Mid-life career switch

[xenon]

I like to think I'm on the younger side of midlife - still, been working as a professional for close to 15 years. Doing a big switch, moving from consulting to big tech (though in a small, growing niche).

Anyone here do something like this? What helped you pull it off? Watch-outs?

[Horace]

Sounds like a lot of work and stress in exchange for a possibility of untold riches. Good luck! The consultants I've worked with have been technical R&D types who do the same jobs as the internal resources of the company who hired them. So going from that type of consulting to an internal R&D position would not be a huge switch. I gather that is not the sort of switch you'll be making.

[xenon]

Oh I think there's going to be a ton of short-term stress - but the sort of consulting I do is strategy/ops-focused, long-hours, lots of travel, all senior executive discussions, etc. So my hope is way less hours long-term. Comp-wise it's rather neutral in the near-term. I will not be in the R&D org at the new gig.

[Horace]

oh, so you're looking to downsize the career as much as anything. That's cool. I hope it's as stable, or more so. After you get the hang of the new company, I imagine you can go more on auto-pilot, as compared to the steady stream of new challenges given to you by the consulting work.

[Axtremus]

1. Have money saved up to last you a few years of living expenses (frugal it may be), so you make decisions out aspiration rather than desperation.

2. On the same team with people you trust. Shouldn't have to watch your own back from your own team when you navigate big changes.

3. Have faith/confidence, be it in your own abilities or your own luck or in some supernatural beings, that even if this particular transition turns out to be a disappointment, you will find a way to pick yourself up and continue to care for your family.

Oh ... make sure the wife is onboard with you making this transition.

Good luck!

[Aqua Letifer]

@xenon said in Mid-life career switch:

I like to think I'm on the younger side of midlife - still, been working as a professional for close to 15 years. Doing a big switch, moving from consulting to big tech (though in a small, growing niche).

Anyone here do something like this? What helped you pull it off? Watch-outs?

Here for the comments because I've been contemplating same.

[Mik]

I've gone back and forth. Aside from possibly travel, the only thing you really need to look out for is being on a good team that you trust in a good company culture. In your type of position, you can always go back to consulting if you like.

And, of course, doing work you enjoy.

[LuFins Dad]

When I was 35 I… Who am I kidding? I’ve been doing this shit since I was 25. Got 10 years left, though…

[89th]

I'm not sure what type of tech, but I've found if you can really be proficient in one or two parts of the tech system, then you'll become less dispensable and a go-to person for (fast) solutions that use whatever tech you're an expert in. From there, grow your relationships and use lots of GIFs if you have internal chat.

[Jolly]

Why the GIFs?

[Horace]

Gifs are amiability and personality. They mean you are a fun person to work with, that you liven up the atmosphere.

[89th]

I'm mostly kidding about the GIFs. I work on a small IT team so we have a running Teams chat.... GIF/memes are used often as sarcastic replies or to keep things light.

[Mik]

My team does that too. Fun.

[Doctor Phibes]

A well timed eye roll and a stage-whispered F-bomb is worth more than any GIF