You get a job, plug away for decades, and steadily rise up the ranks to senior management. Then, instead of retiring (or being made to retire), a swift mid-career switch into consulting, where you’ll put your acquired skills to use for years to come.
Sounds great, doesn’t it? Consulting veteran Stephen Lin agrees, though he’s quick to add that the path isn’t necessarily for every young silver looking for a change of environment.
"And I’m not saying that to talk up what we do in consulting, but that’s just the truth."
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Mid-career switch from engineer to consultant
Before entering the world of consulting, Stephen cut his teeth as a marine engineer in a large corporation. He did his time for a good decade before realising that it’d be difficult for his career to progress any further.
Of course, he also felt that having a natural affinity for the work played a part in his success.
"The market is big and easy to get into, so you’ll find a lot of people out there doing corporate retreats who are doing things by the textbook. But having the skills to guide a company and do the work in a way that is practical – it is a mix of processes that we’ve refined and experienced, which can’t be replicated."
Find your niche in mid-career switch
Nevertheless, Stephen avers that people looking for a mid-career shift who don’t find themselves drawn to consulting can still contribute as a consultant within their niche.
Seniors who have a wealth of experience, he says, but aren’t sure how to go about sharing it could instead look into coaching or mentoring instead.
While the coaching and mentor both lean towards encouraging a person’s self-development, consulting requires doling out of expertise, which makes you responsible for the outcome, he adds.
Retirement isn’t for everyone
At 64 years of age – Singapore’s retirement age-to-be within a couple of years – Stephen says he won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
First, there’s the nation’s need to keep the economy chugging along and reducing the burden of the non-working population on the group of people still employed.
Then, there’s the employers’ perspective, who want a similar thing for their companies while making room for younger workers to promote and take over senior positions.
Finally, there’s the individual, whose desire to keep working has to be met with an equal ability to keep up with developments in styles of working and technology.
As a father of two, Stephen says that working longer hours during your silver years is more desirable than burning the midnight oil while being parents to young children.
Credit: Stephen Lin
"Personally, I'll keep working as long as I can stand and deliver."
