Substantial evidence exists in both popular and professional literature which suggests that some adults, male and female, will experience what has been variously labeled as a "mid-life crisis" or "mid-life depression." Research provides evidence that the lifespan can be conceptualized as a series of transitions from one status or situation to…

Educational reform in Poland will have to parallel economic reform to be most effective, particularly in the areas of manpower development, equal educational opportunity, and training for career change, short-term specialization, and professional reorientation in midlife. (MSE)

This monograph examines the phenomenon of retirement from the perspectives of the individual, the institution, and the socioeconomic system. In the first of five sections, the author looks at the evolution and institutionalization of the concept, discussing the effects of legislative and personnel policies, altered social and economic status, and…

A participant in a career transition workshop for 10 former college faculty members gives an account of the sometimes difficult process of changing perspectives, attitudes, and problem-solving techniques from academe to the world of business and of learning practical job search methods. (MSE)

Presents a case study of a 45-year-old first-generation community college student and his transition from factory worker to college student. Presents findings related to the student's stages of transition, personal contacts, work study experiences, commitment, and self-image. Excerpts from the student's journals and sample interview questions are…

Identifies societal trends increasing the need to retrain older workers for second careers. Sees community colleges as an important resource for retraining older workers and describes some pioneering programs. Identifies key program components (e.g., employment skills for mature adults, ties to regional employers, achievement expectations), and…

The long-held belief that a person became an adult at about 20 years of age and, henceforth, remained psychologically and physically on a plateau until old age, has recently been found unacceptable in the light of research contributed by developmental psychology. Adult development may be viewed as the function of the interaction of the…

This working paper, part of a project on the applicability of the French training system in the United States, argues that a systematic national commitment to midcareer worker retraining is necessary for American prosperity and international economic competitiveness. Although findings of the early human capital theorists demonstrated that an…

The decline in the number and status of women in educational administration and the magnitude of their lack of representation in administrative positions is evidenced by numerous studies. To achieve the goal of identifying the components of the problem, solutions suggested by the research, and implications for women who aspire to administrative…

Issues concerning faculty career vitality, including institutional policy options and demographic and external pressures, are addressed in 12 chapters. In the first chapter, Shirley M. Clark, Carol M. Boyer, and Mary Corcoran review theoretical and conceptual issues concerning institutional and faculty vitality. The following chapters and authors…

This paper describes the journey of a former female electrician turned technical and further education teacher turned professional development officer who is now completing her PhD. It also describes the challenges she overcame to make the transition from tradesperson to researcher. It is a personal account of discovery. It describes the most…

Colleges and universities throughout the United States are faced with the new mission of offering comprehensive educational programs designed to strengthen the employment skills of mature adults. In the coming decades, as the number of young people entering the labor force decreases by an expected one-third, the number of available workers aged…

A guide to help instructors and program planners understand the educational needs and characteristics of older learners is presented. Social, economic, and educational consequences of increasing longevity are identified. A brief history of education for older people is presented, and research and experience on adult and continuing education are…

These proceedings contain the texts of the following 44 papers: "Adult Development in Midlife, Childless Women" (Rita Keneipp); "Analysis of the Relationship between Cognitive Style (Field Dependence-Field Independence) and Level of Learning" (Eugene Tootle); "Reconceptualizing Adult Education Participation" (Peter Cookson); "Adulthood:…

The percentage of adults aged 65 years or older is expected to increase from 12 percent of the population in 1980 to more than 21 percent by the year 2030. Since many adults stay involved with learning activities well into their 80s and 90s, educational organizations have a great opportunity to supply learning activities to this population. To…