99% of people choose the wrong career path, and a large portion of the working population simply wants to pursue other interests. Nowadays, it’s pretty common for people to switch careers in any industry, and most people who do are over 30 with a large portion of them being well into their 50s. It has been found that executives need and want to continue to work well into what is considered to be retirement age, and switching to a career in engineering is a great option to consider. The desire to continue to work on something that gives you purpose and allows you to grow is something that the older working generation is beginning to feel and they are looking for ways to make transitions into various careers that can give them this satisfaction.
The Benefits of Switching Careers
The benefits of continuing to work until later in life are numerous, and amongst the many reasons to consider working past retirement or shifting into a second career are mental stimulation, social engagement and of course the financial perks. Not only can you gain new skills that can increase your income, you can delay your social security benefits in order to receive a larger monthly stipend in years to come. Between the ages of 62 and 70, for example, your benefits will increase by 6.5%-8.4% per year for each year that you delay receiving them.
How to Make the Transition Into a Second Career In Engineering
Individuals seeking a second career in engineering should start by asking for advice from people in their existing networks who have transitioned into new positions, both within and outside of the scientific community. This type of guidance and shared experience not only helps you gain a sense of reality about what to expect, it’s nice to be reminded that others experience fear and rejection as well. It is also important to remember that proper etiquette still applies even in a second career. Always take time out to thank anyone who makes an introduction for you or offers to teach you a new skill, such as digital skills and communication, and ensure you’re making the transition for the right reasons.
Skills Needed to Be an Engineer
You have probably already gained a lot of useful transferable skills from your first career that can be applied to a new job in the engineering field. As mentioned above, digital skills that include the ability to engage in computer modeling will be crucial for whatever type of job you’re looking for, but on top of those, you’ll need to be able to engage in a creative thinking process, pay proper attention to details, have the ability to communicate and work as a team, and possess higher mathematics skills. It’s likely that you can find a way to use the skills you’ve gained in your professional life thus far in order to make yourself a competitive candidate for an engineering job, and if you lack a few skills, you can engage in training or an extended learning program before making the transition.
The Yearning for Having a Purpose
The stagnant feeling that comes after putting in a decent amount of time in any career is felt by many people across various industries. The yearning to have a purpose, learn new things, and explore newfound passions is something that many people struggle with, but transitioning to a second career is easier than it might seem. Try assessing what your goals are and figure out what transferable skills you’ve acquired up until now.
