Encore Careers. Part 4 – Examples

Now let’s move on to specific examples of people who have transitioned into encore careers—and be sure to check out my 3 previous posts for more details on how to create a successful Encore career.

Outside Sales Rep to Bus Driver:

One gentleman worked as an outside sales rep for years, and now he drives of students between the local university, and their housing complex. He loves it because it’s just a few hours in the afternoon. He earns a little bit of money. He gets a chance to socialize, and he gets his summer and breaks off. That’s one example.

Teacher to Museum Docent:

This seems like a pretty logical transition ’cause you’re instructing, and supporting in a inspiring environment. If you’re interested in non-profits, and potentially working with a non-profit as an Encore career opportunity, you may need to do this initially as a volunteer, and if you’re hoping for it to be paid eventually, many positions within a non-profit begin as volunteer. You may want to plan ahead so you can get your foot in the door: make connections, build expertise, and then be in line to apply for, and receive a paid position down the line.

Facilities Manager to Handyman

In this example, a gentleman who used to manage pretty large facilities now he works as a handyman. He specializes in the kind of hands on work that he really enjoys doing, and walks away from the projects that are not of his interest or strength. He is using his superpower. And he can schedule his activities around what’s going on in terms of his life. He can work when he wants. He can take on as big, or as little, a project as he is interested in doing.

Business Leader to Angel Investor

This gentleman had high level positions as a general manager with organizations. When he had the means to not work at all, but he really enjoyed the business aspects, yet didn’t want to be so tied into the day-to-day stress of it. Now he’s an angel investor.  It’s ideal for individuals of a certain net worth who are interested in supporting growing businesses, and making some money from it. He is very involved in the local angel investing community. He sits in on pitches to hear what entrepreneurs are working on. And if the pitch looks interesting to him, then he can say, hey, I’d love to be a part of supporting this next step for you.

Engineer to Receptionist

The next example I’m sharing here is a gentleman who worked as an engineer, and now he’s got one of those non-profit jobs I was talking about. He happily sits at the front desk of a non-profit he believes in and to greets people. He says it’s very rewarding to create relationships, and it gets him out for a bit. He’s earning money, and he gets benefits in this job.

From R&D Scientist to Career Coach

Another example is a gentleman who worked as a research and development specialist in the scientific community, and now he works as a career coach, where he mentors young students who are becoming scientists. He leads them through steps in their career development process, and it’s extremely rewarding for him.

Medical Practice Manager to Assisted Living Host

This gentleman worked as a medical practice manager in a clinic. When he retired, he and his wife transformed their home into an assisted living facility. He had six guests in their house, and he and his wife provided support to them. He had CNA’s that could come in and do certain things, but he provided the facility, and got some income from doing that.

From Lawyer to Call Center Manager

After 25 years, one lawyer couldn’t stand doing it anymore, but he and his wife needed benefits. He went to work as a call center rep. And I know that idea makes some people cringe. Those are the calls you get from people who want something, you to buy something, or you to answer a survey, or whatever. Well, he did it for seven years, and he really enjoyed it. He got good at it, and it provided benefits. And then that was enough to get him into a situation where he could truly retire.

From Admin Assistant to Minister

This woman as an admin assistant, but always had the dream of becoming more involved in a church, so she went to divinity school, got her credential, and is now a minister with a small church.

From Politician to Spice Shop Owner

This woman went from a position as a state official and then bought a franchise. If the idea of being an entrepreneur makes you nervous, you might consider a franchise. Franchises have a higher success rate as compared to someone who launches a business from scratch. They’ll less than a 10% success rate over an extended period of time.  This woman bought a spice shop franchise, and it brings in income for her. It gives her the social connection she’s looking for, and it allows her to really capitalize on her superpower, and her passions around food and cooking.