Life doesn't follow a single path, and every new chapter offers an opportunity to learn, grow and redefine what comes next. Whether you're considering a career change, preparing for retirement, balancing caregiving or looking for a renewed sense of purpose, The Midlife Academy offers free online events that help you explore what's next.
Register for an upcoming live event or explore recordings of past sessions at your convenience.
University of Minnesota employees can receive 200 wellness points by attending or viewing a Midlife Academy webinar. The form to collect wellness points will be included in an email to registrants after the event.
Career Pivots: Moving Forward, Not Starting Over
Are you ready for a career change, but hesitant to walk away from decades of work experience? Pivoting doesn’t mean starting over from scratch!
Join Courtney Burton and Kate Schaefers for an empowering session designed to help you make a career pivot with confidence and clarity.
At this session, you’ll have the chance to:
- Gain an overview on the process of change and career transitions.
- Hear stories of how others have made meaningful pivots, including Courtney's own career transformation.
- Take away insights and important lessons about how to make a pivot.
- Learn how to leverage your existing skills and experiences and translate them into a new path.
This event is presented in partnership with the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.
November 4, 2026
noon–1 p.m. via Zoom
About the presenters:
An Everything DiSC® Authorized Partner & Certified Trainer and Five Behaviors® Authorized Partner & Certified Practitioner, Courtney Burton creates transformative learning experiences that help individuals and teams navigate career transitions, retirement planning, and personal reinvention. She currently serves as AARP Minnesota’s State Volunteer President and was named 2023 Board Member of the Year by the National Concierge Association Minnesota Chapter.
Kate Schaefers currently directs the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a learning community for those 50+, as well as The Midlife Academy at the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining CCAPS, Kate was executive director of the University of Minnesota Advanced Careers Initiative, a gap year for experienced professionals as they transition into meaningful post-career lives. She currently serves on the AARP-MN Executive Council and the UMN Age-Friendly University Council.
