Posted 02/18/2009 - 04:19:07pm by Terry Nagel in Promoting Encore Careers in the Media
During a discussion at the recent Encore Careers Summit, several people pointed out that Purpose Prize winners can be inspiring - or intimidating. Hearing the story of an individual who has, for example, devoted her life to ridding toxic chemicals from consumer products makes some listeners doubt their ability to make a difference, while others set their own sights higher after listening to the achievements of Encore superstars.
Which types of stories do we want the media to tell? Should the stories of superstars be told to different audiences?
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What are Encore Careers About?
Revisiting this almost two year old thread:
Whether the work is new or ongoing, outcomes and effectiveness seem important, and we can all learn from people who have an established history in carrying out beneficial services and producing valuable products.
However, Encore Careers seems to be building on career transition ("then; now"). Rewarding successful and relevant ongoing programs has some value, but the point seems to be finding a way to promote creative new direction(?).
Superstars vs. average people
One of the best aspects of having Barack Obama become President is that he (and his campaign) created a new atmosphere in the United States: that working in the public interest is a valuable thing. He uses a vocabulary that really advances that idea.
But just as President Obama has many audiences (or constituencies) to speak to, those trying to promote the idea of Encore careers also have many audiences. So I think it's as important to tell the stories of "average people" (which, hopefully will resonate with other "average people") as it is to tell the stories of superstars. The key is that the zeitgeist seems to have changed, and that message needs to be told.
Superstars or the rest of us?
I think it's really important to tell the stories of all kinds of people doing all kinds of encore careers. Sometimes it's easier to get the media to pay attention to the stories about social entrepreneurs who are doing great things or celebrities entering their own encore careers. So we start there. But the ultimate goal has to be to interest the media in the rest of us -- what everyday folks are doing after their midlife careers end to find meaning, earn money, and make a difference.
This economy is certainly fueling interest in the stories of everyday folks struggling to figure this out. So if you know of someone who has recently lost a job or their savings and is now looking for or engaged in an encore career, we'd love to get their story. Please send any and all details to me!
--Stef Weiss, VP for Communications, Civic Ventures, sweiss@civicventures.org