Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1031255
18 | FALL 2018 ot a thing, in fact. It's perfectly normal to change jobs mid-career or later. About one out of six people who reach age 62 have changed from their original career occupation to another, according to a 2016 study by researchers from the University of Michigan. And for those who were still working by age 66, the number of people who were on second careers was equal to those who were still in the same career, this study found. The door is wide open for many sorts of career changes. From organizational trainers who become dog walkers, to teachers who now lead bicycle tours and electricians who transitioned to working as park rangers, millions of people have left their long-time careers behind for more rewarding opportunities in new fields. The American Institute for Economic Research did a national survey in 2014 and estimated that 16 million to 29 million Americans attempted a career change after the age of 45, with more than 80 percent of those classified as successful. More than 85 percent of those reported feeling either happy or very happy with the change. If you are feeling the urge to switch careers mid-stream, odds are good you can make it work. The AIER survey found that 82 percent of those who took a shot at transitioning to a new career after age 45 were successful. Interested? Here are three steps you can take to increase the odds of success in your career switch: You've had a good job that has paid the bills for years or even decades. But now you're feeling antsy. You want challenge, fulfillment, a change of scenery or perhaps you've developed a new interest. What's wrong with you?