Encore Careers, Happiness, etc.

     A fantastic opportunity has arisen! This Thursday (June 17, 2010) there will be a free webcast with two of my favorites in the field of encore careers and stepping aside: Marc Freedman and Anna Quindlen. The webcast is sponsored by Merrill Lynch so it may be heavy on the investing issue but I plan to tune in!
     Here is the blurb:  Join Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anna Quindlen, best-selling author Daniel Gilbert (Stumbling to Happiness), and Civic Ventures CEO Marc Freedman (author of Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life) in a lively discussion on all aspects of preparing for an encore career.
     And the link  http://www.totalmerrill.com/totalmerrill/pages/Webcast_Retire_0610_TM.aspx

I'm Just Getting My Thing Together

With the passing of Dennis Hopper we felt compelled to watch Easy Rider last evening. One of my favorite pieces of business is when Peter Fonda throws his watch onto the side of the road. Wyatt and Billy retired and went looking for America.  My trip has just begun. I am working on a soundtrack equal to theirs.

Thirteen Days In

     My first full week of retirement coincided with Spring Break. Although I didn't experience a rush of feelings, I did have time to reflect on the many wonderful expressions of good wishes from my professional colleagues.  The dreaded parties were enjoyable and low key.  (Dreaded because of having attended so many poorly executed, overly maudlin retirement parties throughout my career.)
    I am especially grateful for the gift of a beautiful memory book. A lot of thought, effort, and time went into it and I know I will cherish it for many years.
   This month I am enjoying the beautiful weather of southwest Florida. After a few weeks of healthful eating, exercise, and de-stressing I will be ready to begin one of my encore careers!

Encore Career Research

The Encore Career e-newsletter that I subscribe to included information from a research project funded by MetLife.  Interestingly, they project a labor shortage in the next decade. I recommend you read the full report and I have included the link to it below. The major conclusion of the study is that older workers will be vital in filling "social sector" jobs that are crucial to the economy and the well-being of our citizens. Here is some data from the report.

After the Recovery: Help Needed; The Coming Labor Shortage and How People in Encore Careers Can Help Solve It
By Barry Bluestone and Mark Melnik; Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Northeastern University; Boston

Total Social/Government Sector – Projected Encore Career Job Growth 2008-2018 (in thousands)

Primary, secondary and special education teachers 647.3
Registered nurses 581.5
Home health aides 460.9
Personal and home care aides 375.8
Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants 276.0
Medical assistants 163.9
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses 155.6
Business operations specialists 147.2
General and operations managers 143.2
Child care workers 142.1
Teacher assistants 134.9
Receptionists and information clerks 132.7
Medical and health service managers 100.8
Clergy 85.1
Social and human service assistants 79.4
Maids and housekeeping cleaners 78.6
Educational, vocational and school counselors 73.3
Computer support specialists 64.0
Office clerks, general 60.8
Managers, all other 57.6
Social and community service managers 57.0
Mental health and substance abuse social workers 56.4
Accountants and auditors 55.6
Rehabilitation counselors 54.2
Medical and public health social workers 53.9
Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks 52.3
Administrative services managers 52.2
Lawyers 52.0
Computer systems analysts 50.1
Human resources, training and labor relations specialists 49.1
Cooks, institution and cafeteria 48.5

Source: Lacey and Wright, “Occupational Employment Projections to 2018,” Analysis of Labor Market Assessment Tool

http://www.encore.org/files/research/JobsBluestonePaper3-5-10.pdf

I was especially encouraged by the authors' certainty of an economic recovery!

Are You Ready to Retire?

  The decision to retire is based on financial preparedness and social-emotional preparedness.  This week I spent some time talking with colleagues about capturing the maximum benefit from the Teachers Retirement System.  To some this concept was new; to others it was not at all relevant.  Putting aside the awkwardness of talking about personal finances, how do we frame the conversation about social-emotional preparedness?
   I have read many articles and books on this stage of life. The semantic context may be encore careers, life portfolios, starting over, stepping aside (Anna Quindlan), or "the narrows" (Sara Davidson) but one common exercise emerges: the necessity of self-examination. I modified a quiz developed by Sara Davidson http://www.saradavidson.com/index.html to help clarify goals for my life after retirement. Complete these sentences:

I realize work is both rewarding and fulfilling. When retirement becomes attainable, I will be ready to go because...

The thing I will miss most when work is over is...

I have finished with... (name both good things and difficulties)

I still yearn to...

In the years to come, I will be grateful for...

   This exercise has been very helpful to me in decision-making and goal-setting. Please let me know if you find it valuable.

The Net You Really Need

     The annual conference of the Georgia Council for Exceptional Children  (CEC) was held last Thursday and Friday. The keynote speaker, Marie Corrigan, addressed the value of seeking and maintaining social relationships in a speech entitled, "The Net You Really Need." She cited some interesting research that suggests that too much time networking on-line may jeopardize our ability to build face-to-face social networks. This struck a chord with me because I see how tempting it would be to let email and blogging substitute for social involvement during my retirement.
     The conference also taught me how important CEC is to maintaining strong professional relationships. With commonality of career (special education) and the traditions and "ways" of a highly structured organization, it is a valuable resource.
      With my first retirement gift in hand, I head into my last month of full-time employment in a public school system.  I intend to use much of this time strengthening, not severing, my ties to the wonderful teachers, paraprofessionals, staff and administrators who comprise my "net."

Retirement Paperwork is Done!

     Yesterday I received a letter from the Teachers' Retirement System. All of my paperwork has been processed and I will receive my first "pension" check on or about April 15th!  My last day of work for my school system will be March 31, 2010.
     My immediate plans are to make plans! I have a number of home improvement projects I want to initiate and some to complete. I also have some tentative work lined up. I am feeling a little more elated each day but I don't know how I will actually feel on the first day I do not have to get up and go to my job.  I have been gainfully employed since the age of 15 (not counting those babysitting jobs) and I want to take stock of what I have contributed. I may also sleep a lot!