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Undoubtedly, finding a job after this milestone, or starting a second career, is an exciting journey that does not come without several challenges. However, the range of options in front of you is anything but limited. In any case, specific jobs might not be perfect for all applicants, and some are more rewarding than others. Here are the best 25 jobs for women over 50: Financial Advisor Real Estate Agent Personal Trainer Occupational Therapy Recreational Therapy Nurse Tutor Teacher Writer Blogger Freelancer Virtual Assistant Personal Chef Curriculum Developer Consulting Life Coach Career Advisor Housekeeper Gardener Nanny Tour Guide Host Translator/Interpreter Librarian Volunteering Below is an overview of these options and the reasons that make them the best jobs for women over 50. Read on and find out what your future holds. What makes a job ideal for women over 50? What the “perfect job” looks like for women over 50 can vary depending on needs, preferences, and motivations. However, some factors make certain occupations preferable over others. At 2.7%, the unemployment rates of individuals ages 45 and over can be considered low and stable. However, being unemployed, accessing another position, or building a second career is much harder for this age group. This factor is valid regardless of whether the decision to leave the job comes from the professional or not. While these statistics can make the job hunt much more challenging, many companies, entrepreneurs, and hiring managers have started to appreciate more the value that experienced professionals can bring into the business. Therefore, a range of opportunities is opening up in front of the eyes of older individuals applying for jobs. Yet, not all posts are the same, and the benefits it can bring into your life broadly depend on what your motivations and goals are. For professionals over 50, some features to consider are: Schedule flexibility - older women might be just as energetic professionals as they were when they first started their career, yet today they might have other duties to attend. The decision to change jobs might be driven from the desire to find a more relaxed schedule that enables you to spend more time with family and friends. Increased incomes - while some older professionals are happy to change jobs only to improve their life quality, the ability to earn more than from the previous occupation is an attractive feature. Low-stress levels - starting a new career can be exciting, yet it does not have to be stressful. Mainly if you undertake this change to reduce the stress and anxiety that derives from your current job, finding a less demanding occupation is critical. Socialization - a social environment in the workplace has been associated with employee wellbeing. For older professionals who need to look after their health, this feature is vital. Meaningful purpose - after having worked for decades, it is easy to lose sight of your goal once unemployed or retired. However, a job that is inspiring and dynamic can help you fight this condition that affects many older professionals today. 1. Financial Advisor The forecasted 15% growth in job opportunities as finance advisor between 2016 and 2026, as well as the unlimited income potential it offers, make this sector among the most attractive ones. Of course, the steep learning curve that most professionals have to face to become a successful financial advisor can discourage many applicants. However, if you already have experience in the finance sector, there is no doubt that this job can offer you the personal and financial benefits you desire. The initial investment is low, you can follow your schedule, and you have the chance to make a meaningful change in people’s lives. Just don’t underestimate how stressful this profession can be! Schedule flexibility: Medium Median income: $59,193 Stress level: medium-high Socialization opportunities: Low 2. Real Estate Agent If you are happy to build your client base, but crunching numbers is not an attractive task to you, becoming a real estate agent can be an excellent solution. Indeed, over 67% of all realtors in the U.S. are women. Moreover, the typical estate agent is represented by a college-educated woman over 50. As a real estate agent, you will be managing the renting and selling of properties. Associated tasks can include viewings and meetings with potential buyers. A grasp of sales techniques, as well as an understanding of finances and customer service, can be crucial. Schedule flexibility: medium-high Median income: $47,814 Stress level: medium (working hours can be long) Socialization opportunities: low 3. Personal Trainer If you have been working in the healthcare and fitness sector, you could opt to become a personal trainer. According to the NCHS, over 39% of adults in America suffer from obesity, and 31% are overweight. However, with the popular health and wellness trends in continuous growth today, adults are becoming more conscious about the issue. Therefore, deciding to start a career as a personal trainer will never leave you short of new opportunities to reap. Moreover, such a profession can be gratifying, as you can help individuals reach their fitness goals. Schedule flexibility: medium Median income: $19.17 per hour Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: medium 4. Occupational Therapy If you desire a more meaningful career choice that can help you feel fulfilled and proud, becoming an occupational therapist will yield all these benefits and more. An Occupational Therapist (OT) guides children and adults with disabilities in their path to join social situations or through rehabilitation. A bachelor’s and master’s degree in a relevant field is essential to start practicing as an OT. However, if you have experience in the sector, you can launch your new career within shorter timeframes. Schedule flexibility: medium Median income: $37.37 avg. hourly rate Stress level: low to medium Socialization opportunities: low to medium 5. Recreational Therapy Recreational Therapists make the most of arts, crafts, sports, and social activities to reduce symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety in adults and children. If you love working in close contact with young adults, and you take pride in helping people, becoming a Recreational Therapy can help you keep active, involved, and social. As a recreational therapist, you can work in a variety of environments, including hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and parks. To practice this profession, you will need a bachelor’s degree and a specific certification. Schedule flexibility: low to medium Median income: $18.60 avg. hourly rate Stress level: low to medium Socialization opportunities: high 6. Nurse Becoming a nurse can be a significant step in your life and career. If you already have experience in the healthcare environment, you might only need to adapt to different situations and circumstances. However, it is not uncommon for women over 50 to wish for an industry shift. Fortunately, In-campus courses, as well as hospital-ran programs, make becoming a Registered Nurse an accessible perspective. In any case, it is worth considering that, while the job is highly rewarding, nurses often deal with long shifts, stressful situations, competition, and emotional pressure. Schedule flexibility: low Median income: $29.62 avg. hourly rate Stress level: medium to high Socialization opportunities: high 7. Tutor If you have experience as a teacher, educator, or college professor, but you are trying to get away from the stress of facing a classroom, you could consider a career as a tutor. Such a sector offers you a diversified range of opportunities, and you could opt to become an online, one-to-one, or specialized tutor. Ultimately, the high schedule flexibility, potential for competitive incomes, and low levels of stress have made this the perfect job for teachers. Schedule flexibility: high Median income: $17.64 avg. hourly rate Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: medium 8. Teacher & Online Teacher Many adults that have experience as educators or are experts in a specific field play with the idea of becoming a teacher as a second career. This choice can help you give back to society, help others achieve their goals, and find purpose in your career. Especially if you are knowledgeable about a subject yet you are striving for a change of environment, becoming a teacher can breathe new life in your career. However, teaching jobs are often limited to your geographical location or involve long commuting hours and fixed timetables. If you prefer to have a better work-life balance, instead, you could consider starting to teach online courses and languages - if you are fluent in more than one. This option allows you to earn a competitive salary from the comfort of your home. Moreover, you can benefit from the support of a community of educators. Schedule flexibility: medium to high Median income: $49,768 for high school teachers - can be different for online teachers. Stress level: low to medium Socialization opportunities: medium to high 9. Writer Writing is just a hobby for many individuals during the prime of their careers. However, once it is time to decide on the next step, why not take the passion for writing a level further? While a few years ago, becoming a writer meant accepting hundreds of rejection and years in semi-poverty, today, it is possible to start earning from the beginning. While this might not involve the publishing of a book straight away, you have different options such as: Technical writing yields endless income potential, if you know a subject inside-out and can produce highly-valuable pieces. Blog and content writing are extremely in-demand, especially as the number of blogs and websites is increasing by the hour. Creative writing gets you ready to write your book, novels, and poems. Copywriting puts an accent on marketing and sales. Schedule flexibility: high Median income: $45,377 for content writers, $59,841 for technical writers Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: low 10. Blogger If you have something to say, starting a website or blog can be ideal. Thanks to sponsored content and affiliate links, today, seeing profits from your online effort is possible for everyone. Of course, having a brand, a voice, a selling point, and a strategy is critical. However, nothing stops you from starting a blog while keeping your current job, and online swap to a full-time blogger once your site is profitable. In any case, you should not underestimate the importance of perseverance and constant work to see your first results. If you wish to find guidance, online SEO, Affiliate Marketing, and content writing courses such as “Everybody Writes” by Ann Handley can give you a head start on your project. Schedule flexibility: high Median income: varies (up to $24 avg hourly pay) Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: low 11. Freelancer Arguably, becoming a freelancer is the ultimate dream of professionals. While you won’t need to face a steep learning curve, you can enjoy a flexible schedule and unlimited earning potential. Another attractive feature of this job is that you can be your boss and decide on the rates which fit your needs best. However, at the same time, earnings are related to your experience, specific field, and the number of projects received monthly. Moreover, since you will have to build your customer base, it can take a few months before you can start enjoying a steady income. Schedule flexibility: high Median income: varies on the field, experience, and projects Stress level: low to medium Socialization opportunities: low 12. Virtual Assistant Virtual assistants are often at the core of growing and expanding businesses. They provide a range of services to entrepreneurs, and they do so virtually, from a remote position. Such services include, but they are not limited to, managing agendas, calendars, and schedules. If you have always been an organized person, you can rely on your time management skills, and understand the importance of prioritizing. Therefore, this could be the perfect occupation! Thanks to the increased benefits for entrepreneurs and employees, these positions are on the rise. Schedule flexibility: medium Median income: $15.75 avg hourly rates Stress level: low to medium Socialization opportunities: low 13. Personal Chef Chefs are potentially in one of the most stressful, energy-consuming jobs for professionals. The heated environment can increase pressure on yourself, taking away from the pleasure of cooking that led you to that job in the first place. However, deciding to become a personal chef can restore this passion and save you from the downsides of the hospitality industry. Aside from benefiting from increased shifts flexibility, you can focus your energy specifically on each dish or client. Moreover, you can build personal relationships with the customers and return to enjoy cooking. Schedule flexibility: medium Median income: $20.66 avg. hourly rate Stress level: medium Socialization opportunities: medium 14. Curriculum Developer If you have a lifetime experience in the educational services, undertaking a career as a curriculum developer can be the obvious step to take to advance. Indeed, teachers and professors are always under pressure, both within a classroom and outside. However, in this case, you will be working with them rather than directly with the pupils. Curriculum developers have the delicate task of designing, evaluating, and assisting with the implementation of educational programs and courses. Undoubtedly, it can take years to become a curriculum developer if you don’t have specific certifications and degrees. However, if you are already qualified, you can specialize in this sector in a short timeframe. Schedule flexibility: medium to high Median income: $61,376 Stress level: low to medium Socialization opportunities: high 15. Consulting One of the scariest aspects of undertaking a new career as an older woman is that you might have to return to school or join a course. If you are changing careers to see financial benefits, spending time in a classroom for years can be counterproductive. However, since you have been working in the same field for most of your professional life, you can skip this step by becoming a consultant. Consultancy generally does not involve facing a steep learning curve and allows you to benefit from a more relaxed and personalized schedule. Moreover, this job enables each professional to set their rates, pick the projects they are happy to work on, and can be practiced successfully remotely. Schedule flexibility: high Median income: depends on the field and your experience Stress level: Low to medium Socialization opportunities: medium to high 16. Life Coach Life coaches assist clients through their career and personal journeys by helping them set goals regarding finances, satisfaction, wellbeing, and fitness. Each life coach works differently and uses different strategies. Yet, not everybody is a good fit to become a coach. Since you will have to build your client base and the programs to offer your clients, it is essential to pitch and evaluate your services over time. Training programs, credentials, and specific qualifications are vital to start practicing and retaining clients. Schedule flexibility: high Median income: $31.19 avg hourly pay Stress level: Low Socialization opportunities: high 17. Career Advisor Along the lines of life coaches, career advisors focus on assisting individuals in making the right career decisions. This field is forecasted to be growing steadily in the next few years, as more students are seeking help and guidance. If you have experience in the educational services, this job can yield great satisfaction while helping you reduce the stress related to a classroom. Schedule flexibility: medium Median income: $44,339 Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: high 18. Housekeeper If you naturally love looking after your house and you find cleaning and tidying chores relaxing, you can opt to become a housekeeper. Starting from your friends and neighbors, you can build a solid client base that will guarantee you to enjoy a steady salary. While often underestimated, housekeeping jobs can bless you with flexible work hours, socialization opportunities, and low-stress levels. Among other options, you could opt to become a housekeeper within a hotel or villa. Schedule flexibility: high Median income: $10.68 avg. hourly rate Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: low to medium 19. Gardener If you have ever experienced the gratifications of looking after your plants and cultivating fruits and vegetables, you know how valuable a job as a gardener can be. Of course, paychecks and salaries can vary widely, depending on your project, your client, and your experience. However, if the goal behind changing careers is to find a better work-life balance and a healthier lifestyle, gardening is the best job for you. This occupation allows you to spend hours outdoors and among nature, work for private and public clients, and even decide your working hours. Schedule flexibility: medium Median income: $15.08 avg. hourly rate Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: low to medium 20. Nanny With an increasing number of young entrepreneurs and working couples, nannies are as in-demand as ever. Undoubtedly, many responsibilities make this job suitable only for a handful of people. Yet, with your experience, maturity, and organizational skills, you can consider whether this is the occupation that allows you to reach your life and career goals. If you have already left your job and looking to find another purpose through your career, working as a nanny can be highly rewarding. Schedule flexibility: medium Median income: $14.98 avg. hourly rate Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: high 21. Tour Guide Becoming a tour guide has been an excellent career move for many older professionals. It can help you keep active, learn more about history and art, stay social, and benefit from commissions and tips. To become a tour guide, an in-depth knowledge of the area is essential, and individual companies also require a qualification or license to practice. However, once you become popular among returning visitors and groups, you will not struggle to find clients. In specific touristy locations and cities, walking tours are free, yet guides receive all the donations from the participants. Alternatively, crafting and designing private tours can help you enjoy a stable salary from doing what you love! Schedule flexibility: medium Median income: $14.98 ($40+ for private tours) Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: high 22. Host There has been an advent of low-cost airlines, online booking platforms, and the willingness to explore the culture of a place deeper. These trends have changed the face of the hospitality industry. While highly in-demand, hoteliers now have other options rather than investing in a hotel. If you have experience in hospitality, you are welcoming, outgoing, and ready to interact with your guest, you could opt to become a host for travelers. Platforms such as Airbnb allow you to increase the visibility of your properties and open up your spaces to tourists and visitors. Becoming a host is less stressful than working in a hotel and allows you to cut down on commuting times. Of course, you will have to be ready to speak with potential renters and respond to their requests promptly. Schedule flexibility: very high Median income: it depends on location, property size, and frequency of rent Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: medium to high 23. Translator/Interpreter If you are confident or fluent in a second language, you can easily make the most out of it, without having to return to college or invest money and time to a degree. As the world is always becoming more interconnected, there is an increased need for language learning and translations. While you could submit your application to agencies, online platforms allow you to work with international clients and earn as much as you need for a comfortable lifestyle. Alternatively, becoming an interpreter can help you travel more. Schedule flexibility: medium Median income: $19.92 Stress level: low to medium Socialization opportunities: high 24. Librarian Librarians tend to look after a library, university libraries, school libraries, or bookshops. Such employees are usually highly organized and love to work in quiet atmospheres. They are in charge of finding resources and specific articles for research, becoming the point of contact for many researchers. Of course, a passion for reading and literature is a plus! If you are looking for a low-stress job that won’t bring additional stress into your life, becoming a librarian can be a source of great personal satisfaction. Schedule flexibility: medium Median income: $50,242 Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: low 25. Volunteering & Non-Profit While one of the most common reasons to change careers is to increase incomes, this is not always the only reason. If you would like to find a job that has a meaningful purpose and allows you to follow your passions, volunteering, and working for non-profit organizations can be ideal choices. Opportunities in charities and volunteering associations are many and covering a variety of fields, from animal welfare to humanitarian projects and sustainability. Pick the one that reflects your values best. Schedule flexibility: high Median income: N/A Stress level: low Socialization opportunities: high Conclusion Deciding to change career at 50 can be an intimidating step to take. Yet it can yield great satisfaction from both a personal and professional point of view. If you are aiming at improving your finances, consulting jobs, as well as teaching and tutoring occupations, it will enable you to do so without having to return to college. However, if you wish to fulfill a long-term passion or hobby, becoming a gardener, writer, librarian, life coach, or blogger is a better choice. Lastly, volunteering jobs can fill your life with a purpose if you are not concerned about earnings. Sources Statista: Unemployment rate in the United States from 1990 to 2019, by age Entrepreneur: 12 Benefits of Hiring Older Workers MDPI: Well-Being and the Social Environment of Work: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy: Psychological Effects of the Transition to Retirement The Advisor Coach: Pros and Cons of Being a Financial Advisor: The Dirty Details Nobody Tells You Smallbizgenius: 30+ Essential Real Estate Statistics NCHS: Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Severe Obesity Among Adults Aged 20 and Over U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Recreational Therapists Best Colleges: Online Education Trends Report 2020 ClearVoice: 10 Types of Content Writers and When to Use Them Amazon: Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley SmallBusiness.co.uk: The rise of virtual assistants and how it can benefit your business ECPI University: Good Things about Being a Chef: 10 Benefits to this Profession Study.com: Become a Curriculum Designer: Career Guide U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Life Coach CareersHQ: Careers Advisor Researchgate: The Benefits of Gardening for Older Adults: A Systematic Review of the Literature Airbnb: Become a Host Payscale Job Salaries (all salary information)

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