Redirecting Your Path: The Best Jobs for Women Over 50

6 months ago / by Melanie Fourie
Jobs for Women Over 50
Image credits: MART PRODUCTION via Pexels

Jobs for Women Over 50:If you’re over 50 and looking for employment or considering making a career change, there’s no need to feel apprehensive. After turning fifty, you have at least another fifteen years of productive life ahead of you. Simply embrace it, as this isn’t the finale of your working career. You’re right in the heart of things, which is great motivation to get out and pursue your interests. Get the ball rolling with the suggestions we have in store for you. For women over the age of fifty, these are the top professions to pursue!

Why Women Over 50 Change Professions

Women may be shocked to learn that they are not the only ones who want to make a shift in their professions, despite the widespread perception that everyone else seems content in their chosen field. Some of the most typical factors that lead women of this age to make a job switch are listed below.

As a Means of Taking a Break From the Action

People over the age of 50 often opt to make a career shift because they have become weary of the fast-paced nature of their current job. Despite the fact that the job may be rewarding, the duties may be interesting, and the pay and perks may be satisfactory, some people may decide that they would rather slow down and enjoy life. This might entail switching jobs within the same firm, or it could mean abandoning the sector altogether due to the fast-paced nature of the work.

To Pursue What Drives Them

It’s very uncommon for people to put off pursuing their true calling until later in life because they feel pressure to prioritize other priorities, such as making money or establishing some degree of stability in their lives. Many people in their 50s and beyond make the decision to switch careers because they realize there is more to life than just earning a livelihood. 

They make the decision that pursuing their passion is more important to them than making a lot of money, and that some degree of risk is acceptable. In order to pursue their passions in the arts or to combine their artistic and entrepreneurial skills, many people over the age of 50 leave behind typical corporate careers.

For the Sake of Educating Oneself

Any job, no matter how interesting it seems at first, may become tedious after a while. According to an article from Science Daily titled “Pure Novelty Spurs the Brain,” acquiring new knowledge and abilities is not only enjoyable but also speaks to a fundamental human need to see the world in new and different ways. When individuals reach a certain point in their professions, they often find that they are no longer passionate about what they do. Instead, they seek out new fields of work where they may expand their horizons intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally.

Anxiety Relief

People often decide to make a career shift because they have had enough of their current job’s high stress level. There is a moment when the advantages of a job (such as paid sick leave off, medical insurance, and  high remuneration) are outweighed by the stress that coming to work every day causes. Many professionals in the commercial and government contracting sectors have left high-paying jobs for less-stressful ones. They value the stability of a set schedule and less stress at work more than the additional money they might make.

Prior to The Shift: Advice for Finding Work After Fifty

Take your diary into account. It’s important to think about how a potential employment will interact with your current obligations. Do you have any young ones at home, or are you helping to raise your grandchildren? Consider your availability, the kind of work you’re interested in doing, and whether you’d want to work full- or part-time. You’ll be better prepared to answer queries regarding your availability after you’ve decided what you want.

Avoid asking about or bringing up the age of either the interviewer or yourself. Do not bring up your age until the interviewer does. The interviewer and the prospective boss may feel uneasy about hiring someone who is older than them if you bring up your age. You don’t want to give the impression that you treat them like a youngster because of their age (which could be close to that of your own children).

Upgrade your knowledge. Don’t be dissuaded from applying for the position because you aren’t proficient in the program they need or because you’ve been out of practice with it for a while. Now is a fantastic time to learn something new or brush up on old abilities by enrolling in a course or watching lessons online.

Pursue what excites you. The moment has come to pursue your dream job if you have one in mind. If you want to earn a living doing something you like, you may want to consider enrolling in some programs in that area. In other words, don’t let your age stop you from pursuing your passions.

Make the most of your background and expertise. If you’re concerned that you don’t have enough expertise to qualify for the position, focus on the skills you do have. Make sure your interviewer knows you have relevant experience and knowledge in the subject.  Many businesses would value your expertise in mentoring and developing younger employees.

Choose the optimal environment for your needs. Older employees may find themselves unwelcome in some workplaces. Before enrolling for an application, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the firm. The diversity and age range of a company’s staff is an essential factor to consider. Make contact with current or previous workers to learn more about the atmosphere at your organization.

The Top Jobs for Women Over 50 

Tutoring Services

Taking a step back from your hectic professional life and becoming a teacher might be the perfect solution for you if you’re ready to escape the rat race.
It’s possible to make a good living as a tutor if you have relevant expertise and knowledge in a certain area. Tutoring is necessary for students of all ages, from those just starting out in elementary school to those working on their doctorate.

They may need your expertise to finally succeed in that challenging course, finally comprehend that elusive topic, or finally see how everything fits together. Working hours in this industry are usually flexible, so you may organize your day as you see fit.

Needed Prerequisites: Tutors often have a background in fields like psychology, business, or English. Tutors need a Student Electronics Technician Certificate and a Certificate in Education (Ed:) to be successful (SET).

An Event Organizer

The wedding sector is booming, and a seasoned professional woman may make a name for herself there by capitalizing on her contacts, experience, and common sense.
Women over the age of 50 often make excellent wedding planners because they have learned to multi-task and think strategically about every aspect of the big day.
Moreover, a young bride might find solace in your air of seasoned knowledge. Even if you’re only the one they weep on when everything falls apart, it’s alright since you know how to put things back together.

Needed Prerequisites: To become a wedding planner, you typically require at least a bachelor’s degree. The educational paths of most wedding planners include business, communication, and hotel management. Certified Wedding and Event Planner (CWP) and Certified Master Wedding Planner (CMWP) are two of the most important credentials for wedding planners.

Professional Photography 

What better method to capitalize on your natural talent if people are continuously complimenting your photography skills? It’s possible to work for a photographic firm, start your own photography studio, or freelance as a photographer. You may be paid for the usage of your photos if you upload them to one of the many online picture libraries that exist today.

Because of the increasing importance of visual communication in modern society, possibilities abound for those who possess strong photographic abilities. Discover your specialty, then start taking pictures.
Photographers often have degrees in either photography, graphic design, or business. Photographers need both the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) and the Computer Service Technician (CST) credentials. 

An Advisor

If you’ve spent the first several decades of your working life in the same industry, you know a lot about what people in that field need and how to get it. You may become an in-demand expert and consultant if you possess this kind of expertise.

You may offer your consulting skills to people in your area if you have an entrepreneurial spirit and set up your own consulting firm. You probably have a large network of people who recognize and admire your competence. Consulting jobs are available even if you are not an entrepreneur, so you may avoid doing it alone. Join forces with an organization and demonstrate your worth to them.

Needed Prerequisites: As a rule, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum need for a consulting career. Consultants often have backgrounds in business, IT, or finance. Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Program Management Professional certificates are essential for consultants (PgMP).

An Agent in Customer Service

Providing excellent customer service is often maligned because of the inevitable presence of dissatisfied customers. Perhaps you’re better than you give yourself credit for in this regard.
After years of family management, you’ve probably arbitrated more than your fair share of disagreements. 

Even if you don’t come from a particularly nurturing home, you’ve undoubtedly picked up enough life experience to know how to handle the inevitable disappointments and annoyances of social interaction.
The potential and adaptability in this subject are vast. Since there are so many online retailers, virtual customer support representatives are a must for them. Then you may take calls and chats while sat comfortably in your pyjamas at home.

Prerequisites: There is often no need for higher education for customer service positions. The typical educational background of those working in customer service is a high school diploma. Gaining industry-standard credentials like the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM), or Internationally Accredited Business Accountant (IAccountant) may set you apart in the competitive field of customer service (IABA).

A Professional Driver 

You probably know all the best short cuts and where to find everything if you’ve lived within the same place for a long time. Driving, particularly for a ridesharing service, may be a flexible and lucrative way to earn an income. No one will give a hoot about your age; they’ll simply want to get to their destination in one piece and, perhaps, as fast as possible.

If they are visiting your city, your ability to strike up a conversation with ease would be much appreciated, and you may even be able to offer them some helpful suggestions. You, as a parent, have probably been shuttling your children about for as long as you can remember, so you may as well start charging for your services.
While a four-year degree isn’t required to get behind the wheel, having a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), an OSHA Safety Certificate, or an EPA Amusement Operator’s Safety Certification will help you go forward in the field (EPA).

Work as a realtor

If you’ve ever been curious in what life was like for ordinary folks, here’s your opportunity to peek inside the houses of almost everyone in the study. You’ve probably honed your people skills to a fine art by now, and if that’s what you like doing, you’re a master communicator.

Not only are you perceptive and able to anticipate people’s needs, but you also have a natural ability to provide them with the best possible solutions. In the same way that one would benefit from a lifetime of experience when purchasing a property, one would also benefit greatly while selling a home by drawing on that lifetime of expertise.

Real estate agents often do not require a four-year degree. Earning industry-recognized credentials like the Certified Real Estate Inspector (CRI), Certified Sales Professional (CSP), or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) may help real estate brokers advance in their professions (CMA).

Enter the world of publishing as an independent author

You may find success as a freelance writer if you have a natural talent for expression and an impeccable grasp of the English language. People with a wide breadth of life experience and the capacity to perceive things from several perspectives make for the finest authors.

In this area, older women often do better. They are masters at interacting with people of all stripes because they have trained themselves to view things from every angle. The freedom of a freelancer’s schedule and workplace might be especially appealing to young adults.

Needed Prerequisites: A bachelor’s degree is often required for a career as a freelance writer or photographer. Freelance writers and photographers often have degrees in fields like journalism, English, and communication.

Work within the nursing sector 

Workforce shortages are particularly severe in the nursing industry. It’s growing at an exponential rate, but there aren’t enough people to keep up with the demand. There is a wide range of opportunities for advancement in the nursing profession, as well as a wide range of settings in which nurses might perform their duties. Education and training may be geared toward a certain occupation if that is the path the student wishes to pursue.

Required Prerequisites: A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for entering the nursing profession. Nursing, nursing science, or business are common majors for aspiring nurses. After completing their education, RNs are required to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Become an Administrator or Proprietor of a Childcare Centre

Why not convert your need for children into a profitable enterprise? Starting or working in a childcare centre may be a fulfilling career because of the regular interaction with children. If being around kids makes you happy, this may be the perfect profession for you. Certifications and requirements vary by location, although further study is usually not needed. Find out from the city what paperwork you need to fill out to establish your child care company legally.

Requirements: Working as a day care provider calls for a multifaceted educational background. Children’s caretakers often have a background in business, early childhood education, or psychology. A Child Development Associate (CDA) and First Aid, CPR, and AED Instructor certification are also essential for anyone working in the day care industry.

A Saleslady 

Sales success relies on a deep understanding of customers. Those who have honed these abilities and can accurately predict what a client needs or wants may thrive in a sales role. There is a wide range of sales careers available, from working in a department store to selling pharmaceuticals, and everything in between. If you’re excellent with people, you’ll do well in this industry and build a clientele that comes back to you again and again.

Some people are more likely to put their faith in an older, self-assured lady, and it’s a quality that may be extremely useful in sales.

Essential Prerequisites: An undergraduate degree is often required for entry into the field of sales representation. Business, advertising, or discourse are common majors for salespeople.

Work as a Life Mentor  

You’ve probably been doing this for a long time and chalked it up to excellent parenting or being a nice friend.
If you are someone who people go to for guidance and support, as well as someone who can just listen to them, you may find success as a life mentor as you advance in years.

If being an elderly life coach has any advantages, what are they? Simply said, you have more life experience and hence are more credible. You probably wouldn’t take advice from someone in their twenties, but you may listen to the advice of someone who has already lived a complete life and learned a great deal from it.
Essential coursework for life coaches includes subjects like sociology, business management, and psychology. Life coaches need the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Master Certified Coach (MCC) credentials to be successful (MCC).