Mid-Life Changes and Moves

How do you know when it is time to make a career move?  Are there any true signs to prompt us to make a career move?  Over the past 5 years I have made some changes and moves when it came to my career. Where I am today I never imagined that I would be doing what I am doing now.

For over 20 years I worked in Corporate America holding several administrative positions. My aspirations were to retire and live the rest of my days off of my retirement and 401k pension. I dreamed of retiring with my husband, having grandchildren, and traveling when and whenever I felt like it. My dreams were like the average persons' dreams 20 years ago. 

As I matured, my career path shifted in another direction. The sudden change was unexpected but not unbelievable. For the past 4 years I worked in Commercial Real Estate which I know now was a stepping stone to get me to the next phase in my  career. After 
working in commercial real estate, I worked in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer for 3 1/2 years. I saw myself doing well in this field, my goal was to pursue becoming a Branch Manager and someday owning my own mortgage brokerage company. This was my purpose in life, to help others.

Needless to say my career focus changed again. What got my attention this time was how my plans changed and the direction I was moving in. Don't get me wrong I loved what I was doing, this time circumstances played a part in the career changes. Reality set in I figured at this stage of my life I would of been settled and know which direction I was heading in. If I would have seen the upcoming turn of events ahead of time I wouldn't of been as adaptable as I am now. Being adaptable comes from maturing and not having too many options.

After being out of work for a couple of months, I had to re-evaluate my career options again. The question was what do I do now? For the past 7 1/2 years I worked in real estate. What was it about working in real estate that made me happy. The only explanation that I could come up with was that I enjoyed working with people! The next question was what can I do to continue helping and meeting people. Remind you at this point in my life job hopping is not an option. I'm not a young woman who recently graduated from college trying to find her place in Corporate America. Anyway, back to the question what do I do now?  From what I mentioned earlier, you know that I enjoyed working with people but what was it in particular that I enjoyed.  


When I worked in the mortgage industry I worked closely with paralegals and attorney's scheduling closing dates, settlement statements, and requesting title searches. Reviewing my role as a loan officer led me to continue my education with studies in paralegal. Currently, I'm enrolled in school online which by the way is a whole new world to me. Once again, if I would of seen this change coming I wouldn't of been able to adapt to it easily. Since I have been in school I have noticed a lot of changes pertaining to my career. There are so many options and fields that I can go into other than being a paralegal. My major is in Criminal Justice which gives me the career choices of being a probation officer, sheriff, police officer, juvenile advocate etc. However, going back to school isn't the final destination for my career.

While writing this blog I had an epiphany that what I am experiencing as far as my career is best described as Mid-Life  Changes and Moves. This journey that I am traveling, has begun five years ago.  Before traveling along this road that I am on I also envisioned opening a Christian Store. One of my visions for the store is to have a website and blog page to stay connected to my customers. Can you see why and how the title fits to what I have told you so far? (Smile) 

Stay Blessed


Scripture: The value of vision..."Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he". Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)