Dads Making a Midlife Career Change

In this jobless economy, the thought of a midlife career change is on the mind of a lot of dad's nationwide and possibly worldwide. This movement is not fueled by the mental or emotional transition (midlife crisis) a man would normally experience around his 40s. It has more to do with the downsizing of companies and working skeleton workforces with accelerated work demands. A lot of dads are finding it difficult to find common ground between providing for their families financially and spending the quality time their families need. On the other hand, with the unemployment rate at 9% nationwide, many more dads are laid off and rethinking their previous career status. Dads are diving in and pursuing career choices they are passionate about, and that will not fade away if the recession deepens. Changing your job can be a little nerve rattling, but as adults approaching midlife-changing your career can be a very stressful experience on yourself and your family.

Reason's a Dad may choose a Career Change;

Usually between the ages of 40 to 50, men generally arrive at a stage in their life when they feel an emotional or mental transition better known as midlife crisis. As a man matures his values are enhanced, moral issues and purpose of life start to become clearer. A dad begins to take his family life more seriously and have sounder relationships. For a while now dads have been concerned on how to balance work and a home life. In the last couple of years the changes of our working environment in this country has affected the reasons many dads are considering career changes. And the dads that are working are finding it almost next one possible to have a sensible home life with their families.

Since 2008, our economy has been in a deep slump. We've seen a lot of companies close and a lot of companies downsize. Downsized companies are working fewer employees with higher work demands. Without adding to the workforce our families are paying the price of not having mom or dad around like they should be. The adage "you can't have your cake and eat it too" comes to mind, but I am seeing dads choosing how they want to spend the rest of their working and family life. Even dads who are unemployed and laid off are re-prioritizing their careers and their lives with the full support of their families backing them up to.

Dads making a Midlife Career Change going through a recession is a good opportunity to witness firsthand what jobs/careers are withstanding

the economic pressures. Dads who are unemployed are taking note of this and re-thinking their past career path. Going back to school or pursuing online degrees is giving parents a way to discover new interests and skills in a career choice that will not have their family relationships and obligations taking the backseat.

How about you? Has this economy in any way made you feel that a midlife career change is due? If you are a dad who would like to take his family more seriously, "it's never too late to be what you might have been"-George Elliot. A dad in his midlife has accumulated an

 By Dave L Armstrong