Questions and Answers
Many boomers are single, divorced or widowed. It can be a very tough situation in a society where the expectation is that middle-aged people are supposed to be "couples."
I think many boomers would like to combine a volunteering or part-time work experience-- with an environment where we can also meet and form friendships with other single adults in our age group.
What would you recommend?
— Richard D
Dear Richard,
Thanks for writing with your observation and raising a great question. Many of us work to bring more to our lives than a paycheck or volunteer as more than a way to occupy time. Before taking steps to find your next opportunity for work or volunteering, it is wise to take some time to think about what will be most satisfying to you.
Clarifying your values, or the emotional salary, that you are seeking is critical in choosing volunteer or work opportunities. Do you want to constantly meet lots of different people or collaborate with a core group of professionals? Do you only want to be working with others of your age group? Are you energized by interacting with young adults or children as well as boomers? Do you value intellectual thinking, idea innovation or being artistic when working with others? Are you best in cooperative or competitive situations? Define carefully what is most important to you and keep those values in mind as you explore your options.
Choosing an organization that focuses on one of your interests or a mission that energizes you increases the chances of you meeting individuals with whom you share something in common, a good foundation for forming friendships. A terrific resource on this website is the volunteering search engine which identifies volunteer opportunities by the issues that interest you as well as location.
Finding environments predominately staffed with “single adults” presents more of a challenge. Read about AARP’s Featured Employers Program, a listing of companies that appreciate the talent mature workers bring to a job. You will want to seek organizations where the culture encourages the interaction of colleagues. An on-site cafeteria or fitness facility can be a sign of such a culture.
When interviewing for work or volunteer positions, ask about group projects, organization-wide events and if employees join together in community improvement projects. You can certainly ask an interviewer to describe the employees or volunteers in the group that you might be joining.
Use your network of colleagues, friends and family to ask about organizations that would meet your criteria. You want an opportunity where being involved and meeting people is encouraged.
I hope I have given you some ways to think about the search for a situation that will fit and meet your desire to be meeting other single boomers. Perhaps other visitors to our site will let us know if they have been successful in finding workplaces or volunteer opportunities where single boomers are connecting. Finding work or volunteering where you use your expertise, meet your values and interact with the population you prefer will be a challenge. That match will be worth the search. Good luck!
Answered by Beth Wilson
