Help! I’m 41 and still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up

How often do you look at your peer group and feel a twinge of career envy? I enjoy my job but I frequently wonder what I would have achieved had I done something different with my life. However, if I am honest with myself, I just don’t know what that “something” would be. Never have I felt a burning desire to inspire others with my teaching or build a rocket to fly to the moon. And I think that’s half the problem, I have never had an ultimate career goal.

At University I was jealous of my friends studying medicine or law – they had a very clear vocation in life; a career path against which their success could be easily measured. I still don’t have that, but over the years I have learnt a few things:

1. To embrace the lack of direction

“I’m not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost” wrote AA Milne. It’s OK to feel a bit directionless now and again. There are plenty of people like me that don’t have a single-minded vision of their career.

2. Maybe there isn’t a perfect career

My first “proper job” was in banking. I hated it. I used to return home from work every day feeling so dejected. I remember my Mum saying “All jobs are boring, you just have to get on with it”. Thankfully that wasn’t true and I just wasn’t cut out for spread sheets. Having tried a few things since then, I am getting better at knowing what I enjoy. However, I have come to the realisation that there probably isn’t a perfect job for me. So rather than expending energy on tirelessly searching for that ideal career, I try to make the most of where I am!

3. If it’s not right, do something different

You do not have to have a career for life anymore. We are really lucky that we live in a world where a change of direction is possible. You can try out other people lives by volunteering or work shadowing. At 41, it is unlikely I will ever be a NASA astronaut now but with enough effort and by developing the right transferrable skill set, I can change the direction of my career.

In the words of the writer Katherine Mansfield, “I want to be all that I am capable of becoming”. Maybe one day I will work out what that is!

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Susie Timlin

Chief Operating Officer, UK Government Investments

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Susie is Chief Operating Officer (COO) at UK Government Investments (UKGI). UKGI’s purpose is to be the UK government’s centre of excellence in corporate finance and corporate governance, working across government on some of its most interesting and complex commercial tasks.

In her role as COO, Susie works to ensure that the business has effective operational management, optimal organisational design, and that UKGI are able to hire, develop, manage and remunerate their people in the best way possible.

Prior to joining UKGI, Susie was Global Director for People and Culture at Hays Talent Solutions.