id="attachment_1599" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Older Workers Are Good Data Analysts!"]

Question

Is it too late to have a career as a Data Analyst at age 49 (nearly 50)?
I have always had the passion for data analysis but have dabbled in other things for much of my adult life and am wondering if at age 50 i could still have a career in data analysis - bearing in mind the job prospects for the over 50s is not particularly bright.

Answer

Which is better?
To be in the prime of your life, at a young age, but completely frustrated and bored with work and a lackluster life, having no drive – Or to know exactly what you dream of doing with your time and just needing direction in going after that pursuit, even if it is later in life?
It is passion that drives a person to find satisfaction in work, or to achieve greatness. There are always obstacles that can either stop you in your tracks or spur you on to overcome perceived drawbacks.
Age can only be thought of as an obstacle or embraced in the positive light of having gained experience by virtue of being older than most in the workforce.

When you know what your passion is, you can go after it and fulfill it regardless of your age. Keep in mind that there are many who have proven that age is irrelevant when it comes to finding satisfaction in one\'s work:

- Julia Child was a well-known chef who published her first cookbook at the age of 50. At the age of 81, she was the first woman to be inducted into the Culinary Institute Hall of Fame.
-At the age of 52, Ray Croc began to build McDonald’s into the fast food franchise it is today.
-Grandma Moses began painting in her 70’s.
-George Dawson was the grandson of an African American slave. Overcoming many obstacles, Dawson was illiterate until he learned to read at the age of 98. Dawson, then co-wrote and published his autobiography entitled "Life Is So Good", and saw its success before his death at age 103.

The question to ask is not what you have accomplished and whether or not you’re too old, but rather – What are you doing now to accomplish something in your future?

Pursuing your passion is the key to finding satisfaction and fulfillment in one\'s work, regardless of one\'s age, so, the challenge of "doing what you love" which is facing you is also faced by younger workers.
There are some things in life that you can change. There are others that you cannot. For example, You cannot change time and likewise, you cannot change your age.

You, also can not necessarily accurately predict whether others will perceive your age as an asset or a liability. You can, however, take the necessary steps to go after what you are passionate about - your dream.

Is Data Analysis your Passion?

Focus on what you desire, and what drives you. It is this drive that will give you the inspiration to keep going despite any real or imagined opposition. And, it is this drive that will spur you on to achieving your dreams rather than one day looking back to regretting that you never tried.
You are already one step ahead of many who don\'t even have a clue as to what their passion is. The first step is to make sure you are going after your true passion.

Make Your Data Analysis Dream a Reality

If your dream is to become a data analyst, focus on the steps to make this happen and do not focus on why you should not pursue your desires.
The things that you think will hold you back, in reality, may not even truly be a factor. Instead, focus on what you can do to make your dream a reality.

What Does a Data Analyst Do?

There are many skills a data analyst needs to be good at what he does. Begin with a checklist to see if you possess these skills.

Notice that the age of a person is not among any of the requirements. In fact, it may even prove to be your best asset in that you have more life experience to draw from than a younger person who is just starting out.

Once you pinpoint the skills that you already have, begin to build your resume reflecting every experience you have in regard to data analysis.
If you see you are lacking any necessary skills, seek out opportunities within your current place of employment to get the hands-on practice you need. Or study data analyst textbooks, subscribe to data analysis blogs and /or take data analyst training so that you can achieve your dream.

Advice for Older Workers from Stephen Covey ...

Finally, I will leave you with the famous, wise words of "Stephen Covey in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People";

Proactive people do not worry or focus on factors or things over which they have little or no control … instead they focus on their “Sphere Of Influence” … those factors or circumstances over which they exercise control!