You spent nearly 30 years at A+E Global Media in various senior positions in Ad Sales and Administration, but now, at the age of 57, you had a major reinvention by becoming a flight attendant! Tell us what led to the decision to embark on a new career.
Absolutely! At 57, I’ve taken a leap that most wouldn’t have expected, leaving behind nearly three decades in senior roles at A+E Global Media to become a flight attendant. It’s a reinvention, yes, but also a natural progression in some ways.
My time at A+E was incredibly fulfilling. The company invested in its people and gave me the chance to grow in roles I initially had no experience in. I reinvented myself more than once there, thanks to supportive leaders who trusted my ability to pivot, learn, and lead. That instilled in me a deep confidence: I knew I could succeed even in uncharted territory.
While I had always envisioned a new chapter after A+E, the timing was accelerated by industry shifts—disruption, revenue pressures, and job eliminations. I found myself at a crossroads: keep chasing something similar or finally do something completely different. I did pursue new roles in media, but the process was disheartening. Job descriptions bundled together multiple disciplines, and I began to wonder…were companies looking for unicorns, that perfect candidate who somehow checked every box, even the unrealistic ones? Was I being overlooked because I didn’t check every box? Or, frankly, because of my age? I made the decision to embark on what I consider my pre-retirement career, one that aligns with my long-standing interests.
Travel has been a lifelong calling, and I’ve always been drawn to adventure. I was ready to trade spreadsheets and conference rooms for something more hands-on, people-centered, and dynamic. Aviation checked every box, and being a passenger for so many years gave me insight into what great service feels like. Now, I get to deliver that experience on every trip. The travel benefits are an added perk, allowing me to lean into the things I love most…exploration, cultural connection, and creative expression. This new path doesn’t replace the foundation I built in Ad Sales Administration; it builds on it. It brings together my strengths in communication, service, and adaptability while letting me embrace the passions that have always been part of who I am.
Will you be working at Endeavor Air full-time? What will your new work life look like? How will you be structuring your new professional life? Have you met anyone else there who made a similar midlife career move?
Being a full-time flight attendant is nothing like full-time in the corporate world. The schedule is a lot more flexible. New hires typically fly around 75 hours a month, which leaves plenty of room to pursue other goals.
Last year, I started my consulting business, ConnecttheOps.com, where I offer support in sales operations, business processes, and leadership on demand. I’d love to keep working with companies where I know I can bring real value. Right now, I’m still figuring out how to market myself and clearly communicate my strengths, but this new lifestyle gives me the space to do that without pressure.
I have no shortage of ideas for “what I want to do when I grow up.” One possibility is complementing my flight attendant career by becoming a travel advisor for Croatia, which ties into my heritage. I’m currently taking webinars through the Croatian National Tourist Board to learn more. I’m also curious about pursuing TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, as it opens the door to more flexible global opportunities.
And yes…funny enough, I actually do know someone who made a similar pivot! A friend changed careers at 54 to become a flight attendant. I followed her journey closely and was fascinated by how fulfilled she seemed. Seeing her thrive gave me a real sense of possibility. She shared helpful advice and encouraged me to go for it. I also joined a bunch of social media groups and soaked up whatever info I could find online to get ready for the transition. We’re even talking about launching a video podcast together about mid-career reinvention, especially from the flight attendant angle. It’s a creative way for us to share our stories and help others who are thinking about taking a big leap later in life. Plus, my training group included people making midlife career pivots from fields like social work and law enforcement. It really showed me how many are embracing this path as a bold second act.
On a completely different note, I’m also part of a small music fan group made up of midlife women who originally met as strangers at a concert. Since then, we’ve traveled together across the U.S. and internationally, bonding over our shared love of music and adventure. What started as fun has become a passion-driven side hustle. Our social media following is still small, but the response to our content has been incredibly positive. I’d love to explore how to grow that presence and shape it into something more intentional and impactful.
What has been your biggest surprise so far in the career switch? What advice would you give to people who want to do something else at midcareer, but are afraid to get “liftoff”?
The biggest and most pleasant surprise has been the diversity in this new path. The flight attendant profession is far more diverse than any environment I’ve worked in before. My training class spanned a 40-year age range and yet, here we all were, stepping into the exact same entry-level role. That shared experience created an incredible bond. I didn’t expect to walk away with such strong connections. We supported each other every step of the way through drills, study groups, flashcards, you name it.
I’m just a few assignments into my new career and already I’ve experienced a nostalgic blast from the past in the best way. The camaraderie among crew members reminds me of my early days as a Comm Ops Coordinator, where teamwork was everything. That same sense of shared purpose is alive and well in the skies. Working together in-flight creates an immediate bond, much like the one I remember from those early, collaborative days in media. I never would have imagined that I could relive that exciting feeling. The energy, the connection, the sense that we’re all in it together! It’s been an unexpected and incredibly rewarding part of this career shift.
To anyone considering a mid-career change but feeling afraid to get “liftoff,” here’s my advice:
Start by stating your intention. Say it out loud, even if it’s just to yourself. That simple act is the first step toward making it real. You don’t have to broadcast it widely, but give the idea space to breathe. Find your support system, whether it’s a friend, a mentor, or even just a journal. Begin researching. Start conversations. Join groups. Follow people in the space you want to move into.
As you explore, mentally place yourself in that new career. Visualize the reality of the job, not just the dream version. Be honest with yourself about the good, the bad and the uncomfortable. Think through how you’d respond to the tough parts. And above all, keep coming back to your core strengths, the foundation you’ve built over time. That’s what will carry you through the next chapter.
Remember: you’re already an adult. You’ve got life experience, resilience, and wisdom under your belt. Lean into that. You’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from strength. That perspective is powerful. It allows you to navigate change with intention, self-awareness and confidence. The path may be new, but you are not new to rising to the occasion.
