Meet Terence Hall: splendid antidote to the worried midcareer job hunters who find themselves tossed into the job market unprepared.
Hall, a police major in Kansas City, Kan., plans to retire in five years. He’s been on the force for 27 years and a “return” student for one.
“I’ll be 53 when I retire,” Hall said. “I don’t think that’s a proper age to go out to pasture.”
Hall’s children, ages 8 and 6, don’t always get why Daddy goes to the University of Kansas’ Edwards Campus instead of coming home from work.
“It’s a strain,” Hall admitted. “But I owe my kids my best effort, and I’m trying.”
When young, Hall bounced around three universities for several years before earning a photojournalism degree.
He never became a photojournalist, but photography remained a passion, and he takes wedding pictures and portraits on the side.
“I’ve always had a backup plan,” Hall said.
Along the way, Hall’s backup plan evolved. Last semester he took six hours of classes; this semester he’s enrolled in nine.
“I expect to get a master’s in public administration completed in 2009,” Hall said.
He sees growing job opportunities in public service as fellow baby boomers retire.
“I know there’s a chance that (employers) will look at me wrong because of my age, but I think I can use my experiences, my 33 years of experience in a police career, and my desire to help others,” Hall said.
And if that doesn’t work out, he has Plan C: “I’d love to teach at a junior college.
“My challenge is to pace myself, to stay ahead.”
Terence Hall: role model.
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