Guest Author - Sharlene Thomas

Planning a second career, for whatever reason, past the age of 50, isn't as easy as many would have you believe.

If you’re happy in the field that you’ve been working in and simply want to transition to a higher level, continuing education will get you there.

But, if you’re miserable and want to try something in a totally new area, there’s more to be done before you can make a choice. You’ll need to think about:
-- your financial situation
-- your health and/or any disabilities
-- your educational level
-- your desire to succeed

Reevaluating Your Spending to Reach Your Goals

Understanding your real financial situation is the key. It’s time to list all assets, liabilities, and expenses. Don't cheat. Then, start writing down everything you spend on a daily basis for at least a month to get an accurate figure.

While newspapers, magazines, gum, soda, and cigarettes are easily classified as incidentals in your own mind, purchased daily, they’re an expense. This is where your money goes.

Create a category on your expenses list for "pitter-fritting." It may or may not surprise you to discover that you regularly "pitter-frit" away the cost of a textbook or a continuing education course in just a matter of months. A daily total of just $2-$3 becomes $60-$90 a month and, times 12, $720-$1080 a year!

You may want to reevaluate the way you spend your cash.

Your Health Can Limit Your Choices

There are some health problems and disabilities so obvious that, by themselves, they restrict second-career choices. Needing a wheelchair, blindness, missing limbs, breathing problems, all require jobs that conform to these limitations.

That isn't to say that there aren’t any jobs for these individuals, but, for the purposes of this article, I'm focusing on work available for those without these challenges.

And, then, there are limitations for health problems that aren't so visible. It's only fair to both you and your prospective employer that you are open about any physical problems requiring medication on the job. This can affect activities that involve the use of heavy machinery and driving.

Without regular checkups, health problems can remain hidden. Knowing what problems, if any, you have will help you choose the right career, before spending too much on preparation.

Choices Based on Educational Level

Without a college degree, career choices for those over 50 remain as limited as for those under 50. Some careers demand advanced education. That doesn't mean you can't go for it; it means that you will probably have to go back to school to get your degree.

As overwhelming as this may appear at first glance, you can do it. You’ll join a great list of hundreds of people over 50 who returned to college to achieve their dreams.

The bonus is that you have gained life experiences that can make formal training much easier for you than your younger co-students. You have had an opportunity to actually see theory put into practice, making the puzzle of education so much easier for you to solve.

In countless interviews, for those who have returned to college, the connective thread has been how much easier it is to focus and study than it was in their younger years.

So, decide on what career you are interested in, assess the educational requirements, and go for it.

Your Desire for Success Is the Golden Ring

I’ve saved the ‘desire for success’ for last, not because it isn’t important, but because it needs to be nurtured long after you settled all other issues.

Remember the merry-go-round and reaching for the golden ring? The ring, itself, was the goal. Now, your golden ring is your desire for success. Remaining focused helps make the choices that will bring that success.

The old saw, "don't give up your day job," means that bills still have to be paid and your current employer still deserves your best work. Educate yourself on your own time, and then make your move. Thousands of people have made career changes successfully and so can you. All that’s required is taking that first step.