If you're like me, you've been around the block for some time now and have become well-versed in your field, with lots of experience under your belt. And if you're like me, you probably enjoy working in your field and are reluctant to strike out in a new direction, even if you've had trouble finding permanent employment in your field.
But perhaps you're not like me. Maybe you've given your field your all for many years only to find yourself wanting something more than what you've gotten back from it. Or maybe you've become stuck in a comfortable rut and feel a need to break out of it.
Maybe it's time you considered an internship.
That's right - an internship. Seems they're not just for college students any more. Older workers are now considering internships as a way to obtain necessary skills for a new career without the expense of college and in much less time.
Since Linda Franklin, an older professional woman who took an internship a few years ago to break into the world of communications, wrote about her experience in The Huffington Post, many more older workers have considered internships as a way to get started on a new career path at midlife. In fact, there's now an entire site devoted to helping such people launch their second acts. Appropriately enough, it's called Interns Over 40.
As its name suggests, Interns Over 40 has resources for older workers considering internships, but it has more than that: it offers all sorts of guidance, advice and assistance for mature professionals, whether or not they are considering a career switch. Many of the issues dealt with in Interns Over 40's blog posts are ones that face any older job-seeker, including age discrimination and avoiding the dreaded "overqualified" label.
I've found the advice offered on the site interesting and often useful. The one thing it could use, however, is a good copy editor. I happen to know one who has plenty of experience under his belt and can telecommute.
Whether you're switching to a new career or staying in your current one, BusinessWorkForce.com has plenty of jobs to peruse and resources to support you in your search.
But perhaps you're not like me. Maybe you've given your field your all for many years only to find yourself wanting something more than what you've gotten back from it. Or maybe you've become stuck in a comfortable rut and feel a need to break out of it.
Maybe it's time you considered an internship.
That's right - an internship. Seems they're not just for college students any more. Older workers are now considering internships as a way to obtain necessary skills for a new career without the expense of college and in much less time.
Since Linda Franklin, an older professional woman who took an internship a few years ago to break into the world of communications, wrote about her experience in The Huffington Post, many more older workers have considered internships as a way to get started on a new career path at midlife. In fact, there's now an entire site devoted to helping such people launch their second acts. Appropriately enough, it's called Interns Over 40.
As its name suggests, Interns Over 40 has resources for older workers considering internships, but it has more than that: it offers all sorts of guidance, advice and assistance for mature professionals, whether or not they are considering a career switch. Many of the issues dealt with in Interns Over 40's blog posts are ones that face any older job-seeker, including age discrimination and avoiding the dreaded "overqualified" label.
I've found the advice offered on the site interesting and often useful. The one thing it could use, however, is a good copy editor. I happen to know one who has plenty of experience under his belt and can telecommute.
Whether you're switching to a new career or staying in your current one, BusinessWorkForce.com has plenty of jobs to peruse and resources to support you in your search.
By Sandy Smith
Sandy Smith is an award-winning writer and editor who has spent most of his career in public relations and corporate communications. His work has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia CityPaper, PGN, and a number of Web sites. Philly-area residents may also recognize him as "MarketStEl" of discussion-board fame. He has been a part of the great reserve army of freelance writers since January 2009 and is actively seeking opportunities wherever they may lie.
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