The Phenomenon of Later-Life Recareering by Well-Educated Baby Boomers

Abstract

As well-educated Boomer professionals reach later life they are engaging in activities such as recareering that defy the normal expectation for older workers in the late adulthood life stage of adult development. Recareering is embarking on a new career in a new industry later in life, after leaving a long-term primary career. Growing numbers of Boomers are redefining normal work activities as they reach traditional retirement age.

A qualitative phenomenological analysis explored the experience of well-educated Baby Boomer professionals who have recareered. From the dominant thematic findings emerged seven essences of the shared experience of recareering for this population. Results strikingly defied much of common knowledge of the older worker experience.

Implications suggested a critical need to embrace a new paradigm of work activities in positive aging. Insights from these Baby Boomer professionals have the potential to redefine adult development theory. Findings have wide benefits for practitioners, academicians, organizations, and governments in terms of the development and implementation of new products, services, and policies for older workers. Future recommendations and limitations are outlined.