Retiring with Purpose: Commitment-Driven Ventures for Lasting Change

As professionals approach retirement, many seek to continue making meaningful contributions to their communities. For those retiring from service-focused careers, this desire often involves leveraging decades of experience in new and impactful ways. Research on work engagement suggests that commitment—the deep, ongoing dedication to a mission or cause—plays a more significant role in sustaining long-term engagement than calling alone. While calling refers to the sense of purpose or destiny that often leads individuals to a career path, it is commitment that sustains this work through challenges and over time (Duffy et al., 2011)(Terrence Mitchell Final…).

This distinction is crucial for those transitioning into retirement. While calling might inspire initial action, commitment can be what ensures that individuals continue to stay engaged and motivated in new ventures. For professionals entering retirement, commitment to service, education, or community improvement can guide post-career activities, offering fulfillment and purpose.

Drawing from my own experience as a recent retiree, I offer two examples—the CREED College Readiness Program and Mitchell’s Modern—to illustrate how I’ve repurposed my skills and commitment to launch new ventures that benefit the people I encounter in the Erie, PA community.

CREED College Readiness Program: Supporting Erie’s Learners

CREED, founded in 2010, began as an educational consultancy program working with high school students in Meadville, PA, to prepare them for college success. Over time, as the needs of the community evolved, CREED’s focus expanded. Today, it continues to celebrate high school student achievements, but is pivoting to include focusing on the needs of adult learners in Erie, PA. who are working toward higher education and career advancement. Many of these individuals are pursuing opportunities in fields like nursing, trades, education, and entrepreneurship. These adult learners are not only furthering their own ambitions but also setting powerful examples for their children and the broader community.

CREED is committed to enhancing educational outcomes and career success in Erie. This work reflects my belief that commitment to community, just as in my earlier career, remains at the heart of any meaningful impact. The shift to focus on adult learners is a natural extension of CREED’s original mission, reflecting an ongoing commitment to improving educational outcomes and career readiness for Erie’s residents. This commitment ensures that both young students and adults can access the support they need to succeed.

Mitchell’s Modern: One Year of Teaching Sustainability Through Vintage

Just over a year ago, Mitchell’s Modern was launched with a mission to educate Erie community members about the value of vintage furniture as a practical and economical solution. Buying restored, high-quality vintage pieces not only promotes sustainability but also offers an accessible way to create beautiful, functional spaces. This initiative provides community members with opportunities to build wealth and stabilize their financial situation by making thoughtful, lasting investments in their surroundings.

Mitchell’s Modern: One Year of Teaching Sustainability and Style

Just over a year ago, I founded Mitchell’s Modern, a business dedicated to vintage home decor and furniture with a mission of sustainability and economic empowerment. The idea behind Mitchell’s Modern is simple: to educate community members about the value of buying vintage as a practical and economically sensitive solution. By purchasing restored, pre-loved furniture, people can build wealth and create beautiful living spaces without breaking the bank. It’s about teaching that sustainability can be accessible, functional, and stylish.

For me, Mitchell’s Modern represents another extension of the commitment to inclusivity and accessibility that drove my work in higher education. By working with Erie’s residents, Mitchell’s Modern has led conversations about how values associated with sustainability, community, and design come together. I’ve found that the skills I honed over decades—community engagement, resource management, and educational outreach—are just as valuable in building this business as they were in my previous career. And just like CREED, Mitchell’s Modern hopes to contribute to improving the lived experiences of those in Erie.

Looking Forward: Retirement as a New Chapter

Retirement, especially for those coming from service-focused careers, doesn’t have to mean slowing down or stepping away from meaningful work. Instead, it can be an opportunity to reimagine how we contribute to the community, using the same skills that made us successful in our careers. Whether it’s through educational programs like CREED or entrepreneurial ventures like Mitchell’s Modern, the commitment that sustained us in the workplace can also drive us forward in retirement.

For others who are retiring and considering their next steps, reflection on the skills you’ve built and the passions you’ve nurtured is key.

How can those experiences be applied in ways that continue to uplift others?

What impact can you make in your community, even in this new phase of life?

Retirement offers the freedom to explore these questions—and to find answers that bring fulfillment, purpose, and ongoing engagement.

References:

Duffy, R. D., Dik, B. J., & Steger, M. F. (2011). Calling and work-related outcomes: Career commitment as a mediator. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 78(2), 210–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2010.09.013

Hirt, J. B., Bennett, M. A., Strayhorn, T. L., & Amelink, C. T. (2006). The nature of student affairs work in the mid-1990s: Serving students or stopping at the gate? Journal of College Student Development, 47(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2006.0012