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One of the greatest pleasures of my job is getting to work occasionally with journalism icon Jane Pauley. She has dedicated her encore years to telling stories of people using their talent and experience to serve the greater good.

There's so much talk about how people over 50 are having the toughest time rebounding from the recession that we at Encore.org wanted to uncover the stories of those who have overcome obstacles and those who are using their encore careers to help others hard hit.

Recently I asked for your stories, and you shared your many passions, journeys and triumphs. We were honored to read them. We picked five favorites to share.

By Sara Ying Rounsaville

In the past few days, people in encore careers have been making big news. Second acts for the greater good are gaining momentum and continuing to garner serious national media attention. There’s the patient advocate in The New York Times, the children’s chorus founder in a new Wall Street Journal series, the food bank worker in a Reuters column. Coming up are features on the PBS NewsHour and BBC World Service.

Editor’s note: Purpose Prize winner Nancy Sanford Hughes, a longtime member of the volunteer organization Rotary International, was honored last week at the White House alongside 11 fellow Rotarians as a Champion of Change.

Purpose Prize winners prove that energy and determination have little to do with age. In their encore careers, these individuals make society better – driven by passion, backed by experience.

As I tour the country, introducing people to The Encore Career Handbook, folks everywhere are telling me they’re worried about the still-sputtering economy. If you’re in the job market, finding work can seem daunting, and a little scary.

You’ve most likely encountered Prudential's Day One stories campaign, telling us we need to prepare for a seemingly endless retirement. On billboards and bus posters, in radio and television ads, Prudential says we’ll be retired for 6,000 days – or many more – after working for 12,000. The financial services company’s campaign amounts to scenario planning through the rear view mirror – bolting the new longevity (longer, healthier lives) to the old retirement lifestyle. This retrograde vision is neither sustainable, nor attainable – and it isn't desirable.

We at Encore.org often encourage you to ask yourself: What’s next? Many of you have told us you’re looking for ways to apply your years of experience toward helping others – while continuing to earn a living. Our partner Next Avenue, a PBS system website for people 50 and older, is a great resource to help you shape your second act.

As Encore Career Handbook author Marci Alboher has been touring the country, people have been asking her lots of questions about one resource she recommends enthusiastically in her book: LinkedIn. With more than 187 million members, LinkedIn operates the world's largest professional network. It could be the key to finding your encore career, work that makes a difference in the lives of others.

The Purpose Prize honors individuals making a monument out of what many consider the leftover years, not only finding personal meaning but doing creative and entrepreneurial work aimed at solving fundamental problems facing the nation and the world today.

All in their 60s and beyond, these pioneers have built upon the experiences that have shaped their lives to improve others’ lives.

LEARN ABOUT THE BIG SHIFT

In his book – The Big Shift – Encore.org founder and CEO Marc Freedman
argues that though we’re getting older, most of us are not getting old … at least not yet.
About the Big ShiftAbout Marc Freedman