by Ted Sherman

Created on: March 23, 2010

When I retired 20 years ago, I began to receive an adequate company pension, welcome social security checks and I earned additional income from investments. At age 65, I was all set for sunset years on the beach and/or golf course. Right?

Wrong! I had made the choice ... or was it a mistake? ... of having my youngest child in my late 40s, and just before I retired she had started her first year of college. Did she choose a nice, cheap, nearby community college? No, she qualified for a partial scholarship to one of the most expensive Ivy League universities in the land, a thousand miles from home. That grant, while prestigious, paid only about one-tenth of her annual college and living costs.

Her costs were taking up about 50 percent of my annual retirement income. I needed to pay out that $40,000 in each of four years. Goodbye sand and turf; hello, new career. But what could I do at age 65 in an economy that sneers at job applicants over age 40? And don't tell me there's no age discrimination in hiring. However, there were many friends and colleagues in various businesses near my home. All I had to do was call them, and I'd be gainfully employed once again.

But there was one little glitch. On the day after my retirement ceremony, my spouse and I were on our way West. We were leaving the cold, damp East for the hot, hot Arizona desert, where my arthritic bones would be happier. I knew no one in my new town, so what was a 65-year-old guy to do to start a second career there?

Here's what I did, and I'd advise it for any retiree who needs to start all over again to earn a living. I put together a portfolio of my best work. Fortunately, I had spent the last 25 years of my career as manager of a large insurance company's creative division. My staff and I were responsible for public relations, advertising, audio-visuals, video and graphic arts. I stuffed the 20 or so best of my individual work, as well as campaigns I had created and/or managed. Along with the samples, I made up a killer resume, that included my education, experiences and several letters of recommendatiton.

I hit the internet and contacted companies and agencies throughout my new city. I was invited in for several interviews, and made sure I looked my very healthiest and well-groomed. Before each specific interview, I made sure to research the prospective job in advance, so that I could answer questions intelligently and explain how my experience and skills could fit into that specific job.

After just three weeks of digitally pounding the virtual unemployment pavements, I received a job offer at the city's major community center. It wasn't in management, but it involved using my many skills in graphic design, photography and editorial work. It paid just enough to meet my daughter's tuition and other expenses.

I really liked the job, especially mingling daily with bright, younger people. I worked there for five years, until my daughter had graduated and was solidly into her new career. Then, because I enjoyed the work so much, I stayed on as a daily volunteer for another five years. If you want to start another career after retirement, try to choose as I did. Try to find one that gives you enjoyment, associating with interesting people and a sense of accomplishment.

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