Campus News

UK Alumni Career Services to Offer Retirement Career Planning

Caroline Francis and a gentleman review a publication in UK Alumni Career Services. Photo by Hal Morris.
Caroline Francis (left) can now offer retirement career planning in UK Alumni Career Services.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 8, 2021)  Caroline Francis, director of Univesity of Kentucky Alumni Career Services, is the first person in Kentucky to have been awarded the designation of certified professional retirement coach (CPRC) by The Retirement Project. 

The CPRC designation is awarded to professionals who have successfully completed advanced coursework, a final exam, and met both experience and skill-based requirements. The training program examines both the art and science of making successful work-life transitions to encore careers and retirement. The work includes practical applications to help people replace their work identity, fill their time, and stay relevant and connected, as well as mentally and physically active. CPRC professionals also agree to meet ongoing continuing education requirements and commit to uphold the organization’s code of ethics.

Francis, who earned her bachelor’s, master’s and education specialist degrees at UK, is a certified career counselor, certified career services provider, global career development facilitator and board certified coach with more than 20 years of experience working with adults and students in all stages of career transition. In her role with UK Alumni Career Services, she assists individual clients, develops career-related programming and writes regular columns for Kentucky Alumni magazine. In 2013, Francis cofounded Central Kentucky Job Club, which is still going strong.

“I am pleased to be able to offer retirement career planning to our UK Alumni Association Active and Life Members. Several years ago, we started an annual workshop focused on career direction after 50 and encore careers. It has been hugely popular, and I have enjoyed working with so many clients as they maneuver this exciting life phase,” Francis says. “Record numbers of professionals in baby boomer and Gen X generations are redefining retirement, and it will likely include work. For multiple reasons, many people want or will need to continue working after the traditional retirement age, but they are ready and longing for a new direction. It is important to plan this stage so that one does not miss out on valuable years of engaging work, quality living and making contributions to society.”

UK Alumni Association Active and Life Members who want to schedule an appointment with Francis, can call 859-257-8905 or 1-800-269-ALUM (2586) or email cfrancis@uky.edu. For more information on Alumni Career Services, go to www.ukalumni.net/career.

The UK Alumni Association is committed to fostering lifelong engagement among alumni, friends, the association and the university. For more information about the UK Alumni Association, visit www.ukalumni.net or call 800-269-2586.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.