Capture Real-World Career Insight & Advice That Will Prep You for The Big Time

Consider Your Community's Demographic Outlook

Part of your due diligence in planning your mature work and life is to develop an understanding of changing demographics. We provide our smart corporate clients with demographic studies that help them to understand population shifts and plan their workforce needs.  I suggest that you think like a smart company and plan your life and work by learning where your community, or target community, is headed. Take a look at the following examples:

Arizona is our fastest growing state.  From 2000-2005, the population grew by 15.8% as contrasted with the U.S. growth for the same period of time at 5.3%.  The population at the end of 2005 (the latest census data) revealed that 9% of the population was between the ages of 18 and 24. Twenty-three percent of the population fell between the ages of 45 and 64 and 28% were 65 or older. Where will employers spend their recruiting dollars?  If you are a Zonie, how will you compete with such a large population of mature workers? 

Californians are working longer.  The California Budget Project in Sacramento found that 62% of Californians ages 55 to 64 were employed last year, compared to 54% in 1995. The study found that just over a quarter of those in the 65 to 69 age group were working last year and, according to the study, they were working principally because of financial insecurity. 

Washington, specifically - Seattle - ranks as the smartest city (if you equate education with being "smart") in the U.S. as 52.7% of its residents, age 25 or older, have completed a bachelor's degree (or higher) according to a 2007 ranking by the Census bureau.  Seattle also has more than its share of residents with advanced degrees: 20.5%. Why is this important?  Here's why.  Smart cities are voted most likely to succeed in the future.  Is Washington the state for your mature years?  Or, are other challenges likely to get in the way? 

Wisconsin is slated to become one of the most acutely impacted states by the graying of its population.  According to Senior Service America, a nonprofit organization, "all of the growth in the working-age population of Wisconsin by 2015 will be generated by persons 55 and older." 

What about the demographic outlook in your state? Remember that the future favors the prepared mind and the time to begin planning your future is now.