Voice of our client: Women Boomers in the Workforce

Challenge Factory has been highlighting the interesting trend of boomers choosing to "unretire" or not retire at all. In fact, we've decided to not use the term anymore.

The 50+ generation are choosing a completely different path to the standard "handshake and gold watch" approach to their careers.

Whether it is financial constraints that require people to keep working or the more significant choice of wanting to continue to contribute to a cause or an industry, the fact is mature professionals are staying in the game for a much longer period of time - and loving it.

A recent article in the Globe and Mail ("Older women lead pack in job gains" by Tavia Grant) highlighted some of the thinking and statistics behind observation that older women are leading the way when it comes to gaining employment in significant industries.

One of our own Challenge Factory clients, Andrea, shares her perspective:

"It seems the Boomers are once again leading a new trend. Many people are becoming encore careerists and that’s a good thing. I’m in my early fifties and never had what I would consider a career and now, through Challenge Factory, I want to finally ‘get it right’.

People have asked me in the past, 'Have you figured out what you’re going to do when you grow up?'

I don’t think I ever want to grow up if it means doing the same boring job for thirty or more years. I admire people who recreate their lives and our North American generation is so fortunate because we have the ability and resources to do that.

My next career will be defined by a combination of personal meaning, continued income and social impact.

It’s never too late to discover a new passion in your life and start again."

We couldn't have summarized our experience with helping Boomers move into meaningful next careers better.

After all, it's your career, what are you waiting for?

(with thanks to Andrea)