There was a time when the word “retirement” conjured up images of gold watches, golf clubs, gardening, and grandchildren. From the perspective of businesses, it was a defined event, often occurring when employees hit a certain age. For individuals, it was a rite of passage, generally signaling the culmination of one’s career. Embarking upon a life of leisure was the well-earned reward for decades of service. Not anymore.

Although he knew the exact type and level of job he wanted, Ken Daly had not formally applied for or even talked to a colleague about his career aspirations. In his own research, he learned an astounding and somewhat daunting fact: the odds against him making the leap from the business world to higher learning were about 100 to 1.

After more than nine years as the Vice President of Global Markets, Policy, for General Motors and a long career on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Lee Godown was not interested in retirement. He wanted to step back, figure out what was most important to him and then decide what he was going to do next. Reuben Cohen U.S. Managing Director, LHH Leadership Transition Practice, International Center for Executive Options (ICEO)

At a time when some 40 percent of workers at all levels are considering leaving their jobs, a focus on exploring more unconventional career options rather than merely finding new employment in a similar role is especially apt.