Many of you may remember when the typical pattern for many people’s working lives was to get a job after they finished their education, stay at that job for many years, perhaps change jobs once or twice and retire at 65 with the proverbial “gold watch.”
As you’ve probably noticed, that paradigm has changed tremendously. People not only change jobs more frequently, but (multiple) career changes have become much more common and acceptable. Some people – of either gender – take breaks for child-raising or further education and some go to school at night while continuing to work during the day.
People used to work and then retire, in a sort of linear way, in their early to mid 60’s. Today, there are many more choices. Some people retire early, maybe in their fifties. Others work way past the traditional 65. Some choose to retire and begin some other kind of work, full or part-time. The new occupation might be another professional endeavor or something based on a long time hobby or interest. A former copywriter we know is now taking gardening classes, volunteering in a city garden and of course, tending her own garden which she’s developed over the years. Another energetic 65 year old we know retired from working in city politics after a number of years and is now on the board of three not-for-profits and chair of one of them. She’s busier than ever and very excited about her current work. We know other professionals who have stopped working full-time and have begun consulting in their area of expertise on a part-time basis.
The possibilities are limited only by your own interests and imagination. It can be very exciting. But we do understand that this huge array of options can often seem overwhelming.
If you or someone you know is contemplating this sort of transition, Lansky Career Consultants is adding a new service to address this issue. We’re calling it Lansky (Second) Careers and we’ll be working with people who are considering “retiring”; i.e., leaving (or have already left) the work which has been their career for many years and defining what’s next. Will it be a hobby, volunteer work, part-time work in the same field or a new field? Or maybe you’ve already left your previous career and are looking for a new endeavor. Whatever you decide, it will be exciting!
For more information about finding your second career, please be sure to contact Lansky (Second) Career Services!
