In his latest Substack article, Nexstar Network President and CEO Julian Scadden makes a case for midlife professionals looking to start a new chapter — one with purpose, stability, and six-figure potential.
It promotes careers, encouraging readers to consider becoming a plumber, HVAC technician, or electrician in their 40s and 50s. “It’s never too late to build something new,” Julian explains.
Through his real-life stories and industry insights, Julian shares examples of aspiring career changers he’s met who offer something business schools can’t teach: leadership, communication, and business acumen. The result? A new generation of trading professionals who earn solid income and find lasting job security and fulfillment in core business work.
Below is an excerpt from Julian’s book Be Great. Sub-newsletter. Click here to follow him for more ideas and good timely reads! He is also on LinkedIn.
How to become a plumber in your 40s
In a recent interview in The Diary of a CEO, Geoffrey Hinton (widely known as the “Godfather of AI”) made a startling recommendation:
“Be a plumber.” He said it not once, but three times during the conversation. This advice, coming from the man who helped create technology that is disrupting entire industries, carries weight.
But how realistic is this guidance for someone in their 40s, 50s or beyond?
This newsletter will explore what it actually takes.
The traditional career path is broken.
Most people think that career hubs are for people in their 20s.
Switching industries at 45, 50 or 55 is financial suicide.
That you are “too old” to learn new skills or start over.
Don’t believe the hype.
In fact, midlife may be the ideal time to focus on skilled careers. And I’m not talking about taking a pay cut to “pursue your passion.” I’m talking about a strategic career move that can dramatically improve your financial outlook while giving you the job security and satisfaction you’re missing in your corporate cubicle.
You’ve probably spent decades climbing the corporate ladder, only to watch your position eliminated in the latest “restructuring.” Or you saw your 401(k) evaporate twice in market crashes. Or you’ve endured endless meetings about meetings, issued reports that no one reads, and watched younger, cheaper employees hired to replace your institutional knowledge.
Meanwhile, I know a man who became a plumber at 48, makes six figures, owns his own business, and sleeps soundly knowing that people will always need running water.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 150,000 jobs in skilled trades to be created each year over the next decade. This is not a typo. As white-collar workers are replaced by artificial intelligence and outside talent, skilled tradespeople are more valuable than ever.
Boomers are retiring in droves, taking with them decades of practical knowledge. Meanwhile, an entire generation has been told that college is the only path to success, leaving a huge gap in the skilled workforce.
This creates an unprecedented opportunity for career changers who bring something that most 22-year-olds don’t: life experience, work ethic, and business maturity.
Click here to enjoy Julian’s full article about Substack.
