Women Over Fifty—Your Encore Career
I’m reading a fascinating book, ENCORE: Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life, by Marc Freeman.
Here are some of his thoughts:
Retirement as we’ve known it is in the midst of being displaced as the central institution of the second half of life. It’s being supplanted by a new stage of life opening up between the end of midlife and the arrival of true old age, a period that essentially amounts to the second half of life, at least adult life. And that’s just the half of it: The new phase under development is every bit as much a new stage of work.
We now know that baby boomers are going to work longer than their parents did, whether they have to or want to, or most likely of all, will be propelled to extended working lives by some combination of the two. Four out of five boomers consistently tell researchers that they expect to work well into what used to be known as the retirement years. And half of those between 50 and 70 say that they want to do work that improves life in their communities.
The movement of millions of these individuals into a new phase of work constitutes one of the most significant transformations in work this country has witnessed since millions of women broke through to new roles in the labor market, roles that had been off-limits to their mothers’ generation. And much like the movement of women into the workplace, boomers’ extended stay on the job is likely to have reverberations for all generations and for the very nature of work in America.
Longer working lives bring with them many potential benefits for individuals—a longer time to earn and save, as well as purpose, structure, physical and mental health, and an expanding social circle. The people I profile in the book and many others are finding encore careers doing the most important and rewarding work in their lives. It’s not easy, but they are questioning their values, following their passions, rethinking their training, networking, volunteering as a way to paid employment, and selling their experience as an asset. Today’s typical 55- or 60-year-old is not interested in heading permanently for the sidelines.
Interesting stuff—and, yes, we boomers will continue to change the world. Our Encore careers will be one more major movement to add to our legendary list of far-reaching accomplishments. What a generation!!!
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September 27th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Thanks Mary for sharing the excerpts from the book ‘Encore’. It is certain to help people crossing into their fifties to look at their coming years with a new perspective. On the work front, the younger generations, Gen X and Gen Y are engaged in a battle of retaining or taking over managerial control according to their own respective views. In such a scenario, it is actually beneficial to have an extended-tenure Boomer generation around to lend a calming influence. What with their immense experience and sagacity, Boomers should not be underestimated while in the process they (Boomers) themselves embark on the second half of life productively. Good article. Thanks.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I recently retired (actually, was “aged out”,but that’s another story) after 35 years of teaching. I loved my work with at-risk and emotionally disabled kids. I was teaching English in a therapeutic residential school and had the opportunity to do my own therapeutic literature and drama with these students. I could have kept going another 5 to 10 years, easily.
In my side job, I have been an active volunteer advocate for people who are affected by chronic mental illness. I have a new 2007 degree (I’m a perpetual student!) in Special Education, with a focus on emotional disabilities and learning disabilities. I came into this side field naturally because I have two first degree relatives (my son and brother)who have chronic mental illnesses, and I thoroughly understand the plight and struggles that confront mentally ill people every day. I’m known in my community for being a community leader in the area of mental health.
Now that I’m retired and am able to plan my own time, I keep busy as I also adjunct in English comp at two community colleges. Still, my heart “pings!” to take up a career in mental health. I actually applied at the Center where I had volunteered for nearly 10 years; but they passed over me and chose a young lady with two years experience. I’ve been told that some of the staff didn’t think I could a team player, that I was totally a leader, that I was “overqualified” (but I don’t even have a clinician’s license!), etc.
I’ve toyed with going back to school AGAIN but the handwriting on the mental health walls tell me that I probably wouldn’t get hired at a CMHC, anyway. Still I’ve tried to reach out to other centers in the mental health community (where everybody already knows me as a community advocate and leader), and drawn a blank. I’m not sure what to do next.
Now I am toying with applying for a radio announcer job locally on an NPR station. I wouldn’t mind creating a program on mental illness and stigma at some point (I had a little broadcasting experience in my past).
I totally agree with Cindy Luck when she says she’d never want to sit around for a gold watch! Even as a long-term teacher I transferred myself to 7 different schools and tried every type and age-group of students I could find. Ultimately, I like the needy, sick people who I can help, coach, and get ready for society. I’d love to hear from any of you who are dying on the vine and want to do more in the area of their passions.
Pat Herr
September 30th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
When I read Marc Freedman’s book, I knew that I wanted to be a part of this movement. A month later, I founded the ENCORE Career Institute! We work with Boomers who are ready to redefine retirement not as being from FROM work, but rather free TO work.
Free to do purpose-driven work
Free to do work that will shape their legacy
Free to work for the common good
Free to work for the sheer joy of making a positive contribution
I invite anyone who would like to learn more to visit our website at http://www.encorecareerinstitute.org
September 14th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Very insightful article! Thanks for the inspiration
. Baby boomers of all ages have much to experience and lot’s to offer. I’ve written a few articles as well on volunteer vacations and meaningful travel.
http://www.smartseniortravel.com/meaningful-travel-teaching-english-abroad-tefl/
http://www.smartseniortravel.com/vacations-with-a-purpose/
September 11th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
It’s wonderful to be able to make a different career choice at midlife and beyond. Those before us stayed with the same company or doing the same work until they got the “gold watch”-I don’t ever want to dust one of those off! Yes, new work breathes new life into our souls!