Employment to age 65 used to be a given. If not a career run at the same company, non-profit, or government agency, a worker armed with a skillset and expertise honed over decades could be reasonably assured that the acquired knowledge remained marketable. 

Recently, that assumption has been turned on its head, especially in the technology sector. But there is also opportunity.

Here are three stories about being laid off at 55+ and finding the “what’s next.” 

• Krista was a 25-year veteran in software management at a major healthcare insurance company. She was months away from eligibility for Medicare when her job was suddenly sent to India. Her “what’s next” was a scramble for short-term health coverage. 
• Mike was trained in User Experience (UX), attaining a master’s degree in the field in 2004. After 18 years, he was laid off in his late 50s.  His “what’s next”? Broaden his skill set, strategically update his resume, and pledge loyalty as he seeks his next employer.  
• Lee, at 71, brings a long history of career adaptation. He transitioned from sales to technical research and writing in his late 60s; he now works in AI content curation for a Global Top 10 tech corporation. 

Link Mike’s Medium article:

https://medium.com/crows-feet/i-may-never-find-a-full-time-job-again-one-year-update-e73fbc51af3f

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