Think outside of the box and discover a fulfilling second career instead of opting for retirement. There are many options that might cater to one’s personality, skills, talents, hobbies and interests. Perhaps you have always dreamed of doing something that you have not yet had time to pursue. Now is the time!
For instance, most school districts are always in need of substitute teachers who fill in during a regular teacher’s absence. Each district has unique rules and criteria for substitute teaching. You may be required to take a basic test to determine your eligibility, however, if you have a bachelor’s degree or higher, you can easily become a substitute teacher. For those with college degrees, becoming a full-time teacher is also an option. It is worth a phone call to your local school district to determine your eligibility and consider if you can and are willing to meet the requirements.
Speaking of teaching, if you have special skills, gifts or talents, you may find that you can teach at a two-year college and share your area of expertise with students. Typically, they are looking for all types of art, office skill experts, computer experts, automobile and machine experts, and many others. If there is a technical college or two-year college in your area, be sure to call and see what openings are available. This too, would be a fulfilling and rewarding career for those in retirement.
Tutoring in your favorite subject could be a very rewarding career, but you will need to promote yourself to find students who need your services. Many parents are searching for qualified tutors to help improve their student’s grades. Once you have decided your area of expertise and what rates you would charge, you can simply place an ad in the newspaper or contact local schools and ask them to add you to their list of tutors. This would also place you in a type of mentoring role, inspiring and motivating a young person to work hard and do their best – for themselves. Changing the attitude of a young person who feels as if they are stuck in a prison of education can be very rewarding emotionally and can change the life of a young person.
Other career choices during retirement years include working in retail or working as greeters in retail establishments. Many work-from-home careers might be of interest to people with an entrepreneurial spirit. Many specialized health food and vitamin supplement multi-level marketing businesses would complement the life styles of health-oriented people. If you find yourself offering healthy advice frequently to your friends and loved ones, then certainly consider this option.
With Alzheimer’s disease on the rise, you might consider sitting with patients while the caregiver gets some much needed free time or rest. There may also be other situations where providing relief for a caregiver could turn into a full-time career. Again, this particular choice would require you to promote yourself to nursing homes, hospitals and run ads in the newspaper to find families that need your services.
The ladies might also be interested in working in an office environment seasonally or part-time, while the gentlemen might be interested in becoming security guards at local malls. Another career choice for retired women is to start their own business as a representative for Avon, Mary Kay or Tupperware, just to name a few companies that provide this opportunity.
Lastly, you can come up with your own plan for a retirement career. Brainstorm by determining what your preferences are, what you would like to do, and how much money you need to make. A second career can be a pleasant time if you choose wisely and make sure it fulfills a need in your life as well as provides a service to others.