Burnout must be considered as symptomatic of a serious event in a person's life--a mid-life crisis, as it is widely termed. Numerous writings point out that during a period of life, roughly between the ages of 30 and 55, many people reach a crisis brought on by the realization that everyone's career, status, and life are measurable and limited.…

This essay is a personal reflection on entering librarianship in middle age at a time when the profession is experiencing rapidly accelerating change due to the increased use of computers and information technologies. Discusses the consumer society and information needs; the need to teach the information process; and professionalism. (Author/LRW)

Explores some of the possible distinctive traits of midlife suicides, which include: loss of spouse, years of heavy drinking, reaching the age of high depression risk, and occupational problems. Midlife suicides tend to be highest among white males, although female suicide rates peak in midlife. The paper concludes with a review of assessment and…

Midlife divorce for women can be a time for creative growth or divorce can lead to loneliness, bitterness, and depression. Middle-aged women appear to experience an inordinate amount of stress from divorce because of loss of roles and lack of new role models. Based upon role theory and divorce as a normal developmental process, a feminist…

Stressing the value of mature learning and its distinction from learning in early adulthood, the author explores elements of "third quarter" education and expresses the need for institutions that focus on the issues and potentials of those past midlife. (SK)

Offers a brief overview of preretirement education in the United Kingdom and its meaning in an economy where forced redundancy can bring "retirement" at an early age. Highlights the Coping with Change Model, which focuses on insight into the feelings, issues, choices, and skills relevant to life changes. (DMM)

After having been in or affiliated with the law enforcement field for over a decade, teaching adults throughout much of that time, the author finds it difficult to think of himself in a strange new role. He will be moving out of state with his family to begin his doctoral studies in the field of adult education. What will he learn as he takes this…

Discusses various aspects of transition in nine articles dealing with changes in the role of the school counselor, student adjustment at various educational levels, the transition from school to work, relevance of education, and retirement. Emphasizes developmental aspects and the counselor's response. (JAC)

Meeting the educational and personal development needs of adults in transition presents the greatest challenge to higher education. This article discusses a study to determine how adults in transition believe their educational programs to be helpful. (JOW)

Argues that an understanding of the dynamics of life transitions is crucial to effective adult education programs. Examines the "stage/phase" theory of transitions, maintaining that transitions occur in predictable sequences, and the "life event" theory, which views transitions as the result of social processes. (22 citations) (MAB)

Addresses the counseling needs of older persons and the response of the counseling psychology field. Dicusses gerontological counseling in relation to life transitions; counseling theory; counseling programs; group, individual and family counseling; counseling techniques; senile dementia; and outcome research. (JAC)

In two major articles a model is introduced for analyzing human adaptation to transition, and intervention strategies are presented for coping with transitions. Includes four reactions of other authors to the articles. Suggests adaptation to transition is influenced by characteristics of the transition, its supports, and by individual…

Various ways of financing career change are discussed: student financial aid through state and federal programs, college and university programs, alumni groups, minority programs, religious groups, etc. A list of sources of aid for women, organizations that aid minorities, and a list of publications on financial aid are also included. (CT)

Explains how keeping a work journal can be useful in exploring one's thoughts and feelings about work challenges and work decisions by facilitating self-renewal, change, and job satisfaction. Includes an example that discusses issues of interest to middle career librarians including the challenge of technology, further education, professional…

Discusses the importance of rites of passage to traditional cultures, especially the vision quest of Native Americans. Suggests that the absence of such rites in materialistic cultures has led to a separation from nature, which underlies many modern problems. Describes Wendl-Berry's vision quest and a center that offers vision quests of various…