Service Innovation
Helping the Mature Job Seeker
According to the AARP Foundation, one in three workers will be over the age of 50 by 2010. At the Career Development Center, this group of job seekers comprises our fastest growing demographic, and we've created several innovative programs to address the challenges mature job seekers often face while also working with them to uncover and promote their unique strengths.
Maybe you're just "too young to retire"—you really enjoy working
and want to stay at it but are looking for what's next. Often this
is trading vocation for avocation—after a successful career as an
accountant at a large, public firm you want to try working in the
fundraising & development office of a small nonprofit for
instance. Our CDC counselors are experienced in helping
non-retirees examine creatively their interests, what that next
professional step might look like and how to prepare for a career
transition.
If you've been laid off, but wish (or need) to remain employed or
an older adult reentering the workforce, the CDC is also a valuable
resource for you. Most likely, a lot has changed since you last
sought employment—most notably the way you search for jobs. The CDC
is a certified AARP WorkSearch center, which allows us to provide
mature job seekers special training including online skills
development. In addition to WorkSearch programs, mature job seekers
work individually with career counselors and attend other helpful
CDC workshops like Managing Interview Stress, Magnetic Resumes and
Interviewing 101.
For low-income, unemployed and underemployed workers ages 45-65,
the CDC offers free services through a grant from the United Way of
Allegheny County. Called Maturity Works, the program
offers both an employment track and a multiple barriers track, with
the latter providing critical needs case management to address
issues that might prevent successful employment. The goal being
that once those other barriers are resolved, gaining employment and
ultimately increased financial security becomes achievable.
Whether you're a mature worker looking to switch careers, want to
remain employed in your current field or are facing many obstacles
to your overall success, the CDC can help you turn your years of
professional and life experience into something new and meaningful.
Email the CDC client
coordinator to learn more.
