Mid life Choices

1. Mid life Choices

2. 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

3. What is common across these people? • Captain Gopinath • Dr ShashiTharoor • Dr M S Swaminathan • Ms MeeraSanyal Mid life Career Choices

4. Examples of successful mid-life career changes… • Captain GopinathFrom agriculture to Aviation to logistics company • Dr ShashiTharoorFrom Writer to UN Beaurocrat to politics • Dr M S SwaminathanFrom Government beaurocrat to Research Scientist to politician • Ms MeeraSanyal Country Manager of a foreign bank- ran for politics in 2010 Mid life Career Choices

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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`

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Career options… • Public Relations Role • Sales and Marketing Role in a company • Training and Consultancy • Teaching Mid life Career Choices

13. TEACHING My Mid life Career Choice Professor and Head of Department-Chennai Business School

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Mid life Career Choice- Mine is Teaching –What is yours? Book available for sale at special price!