When your 40, your too old to be...

When you hit 40, it too late to go out and be a Physician, a Police Officer, and what else???

Dave

KC7WGB

 

Most anything in the armed forces, if it is your first go round; a test-driver for exotic cocktails; going after 18 year olds; and acting as if you know everything.

Tony

 

The possibilities are almost endless...

So I, a soon to be 40 year old, could do almost anything else besides the short list we have assembled so far??

Dave

KC7WGB

 

Re: The possibilities are almost endless...

Also you probably won't get carded much, or refused service for being underage.

 

Anything productive!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

A kindergartner
A Pokemon devotee
A child actor

Tony

 

What's next???

What do I do next? Check my Myers-Briggs, Strong Interest survey results, even Birkman career style summary... and charge off into the twilight with a new plan for the second half of my life? Join the freemasons, write a will, and become self-actualized or do I just work where I work till I can't work anymore.

Dave

KC7WGB

 

Actually, it may not even be too late to become a Physician at 40, especially if one is working in a medical field such as nursing, lab technology, etc.

I work with doctors in their first few years out of medical school, and the gray-haired intern is not as rare as you might think.

Lynette

 

over what hill, I didn't see a hill

There seem to be few careers that someone 40 can't try. However, professional sports would seem to have age limits. Almost no one reaches the majors after the age of 30 (good luck to Ted Williams son). Almost no one makes a pro. football team after the age of 30. Amateur, unpaid sports (and prison farm teams) may see players into their 50s.
I guess in golf one would go right into the "senior" division after 40?
It is pretty rare to see someone enter advanced mathematics after the age of 30. There are a few mathematical "late bloomers". But it is much more common for someone to shift from the hard sciences to the soft than vice versa.
After 40 it becomes much harder to become a mother (especially for men). Fertility seems to steadily drop from the mid-20s for women.
All the best!

 

Re: over what hill, I didn't see a hill

Men (PGA): 50
Women (LPGA): 45

Of course, people at these ages and above are still eligible to compete on the regular tour. Julius Boros, Sam Snead, and Raymond Floyd all won on the PGA Tour after the age of 50.

 

You might as well waste your time doing zazen, and try to find your "true self", which isn't probably much different than your face that you see in the mirror every morning - eyes horizontal and nose vertical.

I think I deserve a PhD!

adelheid , without PhD

 

Re: What's next???

If you are looking to make a change from building 747s, you might look at an occupation that matches your interests. According to your profile, those interests are ham radio and writing.

Along those lines, check out these articles from the Occupational Outlook handbook:

Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians and Radio Operators. Radio Operators comprise a rather small profession. The Department of Labor estimates that only about 2,900 people held jobs with this title in the year 2000. Other engineers and technicians held 84,000 jobs in that year. Competition for some of these jobs is pretty high, but ham radio experience will likely be a plus.

Writers and Editors. From the article:

Writers and editors held about 305,000 jobs in 2000. About 126,000 jobs were for writers and authors; 57,000 were for technical writers; and 122,000 were for editors. Nearly one-fourth of jobs for writers and editors were salaried positions with newspapers, magazines, and book publishers. Substantial numbers, mostly technical writers, work for computer software firms. Other salaried writers and editors work in educational facilities, advertising agencies, radio and television broadcasting studios, public relations firms, and business and nonprofit organizations, such as professional associations, labor unions, and religious organizations. Some develop publications and technical materials for government agencies or write for motion picture companies.

The highest paying writing jobs tend to be for technical writers, which, of course, is not the same as writing non-fiction or poetry, but it may still be a good for for you if you just like writing. Your technical experience in building aircraft or operating radios may help you land a job in this field. Perhaps you could even latterally transfer to a tech writing job at Boeing.

Best of luck to you, at any rate. I'll be about 41 when I retire from the Army, so I'll be another 40-something looking for a new career.

 

glass ceilings

There appear to be many glass filters that reduce the number of people over the age of 40 who get certain work.
The number of actresses who are still "hot" in their 40's is small compared to those in their 30's. There are a few a exceptions, but they are often cited as the exceptions. The same with singers etc.
Men seem to stretch the zone into their 40's. James Bond has been played by several actors in their 40's (and Sean in his 50's, thank god for spirit gum and wigs). While their female co-stars are 20 years younger.
When I look at mid-life career changes there seem to be many people who shift from stockmarket type jobs to being ministers. But I have not seen a real great study.
I myself am looking at a career change from human services and education to work in politics. All the organizations I've been in have had a great deal of politics. So I figure I might as well have the same hassels running for office.
All the best!

 

40's Options

Perhaps the only thing one can do in their 40's is earn a DL degree !!!!!!!!!!

 

Re: 40's Options

What a relief to see that added to the list. For a moment there, I thought I'd have to drop my classes because I'm over 40.

Cheers,

Lowell Kinzer, who is working towards earning his first B.A. by age 45.

 

Re: Re: 40's Options

The average age of my graduating class (undergraduate) from Charter Oak was 41. You are in good company.

 

tons of careers for people over 40

On the bright side there are many careers for people over 40.
One of my counseling professors maintained that the clinicians only start to become good in their 40's (of course he was in his 40's at the time).
Law seems to be a career that people sometimes enter later and succeed in at many ages.
and of course "grand parent hood" LoL

 

Re: tons of careers for people over 40

Perhaps its because one knows all there is to know in their 20's-30's, or at least many think they do. Something about the 40's help one realize how much there is yet to be learned.

 

not old enough to know you've lost your mind

There is a very cute cartoon which refers to a woman in her 40's and a thong bathing suit. The line is young enough to feel like you should be still able to wear one, but not old enough to realize you've lost your mind!!
LoL
All the best!

 

... an electrical engineering undergrad. I do it anyway, but I'm crazy.