I changed my career very late in life. I was a fashion publicist for so long it's not even funny, before anyone knew what a publicist was or did. I had my own firm since I was a wee lass. In my early 30's I wanted to be more creative, I decided I wanted to be a parfumeur, I conquered that (I don't recommend that route unless you are independently wealthy or will be coming into money REAL soon). I tried my hand at jewelry design, which got expensive quick and I lost my loot quite fast (It was different in the olden days not as many resources). I then decided I needed a skill that would make me money and still be creative, I taught myself design. Up to 12-15 hours a day in front of a computer 7 days a week. I was 36 years old. Yes, 36! It's NEVER too late to be what you were going to be. Sheesh, I could go back to school and be a doctor if I so choose. My dear friend went back to school in her late 30's to become a therapist (I think she got tired of doling out free advice to me). When I closed down my firm last year I was hired to design almost full-time, I still do PR for my job but the reason I have such a great position is because I offer the design skill set; I design ads, look books, coffee table books, letterhead, textiles, graphics for the site, re-touch every, single, photo, you name it whatever comes out of my company visually is a product of what I taught myself and makes me very proud.
If you are even remotely considering a new career I think it's worth exploring what's out there and talking to people that have your dream job (don't be shy, you'd be surprise how people love to tell you about what they do). Being an entrepreneur by the way is not for everyone, so if you dream of having your own business make sure you talk to lot's of people that are surviving by their own wits. I look back and can't even imagine now how I did it for so long at such a young age. I found a couple of great interviews on people that have kick a#! jobs. Thought you might be interested...
Modish has a great series called 'Do what you love', I am sure you will recognize many of the featured interviewee's.
I want to interview some of my pals here on the Blahg, from time to time. People that I have met along my journey that have cool jobs such as prop stylist (I used to think this was an awesome job but it's A LOT of work), designers, editors, I hope this might be of interest to you. I know how it sucks to be in a job that you don't love, that's no way to live now is it?
If you have a rad job and would like to be considered to have me pick your brain just holla.
xo,
Miss B
