What is an Encore Career for Doctors?

I recently discovered the concept of encore careers - a new adventure in the second half of your working life, where you live and work to your values with purpose and social impact. It describes exactly what I did and why I did it.

A new career in the second half of your working life, where you live and work to your values with purpose and social impact

It happened after the pandemic, although looking back, I can now see that it actually started much earlier. In 2018 I had a sense that I had lost all trace of that medical student I used to be, the one who wanted to change the world. Equally concerning was a deep and unsettling feeling that my purpose in life was to spin plates, ever anxious that one would fall and smash. In a moment of absolute clarity, I realised I was deeply, deeply unfulfilled.

I went looking for answers, but of course, the answers are not out there. We find them inside ourselves, though a little outside help doesn't hurt. I discovered the Open University's free OpenLearn course Personal branding for career success, which allowed me to really explore my values. And it invited me to seek organisations who share those values. The result: I joined the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care, took their advocacy course and became a Policy Fellow at Newcastle University. Now, I advocate for palliative care to governments across the world and support practitioners on the ground to improve palliative care. I have met some incredible people, united by a common purpose and together we create impact.

I love nothing more than talking about my encore career. After spending 30 years in medicine, making the switch initially felt like I had failed, like I couldn't handle the pressures of clinical practice. I've discovered, though, that I've actually crafted a new career that applies my skills, knowledge and experiences, allows me to live and work to my values and gives me a more fulfilling purpose. I'm still spinning plates, but only the ones I don't want to break. And honestly? I never even noticed the ones that fell.