What I’ve Learned From Changing Careers after 30

Have you ever felt as though you were running out of time?

Time to make more money. Time to reach your goals. Time to start over?

I used to live with that sense of urgency. I job-hopped a lot in my 20s because I wanted to learn as much as I could and gain as many skills as possible before 30. That was back when I thought I had to have everything figured out by 30.

It didn’t take long for me to determine if I would grow my skills or learn more at a new job. On average, I knew within the first three months whether I’d stay at a company longer than a few years.

And let’s be real, I also job-hopped because you often make more money as an external hire than working your way up. I’ve worked in many different industries, across different teams and departments.

I also remember reading an article that said most adults change careers about 8 times in their lifetime. So I wasn’t scared of “starting over” or looking for new opportunities.

I see a lot of conversation online from women approaching 30 who want to make a career change but feel like they’re “running out of time.”

I learned firsthand that 30 isn’t some magical age where everything suddenly makes sense and you’re a “real adult.”

I made a career change at 30 and started a major career transition at 35.

Changing Careers After 30

I was 30 when my father passed away, and I eventually quit my job to grieve. Because I couldn’t pretend that I cared about work, especially since I’m not a surgeon saving lives.

But quitting my job without another one lined up is something I would have never done in my 20s. It felt very unnatural. Time didn’t stop because I needed a pause. 

And I have no regrets.

That transition didn’t take a long time. Unlike the next career transition that started at 35 and continued for two years.

I became disillusioned about traditional work environments and the corporate career ladder when it became clear that the corporate game is not set up for authenticity to thrive. And authenticity is one of my core values.

I knew I wanted and needed a major shift, but I didn’t want to blow up my finances to do so. Especially since at that point, I wanted to retire by 40.

And that’s why I became more active in creating a life and career – a business – aligned with my values.

5 Things to Remember When Changing Careers in Your 30s

In my 20s, I didn’t know many people who changed careers in their 30s or 40s. And in my early 30s, it seemed as if the people who had success were 10 year “overnight successes”.

So while it might seem as if your 30s are too late, they’re not. You’re actually just beginning.

In fact, in my 30s, I know more people who have made a major career change or want to.

Here’s what I’ve learned from changing careers in my 30s:

1 ) It’s not too late

Time is a construct. We’ve been conditioned to believe that we have to reach certain milestones as adults by certain ages or we’re “behind”. But there actually isn’t a playbook for this life thing. And the rules are fake.

Your life is yours to live. Period. 

And not in a “YOLO” way – but in a “this is your journey to walk” way.

Water your own grass so that you’re not wondering if it’s greener anywhere else.

2) Leverage Your Network

Build your network before you need your network.

When I was ready to start looking for a new job at 30, I didn’t tap into my network because I wanted something different, and most of my network was from the industry I spent the majority of my career in. 

Maturing is knowing that the world is actually smaller than we realize, and you never know how you can collaborate and partner with people.

When I started my business, I tapped into my network for initial market research and testing. Was it a little cringe? Yes. But it’s actually because of my network that I realized how I can serve my community.

3) Your circle might change

This is especially true if you are going into entrepreneurship full-time. The entrepreneurial journey is very different from climbing the corporate ladder. And some people in your circle, in your network, will change.

Some people might want to support you, but they might not know how. That’s not entirely on them because you will have to learn how to ask for what you need to be supported.

But you might also develop new interests that your previous circle isn’t interested in.

4) Everyone won’t understand your choices. And that’s okay.

People project their stuff onto you. Whether that’s fear or shortcomings or the courage they wish they had. The people closest to you may not understand your decisions. 

Some may tell you that you’re throwing everything you’ve worked for away or question why you would leave the illusion of stability and security for the unknown.

5) Embrace the beginning stages

Being a beginner at anything isn’t always fun because you’re not good yet. You’re learning. 

And if you’ve worked in the same industry or field for years, you’re probably advanced or a subject matter expert in your 30s. It is hard to go from expert in one area to rookie in another. You may even try to skip the beginner stages because it’s so uncomfortable.

But being a beginner is an opportunity to try something new, make mistakes, and learn from those mistakes to become better. And you will become better.

Change Your Life or Career as Many Times as You Want

At the end of the day, your life is yours to live. Of course, you have adult responsibilities, but you can change your career in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond without blowing up your finances or abandoning yourself. Truth be told, you’ll probably return to yourself and be  aligned with your core values.

When I changed jobs and careers in my 20s, I was chasing things that I wasn’t sure I even wanted. And hindsight tells me that I would have never been fulfilled as long as I was chasing emptiness.

In my 30s, my career transitions weren’t about chasing. Some of them were out of necessity – survival – while others were an opportunity to design a life that’s aligned with my values. By faith.

But if you think you’re “too old” to make a change or that it’s “too late”, that’s just not true.

Will it be easy? No.

Can you move through that transition with ease? Absolutely.

Easy and ease are not the same thing.

Career Transitions Can be Easier with the Right Support

Full transparency: my career changes in my 30s were not done solo. I invested in myself, in my healing, in my growth, and in my development – both personal and professional. And that included investing in courses, programs, advisors, coaches, and strategists.

I help high-performing women navigate life and career transitions with more ease and less chaos. And if you’re ready to make a change with support, start with my Pre-Exit Audit – a self-guided series to help you make room for what’s next.