Northeast Ohio Regional Library System

An Encore Career has been described as “a movement of millions of people who are using our passions, skills and decades of experience to make a difference in our communities and the world" (Marc Freedman CEO Encore.org). 

As library staff, it can be very rewarding to help your patrons or yourself on the challenging path of (re)imagining their “next act.”

In this interactive and informative program, we will explore:

•  how career trajectories have changed over the years; how to use “design thinking” and other strategies to navigate the career exploration processes
• how to (re)discover one’s passions, while taking into consideration interests, priorities, and the marketable skills one possesses or might acquire
• and how to harness new opportunities presented by the “sharing economy” and internship programs. 

We will also recognize what advantages baby boomers have over their younger counterparts in the exploration process.

While our focus will be on the older adults’ pursuit of choosing (new) career options, the ideas presented can be applied to career explorers of all ages.

At the end of this program, participants will:

• Discover at least two career exploration approaches or strategies that you would suggest to your patrons or that might work for you.
• Learn how to secure and conduct an informational interview (aka “prototype conversation”).
• Recognize at least two myths about older workers, and two ways in which older workers have an advantage over their younger counterparts in the career exploration process.
•  Identify print, online and community-based resources that your patrons can use to explore encore career options.