Are you looking for the best careers to start at 40? This post will help inspire you to find the right path for this significant milestone and lead you to reflect on your achievements, aspirations, and dreams.
Starting a new career at 40 is incredibly exciting, and if you’re at this vibrant stage of life, you’re likely eager to explore opportunities that align with your passions and strengths. As someone who understands the richness of experience and wisdom that comes with this age, I’m sharing the 11 best careers to start at 40 that my research and insights recommend.
You’re going to learn about various fields ranging from entrepreneurship to consulting, creative arts to adult education, and more. Each career path is tailored to different interests, skills, and life goals.
After diving into this comprehensive guide, you will feel inspired and prepared to embark on a new and thrilling chapter of personal and professional growth.
This post is all about the best careers to start at 40, offering a rewarding journey that resonates with who you truly are.
Best Careers to Start at 40
1. Real Estate Agent
The world of real estate offers a multifaceted career, involving finance, law, marketing, and interpersonal skills. Real estate agents match clients with properties, understanding market trends and local communities. Licensing usually involves specific coursework and exams, varying by location. This career offers flexibility, potential for high earnings, and the fulfillment of assisting clients with significant decisions.
“The Millionaire Real Estate Agent” by Gary Keller provides a detailed guide to succeeding in the real estate business, emphasizing the importance of mindset, focus, and applying a systematic approach to building a successful career. It offers a step-by-step plan that includes models and systems to follow, showing agents how to scale their business and income.
2. Consultant
Consulting is among the top careers to begin at 40, spanning sectors such as Business, IT, healthcare, and education, where skills in analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication can leverage your previous experience. In this role, you will identify organizational challenges, develop strategies, and assist clients with execution.
If you’re considering this path, the Google Project Management Professional Certificate can be a vital stepping stone. It provides industry-specific skills that can benefit both newcomers and seasoned professionals, making you more competitive in the job market. Through practical exercises and real-world examples, the program fosters a hands-on understanding of modern project management roles.
3. Health Coach or Personal Trainer
The rise in well-being awareness and an aging population create opportunities in health coaching or personal training, making it one of the best careers to start at 40. Specializing in areas like nutrition, fitness, mental wellness, or rehabilitation, professionals guide others in achieving wellness goals. Key skills include empathy, physiological knowledge, motivation, and adaptability. Pursuing relevant certifications and networking, especially via social media, are common paths to this career.
Harvard Medical School’s certificate program, “Health and Wellness: Designing a Sustainable Nutrition Plan,” focuses on providing participants with the tools to create personalized, sustainable eating strategies. Drawing on the latest scientific research, it covers essential nutritional concepts and emphasizes a balanced approach to diet and wellness. The program aims to empower individuals to make informed food choices, promote overall health, and prevent diet-related diseases.
4. Non-Profit Work
Non-profit work allows you to channel professional skills into creating meaningful change in communities or causes that resonate with you. The field, rich in passion and collaboration, includes specializations in fundraising, program management, advocacy, and communications. Essential skills encompass leadership, strategic planning, community engagement, and fundraising abilities. Entering this career typically involves volunteering, networking within organizations, and utilizing transferable skills.
Tim Whitney’s course, “The Grant Writing for Nonprofits and Freelance Writers,” teaches how to write effective grant proposals for funding. Aimed at nonprofits and individual writers, it covers strategies, practical tips, and aligning proposals with funders’ requirements. Participants learn through hands-on exercises and expert guidance.
Understanding that sourcing funding is a competitive and challenging landscape, this course not only provides foundational knowledge but also dives deep into the art of persuasive and impactful writing. The course highlights the importance of research, demonstrating how to identify potential funders and understand their unique criteria.
For nonprofit organizations, this course serves as a bridge to unlock potential funding avenues, and for freelance writers, it’s an opportunity to expand their skill set and marketability. Through real-world examples, case studies, and interactive sessions, participants are equipped with tools to craft compelling narratives that resonate with funders.
5. Freelance Writer or Content Creator
Digital media has revolutionized content creation, offering avenues for diverse expressions such as writing, videography, and podcasting. This field allows creativity across specializations like journalism, blogging, copywriting, and more. Essential skills include writing, creativity, SEO understanding, and self-marketing. Many begin this career by freelancing, building a portfolio, and networking online.
Simone Ferretti’s course, “How To Create Viral Videos for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube shorts,” offers a step-by-step guide to crafting engaging short videos using a smartphone. Focusing on popular platforms, it provides practical techniques for the entire creation process. The course aims to equip users with the skills to produce content with viral appeal.
6. Counselling
As one of the best careers to start at 40, counselling is the best fit to help individuals navigate and conquer personal, social, or psychological challenges. This profession requires a deep sense of empathy, keen insight, and the capability to offer both support and therapeutic guidance. By connecting with clients and understanding their unique situations, counsellors work to foster emotional growth and healing.
King’s College London’s online program, “Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health,” focuses on the scientific understanding of mental health. It combines theoretical study with practical application, exploring the psychological and neurological aspects of mental wellness. The program is designed for various educational and professional needs, emphasizing current issues and treatments and accepts students from around the World.
7. Start Your Own Business
Entrepreneurship allows individuals to pursue ideas with creativity and control in areas like retail, technology, or manufacturing. Essential skills include business planning and financial management, and starting this path involves research, funding, and networking. Despite being a risky career, especially at 40, it offers profound rewards such as financial success and the unique experience of building something new.
“The Entrepreneurship Strategy: From Ideation to Exit” course by HEC Paris explores the entrepreneurial journey from concept to completion. It covers idea development, execution, and exit strategies, offering practical tools and insights. The course is tailored for aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals seeking to build and scale successful ventures.
8. Teaching and Education
The field of education is expansive, offering opportunities to inspire minds young and old. With your life’s wisdom and professional experience, you could add a practical perspective to theoretical learning.
“The Educational Psychology & Special Education” course by Dr. Bev Knox focuses on understanding and supporting diverse learners. It offers strategies for educators and parents to aid students with various learning abilities. The course emphasizes inclusive environments and provides a certificate upon completion.
9. Artisan or Craftswoman
For those with creative hands and artistic vision, becoming an artisan or craftswoman can turn a hobby into a fulfilling profession. From woodworking to pottery, your unique creations can find a market in today’s appreciative culture.
Nino Via’s course, “How To Create A Fashion Collection and Launch Your Own Brand,” guides participants through the process of designing a fashion collection and establishing a brand. It covers essential elements from concept development to production, marketing, and sales. Aspiring fashion designers and entrepreneurs can gain great practical and insight to kickstart their fashion business.
10. Social Media Manager
Social media is more than just a platform for personal connections, it is also a vital business tool. As a social media manager, you’d be at the intersection of marketing, communication, and technology, shaping brand images and engaging with audiences.
“Social Media Management” Meta certificate offers an exploration of advanced social media strategies, focusing on the concept of “meta” as it applies to online platforms. Participants learn how to optimize content, engage with audiences, and analyze performance across various social media channels. The course aims to equip marketing professionals with the skills to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
11. Adult Education Instructor
Adult education, a rewarding career to start at 40, emphasizes facilitating learning for personal development, career advancement, or enrichment. It involves understanding adult learning dynamics to create tailored experiences, going beyond the traditional teaching to meet the needs of adult learners.
“Designing & Leading Life-Changing Workshops: Creating the Conditions for Transformation in Your Groups, Trainings, and Retreats” provides tools and strategies for facilitators to create transformative workshops. It emphasizes meaningful connections and personal growth, serving as a resource for educators and leaders seeking to inspire change. The book is a guide to crafting impactful training sessions and retreats.
Embarking on a new career at 40 is not just a possibility; it’s a vibrant and exhilarating opportunity. With the diversity and richness of the 11 best careers to start at 40, you’ll find avenues that align with your skills, passions, and lifestyle.
Embrace this season of your life with excitement and determination, for the best is yet to come.