In 2024, there will be twice as many women over the age of 65 that will still be working, according to a report from Labor. This is the fastest growing demographic in the United States.
Why is there a sudden shift compared to 30 years ago? As told by IBTimes, it has become a necessity and not a choice. Women (and men) are starting to work longer to make their retirement funds happen. One of the biggest issues is a lack of income planning. Which is why there are three steps everyone needs to make when considering career longevity that will result in a satisfying retirement.
1. Plot Your Career Path
The first few years of working will always be about exploring the oprtions out there. Author Pamela Stone, (who wrote Opting Out?: Why Women Really Quit Careers and Head Home), says that no career path is perfect which is why each individual should have a vision to what they hope to achieve. It is important to have a career action plan that will make you look at where you are right now and wher you want to be. List down how you plan on getting there by making a timeline.
2. Build Your Network
After setting your goals, surround yourself with people who can help you ahcieve them. Networking is as equally important. You need to have people who will have your back and your future. According to Caroline Waxler, the founder of Harkness Hall, "There's a tendency for people to think about networking strategically." But if you're networking to advance your own goals, rather than to form genuine connections, others will see through it. Regularly connecting with new people is important to widen your network. You can start connecting by just offering a compliment or asking a question. And the best thing you can do? Just listen. You will then be bonding relationships with people who will be there for you and vice versa.
3. Stay In It
Life will get busy and challenges will come your way. For a woman, persistence is important. "Persistence is better because you have salary growth as opposed to salary stagnation, you have promotion growth and you have pension accumulation. When you interrupt a career all those things are radically truncated," says Stone.
Stone suggests that, ultimately, you need to find ways to make your work work.
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