Careers 2.0: Profiles in Career Change
Five Great Second Careers
The tough economy hasn’t forced boomers to give up their dreams of second careers with meaning. But where can you find those jobs in tough times?
A Second Chance to Become a Pro Golfer
For the best amateur players, turning 50 means a chance to try qualifying for the pro tour. For MIke Goodes, it meant becoming a stalwart pro—and tournament champion.
From Art Director to Art Teacher
Volunteering for the PTA led Gina Plaitakis down the path to a new career.
Son, Let’s Be Partners
When he was young, Jack Rodgers passed on the chance to join his father in business. But decades later he came out of retirement to join his own son in a new venture.
From the Investment Business to Culinary School
John Stephano gave up a nice salary, enrolled in cooking school at 40 and let loose his lifelong passion for food. The hardest part was convincing himself not to stay on the safe path.Dean of the Dream Job: From Radio Executive to Education Entrepreneur
Tom Hooper had dreamed of becoming a teacher. At 42, the two-time entrepreneur dusted off his dream and reinvented himself as director of development at a new private school.Empty Nesters Find New Beginning in Provence
One couple parlayed their love of France into a small business, running retreats in a picturesque corner of the French Alps.Getting Paid to See The World
Rob Geyer-Sylvia loved to travel, but life kept getting in the way. Then, at age 51 he found an exciting new job on the road.The PI Wears Prada: One Woman’s Midlife Career Change
When her job in real estate soured and her kids got older, Jeanene Weiner followed a dream and started her own detective agency.Cooking Couple Turns to Comedy, Personal Training
Michael and Ellen Albertson found fame together as The Cooking Couple but abandoned that lucrative career to pursue their separate dreams.Career Change: Downshifting Your Career as a Retirement Strategy
Shedding hours or responsibilities can help you move toward the career transition you want.5 Tips for Midlife Career Change
Experts say it’s important not to rush a career transition. Develop a process that includes friends and advisors, and stick to it.Best LinkedIn Groups for Job Seekers
Join LinkedIn expert Phil Rosenberg on a tour of the social network's best groups for job seekers.Test-Drive Your Dream Job
Years of dreaming about a career change led Brian Kurth to his perfect job. The Oregon entrepreneur helps clients take a trial run at their own dreams.Downsized To The Fast Lane: From TV News to Porsche 911s
Getting laid off after 22 years turned out to be a lucky break for Steve Weiner. The former TV cameraman started a company to fulfill his life passion: modifying high performance race cars.Personal Reinvention in Park City
Two fast-track New Yorkers find new careers and a more civilized pace in the Wasatch mountains.Going Back to School—As College President
After her brother's murder, psychotherapist Helen Hand found solace and satisfaction by taking over the reins at the university he founded.Richer By Far: Developer Now Helps the Homeless
Attending a spiritual retreat inspired real estate developer Alan Graham to remake his life feeding Austin’s homeless.Becoming a Pastor: My Spiritual Calling
Susanna Margaret Goulder gave up a glamorous career as set decorator for movies and TV to find more meaningful work.From Dancer to Dietician: Healthy Steps to a New Profession
Helen Butleroff had a rewarding career as a Broadway dancer and choreographer. At 54, she made a surprising and successful shift to a completely different field—nutrition.Buying a Business: A Banker Buys a Zoo
George Oldenburg gave up a successful banking career at 45 to buy a small-town animal farm.Civic Ventures Aims to Bring Out the Benevolence in Boomers
An entrepreneurial nonprofit, Civic Ventures, directs the energy of would-be retirees into philanthropic endeavors that capitalize on their deep, profound experience and drive to give back.
Becoming an Author: From the Corner Office to the Bestseller List
How do you go from being a single corporate executive to a married bestselling (and globetrotting) author? Lalita Tademy wrote the book.Owning a Small Business: From Fortune 500 to the Fish Market
Buying a small business meant a loss of status and income for John Harvey, but it also brought him freedom and a fuller life.From Retiree (Briefly) to Flight Attendant
Retirement gave Ronwyn Ingraham the chance to indulge her youthful dream of becoming a flight attendant.20 Ways to Brand Yourself on Facebook
If you're job-hunting, assume that employers will check you out on Facebook. Have you scrubbed your profile?The Best Websites to Inspire your Encore Career
Career coach Lin Schreiber offers her top website picks for information and inspiration on encore careers.Self-Promotion for Introverts
Networking works best as a lifelong pursuit--especially for people who aren't naturally inclined to be self-promoters.Death: A Life Lesson in Personal Change
The lesson is: Live like you're dying. What would shift in your life, your behavior if the possibility of death loomed over you?Career Change Advice: Be a Subject Matter Expert
It’s not impossible to compete with industry vets, even if you’re coming from a different tradeFive Tips for Freelance Success
Looking back on twelve years of freelancing, here are five key rules I’ve used that have helped me to be successful.Ten Steps to Personal Reinvention
Dr. Nancy Irwin offers tips for motivation, mission and goal-settingCareer Change Roadmap 2010
How to get started on a new career? A new free guide answers 12 key questionsWhat Does it Take to Break into Health Care?
Health care jobs are expected to continue growing rapidly through 2016; here's how you can break into the field.The Accidental Winemaker
The abandoned lima bean farm that was meant to be a retirement retreat grew into a new career for vintner Deborah HallHow to Find the Best Age-Friendly Employers
The Great Recession is pushing older workers to postpone retirement, but will employers accommodate them?From Actuary to Educator: Steve Vernon's Leap into Midlife Entrepreneurship
After a career giving pension advice to corporations, Steve Vernon retired early to educate others about the next phase of life.The 10 Most Important Success Factors for 50+ Entrepreneurs
Feeling the urge to start your own business? Here are the key success factors to consider before jumping in.
She Dreamed of Africa
Vivian Glyck gave up a six-figure salary to help a hospital in Uganda—and has never felt richer.Seeking to Start a Farm, Tim Will Finds a New Career Creating Jobs
An ex-systems analyst put his skills to work getting an economically depressed region back on its feet. His efforts have been recognized with a $100,000 Purpose Prize.
Independent Women: Friends and Former Freelancers Open a Bookstore
It’s an act of courage to open an independent bookstore these days. But two friends took a flying leap—and landed on their feet.How to Make the Switch to a Green Career
Green careers will be one of the fastest-growing employment categories in the years ahead; here's how you can make the switch.How to Avoid the Most Common Midlife Job-Hunting Mistakes
In a new report, an organizational behavior specialist explains how to improve your odds of getting hired.Finally, He Bought the Farm
Once Barry Meinerth dreamed of being a veterinarian. He ended up with a big job in magazine production, but a few years ago his lifelong love of animals led him to buy a farm, and now he produces alpaca wool—and self-fulfillment—instead.Looking for a Retirement Career? Don’t Be in Too Big a Hurry
Financial executive Hank Schmelzer pursued a two-year self-assessment process before stepping into a nonprofit career.A Portfolio Career Brings a Retirement with the Right Life Balance
Accountant Peter Harris wanted to improve his life balance. Developing a life portfolio plan helped him do it.Producing a Second Career: Starting a Nonprofit Theatre Troupe
It took Marcia Seligson a few false starts before she found the next act that was right for her.6 Tips For Planning a Second Career
Moving into a new field later in life can be fulfilling. Here are six essential steps to making a successful transition...From Mergers to Mantras: Opening a Yoga Studio
Nobody likes losing his job. But for those willing to reimagine their careers, the experience can be an opportunity to create a more balanced and fulfilling life.Making at Career Change at 81
Ruth Roberson lost her last family member when she turned 81. That’s when she chose to heal herself by becoming a caregiver.DreamBlogs: Career Changes in Progress
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