Ideate to Create
- 1. The Problem How can mid-career professionals continue their education to stay relevant and competitive while maintaining work-life balance?
- 2. Go back to school for undergraduate degree Go back to school for graduate degree Take advantage of employer’s tuition reimbursement plan Complete a certificate program Take free online courses offered by universities Take courses offered by employer’s training department Complete an online degree program Enroll in a local university and take classes face-to-face Read online resources Purchase a Groupon for reduced- price online courses Watch live and recorded free webinars
- 3. Volunteer your talents at local non-profits Travel the world Attend industry conferences Lead a team of volunteers Work with a career coach Create YouTube videos to showcase material that you created Take a sabbatical Start a new hobby Earn an industry designation Join a local professional group Work abroad
- 4. Mentor less experienced employees Switch jobs to learn something new Implement mandatory 2- year break in work Job shadow to learn about other areas Go back in time to complete all studies before starting work Require universities and employer to cover full cost of mid- career education Seek 360- degree feedback Switch employers to have different opportunities Reduce the required hours in the workweek and maintain pay Work with high-school students interested in your field Talk to peers for suggestions
- 5. The Solutions 1. Go back to school! 2. Reduce hours in work week! 3. Implement mandatory 2-year break!
- 6. Go back to school! Take advantage of the employer’s tuition reimbursement program (if any) and enroll in a degree-seeking program. This seems like the most expected answer to the problem statement. Workers can research school options and plan a course load that allows them to maintain the desired work-life balance.
- 7. Reduce hours in work week while maintaining pay! If we change the definition of work week without changing pay, the impact on work- life balance would be significant. The work week could consist of 4 days on, 3 days off, or we could invert the ratio of weekday to weekend workdays. So instead of work 5 with 2 off, we could work 2 with 5 off. This would support those going back to school and give more time to spend with their families or on schoolwork.
- 8. Implement a mandatory 2-year break in work! This break would be afforded to mid-career professionals. It could be used however they see fit. Some may use the time off to continue their education while others may travel or spend the time with their kids.