[quote author=Skyhigh
I have spent many years volunteering for things.
What is stopping me is that I am too old. Now that there is opportunity my industry has moved on to the next generation. These days my hobby is going to job fairs and applying for dream careers that my generation is now considered to be too old for. I still try though, and have two more job fairs on the schedule this winter. It is incredibly unlikely that I will succeed but it feels better to try anyway.
My point is that by cutting ones potential early, either by choice or force, it has a potential consequence that needs to be considered. I can't get those days back.
If you have potential and marketable skills then you should be able to network your way into the kind of work that you want to do. Your age also shouldn't be a hindrance either.
Again, you may not be able to saunter into a full time professional corporate job, but as I said, if you have the skill, then someone out there should be happy to have you do it, especially if you aren't forced to make a living off of it.
That's why I mention non profit work because so many of them can't afford proper professional level services and will happily let you offer your skills. I've seen people gain incredible experience and exposure and build careers through doing work with charities that no corporation would actually hire them for at the beginning.
Have you approached the non profits that you volunteer with and offered professional level work? Have you networked through your volunteer activities with the executive board members? Those are typically amazing connections to make as most major non-profits have huge hitters on their boards.
Sure, you may have to think outside the box, but you have every single opportunity for fulfillment available to you.
[/quote]
I have made an art out of networking, going to job fairs, and volunteering. My age is a major restriction keeping me from my dream. Another issue is that if I were to move from my present location my business and family would suffer. I can't risk the security I have for the thin promise of achieving my career goals.
If I were not blessed with FIRE my career would be the priority. The family would move.