I'm in the 10:45 session about how career services can (and need) to provide services to alums...particularly "mature" alums (those over 40) who are changing careers, have been laid off, or who can't afford to retire.
The big number is that by 2010, 51% of the workforce will be 40 years or older (a 33% increase since 1980). This aging baby boomer workforce is no surprise...but there are economic and personal factors that complicate this situation. The economic factors include the current recession, offshoring, corporate mergers/restructuring, and globalization. The personal factors include increased life expectancy, need for healthcare coverage in retirement, elevated social awareness, and increased desire to 'direct' own career.
Much of the discussion was around how career services can serve alumni and included examples of best practices in connecting career services and alumni offices, what the current (and future) economic situation means for career services, stories about what alumni are looking for (even if they don't know it!) and how to best utilize these alums on campus.
It was a standing-room only crowd...lots of head-nodding as the issues were laid out...and great questions for the panelists.
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