Resources - Mature Market Headlines

Encore Careers: The Idealism of Some Baby Boomers Lures Them to Jobs in Social Services

The Providence Journal, 3/16/08

Abstract:

Maureen Greene, senior grant writer for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, recently started working for the organization when, after almost 20 years at GTECH, her job was eliminated. The new job has meant a 50-percent pay cut. “It’s a lot. But I feel like it’s important for me to do this,” she said.

Anne Nolan became president of Crossroads Rhode Island, which provides services for the homeless, at the beginning of 2001. Before that she had a long corporate career that has included stints at Fluor Daniel GTI, an environmental engineering consulting company, Fleet Financial Group, and the Digital Equipment Corp.

Alan Harlam is a consultant for Amos House, which runs a catering business called More Than a Meal, and director of social entrepreneurship at Brown University’s Howard R. Swearer Center for Public Service. Harlam’s experience includes nine years at an information technology company and working at Flat River Capital in the acquisition and turnaround of troubled companies.

The three are examples of what some refer to as “encore careers” and others as “give-back careers” in which employees — often from the baby-boom generation — move from corporate jobs to positions in the nonprofit world.

> Read the full story > Return to 50+ Headlines