Finding meaning in working

In Print: Tuesday, August 26, 2008

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There has been plenty of anecdotal evidence that older adults are heading toward a new stage of work that combines social impact with personal meaning and continued income. Now, a nationwide survey shows these people may be followed by millions of others in seeking what has been dubbed the "encore career.''

The 2008 MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures Encore Career Survey found that between 6 and 9.5 percent of Americans ages 44 to 70 are already in such work. That puts the numbers between 5.3-million and 8.4-million.

"This is the first national survey to uncover evidence that the encore career is more than an appealing idea," said Marc Freedman, founder of Civic Ventures, a think tank focusing on boomers, work and aging.

"Unexpectedly large numbers of boomers are looking for purpose-driven jobs that provide them with both means and meaning. That's great for them and great for the rest of us, too."

The best may be yet to come, according to the survey by Peter D. Hart Research Associates. Of those people surveyed who are not already in encore careers, 50 percent say they want to have one. Extrapolating from that, more than half of the nation's estimated 78-million boomers are, or want to, improve society by working in fields such as education, public service, health care and the nonprofit sector.

Interest in encore careers is even higher among younger boomers, aged 44 to 50.

Many of those in such jobs found or created their roles without help, since only a few organizations are promoting this work. Many more people would pursue encore careers if they were easier to find.

"The people who are pursuing encore careers are true pioneers," said Sibyl Jacobson, president and CEO of the MetLife Foundation.

The potential of this movement is impressive. If just 5 percent of boomers launch 10-year encore careers, that would amount to almost 40-million years of talent applied to solving problems in their communities and the world.

The survey found that among those working in encore careers, 38 percent said they derive a "tremendous amount" or "quite a bit" (46 percent) of satisfaction in them.

And 94 percent said they have seen positive results of their work and believe they are making a difference.

However, the report found that most of those still interested in finding these second careers are worried that they may be hard to find or may not meet their needs for flexible hours, adequate income and benefits.

But respondents who are in encore careers reported having few problems with these issues. Although most work full time, 73 percent said they have the flexibility they want and 76 percent reported having the pay and benefits they need.

Forty-one percent of those in encore careers said learning new technology and skills was an issue, and about one-third reported having to cope with a loss of seniority or status.

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Finding meaning in working

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