Making a Move: Career Pivots in Midlife

Level: Intermediate • Date: April 10, 2025

Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.

Why Midlife Career Changes Are Rising

Have you ever thought about a career pivot in your 40s or 50s? You’re not alone. More and more professionals are making bold career pivots in midlife. Surprisingly, many are finding greater success, purpose, and even happiness.

A recent story in The Wall Street Journal featured people who left long-term careers in finance, law, or tech to pursue completely new paths—from opening a bakery to becoming teachers or starting their own consulting firms. While the decision isn’t easy, it’s becoming more common as people reevaluate what they want from work and life.

The Value of Experience

Experts say that people in midlife often bring valuable experience and leadership to new roles. They are better at managing teams, solving problems, and staying calm under pressure. These are skills that companies value, no matter your age.

How to Make a Successful Pivot

Still, making a big change takes planning. Career coaches recommend starting small. Take a class, try freelance work, or volunteer in the field you’re curious about. This helps you test the waters without quitting your job right away.

One key takeaway? It’s never too late to start something new. As one career switcher said, “I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering, ‘What if?'”

This article was inspired by reporting from The Wall Street Journal.

Vocabulary (10 words)

Pivot (noun/verb): a change in direction or focus
- She made a career pivot from finance to teaching.
Midlife (noun): the period in a person’s life around age 40-60
- Many people make life changes during midlife.
Bold (adjective): brave and confident
- He made a bold decision to change careers.
Purpose (noun): the reason for doing something; a sense of meaning
- She found more purpose in her new job.
Reevaluate (verb): to think again about something to make changes
- He took time to reevaluate his career goals.
Leadership (noun): the ability to guide or manage a group
- Her leadership experience helped her in the new role.
Freelance (adjective/verb): working independently for different companies
- He started doing freelance design work.
Volunteer (verb): to work without pay to help others or gain experience
- She volunteered at a local school before becoming a teacher.
Takeaway (noun): a main message or lesson learned
- The biggest takeaway was that age doesn’t limit success.
Test the waters (idiom): to try something a little before fully committing

He tested the waters by teaching part-time before switching careers.

Discussion Questions About the Article

What are some reasons people change careers in midlife?
What challenges might someone face when starting a new job later in life?
Do you think experience is more important than age in a new career? Why or why not?
What advice would you give to someone thinking about a career pivot?
Have you ever considered a big job change? What would you try?

Discussion Questions About the Topic

Is it common to change careers in your country?
What jobs do people in your country usually switch to later in life?
How do employers in your culture view older job seekers?
What skills become more valuable as people get older?
What career would you try if you had no limits?

Suggested Idiom or Phrase

Test the waters – This means to try something a little before making a big change. It fits well when talking about trying freelance or volunteer work before switching careers.

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