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Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Semi-Retirement
A career guide that rethinks the golden years, this handbook offers 50+ income models for creating flexible, fulfilling, and profitable work during the encore stage of one’s career.RETHINK YOUR RETIREMENT For many people, retirement is no longer a trifecta of golf, grandkids, and gardening—it’s an opportunity for new pursuits that involve both earning income and exploring personal passions. If you’re planning for retirement or already at “retirement age” but want to continue working—whether to supplement your income or to stay mentally and physically active—veteran career coach Nancy Collamer shows how to identify your favorite interests and expertise and repackage them into more than fifty ways to earn income. These second acts range from the traditional (part-time employment, consulting) to newer Internet-based options (teaching online, writing a blog). With a prescriptive approach to securing second-act careers that are flexible, fulfilling, and fun, this book offers a wide variety of income-generating examples as well as exercises to clarify your lifestyle goals and help you plan for your next move. Second-Act Careers shows how to create a profitable and meaningful semi-retirement on your own terms and in your own way.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
142 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Collamer
2 books5 followersNancy Collamer, M.S., is a career coach, speaker and author of Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Semi-Retirement. She writes a weekly blog about careers on the new PBS website, NextAvenue.org and on Forbes.com.
In private practice since 1996, Nancy gained national prominence as the Career Transitions columnist for Oxygen Media. Her advice has been featured in numerous media outlets, including NBC Nightly News; the New York Times; CNN; the Wall Street Journal; Redbook; Ladies’ Home Journal; More; O, The Oprah Magazine; and Fortune.
She has written columns about lifestyle-friendly careers for a number of major websites, including MariaShriver.com, AARP, NextAvenue.org, and Job-Hunt.org. Nancy enjoys sharing her expertise with live audiences, both large and small, and has spoken at venues ranging from Harvard Business School to the California Governors Conference on Women.
She holds a MS in career development from the College of New Rochelle and a BA in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In private practice since 1996, Nancy gained national prominence as the Career Transitions columnist for Oxygen Media. Her advice has been featured in numerous media outlets, including NBC Nightly News; the New York Times; CNN; the Wall Street Journal; Redbook; Ladies’ Home Journal; More; O, The Oprah Magazine; and Fortune.
She has written columns about lifestyle-friendly careers for a number of major websites, including MariaShriver.com, AARP, NextAvenue.org, and Job-Hunt.org. Nancy enjoys sharing her expertise with live audiences, both large and small, and has spoken at venues ranging from Harvard Business School to the California Governors Conference on Women.
She holds a MS in career development from the College of New Rochelle and a BA in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 7, 2013
This is a good book for someone who has worked hard for 30 years, and is looking for a change without necessarily stopping working. It is easy to read, well organized, and filled with lots of useful, pragmatic advice. The last part is a 40 page self-questionnaire where you can write down your feeling and help to guide your actions. Lots of references on where else to go for further information.
A friend had this book on his shelf. He was looking to make a change in his career, was reevaluating what he wanted to do in the future, and we had been discussing options. I thumbed through the book, and saw that it was filled with ideas about how to leverage expertise in some alternate, non-career ways. I have worked 30 years in high tech, and now I spend more time speaking and advising than I do hacking code. Thumbing through the book raised my interest because it had sections on how to manage a blog to build a tribe, and how to leverage speaking engagements to potentially make money at it. I am not interested in leaving my current job, but I will some day, and what foundation can I put in place now to assure that I get to do what I want to do then? That is what this book is aimed at.
Chapter 1: build from you expertise. What expertise do you have from your existing career? She lists many examples and how that might be leveraged.
Chapter 2: Create an information empire. This is the age of Web 2.0 and you need to use it well. It is easy to put together "teaching" style materials: videos, presentations, etc. which can be sold and downloaded without a lot of overhead expense. It is clear, you should be trying everything out first on your blog. She also talks about self publishing books. Being familiar with all of these, I found her advice good and practical.
Chapter 3: Small service business ideas
Chapter 4: Business in a box: from franchises to hierarchical marketing
Chapter 5: Part time, freelance, seasonal, temporary work opportunities
Chapter 6: Making a difference. If you are financially stable, you may be more interested in socially conscious opportunities, helping your community or the world, ranging from volunteer to paid positions.
Chapter 7: Travel. I like to travel, and so a chapter exploring how you can put the two together: what kinds of positions are available that you can leverage what you know for modest income with free travel involved? Very appealing to me. Also, it covers options are available to work while living in exotic desirable locations.
Chapter 8 : specific lessons from others
The rest of the book is a questionnaire to help you identify what you want to do, and a lot of resources for doing more research. Nobody said this was going to be easy, but it is possible if you set about with the right determination.
My friend bought the book because he saw the author in an Internet discussion group on career advice, sent her an email message, got a very detailed personal answer, and saw that question and answer appear on her blog. That impressed him, and it is clear that the author is quite good at collecting good information and organizing it.
If nothing else, this book will get you thinking about what might exist as a next step if you are looking for a change. Naturally upbeat and optimistic, but not vapid: there is good, pragmatic advice, experience from others who have done this, and references for additional research. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
A friend had this book on his shelf. He was looking to make a change in his career, was reevaluating what he wanted to do in the future, and we had been discussing options. I thumbed through the book, and saw that it was filled with ideas about how to leverage expertise in some alternate, non-career ways. I have worked 30 years in high tech, and now I spend more time speaking and advising than I do hacking code. Thumbing through the book raised my interest because it had sections on how to manage a blog to build a tribe, and how to leverage speaking engagements to potentially make money at it. I am not interested in leaving my current job, but I will some day, and what foundation can I put in place now to assure that I get to do what I want to do then? That is what this book is aimed at.
Chapter 1: build from you expertise. What expertise do you have from your existing career? She lists many examples and how that might be leveraged.
Chapter 2: Create an information empire. This is the age of Web 2.0 and you need to use it well. It is easy to put together "teaching" style materials: videos, presentations, etc. which can be sold and downloaded without a lot of overhead expense. It is clear, you should be trying everything out first on your blog. She also talks about self publishing books. Being familiar with all of these, I found her advice good and practical.
Chapter 3: Small service business ideas
Chapter 4: Business in a box: from franchises to hierarchical marketing
Chapter 5: Part time, freelance, seasonal, temporary work opportunities
Chapter 6: Making a difference. If you are financially stable, you may be more interested in socially conscious opportunities, helping your community or the world, ranging from volunteer to paid positions.
Chapter 7: Travel. I like to travel, and so a chapter exploring how you can put the two together: what kinds of positions are available that you can leverage what you know for modest income with free travel involved? Very appealing to me. Also, it covers options are available to work while living in exotic desirable locations.
Chapter 8 : specific lessons from others
The rest of the book is a questionnaire to help you identify what you want to do, and a lot of resources for doing more research. Nobody said this was going to be easy, but it is possible if you set about with the right determination.
My friend bought the book because he saw the author in an Internet discussion group on career advice, sent her an email message, got a very detailed personal answer, and saw that question and answer appear on her blog. That impressed him, and it is clear that the author is quite good at collecting good information and organizing it.
If nothing else, this book will get you thinking about what might exist as a next step if you are looking for a change. Naturally upbeat and optimistic, but not vapid: there is good, pragmatic advice, experience from others who have done this, and references for additional research. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
December 2, 2022
Second Act Careers focuses on finding profitability during your next chapter of life, also known as semi-retirement.
Many useful tips and business avenues to utilize.
Many useful tips and business avenues to utilize.
December 11, 2014
I found this to be a positive change of pace from the run of the mill retirement finance books I've read recently. It is an optimistic read, giving suggestions of possible "second act" careers in a wide variety of areas. While not recommending jobs of the "cricket rancher" variety, this book did have some jobs I never realized existed, such as a "life celebrant". I learned quite a bit throughout the book. The author includes (almost always) three internet links for further information on careers/jobs/volunteer work. The last quarter of the book was a series of questions prompting the test taker to consider what they most need in a next career. The questions didn't seem that novel, but I found that in total the questions provided a very good diagnostic for where you want to be. Nicely done.
September 7, 2020
Interesting book jam packed with information and inspiration for finding a post retirement career. A wide spectrum of potential ideas is offered and how to prepare for them, a survey to examine your interests and strengths, and a plethora of resources. If only the author would tell me what I want to do when I grow up? Or just not grow up?
January 1, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Includes great online and local resources to help you transition into a new, more fulfilling career.
I always thought it was strange that nobody transitioned into retirement by going part time and this book makes it clear that it's a real possibility to do so.
I fully plan on semi retiring at age 45 or sooner if finances allow.
I'd recommend this book to anybody who is planning on retiring. Even if you are 20 years out (like me)!
I always thought it was strange that nobody transitioned into retirement by going part time and this book makes it clear that it's a real possibility to do so.
I fully plan on semi retiring at age 45 or sooner if finances allow.
I'd recommend this book to anybody who is planning on retiring. Even if you are 20 years out (like me)!
April 8, 2018
As I approach the beginning this book as well as the authors blog will prove to be invaluable tools on the journey to my second act careers whatever it or they may be. Filled with anecdotes of those you have gone before to find even more fulfilling in their twilight years so there's hope for us all. If you're there give it a read.
June 12, 2018
Must read for those looking at their second act
I rated this book as a 5 star because the author has provided good content to help you think about your second act. In addition to content there are a lot of different resources that have been included to help you continue your investigation about what you want to pursue. Very useful book and worth the time to read.
I rated this book as a 5 star because the author has provided good content to help you think about your second act. In addition to content there are a lot of different resources that have been included to help you continue your investigation about what you want to pursue. Very useful book and worth the time to read.
May 24, 2024
One of the most useful books that I have read on this topic
Great book that provides useful information, resources, self-reflection tools and actionable steps. Only quibble is that the resources and websites provided in the book should be updated.
Great book that provides useful information, resources, self-reflection tools and actionable steps. Only quibble is that the resources and websites provided in the book should be updated.
January 12, 2018
Insightful. Good book, especially part II about thinking! I like the job section. The questions at the end are even better.
June 13, 2023
I read this as a run-up to retirement, but I don't recall much about it.
July 20, 2023
Provided great insight
Thoughtful and informative.Nancy made me think, dream, and then do the homework/ would searching I needed to do. Get this book to plan your next act.
Thoughtful and informative.Nancy made me think, dream, and then do the homework/ would searching I needed to do. Get this book to plan your next act.
January 2, 2022
Learn to grow.
Recognize that adversity can lead to opportunity.
Plan for serendipity.
Adopt an opportunity seeker mindset.
Attitude trumps ability.
Appreciate your age as an advantage.
Change is a constant, so embrace it.
Perseverance pays off.
Fear is inevitable, but you can overcome it.
Education is the single best antidote for fear.
Recognize that adversity can lead to opportunity.
Plan for serendipity.
Adopt an opportunity seeker mindset.
Attitude trumps ability.
Appreciate your age as an advantage.
Change is a constant, so embrace it.
Perseverance pays off.
Fear is inevitable, but you can overcome it.
Education is the single best antidote for fear.
March 13, 2013
This was a very useful giveaway, and I will add it to the library. Many people nowadays need extra income for various reasons and this book will be very helpful in finding ways to make that extra income doing things you already do or enjoy doing:)
November 2, 2013
This is a great book for someone that is looking to transition to another career, especially in semiretirement, although many of the careers ideas can be used by anyone. I loved that there were many resources to further exploration in an area of interest.
January 5, 2014
If you're over 50, in good financial condition, and looking for "what's next" in work, this book seems like a great resource.
There is information on a different types of work to consider, how to help clarify your thoughts on what matter to you, and lots of links to more specific resources.
There is information on a different types of work to consider, how to help clarify your thoughts on what matter to you, and lots of links to more specific resources.
January 18, 2015
Another book that I mostly scanned. Some very useful information, but frankly, there was a lot of information that either didn't pertain to my current situation, or contained careers/career types in which I was not interested. Perhaps I'll revisit it in another decade or so...
September 27, 2014
One of the very best books for early retirees seeking both guidance and reassurance in pursuing a second-act career. Rich in content and comprehensive. Full of links to further information.
February 27, 2015
A few good ideas & several good resources
October 4, 2016
A lot of familiar information; however, I was able to generate a starting list and am taking time to do the worksheets which makes it a better than expected read.
January 5, 2014
It was a good book to help find ideas for other work including part time work.
July 31, 2015
Great ideas to explore, especially if you are stuck for ideas.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews