Midcareer professionals who are interested in exploring the next chapter — whether that means preparing for a promotion, going back to school, launching a new business, starting a nonprofit, running for office, writing a book or changing careers — may want to consider joining the first cohort of “The Next Big Thing.”
The six-month program will kick off in January if there is enough interest. The program was developed by White Bear Lake resident Cindy O’Donovan, owner of Right4 Your Business, and Vadnais Heights resident Jennifer Rogers, owner of JK Rogers Career Consulting.
“The goal of the program is to help people lift themselves up, prepare themselves for what they want to do next. Life is so short, and we all have so many unique talents, skills and attributes that we don’t necessarily get to utilize,” O’Donovan said. “You get to midcareer, and you’re thinking, how do I put these things to work? How do I do what I really love to do and create something new and something meaningful?”
Rogers added, “It’s to help people assess their level of satisfaction with their current work life and career … Some people will decide they need to make some changes, and we will help them understand what steps they can take to create more fulfillment in their work life.”
O’Donovan’s and Roger’s paths crossed many years ago, when they both worked in higher education career services — O’Donovan at Concordia University and Rogers at the University of St. Thomas.
O’Donovan has a master’s degree in leadership and management and a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications. She is a member of the Minnesota Career Development Association and previously served as president of the Minnesota Association for Colleges and Employers.
After O’Donovan was laid off from the university, she started her own business in 2013. “It’s been so fun. I love what I do,” she said. “I have the opportunity to work with some really great clients on some fun projects.”
Rogers has a master’s degree in educational psychology and higher education student affairs as well as a bachelor’s degree in acting and directing. She started her business in 2003 and retired from the University of St. Thomas in 2022. She is a board member and past president of the MCDA.
The idea for the new program came about a few years ago at the Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation group, HR Connections, which O’Donovan has facilitated for 10 years. VHEDC has a group for people starting their careers, but not for those more experienced.
“Cindy was saying, ‘It’s so nice that they offer these kinds of career development opportunities for young professionals, but you don’t really see that offered for people more advanced in their careers. Don’t you think there’s a need for somebody to help those people?’ And I said, ‘Sure there is,’” Rogers recalled. “So, she explained to me her vision, and I’ve been helping her fine-tune it along the way.”
O’Donovan said there is no age limit. For some people, midcareer could be five years in; others might be thinking about retiring without being quite ready yet. The program will likely consist of six two-hour sessions spread across six months. The sessions will be tailored to the participants, based on their feedback. O’Donovan and Rogers plan to pull in several other experts they have met through networking, including those from the MCDA.
“We hope that they continue to pursue whatever their goal is, or to tweak it as need be as they get out there and try to actualize it,” O’Donovan said. “We hope they will leave with the confidence that they can do this, with the clarity of this is what I’m going to do and how I’m going to do it and the momentum to get it started and see it through.”
Rogers added, “We hope that people gain a deeper understanding of themselves and will have created what we’re calling a personal career action plan.”
