Yes, You Can Change Careers at 50
For some years before I took the leap from the career that had been my life to what, I hoped, would be my final career, I had been talking about my intention. Perhaps it was turning 50 that finally gave me the kick that I needed to put my plans in motion. This decision was made over dinner with my girlfriend Anne. Anne had successfully transitioned to a new career a few years earlier and I had never seen her happier. I wanted what she was having.
Everything they say about change is true. It can be as good as a holiday. And if you choose wisely, which we are more likely to do at an age where wisdom is in heavy supply, then it can actually be better than most holidays.
I started as a cadet journalist at my local newspaper and spent more than 30 years building a career in the media. By the time I was ready to step out of that field, I was running a joint-venture between two global publishing companies to publish three of the world’s biggest media brands, having notched up a stint as CEO of a digital news media company on the way through.
My sights were set on a board career. I wasn’t ready to retire, but I was ready to use the specific and broad experience and skills that I had developed during my first career to enable my second.
Here’s how I did it.
Decide what you want your next career to be. I was very clear about my goals, even though initially I wasn’t sure of the starting point or how I would make it happen.
Speak to people. I didn’t know where to start so I contacted people that I knew, even vaguely, who were company directors, and asked their advice.
Take their advice. Everyone I met had advice for me and although the advice was varied, I needed to try everything. The best piece of advice I received was to apply for the Chair’s Mentoring Program through the Australian Institute of Company Directors. The year-long program matched me up with a leading ASX chair and at its conclusion I was offered my first ASX-listed board opportunity. This board appointment was the catalyst for my career move.
Do your research. Before embarking on my new career, I mapped out a plan. I listed companies that I would be interested in working with, and the retirement dates of the longest serving directors. Most directorships are not publicly advertised, so this was a way of working out when board vacancies would become available. With that done, I knew that I would need to meet directors of those boards and so I needed to connect with the right people.
Use your networks to connect the dots. I have found that most people want to help you. If you happen to know someone who has a connection to a person you need to meet, don’t be afraid to ask for their help with an introduction. I have asked for such assistance countless times and in return, I have been a connector for others who have needed my assistance.
You may need to take a bridging opportunity first. My second commercial board appointment was with a small unlisted company, but it was there that I got the opportunity to chair the board. The skills that I learnt there were invaluable for the larger boards that would follow and although the company didn't feature on my ideal list, I remain grateful for the opportunity.
Don’t get distracted. If you were any good at your first career, you will likely be enticed with offers to stay the course. I was tested just three months into my new board career, when I was offered the opportunity to run a digital media company. Of all the media CEO jobs going at the time, that is the one role that I would love to have done. But I quickly realised that I wasn’t prepared to give up the progress that I had made with my new board career, so I turned it down. It was a fork-in-the-road moment and I made the right decision.
Persevere. Inevitably, there will be knockbacks and those knockbacks can be tough, particularly for those who have built a brilliant career the first time round. There were a couple of boards that I applied for during my first year that I missed out on for one reason or another. The rejection could have sent me scurrying back to the comfort zone of an executive career, but I am really glad that I kept going. When it finally started to rain opportunities, the heavens opened up and I have never been happier.
Words_ Marina Go
Photos_ Evie S/Unsplash