Is it ever too late to change civilian careers? If you could with no risk involved, which career field would you transition to?

SFC Nikhil Kumra Never too late to change careers unless you are targeting a profession sport league: NBA, NFL, Professional Lacrosse, you get the point.
At 35 you are just getting started, you have most of your working life ahead of you.

I don't believe it's really ever to late. Change is often good as long as it makes sense. You want to be in a Career that makes you Happy! I really enjoy the life as a recruiter, but I want to transition into my own business owner and leave a legacy for my children. I am part of a business called AdvoCare and have everything in place, but I need to devote more time into making it happen and help other great leaders succeed!

When I was 16, my first job was kicking visitors out of the local hospital at 2000. I worked up to a nurses aide and central supply tech. It all lead to working at Motion Picture Hospital where I took care of a Stooge, two Tarzan's, Tonto, and others. But I wanted to be an engineer and that's where my life took me. I've wondered on occasion what it would have been like to pursue a medical doctor program and have that career. I think I could have been happy with several different careers. That is secondary to being blessed with my wife.

Its never too late. I am trying to do this as we speak. I would love to get into the emergency management field!

If you aren't happy where you are, there is only one option. Staying in a dead-end career or one that doesn't make you happy is tantamount to self-torture. I chose a hobby as a career and couldn't be happier. I switched in '99 and although I enjoyed what I did, working on govt contracts was frustrating when the political back-and-forth led to layoffs that I had to carry out. When you have a good crew of employees, the worse thing you will ever see is the face of those you hand a packet.

If I could go back, or do a switch right now, I would get into law, probably do a little bit better in high school, and get into a Tier 1 University such as Harvard.

If it isn't making you happy anymore than its not too late to change. Just make sure it's worth the effort if you need re-schooling or certifications to make that change. I think we all choose our career path at that ripe "old" age of 18 or so and some may find their minds change after a while in that career possibly due to job prospects, long term outlooks and career progression, additional educational requirements, etc. My wife wanted to be a speech pathologist and got her degree in communicative disorders with a concentration in education. She end up working as an operating room manager and systems administrator in hospitals for 14 years, stayed home for 7 years raising our children worked 3 years in special education advocacy and is now substitute teaching and working on her special education teaching certification to teach full time. Go figure.

Veternarian

I too believe it’s never too late to change your career. I changed my military career field a couple of times which led me to a permanent career change as I approached 40, physical therapy. Medicine was the farthest thing from my mind, however it allowed me a renewed military career as an officer and once I retire it will open doors in numerous areas such as private practice and ownership of a clinic, teaching college, research, management, Federal civil service, etc.

Just this past Saturday I attended the graduation of a buddy who graduated from medical school at the ripe old age of 60. It’s never too late to make career changes, however it is important that you know where this new career will take you and what the future potential is for the new career. Therefore I wouldn’t focus on your age as many older adults are making career changes and it’s been happening for years. Make a wise decision on your new career today so hopefully you will not be facing another major career change later.

SFC Nikhil Kumra, great question and I would argue that it is never too late to try a new career field if a person is unhappy where he/she is or if there is an industry or career field that really applies to a person. RP has found the top 5 internships that could be a great way for a person to try a new industry out, get some great experience on his/her resume and make a seamless transition into a new role. Check it out: http://blog.rallypoint.com/2015/06/top-civilian-internships-programs-veterans-should-consider.html