This month, we are revisiting a treasure from the Women On IT archives. Three years ago, we hosted a conversation that remains incredibly relevant today with the inspiring Dorian Mintzer—a retirement coach, therapist, and "leading-edge boomer." We explored a concept that is reframing the way women in tech look at their career trajectories: The Bonus Years.
What are "Bonus Years"? (And Why They Aren't Just for Retirement)
In previous generations, retirement was often seen as the finish line—a time to "be put out to pasture." Today, the paradigm has shifted. We are living 20, 30, or even 40 years longer than our ancestors. As Dorian explained, we aren't just getting "old"; we are entering a "longer middle age." While the term often refers to the period after a primary career, the philosophy of "Bonus Years" is a mindset that applies to any stage of life. It’s about realizing that life isn't a linear path to a single end-point, but a series of cycles where we can grow, learn, and evolve. In STEM fields—where logic, experience, and high-level problem solving are invaluable—every year you gain is a "bonus" to your expertise and perspective.
Why Women in STEM are Perfect for this Stage (At Any Age)
Whether you are a software engineer just starting, a mid-level researcher, or a veteran tech founder, your career is built on agility and innovation. Here’s how to apply that STEM mindset to your personal "Spring," regardless of where you are on the timeline:
Upgrade to a "Growth Mindset"
In tech, software that doesn't update becomes legacy code. The same applies to our perspective. Dorian highlights the importance of moving away from a "Fixed Mindset"—the belief that skills are static or that we are "too young" to lead or "too old" to learn—and embracing a Growth Mindset. This is the season to learn that new AI framework, pivot into a new niche, or finally build that passion project you’ve had on the back burner.The Rise of the "Modern Elder"
There is immense value in the "wisdom muscle" you develop through experience. In a high-tech world, the ability to offer perspective, emotional intelligence, and stable mentorship is a superpower. By connecting intergenerationally, we don't just teach; we "cogenerate" new ideas with peers of all ages. Whether you are the "young genius" learning from a mentor or the "experienced leader" learning from a digital native, the goal is mutual growth.Developing Your Career Portfolio
One of the most liberating ideas Dorian shared was the shift from a single job title to a Life Portfolio. You don’t have to do just one thing. Your "latest version" might involve your main role, a side project, mentoring, and continuous learning. You are the architect of a career that expands rather than narrows over time.
Disrupting Ageism and Perfectionism with Resilience
In technology, we often face pressure to hit certain milestones by a specific age. But as our community advocates, we must disrupt these limitations. We are more than our birth years or our entry-level dates.
Dorian reminds us that while we can't change the events of our lives, we can change the stories we tell about them. She shared a beautiful sentiment via Eleanor Roosevelt: "Women are like tea bags; we don't know our true strength until we are in hot water." If you’ve spent your career in the "hot water" of high-stakes tech environments, you have developed a strength and a "brew" that is only revealed under pressure. Your "bonus years" are every year you choose to stay in the game and keep brewing.
Your May Challenge: Planting the Seed
This month, take a moment to look at your career trajectory. If you stopped looking at your career as a race toward retirement and started seeing it as a constant opportunity for "bonus" growth, what would change?
Audit your "Inner Soul": What strengths have you developed—like empathy, resilience, or strategic vision—that aren't just keywords on a resume?
Seek a "Midtermship" or Reverse Mentorship: Look for opportunities to share your wisdom while staying curious about what's new.
Courage to Expand: As Dorian shared via the poet Anaïs Nin: "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."
This May, let your career expand, bloom, and grow. Whether you are at year 1 or year 31, remember: you aren't just aging; you are evolving. Don't look back—you aren't going that way!
Inspired by the Women On IT archive: "Embracing Your Bonus Years" with guest Dorian Mintzer.