Last night I went to a lovely dinner
reception for a faculty member new to UCSF.
Among the guests were a number of faculty who were of “retirement age”, and
naturally the conversation turned to the pluses and minuses of taking the
leap. At UCSF that leap can have a very
gentle landing, both because of its generous pension program and because one
can retain an office and a connection, even continuing to work part time. I,
for example, occupy a small cubby and am delighted to pop in occasionally to
work on a writing project, to review a few grant applications or manuscripts,
and to check in with old friends and colleagues in the process.
A few of us present have made the leap to
the other side. One colleague is taking
literature classes and hopes to get a Masters Degree and teach literary
criticism. Another is now singing in a
chorus, taking classes in watercolor, and skiing. Another, a Nobel Laureate, opted for
retirement but still comes to lab every day.
I asked her whether having a Nobel Prize made it more difficult for her
to let go completely, because after winning it, one’s life is no longer one’s
own. She said that she felt her greatest
obligation was to speak at events for girls and young woman. Others talked about friends who had been uneasy
to make the change, but once it happened they enjoyed themselves so much they
never looked back. One woman described
not wanting to leave the career she loved so much, especially her interaction
with patients, but acknowledge her longing to work in her garden. And yet another said she too loved her job
but was so fed up with the complications brought on by the new hospital that
she was ready to pack it in.
It is a big leap. It is hard to willingly end a career one has
nurtured for so many years, a career that has given such satisfaction, a career that one
that has loved. But sooner or later, it
is a very reasonable choice. The next stage in one’s life can be just as
satisfying as the last!
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