Are you at a career crossroads, contemplating what’s next after years in your current field? Many experienced professionals are finding themselves in this position, seeking not retirement, but a meaningful “encore career.” Just like college students pondering life’s big questions, those in their 50s and 60s are asking: What impact do I want to make? How can I leverage my skills in a new and fulfilling way? This growing desire has led to the rise of Encore Career Programs at universities, designed to help seasoned individuals chart a course toward their next chapter.
While higher education has traditionally focused on younger demographics, a significant shift is underway. With longer lifespans and a desire for continued engagement, many Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are redefining retirement. They are seeking opportunities to transition into roles that offer purpose, passion, and often, a paycheck. Recognizing this trend, a number of forward-thinking colleges and universities are developing encore career programs to meet this demand. These programs provide structured pathways for experienced workers to explore new fields, gain relevant skills, and connect with like-minded individuals. Notable examples include the Inspired Leadership Initiative at the University of Notre Dame and the Advanced Career Initiative at the University of Minnesota, both pioneering efforts in this burgeoning field.
Kate Schaefers, executive director of the University of Minnesota’s Advanced Career Initiative, aptly captures the essence of these programs: “Eighteen-year-olds going to college get to ask existential questions. These are the same questions encore adults are asking.” She highlights that participants in encore career programs are often most drawn to courses that facilitate self-discovery and future planning, rather than purely skill-based training. This reflects a deeper need for purpose and direction as individuals embark on this new phase of their professional lives.
Finding a New Path: Stories from Encore Career Programs
William Schenher’s story exemplifies the transformative potential of encore career programs. After a successful two-decade career in Silicon Valley with tech giants like Hewlett-Packard and Fujitsu America, Schenher felt a pull towards something more meaningful. He returned to his hometown of Carmel, Indiana, seeking an encore career that resonated with his values. Following a period of reflection and initial work at a local community center, Schenher discovered Notre Dame’s Inspired Leadership Initiative online. Intrigued, he enrolled and immersed himself in the program.
The Notre Dame program, designed for accomplished individuals at a career inflection point, provides a year-long academic experience focused on exploration and planning. Fellows engage in classes, learn from faculty, and importantly, learn from each other’s diverse experiences. Schenher emphasized the value of these peer interactions: “Everyone is still seeking, in their own way. It’s interesting to learn what they are thinking.” His participation in the encore career program helped him clarify his passion for addressing climate change, leading him to enroll in relevant coursework. He also recognized his desire for a multifaceted encore career, incorporating mentoring and other purpose-driven activities alongside paid work. For Schenher, the program provided the clarity and direction he was seeking, solidifying his path towards a fulfilling next chapter.
Meg Meyers, a participant in the University of Minnesota’s Advanced Career Initiative, echoes this sentiment of seeking purpose beyond traditional retirement. With a background as a maternal-child nurse and later in residential real estate, Meyers felt unfulfilled by the prospect of conventional retirement when her husband began considering it. Realizing real estate wasn’t her true calling, she felt uncertain about her next steps. “What can I do? I don’t want to retire. I don’t know where my skill set fits,” she recalled thinking.
Initially, Meyers hoped the Advanced Career program would provide immediate answers. However, Phyllis Moen, the program’s founding director, helped her understand that the encore career journey is often iterative, involving pivots, adjustments, and experimentation. This insight relieved the pressure of making a perfect decision immediately. Drawing on her healthcare background, Meyers is now exploring an encore career at the intersection of health and housing. Like Schenher, she found reassurance in connecting with others on a similar path: “I thought I was the only one in the world that didn’t want to retire and move to Florida. I would be busy if I moved to Florida. But I want to be productive. I really want a purpose.” These personal stories highlight the crucial role encore career programs play in helping individuals discover and pursue meaningful second acts.
The Landscape of Encore Career Programs: Opportunities and Costs
While programs like those at Notre Dame and the University of Minnesota are gaining recognition, encore career programs remain relatively limited in number and accessibility. Many of the most well-known programs, often located at prestigious institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Texas at Austin, come with a significant price tag, typically ranging from $50,000 to $60,000.
However, more affordable options are emerging. Institutions like Union Theological Seminary in New York City and the University of Minnesota offer programs at lower costs, making encore career programs more accessible to a wider range of individuals. The University of Minnesota’s program, for instance, costs around $16,000, while Union Theological Seminary’s program is even more affordable at approximately $3,000.
Grand Valley State University in Michigan is pioneering another innovative approach with its Laker Lifetime Learning Account. This initiative provides alumni with funds for continuing education throughout their careers, promoting lifelong learning and potentially supporting transitions into encore careers. These diverse approaches indicate a growing recognition of the need for accessible and varied encore career programs.
Driving Forces Behind the Rise of Encore Career Programs
The increasing demand for and development of encore career programs are driven by significant societal shifts. Firstly, demographic changes, specifically longer and healthier lifespans, mean that individuals entering the workforce today can anticipate significantly longer careers, potentially spanning 60 to 70 years. This extended career lifespan necessitates continuous learning and career evolution, making encore career programs increasingly relevant.
Secondly, the rapid advancement of technology, including artificial intelligence and automation, is transforming the job market. While some jobs may be automated, the demand for uniquely human skills, such as empathy, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving, is rising. Experienced workers, with their accumulated wisdom and social skills, possess a competitive advantage in this evolving landscape, and encore career programs can help them adapt their skills and knowledge to these new demands.
Graphic illustrating the increasing demand for lifelong learning and encore careers in a changing economic landscape
As Andrew Haldane, chief economist at the Bank of England, suggests, universities need to evolve into “multiversities” – institutions catering to learners of all ages and career stages. This vision requires a shift away from a singular focus on younger students towards a more inclusive, multigenerational approach to higher education. Encore career programs are a critical step in this evolution, addressing the needs of experienced adults seeking purpose and new opportunities in their later career stages.
The Future of Encore Career Programs
While progress in expanding encore career programs across higher education may seem slow, the momentum is building. Pioneers in this field are actively promoting these programs at higher education conferences and collaborating to share best practices. The convergence of purpose and financial security that these programs offer resonates strongly with a growing demographic seeking meaningful engagement beyond traditional retirement.
The demand is undeniable. Research indicates that a significant majority of working retirees view retirement as an opportunity to transition to a different line of work. As the AARP’s Longevity Economic Outlook report highlights, providing tailored programs for this demographic is not only a promising opportunity for both public and private sectors but also a way to leverage the valuable skills and experience of the 50-plus workforce.
Encore career programs are not just a trend; they are becoming an essential component of lifelong learning and workforce development in an aging and rapidly changing world. For individuals seeking a fulfilling second act, and for universities looking to remain relevant and responsive to societal needs, investing in and expanding access to encore career programs is a crucial step towards a more engaged and purposeful future.
