There are as many ways of exiting a career as there are women who work. Following are some of the comments from women in our 70Candles gatherings, as they discussed the role of work in their lives and how they experienced the denoument of their careers.
“I love working. I have continued to work, off and on.”
“Earning money is a sense of security for me. The idea of not working gives me a sense of being unsafe, so I continue to want to work.”
“Work is important to me I really identify with my work role.”
“I’ve worked, but that’s not who I am. I think it’s unfortunate if you have to identify yourself by your work.”
“I’m in favor of the balance in life. If you’re having fun and something gives you pleasure, then why do you feel pressure to give up working?”
I had a hard time when I stopped working. It took me about a year to adjust. The loss of my mangagement role, being a boss of something, was difficult for me. But I am busier now, running around in a new routine, than I ever was.
I don’t know who I am when I’m no longer a pediatrician.
“I loved my job, and was afraid to stop teaching. There was a wonderful mix of people in the school, and I was working with my closest friends. I don’t make transitions easily so when I retired, I immediately wanted to return to teach.
Then, my replacement went on leave, and I was asked to come back. It only took 5 minutes back there, and I knew I wanted out.”
I was a teacher before my children were born. Then, I became what is known as a “Professional Volunteer,” and I will never retire.
“I retired almost 15 years ago. I was a teacher—a kindergarten teacher—and it’s the only thing I ever wanted to do. About a year before I retired I was overwhelmed by this sense of anxiety. I knew it was time, but I wasn’t ready yet, so I took an extra year. When I went back a year later and saw what the new, younger teacher was doing I said, ‘Gee, I never thought of that,’ and I knew I had made the right decision.”
I have nightmares that I’m back teaching in High School!
My industry is so technologically challenging for people our age. We’re dealing with people in their 30s and 40s who grew up with computers, and we didn’t. For them, it’s natural; for us it’s a learning experience and a daily challenge.
“I retired early, and knew I wanted to learn to paint. I went to the senior center for classes, and then stuck with it. It is my passion now. ”
More to come……
Me too! I never want to return to education. I loved the kids and watching them develop but dealing with parents and new thoughts on education isn’t worth it. I also began doing pastel art and adore my friend artists and the interactions.