Would you change jobs in your 40s or 50s? These women made a midlife career switch with no regrets

For most women in their forties and older, making a midlife career switch is a lot more intimidating than making a mid-career switch when they were younger. Being older, they have more financial and family responsibilities, and may not feel that they have the youthful energy and come-what-may mindset to jump into a second career later in life.

And yet, some choose to take the plunge.

Dr Karen Pooh, a clinical psychologist at Alliance Counselling, said midlife changes may trigger women to make a midlife career switch.

“They may face challenges like divorce. Some realise that their jobs were not aligned with their values. They may recognise that life is too short to continue an unhappy career to please their parents or meet societal expectations. This re-evaluation could prompt a switch to a more meaningful career,” she said.

Mortality salience – the awareness of the inevitability of one’s own death – also causes people to reflect on what truly matters and what legacy they wish to leave behind, she added.

“At midlife, women have more clarity on what they want. Being more self-assured, they can let go of others’ judgements and expectations, and be more confident in their ability to succeed in a career that is more meaningful to them,” said Dr Pooh.

“They would then be willing to let go of their old identity and create a new life and career.”

These women told CNA Women why they jumped into a second career in midlife.

FROM ADVERTISING TO SOCIAL SERVICES

Michelle Tan, 49, spent 13 years in advertising before becoming a full-time caregiver to her cancer-stricken mother, who died 10 months after her diagnosis.

The experience changed her. “I realised I needed to do something that gave me joy and happiness rather than a big pay cheque.”

She went back to her advertising job but also began volunteering with Caregivers Alliance, a non-profit organisation for caregivers of people with mental health issues.

As a volunteer trainer, she taught caregivers skills to support themselves while caring for their loved ones. In 2019, after a year as a volunteer, she joined Caregivers Alliance full-time as a programme manager, running its training programmes.

Tan, who is single, took a 40 per cent pay cut for her midlife career switch.  

She said she lives a “simple lifestyle” but feels more fulfilled. “The caregivers I serve often thank me for lending them an ear or helping them gain a new perspective on their challenges. Receiving such positive feedback and knowing I have made a difference is something money can’t buy.”

Tan, who has completed her graduate diploma in social work at the Singapore University of Social Services, is now on a career break. She hopes to find a job as a social worker to fulfil her mission to serve those in need.

FROM INVESTMENT TO COUNSELLING

For investment professional turned mental health therapist Qi Zhai-McCartney, 42, her father’s death when she was 26 was a wake-up call.

Before that, she had “spent my life working toward the best grades, best university, best job with the best firm in the best industry”.

“I didn’t know how to press ‘pause’. I went from my father’s funeral to a business trip the next day, wearing the same blazer,” she recalled.

Wanting to understand herself better, Zhai-McCartney, then 27, enrolled in a part-time master’s degree in counselling at The State University of New York.

Over the next 10 years, she would sporadically take modules at different universities, eventually completing her master’s degree in counselling at James Cook University in Singapore. All while juggling a hectic finance career, four children and three international relocations.

“The study of counselling and psychology was the first time that my focus was not on external achievement but internal reflection,” she said.

It gave her the space to reflect on questions such as: “What is the meaning of life? What do I value? What does success mean? Why, if I’ve achieved everything that everyone says is ‘the best’, am I unhappy?”

“Eventually, I had taken enough counselling modules to know that if I became a therapist, I could spend every day being with another human being in their joy or suffering, and experience the tangible reward of helping somebody in need,” she said. “This convinced me to change careers, because I wanted more of this in my work.”  

Zhai-McCartney is now a mental health therapist, offering individual and couple counselling, and corporate workshops to clients.  

Making the transition wasn’t easy, she said. “Going from the top of my game in one profession and starting over was hard. I couldn’t rely on my previous credentials to get an internship for my graduate field work.”

Her income has dropped by 80 to 90 per cent but the upside is, “emotionally, everyone has benefited because I am less stressed and more mindful”.

“We have gained the non-monetary value of raising happier kids and more time flexibility. When I was in investment, I worked round the clock. I was away for weeks at a time, away during weekends and sometimes missed my kids’ birthdays.

“I would clock a full day at the office, then take conference calls as late as 11pm. I’ve given presentations to US colleagues at 3am Singapore time.”

As a therapist in private practice, she enjoys a more sustainable pace of life – she sees clients four half-days a week, capped at 23 to 25 hours of client sessions a week.

“I feel like this is what I was meant to do with the second half of my life. I can see the impact I’m making on my clients and I take great joy in helping people, making human connections.”

FROM MARKETING TO BUSINESS ADVISOR

Christina Lim, 55, had a 30-year career in advertising and marketing under her belt. But her fascination for the start-up world led her to join a tech start-up at the age of 50 – what some might consider a bold, risky move.

“I’m always up for a challenge, especially when it’s something I’m passionate about,” she said.

“It’s such an exciting space because it’s where the future takes shape, new economies are born, and new industries come to life. It’s like the breeding ground for fresh ideas, innovative business models, and solutions to real-world problems,” Lim said.

When she turned 51, the mother of a teenager took a sabbatical to travel and write. During that time, she was invited to be a volunteer mentor at the SMU Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

This led to a stint as its Chief Marketing Officer-In-Residence, where she mentored startups on their go-to-market strategies. 

She now juggles various roles on a consultancy basis – business growth and transformation advisor, startup mentor, angel investor and author.

While her family’s financial needs “are taken care of”, Lim had to consider the stability of her monthly income during her career transition. “It’s essential to be mindful of expenses and cut back on unnecessary things.” 

As she heads towards her mid-fifties, she is raring to go. “When you're on a journey to learn, opportunities will pop up if you stay open-minded.”

FROM GLOBAL PUBLIC RELATIONS TO AQUA FITNESS INSTRUCTOR  

Yu Poh Leng worked in public relations for three decades, steadily climbing the corporate ladder until she became head of the Southeast Asia office for a New York-headquartered PR agency.

In 2018, at 53, she left the agency due to a management change. This gave her the opportunity to work on short-term communications projects and pursue hobbies such as travelling and water sports.

By chance, she attended an aqua aerobics class and liked it enough to become certified as an aqua fitness instructor the following year – she had intended to start teaching classes.  

Unexpectedly, she was diagnosed with breast cancer that same year. To focus on her recovery, Yu stopped work as a freelance communications professional.

Before cancer struck, Yu didn’t make time for exercise, or even swimming, which she’s been passionate about since childhood. The self-proclaimed workaholic was focused on building her career.

“It’s not healthy … and I didn’t take care of my body.” she said.

Yu’s cancer treatment lasted for about 12 months. Besides the fatigue that came with chemotherapy, she suffered loss of appetite, insomnia and severe heart palpitations.

Determined to get better, she began exercising regularly, walking almost every other day.

During a rehab session, Yu’s therapist spoke about the benefits of water exercise for cancer survivors. Intrigued, she began researching the benefits of aqua workouts.

When she recovered, she volunteered as an aqua fitness instructor, teaching aqua aerobics to Breast Cancer Foundation members, for a year.

Her love for aqua fitness grew and she branched out to teach at swimming clubs, public pools and homes. While she takes on occasional communications projects, teaching aqua aerobics is her main job now – for which she took a pay cut of more than 90 per cent. 

The 58-year-old teaches four days a week, while also doing her own fitness workouts and posting educational videos on social media. 

“Having seen how aqua aerobics helped me, I am a firm believer that it is excellent for our ageing population and people who can’t do land exercises due to knee or back problems. Thus, I make videos to teach people how to do simple aqua exercises,” she said.

“Sometimes, I miss the fast-paced corporate world – the mental stimulation, challenges and financial rewards.

“I often do a mental check-in to assess my worthiness. Do I love myself less – the new me without a regular pay cheque, nor a name card with a big title?”

However, her health is her priority now. Yu, who is married but has no children, still goes for medical check-ups every few months.

“Having come face to face with a life-threatening illness, the brevity of life is very real to me. I want to love life more and live purposefully. Sharing my love for this sport with more people drives me now.”