Starting Over 8

 Bernita Clark – From Medical Technologist to Computer Systems Analyst

In a quiet laboratory in a bustling hospital, Bernita Clark spent the early years of her career focused on precise numbers, delicate instruments, and diagnostic accuracy. As a medical technologist, she played a crucial role behind the scenes, processing lab tests, ensuring quality control, and helping doctors make life-saving decisions. It was work she found meaningful, even noble. But over time, something shifted.

Bernita loved the science. She loved the challenge. But she began to notice another fascination growing in the corners of her work, computers. When new laboratory software systems were introduced, many groaned. Bernita leaned in. She found herself staying after hours, not out of obligation but out of curiosity. She’d ask the IT staff questions, poke around in the system, and volunteer to test new updates. While others were troubleshooting with frustration, Bernita was troubleshooting with excitement.

Still, making a midlife career change wasn’t something she took lightly. She’d built a solid career in health care. She had respect, security, and a rhythm to her life. But the idea of moving from the clinical world into technology kept calling her. It was the 1980s, and computing was just beginning to redefine every industry. Bernita saw the future, and she wanted to be part of shaping it.

So, in her forties, she made the leap. She returned to school, taking computer science courses while continuing to work part-time in the lab. It wasn’t easy. She was often the oldest person in the classroom, juggling professional responsibilities with new learning curves. But she was determined, resourceful, and open to change.

Eventually, her persistence paid off. Bernita transitioned into a role as a computer systems analyst, first within the medical field and later expanding into broader corporate IT environments. In this new role, she became a translator between people and machines, helping organizations understand how to implement new systems, training staff, and making sure technology worked for people, not the other way around.

Her unique background made her invaluable. She knew how hospitals operated from the inside, which made her a brilliant bridge between software developers and healthcare professionals. She could explain technical solutions in plain language and was known for her patience, clarity, and collaborative spirit. In time, Bernita became not only a tech expert but a mentor to others, especially women and mid-career professionals considering similar pivots.

Looking back, Bernita describes her reinvention not as a rejection of her past, but an evolution of it. “Being a technologist taught me to look closely at the small details,” she says. “That attention to detail helped me succeed in systems analysis. Nothing I did before was wasted, it all led to this.”

Now in retirement, Bernita hasn’t slowed down much. She continues to learn about new technologies, volunteers with community programs teaching seniors digital literacy, and encourages others to embrace lifelong learning. For her, reinvention wasn’t just about changing jobs, it was about honoring curiosity, trusting her instincts, and staying flexible in the face of change.

Bernita’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to follow a new path, even one that might seem completely different from where you started. She didn’t abandon her skills; she expanded them. She didn’t wait for permission; she pursued possibility.

Her message is clear: Don’t let age or tradition keep you from trying something new. Whether you’re drawn to technology, art, writing, entrepreneurship, or an entirely different field, the key is to start. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to learn.

In the spirit of rock and roll, bold, transformative, and unafraid, Bernita Clark’s journey shows us that midlife isn’t the end of discovery. It’s a perfect time to remix the track, turn up the volume, and reinvent the beat.