The school one hits hard. I dropped out of degree programs twice before - in my 20s when I thought I wanted to be a nurse, and in my 30s when I thought I wanted to be a therapist. I would have been very good at both things. But, at those times, I sacrificed myself for my relationship. Now, in my late 40s, I’m 7/12ths done with my masters in Organizational Leadership. I WILL FINISH THIS DEGREE. BUT, I’m having to take a pause to find a new job and I’m struggling with the pause. I keep repeating to myself that this is a momentary pause and not a stop. Taking a class right now will not get me a new opportunity. My focus can’t be on both things and my actual full time job and the rest of my life. My period is due this week (I hope, thank you perimenopause) and the lack of estrogen has got me down. New moon, new beginnings, right??? Opportunity is just around the corner... 🤞🏼
I finished almost three years of pre-med before I had to drop out due to my drug addiction, and when I went back, my company would only reimburse tuition for a business degree. It worked out! But I also didn't finish my masters (I stopped to write my first book, and never went back). It's for sure harder when you're an adult with so much more responsibility, but I don't doubt your focus or commitment one bit. It'll get done--even if there are breaks in the journey. XO
I was so close to begin excited about the law school answer. But my question is different. I've been a paralegal for 15 years. I KNOW I would love being a lawyer and I know I would be a good one. But I'm 40. Best case scenario, I'd be 43 when I finished, and more likely, closer to 45. At that point it seems like...what's the point? All the money, all the time... just to be a baby lawyer at 45.
I worked with a veterinarian who went to school in her 50s to become a vet. She was a fantastic doctor and loved this second act of her professional life. I was in my early 20s when I worked with her; now I’m 51. Her lesson about always following your passion, no matter what, has had a lasting impact on my life.
I am enthusiastic about returning to school "later in life." (whatever that looks like for anyone.) My own experience has been amazing. After 2 prior careers--20 years in marketing and 12 years as a local business owner--I found myself wanting to do something I had originally thought about as a college undergrad--becoming a mental health therapist. With my partner's supportive suggestion that "Well, you'll be 62 years old in 3 years whether you go back to school or not, so why not go!" I prepared, applied, got accepted and kept my small business going while spending the next 3 years in graduate school. Not easy, for sure. And, I wasn't even sure if I would want to counsel more than parttime, or maybe even on a volunteer basis when I graduated. Now 5 years into my professional life as a counseling therapist, I can not imagine anything I would rather be doing! I can see myself continuing this profession on some basis for decades into the future. And, I definitely didn't need to "start from scratch" because counseling, like law and many other career endevors, is enhanced by the learning and wisdom that comes with life experience. So, maybe another way to look at your choice here could be: for less than the price of an SUV (after you pay for it over 3-5- years) and just an investment equivalent to 10% of the time I've been on this planet, I could be doing something I would love for decades to come!
I suspect you'd fly through the "baby lawyer" phase with all of the legal experience and exposure to the law that you've had in the past 15 years! And, if it turns out not to make sense for you, as you explore it further, you have explored something interesting that may take you down another equally interesting road in your forties! Good luck with it all.
Admiration coming your way too--43 is still so "early" to a second career! My brother had a very interesting and lucrative career in Law and never practiced as a conventional attorney. He did a lot of merger and acquisition work internationally. He always says that a law degree is a flexible in terms of opportunity as an MBA--there are attorneys running companies, advising industry experts, serving as mediators, celebrity/sports agents and all sorts of other interesting roles for which a law degree is an excellent background! Good luck with your journey! PS: I love Melissa's suggestion to seek some support/input from someone at your firm. I have a young friend who is in law school now at 42 years old, being supported and still able to work for the firm she's been with for 10 years as the firm's business manager.
That was @amanda but I had some of the same thoughts as far as the flexibility of a law degree. I’m in government contracts and we work with attorneys alllll the time.
What if the whole point is TO BECOME A LAWYER and practice in a way that makes you feel good? That's worthy and valid! As Kris said, it's not a sideways leap, and your paralegal experience will always come in handy. Second careers--and the pursuit!--can breathe so much new life into you, said from experience. It's a time, financial, and energetic commitment, but if you want to explore, I wonder if there are people at your current firm who could advise and encourage (maybe even mentor) you?
Either way, you’ll be 45. But I get you. When I was in my 30s, I would have had to start my career over completely (brand new entirely unrelated field), which is why it wasn’t ultimately worth it. On the other hand, you’re already in law. So not a huuuuuge leap or pivot. What’s calling you?
My dad went to law school in his 50s after all of the kids were out of the house. He LOVED the intellectual stimulation of it; it honestly made him seem 15 years younger to us. He graduated and set up a small practice, handling minor criminal matters, family law, etc. I think he considers it one of the best decisions he ever made.
I had a more traditional path, started law school two years after college, graduated, went to big firm to pay off loans, etc. I also loved law school; it’s a different and very interesting way of learning, thinking and communicating. Being a lawyer has had its highs and lows but overall it’s been a good ride.
All of that to say: GO if you can do it and you think it will challenge and excite you. I wouldn’t get hung up in timing and age. I do think it would be hard to be a big firm new associate as an over 40, but there are so many more things you can do with a law degree. Think about what you would want your career to look like, whether it’s realistic, and whether it suits the person you are today.
I have a question for the group - I’m switching industries and roles - and I need to add a Chief of Staff description so that I can get into the search algorithm of LinkedIn without saying Chief of Staff. I am currently a VP of Contracts. I am stymied as to how to show in my headline that I am looking without alerting my current company to the fact that I am looking. Any suggestions? (Perhaps this is the wrong forum for this, but I trust this group!)
Kris - I just left my role as SVP Human Resources and am now coaching to put my Career Counseling masters degree to use. I can help out on this topic (much more so than the sex toy recommendations😂).
You might already know this, but there is a way in LI to only show recruiters you are job searching. (a recruiter from your current company with a LI recruiting account would be able to see, but since you aren’t looking for the same type of role it would be unlikely you’d pop up in their search).
As for beefing up your profile to fit a Chief of Staff role, find a few Chief of Staff job descriptions you like and pull a few of those key phrases out and add them to your profile.
If others aren’t interested in this topic, we can take this offline. My email is nancy@talentalchemists.com.
Amanda, I’m currently watching The Good Wife for the first time. If Alicia Florrick can do it, so can you!! Also? If you are not active on LinkedIn, that’s where everything is happening these days. Please feel free to reach out. If you want this, you can totally do it.
The school one hits hard. I dropped out of degree programs twice before - in my 20s when I thought I wanted to be a nurse, and in my 30s when I thought I wanted to be a therapist. I would have been very good at both things. But, at those times, I sacrificed myself for my relationship. Now, in my late 40s, I’m 7/12ths done with my masters in Organizational Leadership. I WILL FINISH THIS DEGREE. BUT, I’m having to take a pause to find a new job and I’m struggling with the pause. I keep repeating to myself that this is a momentary pause and not a stop. Taking a class right now will not get me a new opportunity. My focus can’t be on both things and my actual full time job and the rest of my life. My period is due this week (I hope, thank you perimenopause) and the lack of estrogen has got me down. New moon, new beginnings, right??? Opportunity is just around the corner... 🤞🏼
I finished almost three years of pre-med before I had to drop out due to my drug addiction, and when I went back, my company would only reimburse tuition for a business degree. It worked out! But I also didn't finish my masters (I stopped to write my first book, and never went back). It's for sure harder when you're an adult with so much more responsibility, but I don't doubt your focus or commitment one bit. It'll get done--even if there are breaks in the journey. XO
Thank you! 💜
I was so close to begin excited about the law school answer. But my question is different. I've been a paralegal for 15 years. I KNOW I would love being a lawyer and I know I would be a good one. But I'm 40. Best case scenario, I'd be 43 when I finished, and more likely, closer to 45. At that point it seems like...what's the point? All the money, all the time... just to be a baby lawyer at 45.
I worked with a veterinarian who went to school in her 50s to become a vet. She was a fantastic doctor and loved this second act of her professional life. I was in my early 20s when I worked with her; now I’m 51. Her lesson about always following your passion, no matter what, has had a lasting impact on my life.
I am enthusiastic about returning to school "later in life." (whatever that looks like for anyone.) My own experience has been amazing. After 2 prior careers--20 years in marketing and 12 years as a local business owner--I found myself wanting to do something I had originally thought about as a college undergrad--becoming a mental health therapist. With my partner's supportive suggestion that "Well, you'll be 62 years old in 3 years whether you go back to school or not, so why not go!" I prepared, applied, got accepted and kept my small business going while spending the next 3 years in graduate school. Not easy, for sure. And, I wasn't even sure if I would want to counsel more than parttime, or maybe even on a volunteer basis when I graduated. Now 5 years into my professional life as a counseling therapist, I can not imagine anything I would rather be doing! I can see myself continuing this profession on some basis for decades into the future. And, I definitely didn't need to "start from scratch" because counseling, like law and many other career endevors, is enhanced by the learning and wisdom that comes with life experience. So, maybe another way to look at your choice here could be: for less than the price of an SUV (after you pay for it over 3-5- years) and just an investment equivalent to 10% of the time I've been on this planet, I could be doing something I would love for decades to come!
I suspect you'd fly through the "baby lawyer" phase with all of the legal experience and exposure to the law that you've had in the past 15 years! And, if it turns out not to make sense for you, as you explore it further, you have explored something interesting that may take you down another equally interesting road in your forties! Good luck with it all.
What thoughtful, practical, and beautiful advice. I’m so happy for you! ❤️
I admire you SO MUCH!!
Admiration coming your way too--43 is still so "early" to a second career! My brother had a very interesting and lucrative career in Law and never practiced as a conventional attorney. He did a lot of merger and acquisition work internationally. He always says that a law degree is a flexible in terms of opportunity as an MBA--there are attorneys running companies, advising industry experts, serving as mediators, celebrity/sports agents and all sorts of other interesting roles for which a law degree is an excellent background! Good luck with your journey! PS: I love Melissa's suggestion to seek some support/input from someone at your firm. I have a young friend who is in law school now at 42 years old, being supported and still able to work for the firm she's been with for 10 years as the firm's business manager.
That was @amanda but I had some of the same thoughts as far as the flexibility of a law degree. I’m in government contracts and we work with attorneys alllll the time.
What if the whole point is TO BECOME A LAWYER and practice in a way that makes you feel good? That's worthy and valid! As Kris said, it's not a sideways leap, and your paralegal experience will always come in handy. Second careers--and the pursuit!--can breathe so much new life into you, said from experience. It's a time, financial, and energetic commitment, but if you want to explore, I wonder if there are people at your current firm who could advise and encourage (maybe even mentor) you?
Either way, you’ll be 45. But I get you. When I was in my 30s, I would have had to start my career over completely (brand new entirely unrelated field), which is why it wasn’t ultimately worth it. On the other hand, you’re already in law. So not a huuuuuge leap or pivot. What’s calling you?
My dad went to law school in his 50s after all of the kids were out of the house. He LOVED the intellectual stimulation of it; it honestly made him seem 15 years younger to us. He graduated and set up a small practice, handling minor criminal matters, family law, etc. I think he considers it one of the best decisions he ever made.
I had a more traditional path, started law school two years after college, graduated, went to big firm to pay off loans, etc. I also loved law school; it’s a different and very interesting way of learning, thinking and communicating. Being a lawyer has had its highs and lows but overall it’s been a good ride.
All of that to say: GO if you can do it and you think it will challenge and excite you. I wouldn’t get hung up in timing and age. I do think it would be hard to be a big firm new associate as an over 40, but there are so many more things you can do with a law degree. Think about what you would want your career to look like, whether it’s realistic, and whether it suits the person you are today.
I have a question for the group - I’m switching industries and roles - and I need to add a Chief of Staff description so that I can get into the search algorithm of LinkedIn without saying Chief of Staff. I am currently a VP of Contracts. I am stymied as to how to show in my headline that I am looking without alerting my current company to the fact that I am looking. Any suggestions? (Perhaps this is the wrong forum for this, but I trust this group!)
Kris - I just left my role as SVP Human Resources and am now coaching to put my Career Counseling masters degree to use. I can help out on this topic (much more so than the sex toy recommendations😂).
You might already know this, but there is a way in LI to only show recruiters you are job searching. (a recruiter from your current company with a LI recruiting account would be able to see, but since you aren’t looking for the same type of role it would be unlikely you’d pop up in their search).
As for beefing up your profile to fit a Chief of Staff role, find a few Chief of Staff job descriptions you like and pull a few of those key phrases out and add them to your profile.
If others aren’t interested in this topic, we can take this offline. My email is nancy@talentalchemists.com.
Thank you, Nancy!
Can we connect on LinkedIn?
Amanda, I’m currently watching The Good Wife for the first time. If Alicia Florrick can do it, so can you!! Also? If you are not active on LinkedIn, that’s where everything is happening these days. Please feel free to reach out. If you want this, you can totally do it.