Finding a job in today's economy isn't easy. And the job hunt has been particularly difficult for workers age 55 and older.

Older job seekers often face daunting challenges in finding employment compared to younger workers, and studies show that people age 55+ are more likely to remain out of work longer than younger job seekers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 2 million Americans age 55+ are now looking for jobs, more than double the number in 2008. Click here to read full article

A CLIR Opportunity For Fun And Lifelong Learning
If you’re age 50 or older and looking to participate in educational, social and cultural activities, the Center for Learning in Retirement (CLIR) could be your ticket.

Based in San Francisco, CLIR was founded in 1973 with support from the University of California. The center maintains an association with UC Berkeley Extension, and CLIR members may enroll at discounted rates in classes offered through UC Berkeley Extension. Click here to read full article

Horizon Studies Offers New Venue for Lifelong Learning in Berkeley
East Bay knowledge seekers, take heart! A new lifelong learning program called Horizon Studies has opened in Berkeley.

Aimed at students age 50 and up - those who've entered what Horizon calls the "Third Stage" of life - the program offers a range of courses focused around history, spirituality, philosophy and psychology.

For the Winter quarter that began in January 2007, Horizon Studies offered two courses - "Eastern Spirituality and Western Living" and "Great Cities: Capitals of Western History." About 80 students, mostly East Bay residents, enrolled.

Horizon Studies' initial courses were taught by Bruce Elliott, a lecturer on European history at UC Berkeley and Stanford Continuing Studies, and Bill Garrett, a professor of philosophy and religion at John F. Kennedy University. Elliott has a particular interest in the interplay of history and artistic expression in early modern Europe, while Garrett has for the past 30 years taught courses on the history of ideas. Click here to read full article

"Back to School" Takes on a New Meaning
If you've recently noticed a slew of newspaper and magazine advertisements featuring gray-haired college students, there's a reason: universities across the Bay Area are busy recruiting students for new educational programs aimed at older adults.

Thanks to a series of grants from the San Francisco-based Bernard Osher Foundation, U.C. Berkeley, UCSF, San Francisco State and four other Bay Area universities have launched programs – each is called an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) – that are open only to students aged 50 and above.

These new programs – most opened their doors in 2003 – offer an eclectic mix of courses and are free of exams, homework and grades. They are also priced affordably and often tap senior or emeritus professors to teach courses. Click here to read full article