Contextual influences on the decision to recareer from an occupational role to a contemporary career for workers aged over 50

Mulligan-Foster, Clare Margaret (2022) Contextual influences on the decision to recareer from an occupational role to a contemporary career for workers aged over 50. PhD thesis, Birkbeck, University of London.

Abstract

Older workers, especially those who are well educated, are engaging in activities known as ‘recareering’ (Rice, 2015). ‘Recareering’ means a decision made in later life to embark on a new career in a new industry, after leaving a long-term primary career (Johnson & Lewis, 2009). With high numbers of the baby boomer generation already recareering, there is a ‘Silver Tsunami’ of workers who are experiencing their career transition with little research available to manage or understand this change (Rice, 2015). Further understanding will help older workers to experience amore successful and planned transition. Further insights will support organisations to be better equipped to create authentic support for those who are beginning to consider their career options for later life (Rice, 2015). This thesis consists of an introductory chapter outlining the context of retirement planning and demographic shifts. A methodology chapter explains the researchers philosophy of a constructivist paradigm. The Systematic Literature Review (SLR) chapter collates existing research on recareering studies to explore theory used in the research, with a lens on protean career and boundaryless career. The Systematic Literature Review found limited studies focused on recareering in later life (Rice, 2015). Studies looking at second contemporary career options following a move from a ‘stable traditional system’ are ‘scarce’ (Vigoda-Gadot, Baruch, & Grimland, 2010). Little evidence for the use of consistent career theory was evident in the SLR. 8 papers were synthesised with 6 themes discussed in terms older workers recareering. 4 antecedents of health, finance, formal/informal learning, and workplace influences and 2 outcomes of social network and intrinsic motives were developed from the analysis. The empirical study explores contextual influences on the why older workers recareer to help understand decisions made and to inform career longevity options. The study included 15 participants aged over 50 who have recareered from an occupational role to a contemporary career who were interviewed to explore the reasons and influences for their recareer decision. Reflexive thematic analysis method was used to study findings and core themes, discussed within an IGLOO framework (Nielsen, Yarker, Munir et al., 2018). The IGLOO framework examined themes under the hierarchy of ‘individual’, ‘group’, ‘leader’, ‘organisational’, and ‘outside’. A further hierarchy level of ‘outcomes’ was added to the IGLOO framework. Although elements of a protean career mindset and boundaryless orientation can be seen within the findings, there was little support or awareness with the participants of how they used insights or knowledge to support career decisions. One key outcome was that most had created a portfolio career for themselves without the knowledge of this career option. Although there is modern career theory to support this cohort of workers, it is not being used in an effective way for older workers who recareer from an organisational role. This is a growing demographic of workers and there is room in HR and Organisational Psychology to provide a stronger support. As this group of workers can be difficult to access due to their independent work status and lack of professional network, new and novel ways will need to be created to reach this group and provide the support needed. Further ideas for practice were identified within the IGLOO framework including career model development for older recareerists.

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