Starting a new career in your 40s may feel daunting, but it’s definitely possible. For many, a midlife career change can be challenging yet fulfilling. I was a full-time mom for over ten years, spending most of my 30s as a stay-at-home mom. I was fortunate that I didn’t need to work to support my child. But when the pandemic hit, everything changed, and I knew I had to re-enter the workforce.

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However, I was filled with uncertainty and negative thoughts. I felt too old to send out job applications. I was intimidated by new graduates and experienced professionals. I was also worried about how I would explain the gap in my resume.

I found myself at a crossroads and explored different career paths—from language studies to baking to returning to my previous career as an ESL teacher—before finally finding the right fit as a virtual assistant. If you’re considering a career shift in your 40s, you’re not alone. Here are the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Start over at any age

Starting a new career isn’t easy, especially in your 40s. Updating your résumé and preparing for interviews you never expected to face again can feel overwhelming. However, starting over also brings new hope and excitement to your journey. It’s an opportunity for growth and self-reflection. Just don’t let age hold you back from achieving new things.

When I had my first interview with a client, there were three of us being considered. The other two applicants were probably in their 20s, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the client would prefer a younger VA. But I reminded myself that being older could be an advantage since I had more work experience. So, I replaced my self-doubt with positive thoughts, and long story short—I’m still working with that client. That experience taught me that skills and determination matter more than age—the value you bring to the table doesn’t come with age.

Explore different paths

Don’t be afraid to try new things and test the waters. By exploring different paths, you’ll get to know yourself better. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, give it a try. It might work out, and if not, you’ll at least have learned a valuable lesson about your capabilities and how to move forward despite some challenges.

I’ve always wanted to learn a foreign language, and when I had the opportunity to study Japanese for free, I took the chance. I figured I would work in transcription services. However, I soon realized that achieving fluency would take time. Although I eventually didn’t pursue it further, I learned that I’m capable of learning anything if I set my mind to it. I also cherished the experience and the friendships I gained along the way.

Planning to start a virtual assistant career?
You might find my blog post How to Become a Virtual Assistant helpful. In that post, I share how I started, what a VA actually does, and how beginners can explore this career path.

Learn and develop new skills

Learning new skills is essential for starting a new career and expanding your opportunities for growth. Take the time to invest in upskilling or developing skills that interest you or hold value in today’s competitive job market. Staying updated with relevant technologies and skills is crucial for keeping pace with industry best practices.

I didn’t become a virtual assistant overnight. I took courses to better understand the VA industry and dedicated a full month to developing the skills I needed to get hired. It was my time and effort that brought me to where I am today. I also didn’t let age hold me back, knowing it’s better to start late than never try at all. Most importantly, I believed in my abilities and knew that becoming a VA was the perfect career path for me.

Embrace your mistakes

Changing careers or starting a new one comes with its challenges, and mistakes are a natural part of the process. As cliché as it sounds, we learn from our mistakes. Accept that making mistakes is part of the learning curve, especially when pursuing a new career path. It’s a process of trial and error—figuring out what works best and what doesn’t.

From studying Japanese to baking and then returning to work as an ESL teacher—each experience came with its lessons and challenges. While I enjoyed studying Japanese, reaching fluency would have taken too much time. Baking and teaching, on the other hand, were not my true passions. Through these trial-and-error experiences, I realized what didn’t work for me, which ultimately led me to what I love now—working as a virtual assistant and running my travel & lifestyle blog.

Identify your strengths & interests

Starting a new career involves reflecting on your skills, areas for improvement, and passions. By evaluating your strengths and interests, you can easily determine which career path aligns with you—and which does not. Explore your career options, then assess what you excel at and where you can improve. Most importantly, consider your interests, as pursuing something you don’t enjoy can ultimately lead to burnout or resignation.

Neither baking nor teaching were my passions. I returned to teaching because, at the time, it seemed like my only option. I felt stuck until I realized I could pursue a career as a virtual assistant. It aligned perfectly with my skills and interests, and because I knew it was something I truly wanted to do, I took the time to learn more about the niches and tools needed to succeed in the industry.

Need a little motivation for a fresh start or career change? You can check out my Life Quotes blog post.

Pursue your newfound passion

Once you have figured out what you truly want to do, take the necessary steps to start building your new career. Enroll in courses, watch YouTube tutorials, and join Facebook groups to gain the knowledge and support you need. To succeed in your newfound passion, you must pursue it with determination. Take action and invest in learning the skills essential to achieve your new career goals.

I took a course on Udemy and enrolled in three other virtual assistant programs on Facebook. I devoted a month to my learning journey and started working as a virtual assistant shortly after. Through my VA training, I learned that blog management is an essential skill for virtual assistants, which inspired me to restart the blog I had originally created as a stay-at-home mom to document my travels. Now, in addition to working full-time as a virtual assistant, I also run this travel and lifestyle blog.

Trust the timing of your life

Life is not a race. Some find their calling in their 20s, others in their 30s, and for some of us, like you and me, it’s in our 40s. I could have become a virtual assistant in my 20s or 30s. But no matter how much I think about it and wish I had started sooner, it wasn’t the right time then.

So, don’t be hard on yourself if you haven’t figured out what you truly want in life or if you have to start all over again. If others are already ahead while you’re still figuring things out, trust that your time will come. But remember, you have to take action—things won’t just fall into your lap. By exploring and learning new things, you open yourself up to new opportunities, and those opportunities may lead you to where you’re meant to be.

Starting over at any stage of life can be intimidating, but it’s also a chance to grow and reinvent yourself. Trust your journey, embrace the challenges, and keep pushing forward to build the career you’ve always wanted.

Have you ever made a career change later in life? How was your experience? Share in the comments below!

If you’re transitioning into a new career or simply want to be more organized, my Weekly Planner can help you stay on track with your goals, priorities, and tasks each week.

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