Average age for making a change in your career is 31, study finds

Workers are most likely to change their career direction at the age of 31, according to research. For many, this age marks a decade in the workplace, suggesting that today’s workers get a ’10-year career itch’ before pivoting to a new vocation. Top life changes Brits want to make – from home and career, to partner The poll, of 5,000 employed adults, found 26 percent are considering a career change in the not-too-distant future, while 44 percent have already made the leap to something completely new. One in three made a change as they wanted to pursue a career which offered better opportunities to increase their earnings, while 32 percent longed for a role that they felt more passionate about. But for 19 percent of career changers, the key motivation was a better work/life balance, with 15 percent taking the opportunity to change things up following redundancy. For those who have changed or are considering a career move, healthcare, education, and IT have emerged as the most popularly considered industries. Doug Rode, managing director UK & Ireland at global recruitment specialist Michael Page, which commissioned the research, said: ‘Changing career can be daunting, and feelings of uncertainty are natural when faced with such a major decision. ‘But job hunters should be empowered by our findings, which show 68 percent of people who have made the switch ‘never looked back’. ‘Whatever is driving you to seek change – be that the calling to pursue a personal passion, or getting back to work following a redundancy – it is important to take the time to properly research and plan out your next steps. ‘While this data shows 31 is the national average age to change career, everyone is different. You shouldn’t feel under pressure to make decisions about the future of your career until you feel the time is right. ‘Assess your skills, your drivers, and your ambition, and then find a career to match – there are plenty of opportunities in the market for workers who are open to taking them.’