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USA TODAY: Midlife career-switchers have no regrets

Posted 09/25/2008 - 2:42pm
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USA TODAY: Midlife career-switchers have no regrets

When USA Today asked readers to tell how they have changed course at midlife and found new careers, dozens responded with tales of fulfillment.

Among those described in “Midlifers Live Their Dreams by Changing Careers” is 47-year-old Frank Miele, who says it took him “2-1/2 seconds” to decide to leave his partnership in a law firm to start his own art gallery in New York City, a decision he’s never regretted. After quitting his job selling medical products and becoming a physical education teacher and coach at age 46, Joe Sabia of Boca Raton, Fla., said he has “the best job in the world.”

They’re part of a wave of boomers identified in the MetLife/Civic Ventures Encore Career Survey that discovered at least 5.3 million U.S. residents ages 44 to 70 are already in encore careers that combine pay with personal fulfillment and social impact, and 50 percent of the rest would like to have one.

Other examples of satisfied encore careerists in the article by Nanci Hellmich include:

  • Bartan Kennedy, 65, an assistant kindergarten teacher in Stamford, Conn., who had always wanted to be a performer. After dealing with breast cancer at age 50, she transitioned to a job doing dramatic storytelling to children at local libraries. “My audience is young and enthusiastic and forgiving, and I am finally a star,” she said.

  • Pat Riley, 49, of Janesville, Wis., who was a data analyst and unit clerk at a hospital for 18 years before she opened a quilt shop. “Everybody who comes in here has a smile on their face. It’s not nearly as stressful as my other job,” she noted.

  • Bonnie Sohn, 55, who worked as an accountant for an organization in Chicago for 17 years and moved to an accounting position with the Alzheimer’s Association after her father was diagnosed with the disease. “I spend a lot of time on my job, and I wanted to do something that was doing good for other people,” she explained.

Stephan Little

Finding the Perfect Biz is necessary but not that tough

Great article Terry –

This is a great illustration. 

I have several others on my blog as well:  www.theperfectbizfinder.com

The common theme of success here has to do with accomplishment.  I many cases people have been working long hard hours and sacrificing their passionate interests for so long that they are no longer in-touch with them. 

Even if they make a lot of money and build a big retirement portfolio they still have not experienced it as success.

With nearly 4 decades of successful business building behind me, I can honestly say that people do not fail because of a lack of skill, talent, or desire.Rather, they struggle because they lack access to the inner resourced necessary to experience success.When people break free of the limiting beliefs and counter-intentions that stifle them and pursue something they are passionate and committed to accomplishing in a purposeful sense while here on earth, they ALWAYS experience astonishing levels of success.It is actually quite easy to do once you have a roadmap to follow.  It requires a little bit of inner exploration and learning a technique or two for silencing subconsious limiting beliefs.  But once you have done this you’d be amazed at what is revealed as possible for you.Check out some of the stories and resources I have created to help you:  www.theperfectbizfinder.comThank you for you awesome contribution to this movement of awakening  

Steve Little: 

ThePerfectBizFinderwww.theperfectbizfinder.com I‘m standing for all that is possible for you in life and business. 

Art Koff

Career Swichers Often Older Workers

Many older boomers, seniors and retirees are interested in continuing to
work but often in a new career. They are interested in using the experience and
skills they have developed over the years to move into different kinds of work.

Employers hire a number of older workers for temporary jobs and project
assignments but are not as likely to hire them for full-time employment.

Many open their own businesses and are successful but end up working longer
hours than anticipated; others unfortunately find themselves separated from a
good deal of hard earned money at a time when savings are not replaceable.

There are a number of Web sites which provide information on career
switching as well as continuing education, getting help adjusting a resume,
starting a business and connecting with employers interested in hiring older
workers. www.RetiredBrains.com offers all of this information.