How to switch careers when you're 51?

[kernals12]

I will say that if you were able to make a living off of whatever writing you were doing before, you should do that again.

[Life in Paradise]

As someone who was in both the radio on-air and news reporting in same, I would also echo the thoughts about print journalism and radio/tv in general....currently a dying media (but you never know).  The internet and podcasts/internet channels have possibility.  You have to come up with a niche and if video related, a look.  I would also recommend striving for accuracy, since you can say just about anything on the internet, true or false, and some people will believe you.  If you're seen as accurate, you will likely get a better cross section to recommend you.

[kphoger]

You have to come up with ... a look.

Did you forget?  He already has a look.

Punk rocker teeth (defined as crooked teeth that look cool) and an associated asymmetrical crossbite.

- Five missing teeth, including one broken off at the gum line from being punched in the jaw in high school. I haven't had the tooth replaced in 28 years.

Crooked teeth, missing teeth, I'm proud to say I have it all! So I rock it, because that's what we cool people do.

The ladies love my twisted gnashers and asymmetrical crossbite

Crooked teeth are really cool. It's probably my best poverty symbol.

Bad teeth are cool.

[hbelkins]

You're sitting on top of a goldmine for news there in the NKY/Cincy area. I'm no great fan of his, but I'd suggest you take a look at Eric Deters' stuff. He's been on the case of the medical establishment in the region.

A lot of the people I'm connected with on social media are big players in the NKY political scene -- Chris Wiest, TJ Roberts, Jerry Gearding to name three -- and they're in tune with a lot of stories that could be turned into big news if someone wanted to look into them.

I've tried to pursue a moonlighting career in political commentary for several years, with no success. I'm firmly convinced that my writing skills and my take on politics and current events are both as valid as any of the big national names -- think George Will, Jennifer Rubin, David Brooks, David Frum, Thomas Friedman, Paul Krugman, any big-name commentator you can think of on both sides -- but while they are rich and famous, I toiled in poverty and obscurity in eastern Kentucky. I finally got discouraged and quit writing my blog, although I'm thinking of reviving it. It became a chore to pour my heart and soul into political analysis, only for it to only get a handful of views on Blogspot.

If you want to make money, get a Twitter (X) account, get a blue check, and post outrageous stuff for clickbait and roll in the ad revenue. There's a long list of people from both sides of the political spectrum getting rich (Harry Sisson, JoJo From Jerz, Brooklyn Dad, Catturd, etc.) from their content. You have a pretty influential social media personality there in NKY in Nick Sortor. He's broken quite a bit of news the last few years.

Or get a TikTok account. I keep hearing how people make so much money on TikTok.

[GaryV]

He already has a look.

Maybe with that look he should move to Britain to become successful.

[kphoger]

Maybe with that look he should move to Britain to become successful.

That would totally bip.

[Henry]

Do you know what you might do if your journalism dream doesn't work out?

I'd probably be out of luck. I might try to do other forms of writing again.

I could see you writing a Grishamesque crime novel; that certainly would fit in with your aspirations of being an investigative journalist.

[SEWIGuy]

If you want to simply write and not do the video thing, start a Substack account. Then create an X account to draw readers to that Substack, and when you get enough readers, you can charge a premium.

However I know a couple people who have gone this route, and it is extremely difficult. You better be a really good writer who write about things that people care about. And you have to constantly generate content. And these people started as national writers who went out on their own - so they had an audience already. They didn't build from scratch.

So my advice is that you better have an alternative way to earn income in the meantime.

[bandit957]

I do have a Substack account that I use for a series of reports about something that's been in the news over the past 5 years. These reports might be somewhat controversial, as they back up a set of policy stances I have regarding this matter. But I think this is another situation where people aren't going to pay to read it, because I think my ideas appeal to people with less money.

It's a good project, but it's just not a money maker. It's great that this project is around. I haven't worked on it in a few months, because I became literally sick to my stomach over some of the incidents I had to cover, but I think I've made a good contribution to public discourse.

I also will not change my stances just because I'm paid more for it. This notion is lost on some commentators who I used to follow.

[kernals12]

I do have a Substack account that I use for a series of reports about something that's been in the news over the past 5 years. These reports might be somewhat controversial, as they back up a set of policy stances I have regarding this matter. But I think this is another situation where people aren't going to pay to read it, because I think my ideas appeal to people with less money.

It's a good project, but it's just not a money maker. It's great that this project is around. I haven't worked on it in a few months, because I became literally sick to my stomach over some of the incidents I had to cover, but I think I've made a good contribution to public discourse.

I also will not change my stances just because I'm paid more for it. This notion is lost on some commentators who I used to follow.

What do you mean by that?

[kernals12]

I do have a Substack account that I use for a series of reports about something that's been in the news over the past 5 years. These reports might be somewhat controversial, as they back up a set of policy stances I have regarding this matter. But I think this is another situation where people aren't going to pay to read it, because I think my ideas appeal to people with less money.

It's a good project, but it's just not a money maker. It's great that this project is around. I haven't worked on it in a few months, because I became literally sick to my stomach over some of the incidents I had to cover, but I think I've made a good contribution to public discourse.

I also will not change my stances just because I'm paid more for it. This notion is lost on some commentators who I used to follow.

I think you're making a mistake right now in not promoting yourself. You seem to have a decent following on this forum. So why not share your substack link here and maybe you'll pick up a few subscribers.

[bandit957]

What do you mean by that?

My experience is that people with less money usually share my public policy views. They don't have much money to spend reading paid Substack accounts. My Substack reports are free.

My reports get in the realm of public policy that's generally outside the scope of this forum.

[kphoger]

My impression is that even the most successful social media stars eventually burn out, for only so long having been able to withstand the constant need for more content.  At that point, they either change their social media presence into a hobby and don't care if it's financially successful, or else they bow out entirely;  either way, a career change is in order at that point anyway.

My opinion:  don't kick that can a few years down the road.  If you need to switch careers, do it now.

Can you not simply get an entry-level job at a restaurant or coffee shop or something?

[bandit957]

Can you not simply get an entry-level job at a restaurant or coffee shop or something?

Not too long ago, I offered to work at a store, but they essentially laughed at my offer.

[Max Rockatansky]

Can you not simply get an entry-level job at a restaurant or coffee shop or something?

Not too long ago, I offered to work at a store, but they essentially laughed at my offer.

Offer or apply to work at a store?

[bandit957]

Offer or apply to work at a store?

I basically just went right ahead and offered.

[Max Rockatansky]

Offer or apply to work at a store?

I basically just went right ahead and offered.

If it was a chain retailer they'll have a formal application process (usually online for posted openings).  You can't just drop off a resume anymore with stores like that. 

[kphoger]

And one rejected offer does not mean you're un-hire-able.

[kernals12]

Why not drive for Uber or Lyft?

[bandit957]

Why not drive for Uber or Lyft?

I should probably try to get my driver's license back first. That's another long story.

[bandit957]

Since we're talking about Uber and Lyft, another thing I'm pretty good at is geographic analysis. I've built up databases of local roads and other geographic features. I downloaded some of it from OpenStreetMap and added to it or corrected some of it. I wrote up some computer programs to process it from time to time. I used to use FreeBASIC for this, but recently I learned some Python.

I use QGIS too.

These are great things to have around, but I use a lot of it just for personal use, since it doesn't have much professional potential. The personal interest and excitement over it is endless, but this isn't really an occupation.

I get wrapped up in these projects for days on end.

[hotdogPi]

I use both Python and QGIS in my current job.

[kernals12]

Since we're talking about Uber and Lyft, another thing I'm pretty good at is geographic analysis. I've built up databases of local roads and other geographic features. I downloaded some of it from OpenStreetMap and added to it or corrected some of it. I wrote up some computer programs to process it from time to time. I used to use FreeBASIC for this, but recently I learned some Python.

I use QGIS too.

These are great things to have around, but I use a lot of it just for personal use, since it doesn't have much professional potential. The personal interest and excitement over it is endless, but this isn't really an occupation.

I get wrapped up in these projects for days on end.

Are you kidding? Tons of people have careers doing GIS.

[Max Rockatansky]

But is using GIS tools for your own private enjoyment going to get you in the door to an actual job which uses them? 

[kernals12]

But is using GIS tools for your own private enjoyment going to get you in the door to an actual job which uses them? 

Is the Pope Catholic?