuggaForAll > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:31

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Nope, not too old.

I changed careers from a health care provider to IT when I was 29. Took a hit in pay for a few years, but it was worth it. I have also changed ‘paths’ in IT a few times in the past 21 years: web developer -> DBA -> technical lead for APP development/PM -> DBA/health informatics . You are never too old to find new interests/challenges.

Chariotoflove > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:32

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I’m 51 and struggling with the same thing sometimes. I’ve spent my whole life training for what I do now, and sometimes I feel trapped by it. But I have to believe there are still bends in the road waiting for me to explore them.

As long as you make prudent choices, there’s still lots of room for you to maneuver. 

facw > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:34

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Not at all. People shift careers all the time. And even if you spent another 4 years in school or something, you’d still have ~30 years in the workforce, dwarfing what you have now.

Obviously the logistics of potentially taking a pay cut, and starting near the bottom can make it feel daunting, but it’s absolutely something you can do.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 11:37

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So metimes I wonder if teaching is where I should be and I am 33...

functionoverfashion > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 12:27

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Nah, I went from being a general manager of a small business to an IT role at a university, with no formal training in the latter, at age 33. Yes, it was a paycut, but also WAY fewer hours, so if I divided my salary by the hours worked in both cases I was making about the same per hour, with much better balance.

So yeah, go for it. 

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 12:34

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Nope. I am 36, been in the auto field for 21 years ( its complicated) and I am looking at changing careers when I get back. Possibly headed to a pychologist/therapist group as a consultant, at least until I get certs, for an exploding group, trans peeps. I am excited, I help host group sessions already, and I must have impressed some higher ups. 

DipodomysDeserti > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 12:59

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I went from running a print shop (something I worked in from the time I was in middle school) to teaching K-12 science classes at 30 (with two kids and a mortgage). Now I’m 32 and still teaching K-12 while getting my masters in environmental resource management so I can get into managing watersheds.

It’s never too late. You can do it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 14:09

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Hamtractor > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 15:07

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I walked away from nearly $100K/year in an industry where I was being recruited by companies like Halliburton, KBR, Exxon weekly. To take a $40K/year apprenticeship as an electrician. Best thing I ever did. I’m not even using my electrician’s license anymore, I sell electrical supplies, lol... But I was killing myself at that old job, crazy hours, tons of travel, dangerous as shit, etc. I was 39 when I did that. I was 35 when I left my job as a fireman after ten years. Never be afraid to make a change. Obviously, be a damn grownup and pursue financial stability and long-term goals, but don’t let a stagnant career or a lame environment s uck your soul out...

f86sabre > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 20:16

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First, you are still a kid and get off my lawn.

Second, break down your skill stack and understand  where your skills and strengths are.  Like really list them out and then see what may work for you. There are a lot of really good jobs out there. 

Jordan > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/05/2019 at 22:37

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It might be hard, but provided you’re not about to retire, its still possible. What are you wanting to move to anyway?

Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/06/2019 at 03:59

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Thanks all for answering. It was motivating.

Answering some of the questions:

I do not dislike my job. It’s just that I don’t think in 10 years I will be still doing the same thing (except for niche manufacturers, which I like, or low-cost markets, which I do not like)

Moving inside the industry, I can see myself working with Motorsport. It would involve a pay cut and the need to develop a few skills I do not have, but let’s say that 60% of my skill set is transferable.

Moving to another industry, I’d like to work in Renewable Energy. I can see maybe 40% of my skills being reused. Probably would involve a pay cut as well. Financial area I always had an interest, but I can’t see how I’d fit.

And, last but not least, I always play with the idea of having my own business. In this case, there is a broad range of options for me to consider. Top 3 would be having a garage, a tire shop, or (long shot) a driver training consultancy.

Maybe, just maybe, I have too much time to think about it because at the moment I’m in an interlude between projects.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore 09/06/2019 at 05:39

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yes, you’re way  too old.