Starting Over at 62: My Story of Resilience, Grace, and Growth.

The Resilience Story of  Roberto Santini | Shared via Resilience Edge.

It's Never Too Late To take On A New Challenge.

Starting over is never easy — especially when the world expects you to slow down, not reinvent yourself. But at 62, change wasn’t just a possibility for me — it became a necessity.

This is the story of how I moved countries, let go of a lifelong career, faced rejection, and found purpose again — not in a title or paycheck, but in service, connection, and self-respect.

A New Chapter in a New Country

When my wife received a wonderful career opportunity in Switzerland, we made the move together, thinking of her professional growth, and looking forward to our children’s future, plenty of opportunities. In over 35 years, i moved across pharmaceutical industry, wholesale and retail commerce, tertiary services. I led supply chain operations, financial controlling and auditing, managing international projects. I expected that in an international hub like Switzerland, I’d be able to continue my career path.

But things didn’t unfold that way.

Switzerland was beautiful, but different — more structured, more reserved, and much harder to integrate into than I had imagined. Our children needed time to adjust, and once they were settled, I turned to rebuilding my career.

Finding Doors Closed

I eventually found a supply chain role — but the job required daily use of German, and I wasn’t fluent enough. I had to leave. I applied to dozens of roles after that and even sought help from career counseling services. But what I heard shocked me.

They told me I was “too old.”That I didn’t speak the language.That my employment would hurt their statistics.

It was the first time in my life that I felt completely invisible. Bias around age and salary expectations made the job search feel impossible. I wasn’t just starting over — I was starting from scratch.

The Real Challenges

Looking back, I faced three core challenges:

1. The language barrier — German is essential in many parts of Switzerland, and fluency matters.

2. My age — At 62, I was no longer seen as “a good investment.”

3. Lack of a local network — Without people to vouch for your skills or help circulate your CV, even getting a first interview becomes a mountain to climb.

Choosing to Change

After nearly two years of applying with no results, I knew something had to shift.I could no longer wait for a door to open — I had to build a new one.

So I focused on learning German. I enrolled in new certifications. I stayed active, both mentally and physically. And most importantly, I stayed focused on what really mattered: my family and my sense of self-worth.

My children were my greatest inspiration. I wanted to show them that it’s never too late to grow, to adapt, to fight for a new future.

A New Mindset, A New Role

At 20, your career is about ambition. At 60, your career becomes about purpose and perspective.

Eventually, I found a role as a nurse assistant for the elderly. It was nothing like the roles I held before — no large teams, no corporate strategy meetings. But it gave me something I didn’t even realize I needed: to be useful. To be of service. To be needed.

Letting go of my old professional identity was painful. I had to put aside pride and ego. But in return, I found humility, clarity, and the deep satisfaction of showing up for others.

Holding on to What Matters

One of the hardest parts of this journey was how others saw me. In Zurich, productivity is everything. If you’re seen walking during the day, people might assume you’re not working — as if unemployment was a personal failure. Empathy for people in transition is rare.

But I held on to my values. I reminded myself of my mission: to stay active, contribute, and keep growing — no matter the circumstances.

Advice for Anyone Starting Over

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Start with your values.

   When you focus only on yourself, setbacks feel personal. But when you’re guided by purpose, you stay grounded.

   
   

2. Redefine success.

   It’s not only about money. Success is also about love, purpose, solidarity, and staying connected to what brings you joy.

   
   

3. Integrate, but don’t lose yourself.

   Learn from new cultures, but hold on to your roots. You don’t have to follow the mainstream to belong.

   
   

4. Stay active — physically and mentally.

   Leave the comfort zone behind. Keep learning. Adapt. Grow. Never give up.

   
   

5. Versatility is power.

   The world often favors narrow specialization. But if you can do many things, you can always find your place. Don’t let others define your worth.

A Quiet, Honest Beginning

Starting over at 62 wasn’t a detour — it was a quiet beginning. It wasn’t driven by ambition, but by something deeper: the need to stay useful, to stay connected, and to keep moving forward when standing still wasn’t an option.

This journey wasn’t loud or glamorous. It was slow, steady, and sometimes lonely. But in its honesty, I found clarity and peace.

Resilience, I’ve learned, isn’t always about bouncing back. Sometimes, it’s about bending gently — without breaking. It’s listening when life whispers: “There’s still more for you to do.”

If you’re reading this and feel underestimated or left behind, know this:

You are not done.

It’s never too late to begin something that matters.