SHIFTING GEARS MIDCAREER

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SHIFTING GEARSMID-CAREER!

• November 19, 2008
• Diane Kohler, Manager
• HR/Career Development

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CAREER SATISFACTIONWhy It Matters!

• Life Expectancy has steadily increased.
• Persons reaching age 65 have an average life
  expectancy of an additional 18.7 years (20 years
  for women and 17.1 for males)
• Americans have not been saving more for their own
  for retirement.
• In one study of working-age households, 44 were
  estimated to not being able to maintain their
  standard of living in retirement.

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Were Working Longer

• Increased age limits to be eligible for social
  security benefits.
• Full retirement age (also called "normal
  retirement age") had been 65 for many years.
  However, beginning with people born in 1938 or
  later, that age gradually increases until it
  reaches 67 for people born after 1959.
• Decline in traditional pensions.
• According to U.S. Department Labor Statistics,
  60 of private workers had a defined benefit,
  compared to 11 in 2004.
• Modest 401(k) balances.
• In 2004, 49 of all workers were eligible for
  participation in a 401K plan. Of those eligible,
  79 were participating.

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WHAT about YOU?
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Internal Signs of a Mid-Life Career Crisis

• Do you dread going to work?
• Do you suffer from Sunday afternoon blahs?
• Have you stopped reading professional journals,
  books and articles?
• Do you avoid attending meetings and conferences
  in your field?
• Can you see yourself doing this type of work a
  few years in the future?

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External Signs it Might Be Time to Change
Careers..

• Your organization/department is experiencing a
  downward spiral
• Your relationship with your boss is damaged
  beyond repair
• Your life situation has changed
• Your org./dept. operates in a way at odds with
  your personal values.

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. Its time to move if Contd

• Youve stopped having fun and enjoying your job
• Your stress level is so high at work that it is
  affecting your physical or mental health and/or
  your relationships with your friends and family
• You are UNCHALLENGED!

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FIRST THINGS FIRST! What Do You Want to Change?

• A comparable position within your most recent
  industry?
• A different position within your most recent or
  current industry?
• A comparable position in a different industry?

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WHAT DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE? Contd.

• An entirely new position in a different industry?
• Concurrent careers, e.g. you work in multiple
  careers on a part-time or contract basis?
• The entrepreneurial route of self-
• employment?
• (source Over-40 Job Search Guide, Gail Geary,
  JD)

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UNLEASH YOUR INNER CAREER COUNSELOR!

• You are NOT a stranger to yourself!
• Take some time to get reacquainted!
• The career change process is simple
• Its about searching inside yourself and then
  searching for work that fits that self.

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Career Decision-Making Model

• 1) Who Am I? Taking Stock
• Explore your skills, values, interests,
  personality and work environment preferences
• 2) Whats Out there? Occupational Research
• 3) Where Next? Based upon your research, make a
  decision
• 4) Develop an Action Plan!
• 5) Conduct a Targeted Job Search or Seek
  Additional Education/Training, Volunteer or
  Service Opportunities

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Step 1 Who Am I?(Taking Stock)

• Analyze career dreams from your formative years,
  favorite classes, hobbies, volunteer and service.
  Look for themes, patterns, possible
  likes/dislikes.
• Think about who you admire and why?
• Consider tasks that come naturally for you and
  how these could relate to work.

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Taking Stock..contd.

• Rank your top work-related values
• Meet with a Career Consultant
• Take assessments (i.e. Strong Interest Inventory,
  Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Self Directed
  Search, Values card sorts, SkillScan, EDAP)

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Step 2 Occupational Research

• www.bls.gov/oco
• http//online.onetcenter.org
• Conduct Informational Interviews
• Take exploratory courses in community adult
  education, community colleges, universities
• Shadow

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Gain Experience

• Part-time work in the targeted field
• Volunteering community service
• Join related clubs and organizations
• Continue your research
• Join professional associations as an associate or
  affiliate member

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Step 3 Make A Decision

• Based upon your RESEARCH,
• narrow the list to your top choice.
• You
• Can
• RE-
• DECIDE!

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Step 4 Develop an Action Plan

• Set your goals and develop a 3-, 6-, 12-month
  action plan
• ?
• ?
• ?

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Step 5 Job Search Or Training

• Conduct a Targeted Job Search or seek Additional
  Education/Training in order to enter your desired
  field

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DREAM BIG and ENJOY THE
PROCESS!

• If you limit your choices only to what seems
  possible or reasonable,
• you disconnect yourself from what you truly
  want, and all that's left is a compromise.
• Robert Fritz

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QUESTIONS? Lets TALK!