Over 30 and still looking for a career choice, or just me?
Today, we’re going to dive into something a little personal and maybe a bit too relatable for some: being over 30 and still trying to figure out what I want to be when I “grow up”. We often hear stories of people who had their lives all figured out from their teen years. They knew exactly what they wanted to do, pursued it relentlessly, and boom – now they’re successful 40-somethings, complete with a dream job and perfect Instagram filters.
But what if that’s not your story? What if, like me, you’ve passed the big 3-0 and you’re still searching for that elusive “perfect” career? Well, you’re not alone, I hope my thoughts here bring some comfort and maybe a new way to look at things.
See, my career path hasn’t been a straight line, more like a winding back road with bumps and unexpected turns. Heck, I still don’t even know what I like or what I’m good at! And despite the pressure society puts on us to always be ahead, I’ve got some news for you: it’s totally fine not to have everything sorted out.
Even though I don’t have it all figured out, I’d love to share what I’ve done to take steps towards finding out my career path and give you some tips on how to get there through my mistakes.
Table of Contents
Work until 65, retire and then… what?
In today’s world, we’re often expected to follow a set path: start working at 16, retire at 65, and then do what? Enjoy the little bit of life we have left in our old age? This one-size-fits-all plan doesn’t work for everyone, and it definitely doesn’t work for me.
Our society tends to make our jobs our identities. This way of thinking can be overwhelming and not at all helpful. It pushes us to go after jobs that might look good to others, but might not make us truly happy.
I find this perspective feels so regressive and frankly disrespectful, as if we’re worked like livestock, only to be dismissed once we’ve exhausted our usefulness. This just doesn’t compute in my head.
Guidance from young – Tip #1
Here’s a bit of back story, I was born as the only child of a Chinese/South East Asian family who was spoiled rotten. I didn’t have to lift a finger for anything, I’ve never even cleaned my room nor was I able to learn to cook because my mom deemed it as “too dangerous”.
I was always taught to grow up, marry a rich man and never have to work a day in my life. Although this may happen to some, but God had other plans for me and he wanted me to build my life with my husband and family and he wanted to teach me the values of having such a life.
With this mindset, I never had the spark of interest or directional guidance to build a career path for myself. Yes, my family put me through great schools and music lessons. I grew up playing the piano and I learned the guitar on my own, I always loved making and playing music. However, I was never taught to consider this as my future career.
This leads me to tip #1 – If you can, find that guidance from your parents, your elders, those who you are comfortable with and ask questions. See if they can give you the insights on starting a career no matter what it is.
Every career has its own challenges and rewards, and by actively seeking advice, you’re arming yourself with knowledge that can help you navigate your own path more effectively. So, be bold, ask, listen, and learn.
A Career Path Was Chosen For Me – Tip #2
As I grew up and was at the college age of around 18, my mom had told me it was time to find a college. At that time, I applied to several colleges in Las Vegas since my now husband was there and I was accepted. However my mom was adamant on sending me to the most prestigious and best Hotel Management School in Switzerland.
I didn’t really have a choice so I let my mom choose this path for me. I was obedient.
As a Chinese kid, I was taught to obey and do what you’re told, never ask questions or ask why or say no. I went along and I did my first year there, after that I dropped out and decided to marry my now husband and start a family.
Tip #2 – If you’re ok with it, let your life or those around you guide you and put you in a career choice. Go with the flow and hey, you may actually enjoy it and be successful!
Family Life Happens
We began to have kids, one after the other. I took on a few jobs, but nothing felt like the start of a real career. After our second child, I decided to quit working and became a stay-at-home mom. I really liked being with my kids all day. I even started making a few YouTube videos in my spare time, but I didn’t manage to keep that up regularly either.
You know, life is a journey and it often presents us with two paths. One path is comfortable, where everything seems good, but it doesn’t really push you to strive for more. On the other path, you’re full of motivation, your mind is focused, and you’re always thinking about moving forward in your career.
Looking back, I realize I chose the first path. Everything was good, but I was too relaxed, too content. I didn’t push myself to achieve more than what was right in front of me.
The Birth of Eden Body Care: Our Game-Changing Move – Tip 3
In 2020, we embarked on an exciting journey and launched Eden Body Care, a goat milk skincare company! This wasn’t just about starting a business, it was about acquiring a whole new skillset.
We dived into marketing, website creation, product management, customer service, and more. For me, it felt like a crash course in running a business, providing me with a range of skills that I know will be valuable in any future career. This venture wasn’t just a step – it was a giant leap in the right direction.
Tip #3 – Start a small business, even if it’s something small. The experience, knowledge and wisdom you’ll gain is incomparable and will really give you a wide range of skills and maybe even help you discover if entrepreneurship is right for you.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter in Tech – Tip #4
Despite the success of our business, I realized that Eden Body Care might not be my forever journey. My husband reminded me about the importance of continuing education and urged me to elevate my skills in line with current trends.
Given that the world of AI and digital technology is booming and shows no signs of slowing down, I decided to explore opportunities in the tech field.
So, I’ve taken the leap and started learning UX/UI Design. My previous course in Product Management was just the beginning. With UX/UI Design, I’m diving deeper into the tech world.
My experience in managing a product-based business has given me a strong foundation in website flow and information architecture. Now, it’s time to stretch my boundaries and learn about interactive web applications. This new journey in tech feels like the right next step, and I’m excited to see where it will lead.
Tip #4 – Never Stop Learning: No matter where you are in life, no matter who you are, always keep learning and expanding your skills. Education isn’t bound by age or circumstance. It’s a powerful tool that can propel you towards a fulfilling career. So keep that curiosity alive, keep learning, and watch as doors of opportunity open up for you.
Conclusion
In the end, it all comes down to this: Life is a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. My path led me from being a stay-at-home mom to a business owner, and now, it’s guiding me into the world of tech. And throughout this journey, I’ve realized that it’s perfectly okay not to have it all figured out from the start.
Society might want us to stick to a fixed plan, but I’ve found it’s important to carve out our own path. The journey that’s right for you might not fit with what others expect, but that’s just fine. We all have our own road to travel, our own lessons to learn, and our own victories to enjoy.
Perhaps the most significant lesson I’ve learned is the value of continuous learning. No matter where we are in life, no matter our age or circumstance, we should always strive to learn and grow. Each new skill we acquire, each piece of wisdom we gain, opens up new possibilities.
I don’t know where my journey will lead me next, but I’m excited to find out. I’m taking it one day at a time, enjoying the ride, and constantly learning along the way. Because that’s what life is all about. It’s a journey, an adventure, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
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