30 Fast-Growing Careers for Older Workers

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I agree with geezerlady. I am over 50 and the job interviews I have went on, decided on someone else (younger). I too have been on the internet, networked, asked family, friends, and anyone else I could think of. The jobs out there now are looking for the younger generation. The question is what do we do until it is time for retirement? Where are the jobs for baby boomers? We still have to work.

Brenda of MO 9:18AM February 26, 2011

I have read all these "opportunities" for "retired" people. hogwash. Once you are 55 in this country...maybe even younger- 50...the resume is thrown out. I have watched my very qualified auditor/CPA husband with a long list of skills be rejected for "a better qualified" person. Subtext: younger person. Try to prove age discrimination (I have a law degree) and you will be dead before there is a resolution. I would like to know how these statistics are calculated. I returned to teaching 15 years ago because law firms are just as bad as any other industry. I am sure there are exceptions, but I can count 8 men that I know who have been unemployed for over 2 years. They are turning 58-61 this year. Hopeless. Also...take a look at government. The Congress is filled with elderly men, but try to get a government job at age 55...worse yet 60. BUT it's okay to run for Congress when you are pushing 70 and collecting lots of money as a Congressmen...I can think of several. This is not cynicism. This is reality. So maybe we should raise the social security benefits to age 70...right. IF that is the case, then what will people do for 15 years of unemployment...get a reality check about how people will work if they can't get government benefits.

Linda Robb of IN 7:06AM January 08, 2011

Well, Rev. Turcot, you got your way.
Think things will get any better with the tea party dupes and their like in office?
Let us pray!

Brad Berthold of NC 12:25PM November 22, 2010

The reason lots of health care jobs are open is because NO one wants to due them. The work is hard. I was a nurse's aide in my teens, and it was backbreaking and stressful all day long.
Caregivers are hard to find because it's not glamorous, easy,
fun, or pays a decent wage. Your employer in those careers is often abusive. Teaching is a nightmare due to liability, parents, and students who are out of control. Most social problems we have now are due to the breakdown in our family structure. Until we fix that, we won't see anything in America change for the better.
Technology is not making our quality of life better. The only thing which can do that is: ending the drug problem, helping people make intelligent reproductive choices, and teaching them how to find the RIGHT person to marry. Sorry, I've handled over 500 divorces as a paralegal. Most divorces are the result of either money issues or incompatibility. Too many folks marry the wrong person or marry at the wrong stage of life. Guess what? They still have kids anyway. Those are the same kids we need in the workforce later on. They are also the same kids doing drugs, failing in school, and becoming pregnant teens. I'm so thankful I don't have to raise children in America today. As a parent you just can't protect your kids anymore.

Mike Laman of TX 11:36AM October 30, 2010

The need for older workers is there. Why? They show up, do the work, and don't bring lots of drama with them. Younger people I've found simply won't pay their dues. They will quit with little or no notice. They don't appreciate the value of a job even in good times. The biggest barrier older workers face is insurance, employee benefits, and perceptions. You are NOT seen as a valuable asset anymore after age 50 in most fields. Working for younger bosses is often a nightmare. I've done it, and it was not fun.
I don't know anyone who wants to work anymore after 55. I turn 55 next week, and while I could retire now, my health ins. costs are very high over 3,000/yr. There is no way to know how much they'll be over the next five years. I'd work until 58-60 if my body can take it. After that I'm done. I would encourage younger people to save all they can so they can leave the game early. I wish now I had done that.

Mike Laman of TX 11:28AM October 30, 2010

Our Congress has allowed businesses to leave the country and / or outsource cheap labor and sell their products in America, as well as overseas. Our politicians have encouraged and allowed American industrialists to do this to us. It has taken the strongest industrialized nation in the world since the 1940's war years to the 1960's to become weak and poor. Our children's education ranks at least 33rd worldwide. We are quickly headed to be a third world country, due to the "best politicians money can buy." Americans must wake-up and take Washington, D.C. BACK and quickly. Congress has the lowest rate for voter confidence ever. If we allow the incumbents to stay in office and vote the democrats back in, we will not survive as a nation. The marxists - communists along with the help of the Muslims will certainly destroy our way of life as we know it. We MUST defeat them in November. There are NO OTHER CHOICES!!!

+ Rev. Dr. Ronald Turcot of FL 2:16PM September 29, 2010

older workers should become nurses??? are you seriously impaired???
You obviously do not understand the rigors of nursing, both physical and mental...the long hours...the heavy weight lifting, the critical medication passes...the weekend requirements...the STRESS!!!!!
and so many other of the "projected jobs" for "older workers" are equally unrealistic...
what unacquainted with real life geek came to these conclusions?????
geez..it is annoying...

cb coll of CT 1:08PM September 28, 2010

The prof's predictions seem to be based on a survey of the recent past, and do not take into account the sea changes that are occuring in both education and health care. These changes should depress the growth in teachers, certain types of health care workers, and government workers. Caveat emptor! The future will be very different from the past. But then we should not be surprised by the out-of-focus perspective of acadmeics.
The rants about 'previous federal administrations' overlook the fact that the changes both outside and within the US affecting the US economy have been underway for the last 2 decades. These rants also overlook role of the governments at all levels in facilitating the development of our "mess', and the ineffective response of our current federal government.

RR of NJ 8:42PM September 25, 2010

Bleams those who were 'in charge' 25-30 years ago. Jobs have been outsourced for lower wages abroad & such jobs are few & far between for American workers or those seeking work in these present times. I agree: BRING THE JOBS BACK to America & rebuild our pride in products produced here with quality!!

CRVC of NJ 7:32PM September 20, 2010

This "mess" we are in is a result of the previous administration. The Republicans have always been in bed with business, high money earners. Is Obama supposed to undo 10 years of poor previous decisions in 18 months? G-E-T R-E-A-L.

TG of VA 6:31PM September 05, 2010