Second Act Careers - Holden Ferris

You already built a career once. This book shows you how to build a second one - without starting over.

If you’re 30, 40, or 50+ and thinking about a career pivot, the hardest part usually isn’t ability - it’s not knowing which of your existing skills are worth real money elsewhere, and which reskilling path actually gets you there without years of debt or a fresh four-year degree.

Second Act Careers organizes 150 real, well-paying career paths not by industry, but by the transferable skill at their core - communication, leadership, organization, hands-on troubleshooting, caregiving, sales, numbers, data, and more. Find the skill group that matches what you already do well, and you’ll find a shortlist of careers built for exactly that strength.

What’s inside:

- 150 career profiles across 15 transferable-skill groups, each with a realistic salary range, a concrete reskilling path (certificate, license, or apprenticeship - rarely a full degree), and the specific first-act backgrounds that transfer best

- A dedicated chapter on the Second Act mindset: how reskilling actually works, and how to evaluate any certificate program before you pay for it

- Illustrative composite case studies showing how real transitions unfold, step by step, from first career to second

- A practical directory explaining vendor certifications, professional licenses, and apprenticeships - and four questions to ask before enrolling in any of them

- A glossary of terms you’ll meet while researching your own path

Perfect for adults considering a career change, career counselors and workforce coaches, HR professionals supporting employee transitions, and anyone who wants a clear, honest map instead of vague inspiration. Makes a thoughtful gift for a parent, spouse, or friend standing at a career crossroads.