Is it Ever Too Late to Start a Successful Career?

Four Suggestions on Why Making a Late Career Start is OK

Most people finish their A-Levels or the German Abitur at the age of 18 or 19. Many new graduates then take a year off to explore the world, do work and travel, or some other type of gap year experience before starting university. Studying a BA usually takes three to four years. A masters program takes one year, while completing your masters in Germany takes another two years.

Some then take additional time to pursue a few internship opportunities. Sometimes other unforeseeable things happen that may prolong study time. This means that many university (master) graduates are past their mid-twenties when they start looking for a job. 

Especially for women this can lead to self-doubt and pressure. As women plan their career, many already take into consideration the possibility of wanting to start a family at some point in life. By nature and society, this thought process has very different implications for women than men. The older we get, the more prominent thoughts about the successful combination of children and career become. Then there just has to be this one annoying person who says „… but isn’t the clock ticking for you“ and you are likely to doubt every choice that has led up to this point in life.

The clock is ticking, or is it?

However, this shouldn’t throw you off your path to a successful career and here’s why:

1. It is common that master graduates are in their mid-twenties when starting their first job
2. Age equals experience
3. Many companies offer pathways that enable career and family life
4. There will be the right job that will fit your life choices

By now, companies have usually realized that they have to offer career paths that enable the combination of family life and career life – for women and for men. Luckily, we live in a time where a lot of things are possible. However, we are just not always aware of everything that employers offer with regard to career paths. 

This is why it is very important to do your research prior to applying for a certain job! There will be a job that fits your needs, it just may not be the first one that comes up when looking for your first full time employment.

Of course, there’s much more to this complex topic and we will make sure to cover it in more detail in upcoming posts. In the meantime, check out this post to learn how Paula Begoun started a successful cosmetics brand in her 40s!

When did you start your first full-time job? Let us know in the comments!

See you soon, 

Hannah