Making a Career Change Late in Life

A Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

I can honestly say that the Lord has blessed me with a good life. I have been places and held careers that 17-year-old Mark never would have imagined. Being very honest, I didn’t have much ambition or confidence that I would amount to anything. You see, I was a high school dropout, and the path before me was pretty bleak. With not much happening in my life here in Bay City, MI, I decided to join the US Army Infantry to find some sort of purpose or independence.

I turned 17 on December 1, 1983, and was on a bus headed to Ft. Benning, GA, on February 14, 1984. Those early years in the Army were a whirlwind. I got to see so much of the country during this time. I was stationed in Ft. Lewis, WA, Camp Kitty Hawk later named Camp Bonifas at Pan Mun Jom (UNC-JSA) South Korea, Ft. Carson, CO, and Ft. Polk, LA. It was during my stay in Ft. Lewis that I received my GED. I had a 1st Sgt who said that if I wanted to accomplish anything in the Army or in the real world, I would need at least a GED and to consider getting a degree of some sort.

My time in the Army was instrumental in shaping my character and work ethic. The discipline, the camaraderie, and the experiences I gathered were invaluable. However, as much as I learned and grew, life in the Army was not meant to be my lifelong path. In August of 1991, I exited the Army and began a career with Coca-Cola Enterprises in Bay City.

At Coca-Cola, I worked in various roles: a warehouse loader, a merchandiser, a temp key account manager, a route driver, a bulk driver, and then as a warehouse manager. It was a period of tremendous growth and learning. I left Coca-Cola in 2000 and took employment with Walmart. With Walmart, I went from being an assistant to getting my first store manager position in just two and a half short years.

As a store manager, I felt out of place running multi-million-dollar stores and only carrying a GED. It was then that I made a significant decision. At 45, I decided to attend American Public University and attain my Bachelor’s in Business Management. Graduating in 2015 was one of the proudest moments of my life. It was a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the belief that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.

In 2021, life took another turn, and I lost my employment with Walmart. Now in my 50s, I had to find a new job. All I knew was retail. So, I took a job as an assistant manager with Home Depot, hoping to eventually get a store. I worked hard to prove my worth again. However, now in my 50s, my body wasn’t ready for it.

This is where the story takes a reflective turn. Making a career change late in life is no easy feat. It requires a deep introspection, an acceptance of one’s limitations, and a relentless pursuit of finding new strengths. I realized that while my body may not be as resilient as it once was, my mind and spirit were still sharp and ready for new challenges.

I began to explore new avenues, considering careers that would leverage my extensive experience in management and leadership while being less physically demanding. I took online courses to attain my Real Estate Agent License. And I now at the young age of 58, I proudly work with Ayre Rhinehart Bay Realtors in Bay City. The journey was not without its setbacks and moments of doubt, but each step was a learning experience.

One of the key lessons I learned was the importance of adaptability. The job market had changed significantly since I first entered it, and so had the skills in demand. Embracing technology, staying updated with industry trends, and being open to continuous learning became crucial aspects of my career transition.

As I reflect on my journey, I would like to share this. Making a career change late in life is a journey of resilience and reinvention. It’s about recognizing your strengths, embracing your limitations, and being open to new possibilities. My story is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to start anew. With faith knowing that my God is always keeping a watchful eye on you, determination, and a willingness to learn, you can overcome any obstacle and find fulfillment in unexpected places.

The Lord has indeed blessed me with a good life, filled with experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today. As I continue on this journey, I carry with me the lessons learned, the memories cherished, and the hope for a future filled with new adventures and opportunities.

Thank you all for visiting me here today. And I pray that my stories can help someone, somewhere in a similar situation. God Bless you all and know that God loves you as do I.