Baby Boomers Redefine Their Work Lives

As the first wave of Baby Boomers reach their early sixties, they continue to challenge expectations about retirement. Today’s age 60 is yesterday’s age 50. Boomers are looking at a retirement landscape that keeps changing. Their needs cannot be lumped into one group. What is impacting their decisions and what do they want?

We asked Katy Piotrowski, M.Ed., author of several career books including Career Coward’s Guide to Changing Careers, for her observations of these experienced adults as they consider a different direction on their life’s career path. Here are her recommendations:

Q. What kinds of career changes do you see Baby Boomers making?

KP: That depends. We have some Boomers who have taken early retirements or have benefited from a corporate buy-out. A number of these experienced workers are choosing to buy a franchise as a kind of “plug and play” format that represents an interest area for them. They want to invest their money and see success right away. They want to keep their hands in the game but not necessarily the daily operations.

Boomers who have been in highly responsible and taxing roles still enjoy a challenge, but are hoping for opportunities that offer more flexibility in their schedule and work hours. They may prefer project-based work that taps their interests and passions more directly. Often Boomers are looking for work that is more meaningful and at the same time, more fun!

Sometimes they are looking for work similar to their career, but with lighter responsibilities. An example of this is a client of mine who used to be a principal of an elementary school and enjoyed the administrative portion of the job, who now handles those responsibilities in a small office.

Q. What are the most important things Boomers can do to make their career change successful?

KP: Expectations are important in managing change. Experienced workers who have been successful in their careers have reached a high level of expertise, and they often want to do something different as they get older. Yet while learning new skills, they expect themselves to be at that same level of competence. It can be uncomfortable and very frustrating because they used to know how to do everything, and now they feel lost or lacking. These Boomers need to take the pressure off themselves, and be patient. They need to put the life skills they’re an expert in on the back burner while they learn, and then they will soon see how to bring those familiar skills forward again.

The other observation I have is that some people really want to make their career choices quickly. They’re thinking, “I paid my dues for a long time in a job, and I’m ready for a change right now.” It’s at this point that they may make some poor decisions. Again, expectations. They may be in “the fog” for two years trying things out, experimenting, perhaps volunteering, before a new direction crystallizes. Working with a career professional at this time can expedite the reflective process and exploration, and keep the expectations realistic.

Our work roles form part of our identities. The change Boomers are making in their career on the outside also requires a mental change internally, shifting their role and responsibilities. It takes time to develop a new picture of who they are. I tell them that, just like a TV picture, the new vision is created “one pixel at a time.”

Q. How important is attitude?

KP: It’s all about attitude. Some Boomers will have to continue working beyond traditional retirement age because of a need for continuing income or health benefits. Others have lost their jobs involuntarily through downsizing or corporate reorganization. Not surprisingly, they may find that they harbor a lot of anger regarding their situation. If this is the case, enlisting the help of a counselor or psychologist can help them work through this difficult time more quickly.

Boomers who have a positive attitude and are open to learning new things will have an advantage. For example, they may find themselves competing with young adults fresh out of college who know and love technology. Boomers are typically technology resistant, and this attitude can close a lot of doors. It stems from a fear of not being able to succeed. A more positive approach would be, “Show me, and then let’s see what I can do.” That “Can do” attitude is always valued by an employer.