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Work
Staying informed and prepared in matters of work is always important, but never so much as in today’s uncertain economic climate. From questions surrounding retirement to thoughts of a second career, guidance and tools are only a click away.
New Group of Entrepreneurs
Anyone who needs to be convinced that being an entrepreneur after 50 is a pipe dream, read this article and you may find yourself imagining the logo for your new business. The entrepreneurial path is alluring for boomers with newfound free time and either financial freedom or financial insecurity on their hands. As one boomer business woman put it, "If we do this right, we could be entering ...a "golden age" of entrepreneurship, where smart, educated people embrace business ownership partly out of necessity, partly fueled by their dreams, and partly to grab control of their lives."
What's Next When the Bottom Falls Out?
A lot has been written about the boomer experience...we are, after all, 79 milion people strong... and interested in what age 50+ looks like. An interesting addition is "The Nextnik," a six-episode online video written by movie-maker Mike Kravinsky that follows the tribulations, and triumphs, of Larry Zimmerman, a 55-year-old, upper management family man, who was fired and left with no clue about what comes next. His exploration of what really matters and how he makes a transition is the focus of this series. Tune in and let us know what you think.
Encore Fellowships Offered at Nonprofits
Intel is proud to announce that they are the first company to make Encore Fellowships at local nonprofits available to all of its eligible pre-retiree employees nationwide. Encore Fellowships, created by Civic Ventures, are designed to provide a new source of experienced talent to organizations solving critical social problems, while offering those who have finished midlife careers the chance to transition to encore careers in the nonprofit sector for 6 to 12 months, full or part-time, with a $25,000 stipend. To learn more about this unique program, click here.
You've Still Got It!
The long-awaited retirement of the millions of baby boomers born between 1945 and 1964 has begun...for some. But Fortune magazine reports that many employees aren't ready to say goodbye and some companies don't want to lose them. For pharmaceutical, technology and engineering companies, losing experienced employees can lead to a brain drain. In a recent AARP survey of 1,000 human resources directors, 69% said that their companies are looking to keep older workers as part-time workers and consultants; 46% are trying to entice older workers to stay on full-time. Does that mean you only need half the number of golf clubs you bought for retirement?
What's New on the Job Front?
So here’s a bit of good news to hang on to: Idealist.org, a popular nonprofit jobs site, reports that most nonprofits are “cautiously optimistic” about hiring and believe the worst economic times may be over. Idealist reached out to thousands of organizations in early 2011 to see how they were dealing with the economy and gauge their feelings about the future. Among the findings: 91 percent will either hire for new positions this year (42%) or maintain current staffing levels (49%). Only 9% plan to reduce staff. And, 42 percent are more optimistic about the outlook for their organizations this year than last. For the full report, click here.
Working Out with a Retirement Coach
So, you've worked hard for 40+ years...been achieved status and made enough money to retire comfortably...and what do you do when you reach retirement age? Hire a retirement coach! Doing retirement-like things might be fun, at least for awhile, but how do you let go of being the boss, having control, a schedule to follow, and a card to hand out at cocktail parties? How do you "do" retirement? This article provides a number of scenarios of how retirement coaches are helping people think about their future in a framework that fits their past.
Flexibility and Meaning: Try Part-Time Work
Retirement may not be all that it is cracked up to be. Once free from the day-to-day work responsibilities and stress, you may find that there is a gap needing to be filled. This article from AARP provides a number of good ideas for part-time jobs that can meet the need for staying involved and making a few more dollars...and give you something to look forward to when you wake up in the morning.
Passion and Entrepreneurship: Don't Drink the Kool-Aid
This article, written by Carol Roth, a Penn-educated business strategist and best-selling author addresses the "follow your passion" movement that suggests that you should launch a new business--become an entrepreneur--using your greatest passion as the core of the venture. She argues that what makes businesses successful is the entrepreneur's ability to think about what is needed from the customer's perspective. As she explains, "Passions are magical, but businesses are grounded in realities." To learn more about the author's views on mixing passion and business, click here.
Boomers Moving on to New Adventures
USA Today asked readers to report about transformations they have made during the second half of their lives...and more than 150 people sent e-mails and letters filled with details. Among the responses from these 50+ers were stories about pursuing new careers, education goals, adventures, hobbies, and volunteer activities. The most common type of change readers mentioned was pursuing a new career. Many reported that they managed to overcome fears and doubts to make a fuller, richer life for themselves. To get inspired...read more.
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