It’s Never Too Late to Graduate
It happened. I didn’t know where my career was headed. I had 33 years of experience in media, publishing, and consumer products, through incredibly demanding, ruthless, fabulous, fun, relentless, high-profile roles. After learning many brutal lessons along the way, I even wrote a non-fiction book about office politics drama to memorialize the insanity of my glory days.
Next, I tried my hand at entrepreneurship — brave, since I was a mom of two little ones, in the middle of becoming single, and returning home after living in Florida for several years. The software venture was successful to a point, but then went flat. Without deep financial skills or a good staff to rely on, I reluctantly offered a piece to a partner who convinced me he knew better. Unfortunately, he turned out to be like the bad boyfriend who talked a good game, but wasn’t really dedicated. And, he, along with the business, were eventually kicked to the curb.
What next? I blew the dust off my resume, hired a professional to use fancy words recognized by software on hiring platforms to push me to the top, made calls, and met some recruiters, who I think actually yawned during our meetings. The ridiculousness of the situation made me laugh out loud… A lifetime of work — launching George with John Kennedy, Jr.; or, working as editor-in-chief at the likes of ELLE, Car and Driver, and Eating Well; producing national TV for Rolling Stone, and US Magazine; and running Colin Cowie’s lifestyle business — simply didn’t impress today’s 30-year-old “seasoned” headhunters.
My mind went wild. Why are they not embracing an executive with experience across a wealth of platforms? Age? Sexism? Did I need to show up with a medical document to prove I was healthy? Networking also got me nowhere. It’s amazing how people who once relied on you daily can forget you so easily. “Oh, Jocelyn, great to hear from you! Yeah, yeah, I heard about your software company. Oh, you’re looking to relaunch? If I hear anything I’ll call you… Let’s catch a drink soon.” And, then, silence. In between each of those conversations, I returned to scouring online job posts, depressed by both the job descriptions and salary.
I guess it serves me right. Maybe I was becoming a dinosaur. Evolve, or give up and go home. I had to reinvent, find a better way to use my story, welcome something new, and start over.
Knowing I had to move quickly, I first relied on what I had done already. My book, The Big Sister’s Guide to the World of Work, became a launch pad to the world of social media. I started to blog and riff on workplace culture; I pitched my ideas (hard) to associations and corporate managers; I researched today’s human resources challenges; I worked with organizations on leadership and trust issues; I wrote like crazy. I found a new calling, but had to work it. Hustle, hustle, hustle. Energized by where I was headed, I threw many irons in the fire; my new husband was about to throw me out the door because I had multiple gigs at a time versus focusing on one niche. Did I mention the real estate license and staging business that I started as a side gig?
But, while I was excited about this new direction, I felt like I was starting to tread water rather than move full speed ahead. I needed a spark; I had to do something dramatic. With 30 years left to work, I needed to expand my skills and cement my credibility. This is a thought leadership business. School. Go back to school and get my masters. Ugh. It’ll be overwhelming and take a lot of time, and what do I study, exactly? An MBA certainly, but all that math… YIKES. Fortunately, since I already was working as an adjunct professor at Mercy College, I was able to enroll in its graduate program without taking the GMAT. THANK YOU!!! I was halfway there. And, I’ll finally learn how to decipher those financials.
Time to keep swimming. I went for it, and spent the last two years working at a pace I hadn’t since my 20s. I managed the intensity and insanity of growing my consulting business, teaching undergrads, bringing up two children and studying for my own degree. Through it all, I practiced what I tell my clients — I was mindful, positive, attentive, and alert, even on the days when it killed me.
Fast forward to last month. At 55, I graduated with distinction. After it all, I can’t impress upon you enough — if you’re not sure which way to go, open yourself to new possibilities and challenges. Keep learning. It doesn’t matter if it takes six months or six years. Keep evolving to stay relevant.
The challenges of ageism are real. Since most of us will be living longer, most of us will be working longer. And, regardless of where you are in life, work should matter. It should be fulfilling and worthwhile, whether it’s part time or on an executive board. Get the most out of it; it’s never too late to build your skills and distinguish yourself. Jump start your career at 60; maybe, by then, you’ll really know what you want to be when you grow up.