rocket50 Member Stories featuring Mary Margaret Toussaint
Transitioning careers can be a daunting prospect, yet it can also be a period of renewal and opportunity. For individuals like Mary Margaret, a seasoned public school teacher and librarian, the journey after turning 50 has been marked by a commitment to continuous learning and adaptability. She's leveraging her wealth of skills and certifications acquired over the years, channeling them toward an active and fulfilling retirement.
How did you refine your career path after you turned 50 or beyond?
After 50, I've prioritized continuing my education. As a public school teacher and librarian, I have continued taking graduate classes, honed my technology skills, and taken on new job responsibilities to remain current and be top of my field.
How did you identify that you needed to change careers, what was the most helpful resource during this time?
I started my career at the Boston Public Library after getting my Master's in Library Science, this was very much my dream job. After having kids I identified the need for more consistent hours and stability. I made the jump from public librarianship to a school setting and added teaching to my repertoire. Getting a Master's Degree in English allowed me the flexibility to teach English at my school district, but I'm also thinking about becoming a Google Certified Educator. This would showcase my technology skills as an educator and boost my resume for my next job after retirement.
What was the greatest help to you during your career transition?
During my career transition, other professionals in my field and colleagues were extremely helpful to bounce ideas off of. Making the switch to a school setting was daunting but online databases and research guided me on this new path. Now, as I'm approaching retirement at the end of this year, networking and researching have again helped me. I'm hoping to get back to work part-time at a local library, explore seasonal retail jobs, or even tutor here and there. I feel like an anomaly since I've been working at the same place for 25 years, but am excited about new work experiences to come.
Looking back, what are you most thankful for regarding your career path and journey?
I'm very fortunate for the longevity in the field of education. Working in education has allowed me the ability to add additional certifications and degrees to my resume which should keep me competitive in today's job market.
What advice would you give to someone in a career change?
When looking to change careers, always investigate your options and consider the longevity of your career choice. Also, make sure that it will suit your personal needs and motivations. I'm considering all of these in my post-retirement job search.