I have always liked the idea of recycling or, even better now “upcycling”, useful objects. The desk chair I am currently sitting on came out of the trash about 45 years ago. A classic Wooden Windsor Side Chair (wood pegged, no nails or screws) from the 1930’s, or earlier, it had suffered through the indignity of a 1960’s era psychedelic yellow paint job only to be tossed out in a more restrained time. I retrieved it, stripped the paint, re-glued the pegs, oiled the wood and moved it through numerous residences in two countries, multiple States and Provinces, adapting the use between desk, side and dining chair as space and reality dictated. Similarly my wide screen monitor presently resides in a 25 year old “hacked” IKEA bookcase…you get the idea.
In much the same way; over 35 years I have adapted skills and expertise in banking, equipment finance, client servicing and research to roles in Corporate Finance, Aerospace Manufacturing, International Pipeline Development Consumer Finance and Conference Producing. The saying goes “I cannot change the wind but I can trim the sails” today for me, and many like me, it has become “or I can buy a motor!” That motor is upcycling/repurposing my skills by augmenting existing expertise with new skills and then finding a new application. Much like repurposing an object I am taking a new perspective on accomplishments, combining them with new and emerging skills to find renewed purpose. This is out of necessity for a large group like me due to significant life changes that have left us with few options but to continue working. We must develop the hard and soft skills to fit into the 2016 workplace while preparing for the realities of 2020 and beyond. This blog will focus on training, skill adaption and employment opportunities for those over, or approaching, 50 who have not grown up in a Digital Media World. The best part of writing this blog is the anticipation of communicating, sharing, interacting and learning with others who are enjoying a similar path of change and adaption.
Upcycled Self 
Hey Brian! Great post! I love the topic you’ve chose, could be helpful for some people.
Hope you get some benefit and inspiration, as I have from your posts to visit Kiev!
Awesome post! This is great for those who wants to go back to the job market. Thank you Brian for your advice.
Thank you; nothing is static all changes!
Hey Brian, i like the idea behind this blog. I’m interested in learning more about how people can take the skills they have and develop them more in a constant changing world. The skills we learn outside digital media are still just as important, what we know about marketing, finance, and business is still useful. all that has to change is the way we use new tools to enable us to use the skills we know in different ways.
Thank you Matthew; we all have to build on the basic foundations of business with the new tools that come along. The idea is to not get mired in what is no longer useful. Best regards