A “calling” is your soul telling you to do something, and I definitely feel called to this work.” – K, Career Changer
Here’s another story of a person who decided to throw caution to the wind, leave their corporate job and do something entirely different. Something that fed their soul, filled them with satisfaction, and allowed them to contribute positively to their community. Read on to learn more.
Let me tell you about my friend, let’s call her K. I noticed a while back that she had updated her LinkedIn title to read “trying retirement.” I was intrigued.
K and I met for coffee and boy did she have a fascinating story to share. You see, K had been working her way up the corporate ladder in the technical writing field for literally decades when she realized that there was just no “spark” left for her in the role. She described it best when she said, “I was getting stale at my corporate job.”
She was not quite ready for retirement at this point, but K knew she needed something different. She had always been interested in the funeral service profession, but had never acted on this interest. Now was the time.
K reports, “I could use my skills in a more meaningful way, and funeral service is well-suited to older workers.”
K recognized that transitioning to a new field is not as easy as it looks. She had deep respect and admiration for those who were already in her chosen field and for those who had transitioned to new careers before her. So she buckled down and prepared for the transition. She read up on funeral service and death care, attended local professional group meetings, and attended seminars, open houses, and other special events to learn and build a network.
Her first “funeral gig” was as a freelance celebrant for a local, family-owned group of funeral homes. A fascinating role, a celebrant writes and presents memorial services, often for people who are not served by a particular faith or church. Later she joined the staff as an office worker and greeter at visitations and services.
K was able to make her transition gradually, by first picking up part-time work in her new field while still maintaining her full time corporate position. With this approach, K was able to “ease into” her new role. She could test it out, to ensure that she was ready to make the leap, while keeping her salary and benefits on board.
K stuck with funeral services until 2023. Next she did part-time office work at the village hall where she and her husband lived, then retired from the workforce in 2024.
K tells me one hurdle keeping many people from making the jump to a new career is healthcare. She suggests exploring your options with an independent insurance agent. It turns out these agents don’t just sell Medicare plans! They are paid by the health insurance companies and can help you find a plan that fits your needs. She recommends considering the Marketplace (HealthCare.gov), also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or “Obamacare.”
K’s experience in the funeral services industry was a positive one. She is currently “trying retirement,” but she believes funeral services is her calling, and will therefore happily return when the right opportunity comes along.
K has cracked one of the key components of Career Nirvana – she has discovered work that she WANTS to do, even when she doesn’t have to work anymore.
If, like K, you are “getting stale” in your current role, and are ready to go after your true passion, I want to work with you. It’s never too late to make the leap, you just need to find the guts to jump.
Sign up here to join the next cohort of Career Nirvana: https://forms.gle/2wk3iMpnhUF1yCvE8
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