 Technology is integral to how we work, learn, and build career skills. The pandemic put this trend on steroids. Our community of 50up women balancing work and family, technology is a lifesaver. While Zoom fatigue has become a part of life, the positive is that employers have seen in real time that productivity is often higher among employees working remotely. Remote work enables flexible work hours and saves time since commuting and preparing to commute are no longer are needed. Many large corporations have already developed plans for hybrid work which can expand work options for 50ups who want to continue or return to work. (1, 2)
Now is the time to explore new and innovative job opportunities in your current field or a new one. Opportunities range from a career change (pivot), to starting a business, to looking for more work flexibility. The professional world is evolving rapidly and opening new opportunities. For instance, work opportunities for freelancers (independent contractors) are exploding, facilitated by the growth in online platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork. These online freelance marketplace platforms connect freelancers and potential contract job opportunities reducing the work of selling your service. An estimated 59 million people were doing freelance work in the U.S in 2020, an increase of 6 million from 53 million freelance workers in 2014. (3) For our active L4 Community who plans on continuing to work, there are numerous resources available. Besides our L4 educational resources that are tailored to 50up women like our blogs, podcasts and more, there are numerous online education sources, mentoring, and coaching to help you through your journey, whatever trail you choose to blaze. Online learning platforms supply a broad array of degree and non-degree (certificate) programs and offer courses across many fields of study at competitive rates, and in some cases, for free. Courses offered can be self-paced or more structured. There are other learning platforms, like TEDx and TEDEd (owned by TED.com), that post free online talks from subject matter experts. LinkedIn Learning (previously Lynda.com) is a subscription-based online education platform that offers a video tutorial library. Teachable enables individuals to create online courses and coaching services to monetize their know-how into a knowledge business. If you’ve been keeping your dream of changing up your life but leaving it on the back burner, we say, “Carpe Diem”. The time is now. If you are thinking of changing your career but are unsure what you want to do, start by doing some soul searching and asking yourself a few questions: what energizes you, what activities did you love when you were young, what soft and hard skills do you excel at, ask a family member or a good friend what they think your strengths are. If you want to take the leap and envision yourself as an entrepreneur, then gather the information like you would any research project – only this time it is about you and your idea. Nothing can be more exciting than to create something new. It is also essential to update your LinkedIn profile and resume and highlight those transferable skills to the industry and job you are seeking. “People aged 50 and over are in a unique position to have plenty of workforce experience to bring to a new career, while still being able to obtain the knowledge they need to take on something new.” (4) To escape the procrastination or indecision stage, create an action plan and work through it, one small step at a time. Achieving incremental milestones will help you build your confidence and fuel your drive to continue executing your plan. Seek the support of those around you who celebrate your decision to set new goals, seek new opportunities, and avoid getting deflated by naysayers. If you are starting on a new career path, consider applying for adult internships and even a part-time or flexible job in your new area of interest to decide if the type of position and industry generally meets your expectations. (5) If you haven’t changed up your resume, online profiles or biography in a number of years consider soliciting the assistance of a career coach. Career coaches help you prepare and organize application materials (cover letter and resume), review your LinkedIn profile and identify those experiences and skills that highlight your professional abilities or areas where you may need to build or strengthen your skills. You can improve their resume by demonstrating that they proactively and regularly engage in continuous learning. You can continuously learn by attending professional courses, earning a new certification(s) or credential, or earning an undergraduate degree or college graduate degree. Furthering your knowledge and skillset is especially important when applying for Technology jobs to demonstrate that you have proficiency in multiple current virtual platforms and programs. Show prospective employers that you’re willing to leave your comfort zone and learn new things. (6) The takeaway is that You Can! Your new career can bring back that missing fizz in your life. Plan, be open and proactive about learning new things, and build the relevant skills you need so you are comfortable and confident with taking that first step on your new career path. We’re here for you and we know you’re amazing. References :
Living Loud Living Long: Blog (current page) and Podcast Fiverr®: https://www.fiverr.com LinkedIn Learning: https://www.linkedin.com Teachable: https://teachable.com TED.com (TEDx, TEDEd): https://www.ted.com Upwork: https://www.upwork.com  With erratic markets, an economy struggling to move beyond the COVID induced slow down and continued global instability, 2021 looks like a bumpy ride for those approaching or in retirement.
While time is the healer of market dips, some of us may be concerned about having enough time to wait out market slow-downs. As someone who is deeply into work on retirement preparation, I’m watching what well known savvy investors such as Warren Buffet are doing and saying. One piece of common sense that Buffett adheres to is not panicking and abruptly selling investments without a financial need. Buffett likes to invest in solid companies with products that people are going to use even in challenging times. He also repeatedly recommends that most people invest in S&P 500 exchange traded funds with low costs. With many companies now offering online banking and investment services we can monitor, add to or withdraw from our investment accounts from our living rooms. Some people approaching retirement are focused on creating retirement revenue streams such as developing a group of dividend stocks. This is a hot topic online with entire Facebook groups created to discuss it such as “Dividend Growth Investing” which has about 54,000 members and “Value Investing Dividend Stocks Forever” which has about 5,600 members. While we can’t control what happens in the stock market, watching our spending is something we control. Knowing what you can afford to spend each year, setting a budget and sticking to it can provide the needed cash to invest. As food prices have increased, many are starting or expanding backyard gardens. Throughout the spring, summer and fall, gardens can provide herbs, greens, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, peas and more. Besides cutting grocery costs, you don’t need to leave the house to get healthy ingredients for meals. As we go out less, we can save money and enjoy our time by having a friend over to share our home-grown foods on our patio or balcony. We’ll be posting healthy, garden-fresh recipes here on L4 so come back to check those out. If handy, we can do our own maintenance on our home or car. If not, another option is to trade skilled work or belongings with a friend or relative. During the pandemic peak, I traded yeast for a used webcam. Maybe you bake delicious cookies or make amazing salads and have a friend who will change the oil in your car in exchange for your delicious treats. We can remake or repurpose things like cleaning used jars and storing dried herbs or bulk salt in them. Or cutting the bottom off a milk jug and planting seeds in it. Or set up a plant exchange with friends, trading lilies, hosta, sedum or other easily separated plants. Knowing what your local community offers to help 50up adults is another way to save money. This year, some communities are waiving or reducing taxes for those 65+. Rent relief may be offered. Discounted or special heating programs may be offered. The best place to start is by calling your town hall or logging onto your town’s website. Food banks are helping fill the gap for those financially struggling. If you have experienced COVID-19 yourself, many insurance companies or local communities are picking up the cost of testing and some insurance plans are reducing treatment costs, especially for older adults. You can get vaccinated for free. Who doesn’t love free? Through steady, commonsense saving and investing combined with a do-it-yourself, thrifty lifestyle, retirement even in challenging times is possible. If you need help, realize there is nothing unusual with asking. Most people feel good about helping others, especially in unprecedented times of change. Disclaimer: Living Loud Living Long is not a financial advisor nor an investment firm. Seek a certified financial advisor before making investment changes or deciding on a strategy. |
AuthorDr. Candice Hughes: Dream It. Live it. Love it. (right after our daily caffeine). Archives
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