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)

A study investigated the experience of midcareer adults in self-directed graduate programs. It explored two questions in the researcher's personal experience: as a learner, what caused the researcher's change in learning-orientation from goal- to learning-oriented and, as a teacher, could the researcher justify using both self- and…

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…

This research investigated stability and change in the self-appraisal of having lived up to one's abilities from midlife to later aging. The subjects were 185 participants in the Terman Study of the Gifted, who had been asked to rate themselves with respect to living up to their abilities in 1960 (at an average age of 48) and in 1996 (at an…

Return-to-Work is a short-term group counseling intervention consisting of three major components: coping with disability and related life changes, life and benefits planning, and return to work. It is designed to enhance functional adaptation to mid-career disabilities by using structured activities and discussion to teach individuals how to…

In an effort to inform teacher development efforts, a study was conducted to identify and describe the factors involved in making the transition from "other" professional occupations to employment as community college teachers and transforming professional skills into effective teaching practices. The study focused on one female and two male…

This publication, aimed at persons in pastoral work in religious settings, reviews a large number of works on the topics of vocation, the meaning of work, unemployment, and underemployment. It provides suggestions for pastors and others to use in working with the unemployed and with persons at transitional periods. It is also suitable for persons…

Trade and industrial (T & I) occupational programs require teachers who are occupationally competent. Because of this premise, all states select teachers on the basis of their occupational expertise in spite of the possible limitation of little formal education in a teacher education program. Thus, provisions are made to hire teachers from…

The basis for mid-career changes is investigated and ways in which academic counselors can help adults make the transition to a postsecondary educational institution are examined. Two general areas for initiating midcareer changes can be identified: personal motivations and environmental pressures. Nancy Schlossberg (1984) has developed a…

A systematic review and critique of the work of midlife researchers and theorists such as Gould, Vaillant, Jung, Newman and Levinson, among others, indicates that: (1) a midlife transition period exists from approximately 35 to 55 and lasts as many as 10 years for both men and women; (2) a series of unique and fundamental biological, psychosocial,…

Surveyed randomly selected adults (n=319) in the Chicago metropolitan area and questioned them on whether cultural schedules exist for the timing of life transitions. Respondents perceived deadlines for most of the family transitions discussed. (SNR)

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…

This training manual is designed to increase the interviewing, counseling, and placement skills of counselors in public agencies who work with older clients seeking employment. Information concerning the needs and concerns of older people is included, focusing on training to enhance individual and group counseling skills as well as structured…