Book Club

My Third Age: Work & Life Choices
Paul Stevens
Worklife Pty Ltd. (www.worklife.com.au), 2005
1 875134 51 4

My Third Age: Work & Life Choices is a workbook for mature workers (those over 45) ready to make a career shift.

Paul Stevens is an Australian career counsellor with several decades’ experience and multiple books, pamphlets and articles under his belt. The experience shows. This is a well rounded, well written book of exercises to assist a mature worker in deciding where s/he wants to go when s/he moves forward.

The workbook begins with an introduction and sound explanation of the benefits of the book and how to use it.

Stage 1: Analysing My Situation is a series of self-assessment tools. As the prologue says, “While you may think you know yourself well, it is important to take an up-to-date audit of your self-view.” These assessments are written as questions with lots of room for answers, usually lists. This stage, the longest in the book, includes sections on significant others (spouse, partner, off-spring, parents), mentors, a narrative of the next 12 months and work values. There are also three card sorts: skills, activities and life-work balance.

Stage 2: Exploring This Information puts the personal analysis into perspective. This is the section where several pieces including the information from the self-assessment tools, one’s perceived constraints, and needs and supports are combined to prepare for the journey of change.

Stage 3: Exploring Opportunities encourages research. “It is unwise to commit to any activity until you have carried out reality testing.” This section emphasizes the need to secure help from others and includes identifying networks and organizing information interviews.

Stage 4: Making My Decision is a section about reflection and quiet planning. According to the author, for readers ready to make decisions, there will be an improvement in well-being and a reduction in stress.

Stage 5: Planning My Action Steps focuses on putting the plans into action. “A little more detailed planning work is required to increase the likelihood of achieving all that you have decided to do.” This stage includes looking at possible barriers and how to overcome them; résumé writing for ‘third age transition;’ dealing with the change in labour market trends; employability; and training needs.

The last, short stage Stage 6: Auditing My Life Management Renewal is an assessment to establish what parts of work-life the reader satisfied with and what parts need work. This assessment should probably be completed throughout the rest of one’s life as life is constantly changing.

At the end is a list of resources, websites and books. The books are all written by professionals from Australia and likely reflect that country’s unique culture. The websites are a mixture of Australian and international.

This book is well designed and organized. The language is simple and straightforward but not condescending. It would be accessible for most first-language English and advanced ESL clients. This book would definite be useful to any “third age” client who needs assistance in decision making around his/her next career step and wants to do the work on his/her own. It would also be a useful asset to libraries, ERCs and “over 45” groups.

Review written by Anne Brunelle, a practicum student with Contact Point. Anne is currently completing the Career & Work Counsellor Program at George Brown College.