I’ve been thinking a lot about my son, who graduated from high school last month. At times like these, parents can’t help but look back on their children’s early years, and I remember when we told a family friend we would soon be parents. “How wonderful!” she said, “a new chapter in your life!”
That phrase kept showing up this month, as I said goodbye to a number of other counselors and teachers who are retiring. While many people see retirement as a short walk to a long time in a rocking chair, most of these educators have a new plan ahead of them – and the way they built those plans teaches us all a little something about career building, job hunting, and looking forward:
Keep some things constant
One colleague decided it was time to stop teaching full-time, and was immediately asked to teach part-time at two local colleges. After weighing his options, he decided he would teach 1 or 2 classes this fall, but no more – after all, if he taught 4 classes, that wouldn’t be all that different from teaching full-time!
A big part of his next phase involves doing something he loved doing at his old job, and that option exists for many people looking to change careers. As you consider what career to pursue, think about the parts of your jobs that naturally clicked for you. When you read a job description, look for the duties that excite you, thanks to your past employment experiences. This can give you the focus to make the transition successful, from selecting a goal, to developing a resume, to acing the interview.
Look to your hobbies
Another colleague is a classic Mr. Fix-it, who loved to go on vacation and fix everything that needed sprucing up around his house. In addition to working 50 hours a week as a school administrator, he found time to study for the builder’s exam in his state, and he earned his builder’s license. He passed out business cards at his retirement party to let people know that his next chapter was well underway.
It’s not unusual to find these hidden talents in our fellow workers – the secretary who was a professional dancer, or the manager who paints on the side – so now it’s time to bring your hidden talents forward. Ask yourself “If I had it to do all over again, what would I think about doing?” The answers may surprise you, if only because you’ll probably have more than one answer!
Think about new places
Two other colleagues who are retiring aren’t really retiring at all – they’re just looking for a new place to do what they love to do. Their school district offered a financial incentive that was just too good to pass up, and while they can never work at that school again, they can still work at a number of schools and colleges throughout the world.
It isn’t easy to decide your next chapter may be written in a different language, or in a different part of the country. At the same time, don’t be afraid to look beyond the city limits; it could be that a job posting in another country may give you an idea about a different kind of work you could do nearby, or the commitments that are keeping you here aren’t as inflexible as you thought they were. Inspiration comes from many sources, and this source just may help you discover the oasis that lies in your own backyard.
