Welcome
Welcome to the Boomer Careers Web site. Boomer Careers is designed for Tennesseans who are aged 40+ and exploring a new era.
With this new era is the time to begin anew. Do you want a new job? Do you require new skills? Do you need help with a résumé? Do you need something, some place, or possibly someone who can help you?
Embark on a new career or take your existing career into new directions. Begin your exciting adventure through Boomer Careers. We are here for you.
Introduction
Our name, Boomer Careers, evokes the heart of our reason for being, the Baby Boomer Generation. Boomer Careers is hosted by the State of Tennessee through the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. So, Boomers, no matter what career phase you face, our focus is on you.
The focus is on Boomers because as the “Graying of America” arrives, so surfaces a looming labor shortage. However, this need not be the case. Boomer Careers can combat upcoming labor shortages by training, retraining and retaining the fastest growing and most underutilized of all labor pools, Tennessee’s older workers. The concept of retirement is changing. Many of you Boomers will be able to transition to other jobs (full-time or part-time) once you leave your primary careers.
The services provided by Boomer Careers are broader than just encompassing the Baby Boomer generation itself. The services are synergistic. By helping Boomers, the needs of employers are also benefited. Employers can improve competition by adopting a better skilled and more flexible workforce. Strengthening the workforce strengthens our economy. A sound economy builds better communities for all Tennesseans.
PurposeThe purpose of Boomer Careers is to provide a self-service Web site to disseminate vital information, primarily in support of Boomers aged 40+. By continually increasing public realization of employment services that are provided by government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private enterprise, Boomer Careers is dedicated to attracting, attaining, developing and improving Tennessee’s workforce.
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce DevelopmentUnder the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the major program areas designed to help individuals with their career and employment goals are Employment and Workforce Developmentt, Employment Security, Adult Education and of course the Senior Community Service Employment Program SCSEP.
SCSEPThe Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), funded under Title V of the Older Americans Act, serves persons with low income who are aged 55+ and have few employment prospects. The program has two purposes: to provide useful community services and to foster individual economic self-sufficiency through training and job placement in unsubsidized jobs.
The guidelines for the SCSEP remain consistent. National sub-contractors for the SCSEP operating in Tennessee are the National Council on Aging and Senior Service America.
The state contractors for SCSEP in Tennessee are East Tennessee Human Resource Agency, Hardeman County Literacy Council, Mid-Cumberland Community Services Agency, Senior Services Employment Services Division, Upper East TN Human Development Agency and Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency.
Click here to see when your local SCSEP representative is available at a Tennessee Career Center near you.
Tennessee Career CentersThe Tennessee Career Centers can now assist individuals 40+ with a variety of career services. Boomers have free access to computers, phones and fax machines. Free seminars are also offered on interviewing, résumé writing, computer skills and more.
Partners and Services provide more comprehensive programs.
Nonprofit Organizations and Multicultural Foundations
Resources are provided by nonprofit organizations and multicultural foundations.
Boomer Careers recommends these nonprofit organizations for age sensitive issues: American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)); American Society on Aging; Experience Works; Leadership Council of Aging Organizations; National Council on the Aging, Inc.; National Retiree Volunteer Coalition; Older Women's League; Senior Corps; Senior.net; and Senior Service America.
To connect with multicultural group organizations that promote the career advancement of special populations, multicultural support begins with the following links: Association of Jewish Aging Services; HispanicOnline.com; National Asian Pacific Center on Aging; National Association of Hispanic Elderly (Asociacion Nacional pro Personas Mayores); National Caucus and Center on Black Aged; National Hispanic Council on Aging; National Indian Council on Aging, Inc.; and the National Urban League.
Self-Service ResourcesSuccessful self-service resources for career tools and résumé building can be found at: CareerJournal; Construction Weblinks; Employment Guide.com; and JobHuntersBible.com.
The following job sites are highlighted: The Source; America's Infonet; Job Central; CareerBuilder.com; ComputerJobs.com; Go60.com; Hotjobs.com; iHireJobNetwork; Job.com; Monster; and Job Search.
EncouragementBe proud of your past accomplishments. Your achievements are part of who you are now, and they are your foundation for who you will become in the near future.
The most common age positive career traits are to be
|
|
Use these terms as much as you can when interviewing or creating résumés.
Sometimes the limitations you face are within yourselves; however, you can easily overcome most of these limitations by adopting a lifetime learning way of thinking, where you continually try to learn for continuous self-improvement.
Be brave and plan to take a bold step. If you need to get your GED, click here. Further your education or go to trade schools at the Tennessee Technology Centers Web site.
Not all Boomers are looking for a paycheck. If you are motivated and want to leave your mark on society or if you have a high civic engagement with a sense of obligation, consider donating your free time and expertise to help your favorite cause and enrich your community.
For those of you who still need an income, consider volunteer work as a means to get to a better job. Volunteer work can also often serve as a way to get your foot into the door of a well paying job. Use volunteer work to get experience. Unpaid work is like doing an internship or working in an apprenticeship because you gain skills and undeniable proof of abilities.
Removing Shared ObstaclesLack of information creates the largest obstacle to opportunity. It is the hope of Boomer Careers that we provide the best sources of information that will make new opportunities known to you.
Career assessments are excellent starting points to find the fields that interest you and match your personality. A few of the leading online assessments are
The Kiersey Temperament
Live Career
Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential
Myers& Briggs
Tickle Test
Boomers face many obstacles to remain in or return to the job market. If an you are the sole care giver for a challenged family member, the Tennessee Association of Adult Day Services provides listings for Adult Day Care services that delay institutionalization as long as possible.
Medicare provides a reputable list of Nursing Homes. The National Respite Locator Service helps parents, caregivers, and professionals find respite services to match specific needs.
TennHelp is a Web site to find organizations and agencies that can help you and your family.
