Most women fear industry switches get harder with age. The opposite is often true — switching gets easier after 8-10 years because transferable skills (leadership, project management, strategic thinking) are more obvious to new employers. Specific industry knowledge matters less; meta-skills matter more.
Why experienced switchers often land well
Senior leadership skills transfer across industries (people management, strategy, stakeholder communication). Sectoral knowledge is learnable; senior judgment isn't. Companies hiring for senior roles often deliberately recruit cross-industry to bring fresh thinking.
What to do to position for the switch
Identify transferable themes in your current work that resonate across industries. Build network in target industry over 12-18 months (informational interviews, industry events). Consider step laterally first, vertically later — your industry credibility builds with 18-24 months in the new sector.
Industry switches in your 40s and 50s are common and often successful. Don't accept the narrative that age limits options — frequently it expands them.