Career change late in life

I'm not saying that i'm old (I'm 35) but I've come to the realization that I just can't do my career for much longer.  I currently am in IT, I'm one of those general IT guys....I've done systems, network, management, site support, etc....but no specialization in any specific area.  I could specialize, but I know I wouldn't be happy in that career....plus I could see a lot of it going away or being farmed out.   
 
It's one of the things I admire about Jeff G., he got a raw deal and landed on his feet doing what he wanted to do his way.   
 
Just trying to get a feel for what the effect might have been on you personally, financially, emotionally, etc. for leaving a career...maybe attending a school to train in your new career....and how the new career path has been better or worse. 

For me, leaving my old career was, emotionally speaking, the best thing I've ever done. I was constantly stressed out and unhappy and walking away has made a huge difference. However, I could not have done it without having a very supportive spouse who has been willing to help me make the change. Financially, it hasn't been great trying to find a new entry-level job in a down economy, especially when all my experience is in something that I'm trying to get away from. Most recruiters tend to look at your old skills and discount anything new. I have heard that it's easier to make the transition if you can use your old skills in a new way or build on your skills (for example, go from IT to programming). I chose to go in a completely different direction and it has been fairly difficult starting at the bottom again. My experience is all in the computer/engineering field and I went back to get a bio degree, so pretty much none of my old experience applies. All that said, though, I don't regret a thing.

I'm just coming out of university for the first time with a degree in Interactive Games Design, so I've done a lot of 3D already, it's a great field to get into and a lot more broad than people might think. There is a lot of very high quality competion out there though, which is making me a bit nervous. 
 
Good luck to you though, it's a big step to make such a big career change and takes a lot of courage.

Worked out great for me. Out of high school I became a SCUBA instructor for about 12 years. At first it was really fun, then not so fun, then I hated it (I still like to dive, I just hate dealing with the stupidity of the general public). So I started going to college and got a science degree. Now I work for the government, get paid well, have a great work environment.  
 
The downside to a switch is finding work. I finished school about 2 years ago. The economy was such that it took me about 9 months to find a job. When I did find a job, there were 45 other applicants to compete against (which made me feel good about being chosen!). The job I did find wasn't exactly what I wanted to do...but its good experience.  
 
The main thing is to remain focused on your goals. Decide what field you want to work in, research it to find out as much as you can about it, get whatever qualifications you need as quickly as possible and find the dream job.  Good luck.

I respect your decision. I can't say I have switched careers, since I'm only 23, but I went into  college knowing what I wanted to do, and graduating college not having a clue. Then working odd jobs, having a clue what I wanted to do, then realizing it wasn't feasible, then got a job I never thought I could or would get and I'm happy. Is this what I want for the rest of my life... no, but it is one step closer to knowing myself. It would be hard to give up the financial security as well as the emotional security of a previous job... I guess my 2 cents is, we all think we know what we want and may go for it, but we get tired of it or want a change and I respect anyone that heads in the direction of doing something that will make them happy, no matter what it is.  Sometimes stability can become stagnant and what is the point when you are not happy?
 

" I'm not saying that i'm old (I'm 35) but I've come to the realization that I just can't do my career for much longer.  I currently am in IT, I'm one of those general IT guys....I've done systems, network, management, site support, etc....but no specialization in any specific area.  I could specialize, but I know I wouldn't be happy in that career....plus I could see a lot of it going away or being farmed out.    It's one of the things I admire about Jeff G., he got a raw deal and landed on his feet doing what he wanted to do his way.    Just trying to get a feel for what the effect might have been on you personally, financially, emotionally, etc. for leaving a career...maybe attending a school to train in your new career....and how the new career path has been better or worse.  "

I don't know if you've ever looked at it, but a nice starting resource (assuming you work in the USA) is the BLS occupational outlook guide.

You have to do what you love doing.  Or else you're just going to get bored and it won't be good for anyone in the company you work for. 

I can't say for leaving as I'm getting settled into my career. I personally enjoy what I do, but I know its one of those jobs can can burn a person out pretty quick.

Do whatever you want to do while you still can. If IT isn't making you happy, then by all means find out what will, and go for it. You are inspiring to me, because at 25, I know in the future I will have to make a similar decision. I'm already miserable career-wise, and I'm taking steps to change the path I'm following, but it will take time. 

I've been IT for 10+ with the last 8 being on night shifts so every once in awhile I suddenly want a change (work days, move from Systems Administration to Development, etc). I'm then reminded of my crushing debt from making a crap wage and having to relocate many times and that it would take a miracle to get me out of the current field. 
 
That's me. Company man for life. Just call me Ol' Gill.

" Quit. Go have an adventure. Take 2 pair of pants, a shirt, and move to the horizon. "

I'm currently studying on one of the top (if not the top) computer games programming course in the UK, I think I have a pretty good chance of getting into the industry but with the nature of the job my time as a video game programmer seems inherently limited. It's very probable that I'll hit a point in my life where I'll just have to hang up my games programming hat and go program elsewhere. I really hope there are alternative jobs out there for me if and when the time comes.

Just don't become an MMA fighter like Jose Canseco.

Do it! You're not too old at all, now is your chance to change things up before it's too late. I'd recommend trying to keep your job while getting new training, if possible.

I just got my Mech. Engineering degree and have been having a hard time finding work.  I'd stay stick with your current line until you secure something in  whatever other field you choose.  

I've also considered a path change. I'm 21 and I've mostly studied various forms of Art, currently Graphic Design. I do enjoy Art but I've always enjoyed playing video games & English also, so with the influence of Jeff Gerstmann & the Giantbomb guys I'm starting to reconsider getting into Games Journalism. I'm average at English, though I really enjoy it

" For me, leaving my old career was, emotionally speaking, the best thing I've ever done. I was constantly stressed out and unhappy and walking away has made a huge difference. However, I could not have done it without having a very supportive spouse who has been willing to help me make the change. Financially, it hasn't been great trying to find a new entry-level job in a down economy, especially when all my experience is in something that I'm trying to get away from. Most recruiters tend to look at your old skills and discount anything new. I have heard that it's easier to make the transition if you can use your old skills in a new way or build on your skills (for example, go from IT to programming). I chose to go in a completely different direction and it has been fairly difficult starting at the bottom again. My experience is all in the computer/engineering field and I went back to get a bio degree, so pretty much none of my old experience applies. All that said, though, I don't regret a thing. "

" Do whatever you want to do while you still can. If IT isn't making you happy, then by all means find out what will, and go for it. You are inspiring to me, because at 25, I know in the future I will have to make a similar decision. I'm already miserable career-wise, and I'm taking steps to change the path I'm following, but it will take time.  "