Mid life Choices

Mid life Choices

Is this you? Am I happy with my current career?

-To the extent that I can pursue this for the rest of my life? I am in my 40’s- I have always wanted to start something on

my own- but I wonder if it is too late for that? Will I be able to learn new skills? How will my family cope with lifestyle issues

This routine job is getting to me- I wish I could do something more creative; more original- something that is inherently ‘me’?

I have always placed my career second to my husband’s..Now that my children have grown up, I wish I could get back to a mainstream career for myself..

Is there a career that will allow me to do justice to home front as well as my professional talent

Mid life Career Choices

What is common across these people?

Captain Gopinath Dr ShashiTharoor Dr M S Swaminathan Ms Meera Sanyal

Mid life Career Choices

Examples of successful mid-life career changes…

Captain Gopinath

From agriculture to Aviation to logistics company Dr ShashiTharoor

From Writer to UN Beaurocrat to politics Dr M S Swaminathan

From Government beaurocrat to Research Scientist to politician

Ms Meera SanyalCountry Manager of a foreign bank- ran for politics in 2010

Mid life Career Choices

Middle age is the time when…

We feel we understand ourselves better… We feel we have probably achieved our

initial set of professional and financial goals.. We feel we are in the process of building a

stable family structure… It is also the time we can ‘re-set’ the

agenda for the rest of our lives… We cannot have a fulfilling life if we believe

we are not doing meaningful work…

Mid life Career Choices

In the last two decades…

India has thrown up many opportunities –thanks to liberalisation

Cost of experimenting with a new career is lower- as one can always get back to a job

Less stigma attached to failure- in fact a “premium” attached to exploring something new…

Economy has helped people progress significantly- hence most lifestyle goals are met..

Opportunity to live two lives in one!

Mid life Career Choices

How did we choose our first careers?

Did we ‘choose’ at all?! Decision based on salary and perks

opportunity rather than basic understanding of one’s own strength or passion areas

So once these goals are met, what next? But the question remains- is it too late

to try something new?

Mid life Career Choices

What are the options… From corporate to :

-Social sectorDo I want to make a difference through my skills and network to a larger community in a more direct manner?

RakeshJinsi- Secretary General SOS Children Village did it- after being in Eicher for 22 years..

- Childhood passionIs there something that I have always wanted to do right from childhood?

Sriram –IIM Kolkata-Citibank did it- got back to pursuing carnatic music as a full time career..KalyaniCandade- advertising 15 years- moved to setting up ‘nature’ based corporate training outfit- ‘Wildertrail’

Mid life Career Choices`

What are the options.. From corporate to :

- TeachingWill I find it too ‘passive’? Can I cope with such less pay?

Associate Prof RamasamyRaju-Anna Univ did it- moved from Railways to teaching after 22 years..

-EntrepreneurshipStart something on my own- what if I fail? Will I lose a lot of my savings?

BadriSeshadri- founder cric info .com did it- started a regional publishing house as a second career..

-PoliticsR K Misra- moved from software to joining politics

Mid life Career Choices

Points to ponder : Simple questions do not have simple

answers

Action does not ensure happiness- but there is no happiness without action

Mid life career choices are a REALITY to deal with…

Mid life Career Choices

Not as easy as it seems..

Evaluated myself in terms of :- What have I been good at- What do I enjoy doing- What do I need at this point of time in my life

Self –assessment by Marcus Buckingham

Analysis and communicationInfluencing people

Mid life Career Choices

Career options… Public Relations Role

Sales and Marketing Role in a company

Training and Consultancy

Teaching

Mid life Career Choices

TEACHINGMy Mid life Career Choice

Professor and Head of Department-Chennai Business School

Why teaching? Utilises my natural strengths the best-

academics and communication Takes forward my work experience Allows me flexible time as a home maker Am more of myself at work..there is no

divide

Mid life Career Choices

What really changed? Work environment( team versus individual) Social life setting Lifestyle/ Pay Student relationship building( task versus

people) ‘Staying updated’ on my specialisation area More flexibility of time Education-’Destination Career’….

Mid life Career Choices

What I have learnt through the book

journey.. Family ‘Rules’- Planning for financial stability

is key.. Need to “earn more” not a driving factor for

mid-life career change.. Men and Women wired differently about

careers.. Mid life choices are about aligning with

one’s true nature.. One does not necessarily have to change

careers around mid-life…Mid life Career Choices

Sum up- how do you go about a career

change? Take a break ( mentally- and if possible- physically)-watch your

mind/ where it takes you..

List will emerge- things that you always wanted to do..gather some more INFORMATION on these areas..

Let your instinct guide you on whether you need to ACT based on these..

‘Acting’ on some is critical..gives you a feel for the ENTIRE aspect of the new career..

Study your parents closely for their hobbies/unfulfilled interests..

Look at your own childhood…

List out aspects of your job that you have enjoyed till date…

HAVE THE COURAGE TO TAKE THE PLUNGE!

Mid life Career Choices

Mid life Career Choice- Mine is Teaching –What is yours?

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