Chapter 07 — Work & Career
How do I change careers?
Start with adjacent moves, not leaps. Catalogue your transferable skills (project management, writing, stakeholder handling), identify roles where 60%+ of your current skills apply, and bridge the gap with one credential and one side project — not a full degree. Most successful career changes take 12–24 months end to end.
Follow-up questions
Am I too old to change careers?
No. The median career changer is 39. Hiring bias exists but is offset by experience, network, and emotional maturity.
Should I go back to school?
Only if the new field strictly requires the credential (law, medicine, teaching) or if a specific programme is the dominant pipeline. Otherwise, build a portfolio.
How do I get experience for a job I don't have?
Volunteer projects, freelance work, internal transfers, and shipping public work in the new field. Visible artifacts beat a polished CV.
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