Welcome to Encore Transitions: Preparing for Post-Career Life
For millions of Americans, including many of us at the University, the next decade will bring both endings and beginnings in work and life. As we think about what might come after our primary careers, it can be challenging to envision, let alone create, a fulfilling, engaged, secure future. What's more, we're expected to leap into that future overnight. But retirement is not an event. It's a process that takes time, especially as we look toward post-career lives that may last as long as our working lives.
An encore transition offers a unique opportunity to explore and invent the next stage of our lives. What might a meaningful post-career life look like for me? What are my preferred routes for getting there? Will I "have enough?" Will I want or need to continue working? How will I maintain a sense of purpose in my daily life?
Encore Transitions: Preparing for Post-Career Life is the University of Minnesota’s pioneering retirement preparation course developed by the College of Continuing Education and co-sponsored by the Office of Human Resources. It is designed to help you create pathways through encore transitions and prepare for a successful post-career life by focusing on personal, professional, and social satisfaction, as well as timely financial questions. Equally important, the four-day course emphasizes that post-career engagement, whether through continuing work, service, learning, or other personally meaningful activities, is a foundation for vitality, happiness, and healthy longevity.
Whether you've already been thinking about retirement or simply want to learn more as you continue your University career, Encore Transitions gives you the latest information, crucial lifework skills, fresh perspectives, and new ways to contribute, both in your current work and as you move forward into your future.
Comments From Your Colleagues
Here are some representative comments from past Encore Transitions participants:
- “This was a great course; it got me thinking in a positive direction. The mix of things to consider was outstanding, the presenters excellent. I think that the most enjoyment came from everyone being at the same stage in life. Loved meeting the people.”
- “I liked the diversity of experience, from interesting presentations, interactive exercises, reflective times, sharing by panelists, and the upbeat, promising, hopeful, proactive spirit throughout the course.”
- “I became more positive about the idea of retirement, and could actually imagine it! I appreciate the planning, or perhaps creating a vision of what my life could be like after my current work.”
- “I am no longer so afraid. I feel that it will be the start of a new adventure in my life, and I am excited about it. I feel that I have many options. I feel more positive about my future. This course has helped me to be more realistic about life after retirement.”
Download a PDF with more comments from your colleagues.
Course Topics and Schedule
Encore Transitions: Pathways to Post-Career Life
Friday, October 19, 2012
Satisfying encore transitions may be marked by life-changing beginnings and endings, but they are bolstered by continuity. In this session, you will trace your journey up to now, consider what’s worth keeping and changing for the future, and look ahead to the routes (and detours!) you might encounter as you create pathways to the next stage. Topics and presenters include The Road to What’s Next with travel writer Catherine Watson, Mind Mapping Our Lives with consultant and coach Donna Bennett, and Exploring Values, Strengths, and Passions, also with Donna Bennett.
Encore Transitions: Aging Well/Being Well
Friday, November 2, 2012
Did you know that as we get older, we become less like each other? This gives us the chance to define good health for ourselves. During this session, you will explore the physical and social aspects of positive aging, and learn about the roles of resiliency, wellness, and well being in healthy longevity. Topics and presenters include Positive Aging with family physician and Encore Transitions co-founder Bill Spinelli, Engaged As We Age with educator and Encore Transitions co-founder Andrea (Andy) Gilats, and The Roots of Resilience with integrative psychiatrist Henry Emmons.
Encore Transitions: Making the Most of Post-Career Life: Money, Working, Helping
Friday, November 16, 2012
The three most common questions asked by participants in Encore Transitions’ pilot course were, “How do I start planning?,” “How will I spend my time?,” and “How will I create meaning?” This session looks at options and possibilities for answering all three questions. Topics and presenters include Timely Financial Questions with financial planner Mark Fischer, Work After Work with Donna Bennett and Andy Gilats, How Can I Help? with former St. Paul mayor Jim Scheibel, and Exercising Your Options with Donna Bennett and Andy Gilats.
Encore Transitions: Launching Your Future/Living Your Encore Life
Friday, November 30, 2012
Some form of encore transition is an inevitable part of our life course, but how do we go from thinking, considering, worrying, or letting these changes impose themselves on us to positive actions that allow us to steer our own ship and make our own choices? This session will help you take the often daunting leap from thought to action as you move closer toward your encore life. Topics include Launching Your Future with educator, architect, and creativity expert Jerry Allan, and Living Your Encore Life, a diverse panel of people from our community who are creating and living interesting and often-inspiring post-career lives.
All sessions are held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Continuing Education and Conference Center on the St. Paul campus.
You will need to arrange with your supervisor to be away from your workplace on applicable course dates in accordance with the work rules, policies, and/or bargaining unit contracts for your employee group and unit.
Eligibility
You are eligible to request financial support from your unit for your participation if:
- you are faculty, P & A staff, civil service staff, or bargaining unit staff on the Twin Cities, Crookston, Duluth, Morris, or Rochester campus, and
- have at least a 75% time, benefits-eligible appointment, and
- meet one of the following requirements:
- You are 50-54 years old with 15 or more years of service at the University.
- You are 55 years old or older with five or more years of service at the University.
- You have 30 years of service at the University, regardless of age.
Cost and Funding
The cost of the Encore Transitions course is $500. University units have been invited to support their employees’ participation to the fullest extent possible, so please discuss funding options with your supervisor. Your unit may fully or partially fund your participation, and you may also use personal funds for part or all of the $500 fee.
Fee includes lunch, morning and afternoon refreshments, and all materials.
You may also register a spouse or partner, though without University funding. The course cost will be the same; non-University registrants can also choose single-day sessions at a cost of $150.
Registration
Once you have arranged funding and time away from your workplace as applicable, complete the Encore Transitions UM Employee Registration form (PDF), obtain the appropriate signatures, and mail, fax, or hand deliver the form to the College of Continuing Education at the address listed on the form.
After your registration is processed, you will receive an e-mail confirmation of your registration, including a payment receipt.
Before October 19, you will also receive directions and parking information for the Continuing Education and Conference Center.
Questions? Need more information?
E-mail
encore@umn.edu
Call:
Vivien Oja
College of Continuing Education
612-624-4936
