While Alumni Career Services (ACS) supports alumni at every stage of their careers, we are pleased to offer specialized programs tailored to those transitioning into retirement. Balancing professional work with personal pursuits is a crucial component for retirement planning, and we recognize that many retirees intend to continue working in some capacity. Although our team is not staffed to support broader retirement planning (i.e. financial, health care, caregiving, etc.), we are dedicated to helping you achieve your professional goals. Our resources and coaching can help guide you through understanding your values, considering alternative work structures and exploring new pathways and career options.
We invite you to explore a carefully curated set of resources available through ACS to help you prepare for or adjust to retirement.
Digital Resources for Retirement Planning
ACS offers a framework to guide deeper engagement and critical thinking focused on retirement topics. Visit our retirement webpage Darden Alumni – Career Services – Careers in Retirement to learn about the four stages of retirement. There, you’ll also find personal assessments, recommended books and relevant websites.
Additionally, we invite you to join our popular Second Acts webinar series, where alumni share their professional journeys into retirement. Previous sessions include Second Acts: A Panel Discussion on Teaching in Higher Ed and Second Acts: Write a Book! A Conversation with Alumni Authors. In Spring 2025, the series will continue with a session focused on independent consulting. These resources are designed to equip you with creative ideas and insights to thrive in retirement.
In-Person Events and Virtual Workshops
Each year at Darden’s Alumni Reunion Weekend, we offer The Encore Case: Finding Purposeful Work Later in Your Career, led by ACS Career Coach Marty Speight (MBA ’96). This interactive session is ideal for those considering or currently pursuing an “encore career.” Attendees will gain practical tips for transitioning into purpose-driven work and have the opportunity to share their own experiences.
Marty also leads our popular Darden Life Design Lab, based on the principles from Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. In 2025, we are excited to introduce new cohorts specifically designed for alumni in the retirement phase.
One-on-One Career Coaching
Navigating the career transition into retirement can be challenging, but ACS provides complimentary one-on-one career coaching to help you through the process. If you intend to continue working during any of the four stages of retirement, we encourage you to meet with Marty Speight, who specializes in coaching clients on career-related decisions during this professional phase.
No matter where you are in your career—whether just starting out, considering a mid-career shift or preparing for retirement—our career coaches are here to assist you. To schedule a coaching session or share suggestions for how ACS can better serve you through specialized programming, please contact us at AlumniCareerServices@darden.virginia.edu.
