Episode 179: Sixtyish and Loving It: Perseverance and the Midlife Career Change

People say, wouldn’t you like to be 30 again or 40? You know, I’m loving being this age...it’s a stage of our lives that can be just as rewarding and achieving as every other stage, if you put your mind to it.
— Heather McGregor
Professor Heather Mcgregor

Professor Heather Mcgregor

In the last couple of episodes we discussed the transitions working couples go through during their lives. In this show we re-meet a former guest who’s half of one such couple. Heather McGregor embraced a big career change at 55, going from entrepreneur to academic dean running Edinburgh Business School. She’s continuing a stage where she's switched from supportive partner to family breadwinner.

This transition involved a big move and, initially, living apart from her spouse and son. It hasn’t always been easy, but, she says - like staying married - it’s been worth it.

Heather has always had an eye on the future, planning for what might come next. She believes it's never too late for a career change, as long as you prepare ahead of time.

You can also read a transcript of the show.

Heather is the author of several books, among them Mrs. Moneypenny’s Career Advice for Ambitious Women.


For many years Heather wrote a column for the Financial Times as Mrs. Moneypenny. I first approached her for an interview in 2012. She’s appeared in these past episodes.

I realized after I put this list together that the last time she and I spoke was actually in 2015, not 2016 as I said in the podcast.

Episode 4: Getting Ahead

Episode 11: Women of a Certain Age

Episode 18: The Power of Image

Episode 26: Get Ahead. No Guilt.

Episode 147: Forced Out