The Prognostication

How does one know when it’s time to leave the academy and begin The Next Chapter? Some will have the luxury of planning their transition months or even years in advance. Others will reach a point where work conditions become intolerable. Still others may be rudely sacked with little or no notice, perhaps through no fault of their own. Some participants believed physical and mental health issues are motivating factors. For others, taking advantage of a university early retirement was an incentive. Some viewed moving to the next chapter as a natural progression. And for a few, it may be a way to end the misery; they’ve left angry. Categories discussed in this chapter include fear, timing, planning, recognizing when the thrill is gone, burnout, and reduced energy.

The Future of Social Work Education

Former social work educators, and social work educators standing on the threshold of The Next Chapter, have wisdom to share regarding the future of social work education. We must pay attention to their ideas; our profession is at stake. Topics covered in this chapter include doctoral preparation (with the growth of social work education programs in the United States and a large wave of social work educators retiring, attracting well-prepared new faculty has never been greater); online concerns (most study participants were reluctant to give online programs a ringing endorsement); and the need for increased content on aging (as baby boomers progress through their lifespan, and as life expectancy increases with medical advances, the number of older adults requiring social services will continue to rise).

I’ve Got a Golden Ticket

This chapter looks at courageous decisions that left a lasting impact on the careers of the study participants. They were asked to look back on their careers and tell a story of making a decision or taking an action that was “worth its weight in gold.” Responses were divided into the following categories: making the transition from practitioner to academician; obtaining a doctoral degree; the decision to pursue or not to pursue a leadership role; avoiding a rush to judgment; finding the strength to make tough decisions; realizing that all that glitters is not gold; and writing as a healing process.

This Is My Last Shot

Participants were asked to recall their final year of teaching, when they knew they would be leaving, and to describe how it affected their job performance. Some claimed there was no measurable difference in their last year, but for most their last year in academia was special. Some participants articulated a sense of relief: their work had come to a natural end, and now they were happy to pass the torch. With The Next Chapter approaching, many participants looked forward to a relaxed transition and to calmer days. The desire to “go out strong” was a popular response. This chapter describes how professors approaching The Next Chapter were resolute that their final year would be their best ever. They were fired up, and in turn ignited their students.

Advice from Our Elders (Standing on the Shoulders of Greatness)

Collectively, the 39 participants in the Post-Career Reflections study have over 1,000 years of experience. It stands to reason that they have valuable insights for social work educators at different stages of their careers. Participants were asked: “Now that you have retired [or are about to retire], what words of wisdom would you offer to social work educators who about to launch a career in social work education; those social work educators who are midway through their career; and those educators who are in the waning years of their career?” This chapter shares the advice that they offered, divided into sections for newbies, mid-career educators, and twilighters.

Old Folks Boogie

The chapter explores how retirement provides an opportunity to appreciate what gives us meaning and adds to the value of our experiences. The study participants were asked to describe how their current stage of lifespan development affects their life today. Topics include a time for reflection and integration; physical limitations; and aging positives. The author proposes that as we make the transition from our role as a social work educator into The Next Chapter, we shift our focus from living life for a purpose (satisfying the requirements set forth by others) to searching for life’s meaning (satisfying our own internal needs by replacing “have to” with “want to” activities).

Introduction

Social work educators are unique. We are doers and thinkers, go-getters and troublemakers, movers and shakers. We convert difficult challenges into positive realities. We are a profession of the possible. We have lived through unique experiences and possess knowledge of lifespan development, which may qualify us to be in better shape to navigate the vicissitudes of aging and envision a rich life beyond the traditional limits of a career....

Any Do-Overs?

Study participants were asked to reflect on any regrets they may have had during their career. Specifically, they were asked to recall an action or decision that, given the opportunity, they would like to do over. They were also asked to talk about how they would change the course of events if they could. More so than any other interview question, this question about “do-overs” gave participants the greatest pause. Among the responses were empathy shortage, dropping the ball, making hiring mistakes, spending too much time at work, bringing home dirty laundry, working in a toxic environment, and being bullied by a student. The author includes a story of how he was hoodwinked by flattery.

Decision Time

The word retirement carries negative connotations, so it comes as no surprise that study participants preferred the term The Next Chapter. Do we really have to “go out to pasture”? Or have our careers primed us to enter an exciting stage of life, perhaps a synthesis of everything we have experienced up to this point in time? Wouldn’t it be great if we could look forward and enjoy a newly enhanced life? Seize the day! This chapter covers how participants decided to depart from academia; how they knew when to make the move; precipitating events that occurred; and any conflicts they experienced in making the decision.

Life-Changing Events

A key element in social work and social work education is a belief in the ability to change, discovering previously hidden strengths along the way. Study participants were asked to look back on their careers as social work educators and recount a life-changing event (for themselves and/or their students). The stories they told were diverse, amazing, and heartfelt. Events are presented in the following categories: lessons learned from students; life’s lessons outside the classroom; coming out as a gay person; the great realization; serendipity; a strengths perspective story; saving a marriage; discovering that a social work major is not the best fit for all students; and a spectacular going-away party.