Navigating a Late-Career Change. It’s never too late to make a shift.

 3 Rules for Switching Careers Later in Life

Career changes aren't just for millennials. Data shows that by the end of their careers, most people have held more than 12 jobs. With technology and markets shifting rapidly, pivoting in your 50s or 60s is becoming the norm. After spending three decades in academia before moving to the private sector, I've learned that success in a new field requires a specific mindset.

Here is how to ease the transition and contribute quickly:

• Get Comfortable with Not Knowing: It is hard to go from being the "trusted expert" to the "new hire." Release the need to be the smartest person in the room. Admitting what you don't know builds trust with colleagues. Plus, the cognitive effort of learning new things keeps your mind sharp and makes life feel more vibrant.
• Adopt the Jazz Musician's Approach: In jazz, you listen before you solo. If you start playing too many notes too soon, you clash with the band. In a new job, listen to your colleagues first. Understand the history behind their workflows before suggesting improvements. You can't tailor your expertise to their needs until you understand their rhythm.
• Focus on "Durable" Skills: Specific technical tasks (like using a specific software) often don't transfer between industries. However, soft skills do. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence are universal. Don't worry about the tools you've lost; double down on the reasoning skills you've honed over decades.