When I was in middle school and high school, I was constantly asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

My responses ranged from psychologist, lawyer and news anchor to police officer or paramedic.

So, instead, I’m going to pose this question: “If not now, when?”

Without a doubt, I can say that I’ve professionally grown more over the last 10-15 years than any time before. I started up a video production company while still managing my public relations firm. I became an associate producer on a short-subject documentary, and I co-founded a marketing and PR agency. And now, I’m co-founder of SecondActWomen and working on becoming a middlescence coach. Whew! Age is definitely not slowing me down.

It may or may not be a shocker to know that I’m not the only one growing, learning and re-scripting my misddlescent years. In fact, there are many career shifts at play right now. For example:

• The Great Resignation fallout continues with 4.2 million workers quitting their job in June 2022.
• The average age a person changes careers is 39.
• Some 40% of working moms reduced their work hours to care for a child or another family member, but with the rise of paid returnships, more women are returning back to the workforce…and staying.

What this all means is that you’re never “too old” or it’s never “tool late” to level up your career. That could be changing careers, moving up the corporate ladder at your current company, returning back to work after some time off or exiting corporate America and starting up your own business. Whichever route you take, here’s a few things to keep top of mind:

• Age is a value-add. At 40 & 50+, odds are you’ve been there, done that and came out on the other side. You’ve acquired career currency like wisdom, experience, and real work problem-solving that is invaluable.
• Soft skills are in high demand. With the widening soft skills gap and move towards automation, Gen X possesses the intellectual capital and soft skills that employers need. Don’t get too hung up on the hard skills.
• You can create impact and get paid for it. Many in the 40 & 50+ life stage find themselves looking for a career that gives them more than simply a paycheck. By all means, pursue whatever lights you up, but given we’re now living longer lives, there’s nothing wrong with changing the world and making money. The more you make, the greater your impact, so charge your worth.

If you want to hear more about other career topics like working in a multi-generation workplace, knowing your rights when it comes to ageism, or learning how to balance caregiving and work, join us at Career Camp, Oct. 28 & 29 at Microsoft’s south Denver offices.