Blog Post: Encore Careers: Purpose, Passion + Paycheck

“Retirement as we know it is in the midst of being displaced as the central institution of the second half of life,” says Marc Freedman, author of the book “Encore: Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life,” and co-founder of the Experience Corps.

“The shift toward much longer working lives is already underway. Since the mid-1990s, this inclination has emerged as a significant new pattern, reversing a decades-long trend toward earlier and earlier retirement. Between 2003 and 2005, workers over 55 comprised the fastest-growing group of employees in the country.”

As boomers near retirement age, more and more are opting for what Freedman has termed “encore careers,” taking or creating jobs that combine a paycheck with a sense of renewed energy and purpose.   

 “We’re definitely seeing an uptick in older students taking our courses to help launch encore careers,” says Joe Shapiro, dean of San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies (www.neverstoplearning.net). “This is especially true in our green industry, business coaching, and amTEFL teacher training programs - which makes sense, since these are career paths that are already notable for offering people of all ages both a paycheck and a way to contribute greatly to others.” 

Check out the full article here: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-07-20/news/encore-careers-purpose-passion-and-a-paycheck