Retirement Career Change by Sally W.
Using Your Golden Years To Shine: Could You Be A Counselor?
Are you one of the 50% of retirees choosing a "nontraditional" retirement? As the number of people aged over 60 remaining in the workforce rises, it’s clear that for many people, continuing in employment is a necessity. For some, it is simply the most financially viable option. For others, it provides mental and social stimulation, preventing feelings of isolation or low self worth. Perhaps you’ve revisited your goals for this chapter of your life and are considering whether you could be a good counselor. Here’s why older counselors can add real value to their clients.
Empathy from experience
Studies have shown that older people may be more motivated to help others and to show emotional empathy, than members of the younger generation. That’s not to say a retiree will have endless patience, but it is often easier to empathize and understand people’s feelings, worries and anxieties if you’ve lived a little and made a few mistakes along the way. Coming into counseling with more life experience can make you a more self-aware counselor, as well as helping you to listen non-judgmentally to your clients.
Client commitment
At a time when the culture of being busy is so popular - nearly half of all Millennials are so-called “work martyrs” - retirees have a huge advantage in that they are generally less committed elsewhere. This means that they can give their clients the physical and mental time and flexibility they need. This is only really possible when your own children are raised, you feel more personally fulfilled, your mortgage is paid off and you’re building your nest egg so you can enjoy this chapter of life. Older counselors can have a wonderful sense of freedom, which in turn filters through to clients.
Professional know-how
One huge advantage of coming to counselling as a second or late-life career is that you bring the benefit of professional experience with you. Whatever your previous employment experience, there will be transferable skills or knowledge gained which you can use to your clients’ advantage. Whether it’s the ability to set achievable objectives, honed problem solving skills, or simply being at ease with building a rapport with a variety of people, lessons learned in the workplace can be very useful in becoming an effective counselor. Clients are also more likely to respect your breadth of knowledge and see how you can add real value to their situation.
If, like so many of those approaching retirement age, you’re open to a new adventure, counseling could be an excellent opportunity. If you enjoy listening to others, offering a non-judgmental ear and helping to place them on a path to solutions, then you may find it to be a hugely rewarding career. Your clients will gain a lot too, from the benefit of your experiences gained over the years, both in and out of the workplace. Your golden years could be a real time to shine, adding a little light and warmth to other people’s lives.
Are you one of the 50% of retirees choosing a "nontraditional" retirement? As the number of people aged over 60 remaining in the workforce rises, it’s clear that for many people, continuing in employment is a necessity. For some, it is simply the most financially viable option. For others, it provides mental and social stimulation, preventing feelings of isolation or low self worth. Perhaps you’ve revisited your goals for this chapter of your life and are considering whether you could be a good counselor. Here’s why older counselors can add real value to their clients.
Empathy from experience
Studies have shown that older people may be more motivated to help others and to show emotional empathy, than members of the younger generation. That’s not to say a retiree will have endless patience, but it is often easier to empathize and understand people’s feelings, worries and anxieties if you’ve lived a little and made a few mistakes along the way. Coming into counseling with more life experience can make you a more self-aware counselor, as well as helping you to listen non-judgmentally to your clients.
Client commitment
At a time when the culture of being busy is so popular - nearly half of all Millennials are so-called “work martyrs” - retirees have a huge advantage in that they are generally less committed elsewhere. This means that they can give their clients the physical and mental time and flexibility they need. This is only really possible when your own children are raised, you feel more personally fulfilled, your mortgage is paid off and you’re building your nest egg so you can enjoy this chapter of life. Older counselors can have a wonderful sense of freedom, which in turn filters through to clients.
Professional know-how
One huge advantage of coming to counselling as a second or late-life career is that you bring the benefit of professional experience with you. Whatever your previous employment experience, there will be transferable skills or knowledge gained which you can use to your clients’ advantage. Whether it’s the ability to set achievable objectives, honed problem solving skills, or simply being at ease with building a rapport with a variety of people, lessons learned in the workplace can be very useful in becoming an effective counselor. Clients are also more likely to respect your breadth of knowledge and see how you can add real value to their situation.
If, like so many of those approaching retirement age, you’re open to a new adventure, counseling could be an excellent opportunity. If you enjoy listening to others, offering a non-judgmental ear and helping to place them on a path to solutions, then you may find it to be a hugely rewarding career. Your clients will gain a lot too, from the benefit of your experiences gained over the years, both in and out of the workplace. Your golden years could be a real time to shine, adding a little light and warmth to other people’s lives.
