Anne Ring
At 82, I’m looking back at a professional life that has been marked by a zig zag path through major changes in my careers in just about every decade to date. While I did have an original plan - to be a psychologist - circumstances such as major geographical moves, and opportunities that opened up in other ways too, resulted in my evolving eclectically into a broadly experienced social scientist, progressively developing skills in research, teaching, consulting and (most recently) public speaking while - through it all and above all - continually honing my writing skills for a variety of different purposes and audiences, and culminating in the writing of my book on ageing, which has opened still more doors.
Of course, everybody’s story is different, and context is important. So it’s relevant to note that mine is framed by a loving and very supportive relationship with my life partner, sharing an adventurous and sometimes challenging life together as we made those big moves while growing our family. And so, within that framework, what are some of the lessons that I’ve learnt over the years?
[1] If (either through necessity or inclination) you’re prepared to say yes to occupations that are new to you, and so you are - essentially - being thrown into the deep end, be sure to have strategies that get you oriented and upskilled fast. This includes keeping calm while finding the resources and the mentors that you need - which, as an example, I did when having to switch from clinical psychology in Sydney to a position carrying out anthropology field research in Papua New Guinea, in my 20s (having only done three years of academic anthropology at university). I found a most useful guide book, and also enrolled in a Masters Degree, which provided a most useful mentor and supervisor. And, as another example, in my late 40s, I was offered the position of director of research in a newly formed medical education centre, where we were all finding our feet, fast. With rapid access to resources and experts in this unfamiliar field, we became a most successful research unit.
[2] Life long learning, both formal and/or informal, can yield great benefits. Again, as an example, moving to Brisbane in my late 30s and knowing no one, I completed studies in health education, both to combat loneliness (being largely at home with a young child) and to earn another string to my bow. This resulted in new networks, and a plunge into the field of academic teaching, which in turn led to an offer to do a PhD (In health sociology), in my 40s-50s, which has benefited me in all sorts of ways, to this day.
[3] Striking out on one’s own can also be a doable challenge. In my mid 50s, for example, I decided to move on from medical education research, and explored what was involved in setting up a consultancy, which I then did, with a staff of one: me. And it proved to be a satisfying way of working independently, having previously formed useful networks resulting in a variety of research and development work, and with one thing then leading to another.
[4] If there is something that you really, really want to do, have a go at it. In my 60s I turned to my abiding love of writing, and worked at becoming a freelance writer and polishing the styles needed for short articles, both in paid and unpaid media. And started on fulfilling my lifelong ambition of having a book published, and on a topic that I was and am passionate about: ageing. Thirteen years later, that book was published.
[5] Have the confidence to believe that it’s never too late to try new things. During all of my professional life, for example, I had hated the public speaking that I had to do - a state of high anxiety each time. But I realised that I might have to do some to promote my book and so - finally at the age of 80 - I had the wit to join a Toastmasters group, and found that they were most helpful, and their practical tips finally resulted in my being an increasingly confident public speaker and advocate for pro-ageing and anti-ageism.
All of us learn so many lessons as we travel through our ages, and I’m glad to have shared some of mine, in the fascinating and challenging arena of career transitioning.
Anne Ring copyright 2025
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