Had my first retail job at 52, Radio Shack, loved it. This after working as a Funeral Director and a MAss Fataity responder for Fema. Now I'm a Customer Solutions Rep for Career Source Brevard in Palm Bay, FL. The changes have not all been fun bit I like working with people and I hope I can last a few more years and retire at some point.

Yes. Retired Navy, currently a teacher.

I worked for a drain cleaning company for 30 years. At 52 I took a diploma in Art and Design, got a distinction, and now I am a full time student, studying Building Surveying and the Environment at the University of Plymouth.
Love it.
I know I'm fortunate to have this opportunity, but, if you can, follow your dreams.

I'm impressed just how many people do have a linear career. My laughingly-called-career has consisted of a number of random side steps driven by circumstance. The downside is I've never reached anything like the proverbial pot of gold at the end. The upside is that those areas that I fell into - politics (believe it or not) and lay advocacy at employment tribunals - gave me huge, and unexpected, fulfilment that I would never had imagined. I have no lesson to learn from this, other than maybe if you follow your inclinations you do end up tapping into resources you never thought you had. You do end up poor, though.

I was a minister for 20+ years, lost my faith and for awhile stayed in because I didn't really know what to do next. Got a job with the post office a couple of years ago as a mailman and although I don't mind it (listening to podcasts and audiobooks is a plus), I see myself going back into the non profit world (and non prophet world this time, no religious stuff haha) at some point because I love doing things that benefits others.

I’ve never really found a career and at 46 don’t think I ever will. Been bartending a little bit lately and I love it. I’d like to try farming but seems like a lot to get into when my youthful body is gone now.

What are you considering?

I went to nursing school at age 46ish. Hated nursing school but the outcomes have been rewarding. I found a not-for-profit whose mission coincides with my own core values and every day look forward to helping clients. Thought about getting more education but the cost is nuts, so instead saving for retirement, leaving work at work and developing my interests (writing, drawing, investing in my kids).

I was a programmer for the first 20 years of my working life. And forthe last 10 of those, I hated it. Then thanks to a fortunate convergence of events (involving Monty Python and the Holy Grail) I switched to a training consultant position. I took a pay cut, but it was my dream job. Did that for another 15 years until the company was sold. I took the separation package, moved to Hawaii, and now I'm Ludo McFixit, Handyman. I've built a deck and gazebo, with hot tub, in the jungle, turned a 2 car garage into an art school, and am the only person on the Big Island making St. Andrew's crosses, spanking benches, and other bondage furniture.

I went from a master groomer to a dispatcher in a hospital. It was depressing. I spent years apprenticing only to have a terrible accident rip my ability to groom away only a year after I finished my apprenticeship. I had no other resume skills or experience, and finding a no-physical impact job was very difficult with no real secondary education

Yep! Just did. At 50 I went back to school (56 now). I make less money. But I'm so much happier. Best thing I could have done for myself.

No advice really, I do recommend it though. I feel sorry for people who stay in the one career all their lives.
I was a banker until 30, then an industry/employment consultant, then a network engineer, industrial relations consultant, ecologist and now sustainability trainer-high school tutor- preschool educator and a hundred other tiny roles.

Once, I gave up construction and tried somthing new for a couple of years, and now I am back in construction again.

Do what you want to do. No fear... Wills it. At your age I retired from the military. Wishing you the best of luck in your new venture. Do it... with Life's Blessing.