Finding a new Mid-Life Career : Med School at Age 51

A Canadian CEO, Brian Levy, returned to medical school after his corporate job wet sour. To be sure, he enjoyed a number of advantages. He’d left corporate life with a package of $11 million. He drives to the hospital in a Lexus. But his profs say he works harder and he’s the most prepared for any medical presentation. He has real empathy with the patients.

Inspirational to a point: it helps if you’ve got the money and family support. But if you’re worried about having energy and brainpower for this kind of career change, read about it here.

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Aging Gracefully and Graciously (If you’re healthy, wealthy and aged 50-75)

Review of The Third Chapter: Passion Risk and Adventure in the 25 Years after 50
Author: Sara Lawrence Lightfoot
Published in 2009 by Sarah Crichton Books, a division of Farrar, Straus & Giroux

As a sometime career consultant, I continue to search for a book targeting people at mid-life. This book seems to be about preparing for the years just past midlife, which Mary Pipher characterizes as the “young old.”

As I’ve noted in reviewing other books, I often think it’s impossible to write a really helpful book about this stage of life because (a) there just aren’t a lot of choices for everyone and (b) there’s such a variety of people, health levels, skills, aptitudes, background and more. Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot deals with (b) by focusing on a small slice of the population: educated, healthy people without financial worries. Within that group, she finds common patterns: a yearning for something that can’t always be named, a resistance to change (possibly because successful people tend to resist changing a cherished identity) and finally a learning that differs from previous classroom experiences.

It is insights like this one that led me to give the book a 4-star rating rather than 3-star. I agree with reviewers who complained about the length of interviews, details of subjects’ lives and narrowness of subject range. I also agree that the book doesn’t present as many original ideas and frameworks as readers might expect from extensive research. But as a former academic myself, I think it’s appropriate to work with a narrow sample, as long as you make it clear upfront, preferably in the book’s title. There’s value in asking explicitly, “If money were no object, how would people choose to enter their sixties and seventies?” At the same time, these people are insulated from many consequences of aging.

I also liked the author’s review of the way the notions of aging and retirement have changed. I would have liked to see more on this topic. When I lived in New Mexico I met people who lived in those “55 and up” communities, including one woman who took care of her aging parents. When her mom died, she was in her early fifties: too young, according to the community. I also met people who wondered why I didn’t want to live with my age-mates, an idea that makes me feel suffocated. It’s good to have the historical perspective.

The best part of the book was the author’s interview with economist Matthew Gladstone. Gladstone’s perspective makes sense, possibly because I have a b-school background and enjoyed my economics courses. Gladstone suggests that as we continue doing work, the law of diminishing returns sets in. If I understand him correctly, I believe he might suggest that a successful lawyer might get enormous joy out of winning her first case, then her second…but at some point, she will be less joyful. It’s like eating a meal when you’re hungry; as you start feeling satisfied you don’t enjoy the food as much.

I think we could extend economic thinking even further. When you reach a certain age, you certainly can invest whatever time, energy and money you have to learn something new or start a new venture. But your ROI – return on investment – will be limited. You might write one novel and maybe you will even sell it, but you won’t have time to go on and write a series that would bring you the real rewards that come to authors after a long career.

I don’t agree that the book reads like an academic article or a dissertation, having seen too many examples of the real thing. In fact, I think the book would be stronger if the author had introduced more sociological concepts to frame many examples. For instance, the interviewees made transitions from high-level professional or organizational settings to a more right-brained, artistic and/or spiritual focus. I know many people who never want to stop working. Volunteer work and the arts will never be enough for them (and I feel that way myself). The author notes that one interviewee, Pamela, feels frustrated because there are structural and institutional limits to her contribution. Yet anyone over 50 who wants to continue earning money faces much bigger challenges.

Finally, I admit to being jealous of those who found their new artistic callings. I wish I’d thought of singing lessons, but suspect I will still be advised to tap along to the songs rather than try to sing them. Over the past ten years, I’ve taken pottery classes in two different states. Each time I had less talent than anyone in the class. It was fun, though, and I just resumed. This time I decided to take on throwing. I still have less talent than anyone and I also have sore deltoids in my left arm. Still, I resonate to the experience of the interviewee, Josh, with learning the piano: trying to aim for a higher level does bring psychic rewards

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Beating Age Discrimination With Internet Marketing

Several readers asked for additional tips for getting started on the Internet (see previous post).

First, before you spend hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on web design or development, I recommend considering WordPress as a platform for your website as well as your blog. Many people figure out WordPress on their own (with the help of some online advice). If you’re in a position to invest in training, you can speed up the process. You can also identify some sneaky (but legal) tips and some ways to get the most from your website and blog.

Start with the free stuff…and this is the perfect time. Christina Hills put together some good videos to introduce her forthcoming workshop:

Start here to get some good background on WordPress websites: http://budurl.com/createwpsite

Christina also made a couple of hilarious videos that get you started.
http://budurl.com/juliac

and
http://budurl.com/cookpost

Christina is one of the most conscientious, ethical marketers on the Internet. I’ve been in her shopping cart club for years and still maintan my memberhsip. So if you can comfortable afford to sign up for this workshop, you would be off to a great start for creating a business on the Internet.

I am also a big fan of Jeannette Cates. She’s not one of the flashy names you’ll see around the Internet, but she’s also very ethical with some excellent tools for newbies. http://budurl.com/jcates

And from time to time I offer free and affordable resources. Sign up for the Copy Cat Ezine.

http://budurl.com/jcates

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Facing age discrimination? Get thee to the Internet…

Age discrimination is real. I would never encourage anyone to forego a job search and start a business. But sometimes starting your own business is faster than pounding on pavements and mailing out resumes. When you have downtime during a job search, I would say, Investigate the Internet.

• Nobody cares what you look like. And if you do need a picture…well, let’s just say that one prominent Internet marketer is using a 20-year-old photo. Everybody knows. It’s not a big deal. You can even use a caricature.
• You don’t have to tolerate intrusive questions about your life, snippy colleagues half your age or face time. You do need discipline, motivation and focus.
• You do have to beware a lot of false promises and fake gurus. Start with these two guides:

Internet Marketing over 50 by established copywriter Bob Bly

Reach Desperate Buyers by stay-at-home mom Alexis Dawes.

Invest in these two and you’ll be off to a good start. I also cover a lot of material in my home study coures, Hook Your Clients.

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Recession worse for younger workers?

The New York TImes posted an op ed piece suggesting that a tough recession will be harder on younger workers than older workers. You can read the article here. The Times ask you to register but they don’t bombard you with all kinds of junk email. I’ve subscribed for years and never had a problem.

There is some truth to this idea. I recommend Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers, which offers a popular version of some theories of life course theory, a field of social psychology. The year you were born can make a huge difference in your opportunities. The person who graduates into a world of opportunity gets a foot in the door at a good company. She doesn’t have to be outstanding to enjoy rewards. Her entire career can be influenced by her very first job out of school.

But at the same time, this fortunate young person can be caught in the crossfire when she turns 50 or even 60. No matter how carefully she’s planned, she might find herself out of work at a challenging time, with fewer opportunities and age discrmination.

A younger person can seek alternative opportunities. If I were in my twenties today,  I would look at the military and the Peace Corps. I would consider law enforcement.

But mostly I would consider starting my own business - a good option at any age.

• Right now in Seattle, my dog walker has no shortage of clients. Some dog walkers in major cities earn over $100,000 a yearm according to a recent book about dogs.
• If you’re a cat groomer who will go into people’s homes, you’ll do very well. I tried to find a mobile cat grooming service in Seattle and gave up.
• Are you willing to clean houses? Provide lawn care? Develop a concierge business? There’s no shortage of opportunity.

The nice thing about owning your business is that you can grow as you learn. You can start out cleaning houses and then use your business acumen to grow into an organizing service or even set up shop as a business consultant. Christine Kloser began her million-dollar-a-year business with a yoga studio.

Government seems to be looking to the WPA of the 1940s as a model for helping the unemployed. I’d like to see a whole new model of employement support: a nationally supported incubator for new businesses, with qualified advisors and coaches, along with tax incentives.

In the 21st century, that’s a far more realistic option than pounding away at corporate doors.

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The Mid-life Brain: Smarter than we realized

Mid-life career strategy calls for sensitivity to stereotypes about aging. One stereotype is that we take longer to learn and resist learning new things.

A recent New York Times article supports a theory I’ve held for years. As we get older, our brain holds more and more data. So we just have more to process. Thats why we may forget more easily.

I used to remember phone numbers of just about everyone I know. Now I just know a lot more people. I call them a lot less frequently (due to email). And of course I use speed dials and auto-dials.

But, says the Times, aging brains also have a broader context to place new information. We remember parallel events that took place years ago. We process information more thoroughly, so we appear to be reading and taking in new information more slowly.

Possibly.

My own view is: When you look at a group of 14-year-olds of a certain socioeconomic class, you’ll find many similarities. They’ll be in school. They’ll have certain physical capabilities

But a group of 54-year-olds and 64-year olds will have enormous variation. Just look around your local fitness center. Some folks are walking around in a little circle, moving slowly to the music. Others are running marathons.

That’s why I think we have to take charge of our own destinies as we get older, not depending on external forces for solutions to jobs and other challenges.

At my last college reunion, one of my classmates urged me, “Bring copies of your e-books and distribute them!” That was someone Unclear on the Concept. And that was also my last class reunion.

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From ad exec to Starbucks barista with lessons learned

I finally got around to reading How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill.

You can read my review on amazon if you click here.

Mostly I felt this book could inspire a lot of discussion.

Was Gill’s experience typical? Are most Starbucks managers as charismatic and competent as Crystal, the manager who hired him?

Which of the author’s qualities made this experience successful? Not everyone who fantasizes about life as a barista can make it happen. I met one woman who loved working at a non-Starbucks shop till she got carpal tunnel syndrome from the espresso machine.

Why won’t this solution work for most people?

And most of all…why didn’t this guy get a coach? Or hire a consultant when his business began going sour? Why didn’t he consider hiring a therapist when effects of his downsizing spilled over into his family life?

This is the kind of book that’s fun to discuss because you get so many layers…and so much room for disagreement.

Back when I had more time, I compiled a long list of recommended relocation, career and life transition books. Needs updating and I rarely use this site anymore, but here it is

Scroll down and look for Cliff Walk. This book reminds me of Don Snyder’s equally arduous post-career journey.

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New career development etiquette…or new road to disaster?

Penelope Trunk, best-selling author of The Brazen Careerist, offers 10 tips for the “new etiquette.” You can read them here

She drew a great deal of controversy – over 900 comments, mostly negative.

Some of these tips, with my comments:

“Forget the exit interview.”

She points out that an exit interview won’t help you but probably creates ill will. I would add, “In some companies, HR will insist on an exit interview. Just go through the motions. Tell them you loved everything about your job but you just couldn’t turn down X Company’s wonderful offer.”

If a lot of people start leaving and the company has trouble replacing them, then they may pay attention. But that’s their problem, not yours.

She wrote, “If you have ideas for how to improve the company, offer to consult.” I would add, “If they ask for extra help through the transition, charge market rates for consulting.”

And she is absolutely right when she says, “Your old boss is now part of your new network.” Build relationships.

“Don’t ask for time off, just take it.”

More controversial. Most people can’t take off more than a few hours without getting authorization. But telling rather than asking can be seen as more “grown-up” in some environments.

Incidentally, Trunk adds that this move will offend “older” people. Older than what? I think you have to study your own culture, not guess your boss’s reaction based on his or her age.

“Invite your CEO to be a friend on Facebook.

I would say, “Depends on your CEO.”

“Do reconnaissance on your probable boss.”

Nothing new here. Career consultants (and counselor and coaches) have been saying the same thing for at least 20 years. I agree completely.

“Don’t try to improve a coworker.”

Again, nothing new. I would add, “Don’t try to improve anybody.”

I make this point in several places. In fact, I would ignore all unsolicited advice, especially when someone says, “My intuition for you is…”
See my intuition book.

But as she adds, if your company has a tendency to keep and promote lots of jerks, time to move.

“Call people on the weekend for work.”

Come on: it’s a judgment call! If you’re both working to finish a project, sure.

Most self-employed people work on weekends, but for many of us there’s an unwritten rule. Don’t bother people and don’t feel bad if they don’t return your email on weekends.

I would say, “Check your office culture. If you don’t feel comfortable, leave.”

“Be nice like your job depends on it.”

Curious advice. She writes:

“The old days of office politics as a means of backstabbing are dead — young people are bringing their team-player, I’m-competing-against-my-best-self mentality from their self-esteem-centric homes into the workplace, and there’s nothing you can do except be nice back.”

I say, “Be nice back but also watch your back. The nastiest back-stabbers know how to act like nice team players.”

OK, what do you think? Post a comment. Click on the “0 comments” link. I am forced to moderate all comments due to the huge amount of spam comments we all get, but never fear: I want to hear from you!

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