![[Featured image] Three people stand together in an office planning a project.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/5FRNyWNC0KBAY7HpuCR6Pm/b7eaad4de61482d8fb49a79f0059c426/iStock-913784010.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
How to Change Careers at 50: Tips, Career Ideas, and More
While career transitions might seem more daunting now, successful career changes happen at every age and life stage. Learn how to explore a career change at 50.
May 19, 2022
Article
Career Path Planning
A career path can be defined as a series of jobs that lead you closer to your career goals and vision for life. Define your career path, explore your career potential, and begin charting a career path that aligns with your goals with these resources.
![[Featured Image] A person with short dark hair and a beard wearing a blue shirt sits at a desk looking over their resume.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/29D1rnPMh8PvitVNJDGY5E/342a5ec4bc739390ef3ee477a2fb2b04/GettyImages-1283894288.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image]: A person with long dark hair wearing glasses and a blue shirt has a pen up to their chin and is thinking about their 30-60-90 day plan.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4KdYMhUQDj00u7dCLHsjQf/9c87fce642e7ea97d4f31e030c4b4387/GettyImages-1161370536__2_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
Explore career possibilities with these popular programs
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Skills you'll gain: Threat Modeling, Network Security, Threat Management, Vulnerability Management, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Hardening, Computer Security Incident Management, Security Management, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Cyber Attacks, Incident Response, Cybersecurity, Network Protocols, Threat Detection, Bash (Scripting Language), Debugging, Linux, Interviewing Skills, Python Programming, SQL
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Express, Adobe Photoshop, Responsible AI, Logo Design, Digital Design, Layout Design, Generative AI, Graphic Design, Graphics Software, Adobe Firefly, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Visual Design, File Management, Process Design, Design Reviews, Prompt Engineering, Image Quality, Branding, Storytelling
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Deployment, CI/CD, Software Development Life Cycle, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Continuous Integration, Istio, Linux Commands, Software Architecture, Agile Software Development, Cloud Computing Architecture, Application Deployment, Test Driven Development (TDD), Gherkin (Scripting Language), Restful API, Git (Version Control System), DevOps, Grafana, Software Engineering, Data Import/Export, Application Development
![[Featured Image]: A person in a grey sweater sits at their kitchen table and works on applications for entry-level office jobs.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/FqTjxnrJsJfkqTnYStRqZ/52b5f9ba7c22a86ed00a4b1750c4187b/GettyImages-1311493137__1_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image]: A person wearing a blue blouse and glasses, with a pen to chin, thinking about their career path.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4MiY1iOdtn65L8w9ACetRH/7927c9dfd6cc8fd53c572b34780b9b61/GettyImages-1161370536.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A bachelor's degree student works on a laptop computer in a library.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/38iXFlUBtdHcKPBCroiy0C/dabd56d2ec2f5aa832b03be77a63bc23/GettyImages-1136066983.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Two professionals have an interview in an office.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/3fcuYFpaOf0E3CnhxPKa4w/1ee50a8419be9bd6471bd885bc58ab61/GettyImages-664668283.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] An aspiring professional smiles as they research “What is a career cluster” and find their professional path.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/zOB9WC0Cus0gkZK7tTUcR/2c1ce3f52e52201fdb184b44ca4ed42b/GettyImages-1369014230.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A worker in a hijab shakes hands across a restaurant table.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2rwFMUgOxLR156ciBtsb8S/89373001451d92c1f7b1ecb994550d03/GettyImages-1207262623.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A former teacher works in a new role as a project manager.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/paT8gQt2VDyDBSzm7Rf1x/4950e6dfe6588e7d7de3284f9f9f07f0/GettyImages-1459190037.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A young, dark-haired professional meets with a job coach to discuss a possible career change.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/7qOWXvq1DqfDgzycIcvfdV/4b5b66178b0fe5fe2659d8b91f748840/GettyImages-1783928623.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A scientist works toward his career goals while writing out formulas on a glass panel.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/22nR8Pvmml7w7Uq6HfgW9R/58231c43fe38d32a9cb5b93a35edac76/iStock-623060690_super.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
A career path can be defined as a series of jobs that lead you closer to your career goals and vision for life. Some people follow a linear path through one field, advancing into roles with more responsibilities and higher salaries. Others shift companies, industries, or roles more frequently and accumulate experience in various roles.
You might wonder what you can do to steer your career in your desired direction. Should you stick to a linear path and seek advancement in a single field, or should you take on diverse roles and explore multiple paths?
Both approaches can lead to fulfillment when you clarify your vision for the future. A linear career path could mean gaining a deeper understanding of a field and becoming a leader or specialist. In contrast, a multi-directional career path could mean accumulating diverse knowledge and adapting quickly to an ever-changing professional landscape.
Interested in exploring your career path options? Learn more about preparing for a career change or earning a career path discovery specialization.
Interested in advancing your career? Read about tips you can use to advance your career and how to set goals for your professional development.
Interested in a new job? Learn to conduct a successful job search with Meta's Job Search with GenAI course or explore resources for your next career move.
Ready to start learning? Explore our catalog of career development and professional development courses for beginners and experienced professionals.
