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When is it too late to have a change in career?

Does it depend on age or skill or do you think its never to late to get educated in a different field? Currently I a captain for Carnival cruises. (They have many.) But I have been interested in hydrogen fueled cars. I know a bit about them but I got turned on to this through a family member who has been designing hydrogen powered car engines. The only fear with that is no one is willing to build the fuel stations! So going into a career like that is risky, the return is 0 as of now.

Public Comments

1. It's never to late for a career change=) However, your new career [to me] sounds more like a hobby, that could potentially turn into a career. In other words...don't quit you day job. Actually, it sounds fun being a captain for Carnival Cruise, though.
2. Nah, not if an opportunity presents itself. New directions are usually growth paths, you don't need to lose the skills you already have. Ideally chose something that utilizes those skills and add to them! Hydrogen Cars? Well then , maybe while your family member is designing the cars, you should be doing the entrepreneurials on placing fuel up stations around the country. You will make a fortune between you!
3. When they pronounce you dead...then it is too late. You may not have the time to be a success in a career change if you are say 90 or so, but if it will make you happy I say do it.
4. Often it depends on how the field in question is performing. In your case, vacations that require as much expense as a cruise are probably on the decline right now. But now is a very good time to jump on the green-tech bandwagon, no matter how old you are. The trick is to find a way to get some venture capital.
5. Hydrogen cars will never take off. They cannot compete long term with electric cars. Tinker with cars after you retire.
6. some careers out dated, like 8 track productions. some are not here yet. like liquid hydrogen fueled vehicles--except for bmw last time i heard. however, there are plenty of other "green" careers that you might be interested in. and other travelling careers. like teaching english in china. or truck driving or flight attendant. there are some categories of careers that have age limits like the fbi, so be mindful of this, but don't get completely discouraged if you're just a one or two years off, some organizations do waivers of different sorts and age might be one of them.
7. Trust me, it is never too late. I worked in clerical at a huge corporation for 26 years, and changed professions to the medical field when I was 50
8. I'm going to. I'm 35 and an RN. The only prob is I have a lot of dependants, so I have to plan it well.
9. No, it's never too late.