My Messy Midlife Career Change Story Will Inspire You

When I decided to make a career change and go back to school at 37, I was blissfully unprepared for the whirlwind ahead. I came to France for a sabbatical year, seeking clarity at a crossroads in my life. After a painful breakup with my boyfriend of six years, a tumultuous relationship with my overly critical mother, and grappling with burnout at work as a lawyer, I desperately needed a reset.

It was during this time that I met my now French husband, who became a beacon of hope amid the chaos. As my sabbatical came to an end, I faced a pivotal decision: return to Brazil or stay in France with him. Ultimately, I decided to hop on this wild rollercoaster of a career change/expat life, knowing it was a one-way trip to a whole new adventure!

Moving to a new country without a solid support network is sheer madness. Luckily, I have my wonderful in-laws, who embrace me as one of their own and provide immense support in raising my children. They pick the kids up from school, help with homework, and sometimes my mother-in-law even cooks for us, so I don’t have to worry about dinner when I finish late at work.

Without them, navigating the challenges of both motherhood and a midlife career change would be nearly impossible.

Motivation for a career change will only take you so far

Now, let’s backtrack a little. I aced my studies in France, buoyed by the thrill of mastering a new country and culture. Feeling unstoppable, I decided to pursue not one, but two master’s degrees. Why stop at one when you can drain your savings for a second, right?

I was in full-on splurge mode.

At this point, I had it all—nine years of legal experience in Brazil, I spoke four languages fluently, and now, two shiny master’s degrees from prestigious business schools. I was ready for my career transition, waiting for the red carpet to be rolled out for me. 

The only thing that rolled was my optimism—right off a cliff. I could’ve written a book titled, “How to Be a Career Optimist and Watch the Universe Laugh.”

My golden CV? More like a flyer you toss out in a pile of junk mail. 

My confidence vanished faster than a puff of French pastry in the oven. And the first job I landed after all that effort?

It was actually a digital marketing internship where I was affectionately known as “the old intern.”

Have you seen “The Intern” with Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro? Yeah, except I wasn’t as endearing as De Niro, and there was no feel-good ending where I save the day.

Being the ‘old intern’ was a humbling experience, to say the least. Most days, I felt like I was just there performing a stunt.

I could have been bitter, but I channeled my inner Rocky Balboa—showing up to the office before anyone else, turning on the lights, mentally humming “Eye of the Tiger” as I conquered the espresso machine. 

I was relentless, brainstorming fresh content ideas for our clients as if I had nothing else to do in life. One of those ideas even led to a successful live Q&A session.

I worked my tail off, juggling tasks and proving my worth.

The setback that could have blown my career change project

And halfway through the internship, when a junior project manager role opened up, I thought, ‘I manifested this! This is my moment!’

I was ready to ask for the job with all the confidence I could muster.

And then came the blow.

The director offered me the ‘lowly’ community manager role instead. Now, don’t get me wrong—community managers are the unsung heroes of digital marketing. But back then, with my overinflated master’s degree mindset, I was furious.

I thought, “I didn’t come all this way, graduate with honors, and make this career change for this!” I had a full-on diva moment. “I feel belittled!” I declared, as though I were starring in my own dramatic courtroom scene. (I was a lawyer after all—those scenes come naturally!)

The job, of course, went to another intern—a 23-year-old who strolled into the office at 10 a.m. in hoodies, doing the bare minimum. But guess what?

She was cool. And I? I looked like I was trying too hard. 

Talk about a wake-up call. I felt like I wanted to die—along with that insolent kid. I wished the ground would swallow me whole. I spent days fantasizing about a murder-suicide.

It’s moments like these that force you to rethink everything. In the weeks that followed, I felt like crawling into a hole. I‘ve considered quitting—what’s a career change without the occasional existential crisis, right?

After some grueling months of endless applications and awkward interviews, I finally landed the digital project manager position I’d been chasing. It was a temporary role, with so few applicants that it was basically mine by default. 

By that point, I was a shell of the confident woman who’d embarked on this journey.

My ego? Shattered. My confidence? Non-existent. I’d come to believe that my years of experience, my degrees, and my skills just weren’t enough for the job market. Not even close.

I’d internalized the belief that I was somehow less employable than my colleagues—reinforced by the fact that many were a decade or more younger.

They all seemed to be in exactly the right place at the right time, while I felt like the ultimate outlier—older, a foreigner, and sporting a résumé that read more like a patchwork quilt than a career path.

I was the poster child for career change misfits, and we all know how much recruiters adore their neat little boxes—they’re on the hunt for predictable candidates, and I was anything but!

A few weeks after that temporary gig (which, by the way, was uneventful and unremarkable), my career change dream finally came true!

I passed the selection for a free, 3-month training to become a bonafide Product Owner, complete with three certifications from the SCRUM Alliance and SAFe® and a job offer from a major IT consulting firm!

Imagine working with aerospace, automotive, and energy giants! I aced those certifications and signed on the dotted line, thinking my career change journey was complete.

Unfortunately, the IT firm’s overzealous hiring spree backfired as post-Covid demand fell short.

They had a surplus of talent and a financial drain, and I was caught in the crossfire. I was let go before even getting an interview.

Devastated and ashamed, I contemplated throwing in the towel again.

But hey, those certifications were a lifesaver!

Just two months after getting pink-slipped, I landed a job as a Product Owner, thanks to those shiny badges!

It was a company where the turnover rate was higher than my coffee consumption—and trust me, I drink a lot of coffee.

The tech stack was a tangled mess, and the tech lead was so overworked that I could see him burning out from a mile away. He left less than 10 months after my first job interview.

Fast forward nearly two years, and here I am, still with the same company. And you know what? I genuinely enjoy it! The fast-paced rhythm keeps me feeling vital; I work my butt off.

I joke with my husband that I’m working every single minute I’m there—except for the two glorious minutes I spend in the restroom. Even then, I’m probably mentally drafting emails.

I work with a team of six developers, most of whom have been with us for less than six months. Despite not being a seasoned expert myself, I find myself among the ‘most ancient’ employees on the team.

Sure, I still encounter a bit of ageism from time to time, especially from my younger colleagues who’ve never worked with anyone over 30 who isn’t their boss. I think they just don’t know what to make of this ‘blob’—much like the recruiters.

But we get along, respect each other, and are ridiculously productive. Our team regularly hits over 70 story points per three-week sprint. (For the uninitiated, that’s a big deal!)

What I’ve learned through this career change is that, yes, ageism exists, and yes, it can feel like the odds are stacked against you. 

A career change will put the spotlight on you, for better or worse.

But there’s incredible power in being an outlier. When you’re different, it forces you to work harder, think smarter, and prove your worth in ways that more traditional candidates often don’t have to.

For instance, while others may rely on conventional methods, you have the potential to uncover innovative solutions that completely transform a problem. Your unique perspective not only helps you identify blind spots that others might overlook but also enables you to spot new opportunities that the status quo often misses.

Moreover, your career change journey makes you a better communicator. You’ve navigated diverse environments and learned to adapt your message to various audiences, making you a reliable team player who can bridge gaps and foster understanding.

Whether it’s lending a listening ear to a colleague in distress or stepping in as a mentor during a challenging project, your ability to empathize and support others truly shines. In a world that often values conformity, your willingness to embrace being different not only enriches your own career but also elevates those around you.

In fact, it’s what makes you stand out in the sea of sameness. Career chnage isn’t just about making a professional pivot—it’s about learning to embrace the messy, unpredictable nature of life and work.

As Steve Jobs once said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.” 

Looking back now, I can see how every setback, every disappointment, and every awkward interview was part of the learning curve I needed to navigate. And while I may not know what the future holds, I’m confident that whatever comes next, I’ll be ready. 

Let’s be honest—while The Intern may have been heartwarming, the reality of making a career change is a whole lot messier. It’s painful, it’s lonely, it’s tiresome. You feel like Sisyphus, pushing that metaphorical rock every day, only to watch it roll back and crush your spirit, leaving you questioning if the floor is where you’re destined to stay.

And that’s okay.

We’re probably the first generation to experience career change in droves—kind of like a buffet line where everyone’s trying a little bit of everything! 

We’re here to remind the job market that just because we’ve been around the block doesn’t mean we can’t learn a new route. 

When we apply for those roles, we’re not just looking for a paycheck; we’re declaring that our unique journeys bring valuable perspectives to the table. We might not have all the answers, but we have stories, skills, and resilience that can’t be ignored.

So here’s to us: the slightly older, fabulously wiser career changers. We may not have a script, but we’re definitely ready for the sequel. 

Let’s keep pushing those metaphorical rocks uphill, because who knows? One day we’ll roll right over that hill and discover a beautiful new vista on the other side!

Keep reading: Journaling like Montaigne – with Prompts

Career change: Lessons Learned

To wrap up, here are the lessons learned:

Expect the Unexpected in a Career Change
No matter how well you plan, career transitions will throw surprises your way. Being flexible and open to change is key.

Don’t Let Age Define You
Ageism exists, but it doesn’t define your worth. In fact, your experience and maturity can be your biggest assets in a career change.

Humility is a Superpower
Starting over can be humbling. Accept the learning curve and know that even if you’re overqualified on paper, there’s always a lot learn in a new field.

Resilience Trumps Qualifications
All the degrees and experience in the world can’t replace sheer determination. When the doors don’t open, keep knocking—and if needed, build your own door.

Embrace Being an Outlier
Being different can be intimidating, but it’s what makes you stand out. Own your uniqueness and use it to your advantage.

Confidence Comes with Time
Confidence isn’t a constant. It ebbs and flows, especially during a career change. What matters is pushing through, even when you don’t feel confident.

Support Systems are Crucial
Whether it’s family, friends, or colleagues, having a support system during a career change can make all the difference.

Every Setback is a Lesson
Rejections, failed interviews, and missed opportunities are part of the process. Each one teaches you something that brings you closer to where you need to be.

The Right Job Takes Time
Landing a job that feels right isn’t always immediate. Career change is a journey of trial and error—and that’s okay.

Balance Optimism with Realism
Dream big, but stay grounded. Recognize when to pivot and adjust your expectations without losing sight of your larger goals.

Hard Work Speaks Louder than Titles
Titles and roles don’t always reflect your potential. Career change is about the effort you put in and the value you bring to the table.