Hello everyone, I could use some insights on my career journey. I’m currently 28 years old and hold a business degree, but things have not unfolded as I had hoped. After finishing college, I faced a tough job market and was unemployed for about two years. I then enrolled in a web development bootcamp, but unfortunately, that didn’t lead to any job offers either.
For the last couple of years, I’ve been working as a freelance consultant to make ends meet, but I’m considering making a shift towards a more secure career. I understand that I’m not the youngest in the job market anymore, yet I’m ready to dedicate the next year or two to building a new path.
Has anyone here experienced a similar change in their late twenties? Are there still chances to create a fulfilling career at this point, or should I stay on my current path? I would really appreciate any advice you can share.
28 is definitely not too late to switch careers. What you’re going through is super common now, and honestly, your mixed background is actually an advantage. You’ve got a business degree, bootcamp experience, and freelance work under your belt - that’s given you adaptability, client skills, and problem-solving abilities that most traditional career paths don’t teach.
Don’t see your unconventional path as a problem. Think of it as building resilience and diverse expertise. Tons of successful people didn’t hit their stride until their thirties or later. Your freelance work shows you can think like an entrepreneur and handle uncertainty - employers love that stuff.
The trick is figuring out how your current skills fit into your target industry and being smart about networking and positioning. You’re willing to put in another year or two, which shows you’re serious about making this change. Build on what you already have instead of starting over from zero.
Made my biggest career switch at 29 after bouncing around for years! Went from marketing gigs and freelance writing straight into data analysis. Companies actually love that real-world freelancing experience - you know how to hustle and manage clients, which is massive. Your business degree + bootcamp combo isn’t wasted, just unconventional. Pick ONE direction that combines your skills and go all-in instead of spreading yourself thin. Job market’s weird for everyone right now, but that entrepreneurial mindset from freelancing makes you stand out. Don’t let age mess with your head.
lol 28 is “too late”? You’re barely an adult. Half the people I know didn’t figure out their career until their 30s. You’re overthinking this - freelancing IS real work experience, not some placeholder gig. The job market sucks for everyone, not just career switchers. Stop treating your path like a failure because it wasn’t linear. Plenty of employers would kill for someone with business sense AND technical skills who’s proven they can work independently.
Your freelance experience is gold - don’t underestimate it. I switched from teaching to tech at 30 and would’ve killed for your business + dev background. Freelancing teaches you things regular employees never learn: handling difficult clients, managing projects, selling yourself. That’s huge in any industry. And 28? You’re young as hell for a career change.
28 is perfect for switching careers! Your freelance work shows you’re resourceful and self-motivated. Companies want people who adapt and solve problems on their own. You’ve got this!
