Changing careers midlife used to be unthinkable. People spent the first part of their lives building a career, excelling at what they do, and gaining expertise in their jobs. They then spent the time until retirement enjoying the fruits of that labor. However, as people live longer than they did decades ago, second and even third careers begin to make more sense. In the United States, more than 108 million people are 50 years or older. There is a growing population of people who expect to live—and thrive—for at least another 25 or 30 years. This has meant that the idea of a 40-year work life has expanded to 60 years, thus shifting the idea of what it means to work over the course of one’s lifetime.

In addition to a longer life, there are other reasons second and third careers are becoming increasingly common. After years in the same field, some people seek a career more aligned with their passions, values, or interests. Some people desire to take on more challenges and learn new skills, while others might be seeking better pay, benefits, or job security. Many seek careers with more flexible schedules, while others find that technological advancements have made some jobs obsolete while creating new opportunities in other fields. Educational resources are more accessible, and there is growing societal acceptance of career changes. Finally, midlife may provide the financial stability, experience, and confidence to pursue different avenues, or life events outside of our control may prompt job seeking that better fits current life circumstances.

All of that said, there are many challenges for people changing careers in midlife. Some of them include the following:

Despite these challenges, many people successfully navigate midlife career changes, often finding more fulfilling work in the process. If you are considering this kind of change, there can be a few helpful things to keep in mind:

Finally, unfortunately, although things are starting to change, ageism is still very present in the workplace and society as a whole. One study shows only 8 percent of corporations include age in their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Many accounting and law firms still have mandatory retirement ages, pushing out highly skilled and experienced employees. Be aware of words in job descriptions like “digital native” and “high energy” that may imply a bias against those who are older. Identify companies that use algorithms to weed out age based on experience. Try to get in front of a senior executive who does the hiring. It can also pay to be upfront—telling the company how long you plan to stay and that you’d like to build a succession plan. Most importantly, showcase your value and experience.

For those 50 or older who want to embark on a new direction, there are many different sectors and industries to consider. Middle age can be the perfect time to explore because of the experience, knowledge, contacts, and resources you’ve accrued. There are challenges to starting over in midlife, no doubt, and it can take patience, determination, and a focused strategy. But the effort can be well worth your while as you embrace a new chapter in your professional life.