30 Fast-Growing Careers for Older Workers

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I'm not sure where the mindset was when this was put together, but many of the positions mentioned are not for many older workers. Home Health Aides, Nursing Aides, Orderlies, etc., must be really physically fit and many older workers could not handle the physical aspects of this type of position. Same for Personal and Home Care Aides, Nurses, Child Care Workers (when was the last time YOU tried to keep up with a 5 year old?), Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners (washing floors, changing bedding, etc. is back-breaking work), Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (those with these needs usually don't listen to anything an "older" person says to them - they "know better" or want to listen to a contemporary of theirs who has "been there" and can relate to their problems), Medical and Public Health Social Workers (lots of driving and walking to visit those in need not to mention the sometimes questionable neighborhoods).

Blondie of WI 11:12AM April 14, 2010

I noticed you were missing another possibility for those over 50: Security Officers. At my company, we have many very good employees that work well into thier 70s and even a few in their 80s if they have good observational skills, a polite, professional demeanor, can fill out a report, can walk around and greet and give information to visitors coming to the gatehouse or other entrance to a facility.

Daphne of CA 4:07PM April 13, 2010

The comments concerning Baloney 2 by JONC of Fl reveal more about his/her own ignorance than that of Baloney 2, especially "I am sixteen and know more than you". What arrogance!

Jimbo of TX 4:06PM April 07, 2010

Hey baloney, it should be 50s not 50's, there isn't a need for an apostrophe. You also capitalize randomly and you should put "a" before "drawback". I highly doubt your 2nd sentence, concerning your education. I'm sixteen and know more than you.

jonc of FL 7:10PM April 06, 2010

I am facing mandatory retirement in a couple of years and am looking for new fields to explore. Would you mind chatting with me about the gaming industry?

John 1:18PM April 06, 2010

comment on post from Baloney number 2:
Maybe the problem isn’t your age – maybe the problem is your lack of attention to detail, and your poor spelling, as in these examples from your post:
“very will educated”
[perhaps you meant: very WELL educated]
“Mediocrity breads more mediocrity”
[perhaps you meant: Mediocrity BREEDS more mediocrity]
“are being weened out”
[perhaps you meant: are being WEANED out]

CuriosityX2 of IL 12:18PM April 06, 2010

To Balony Number 2
Maybe the problem is your lack of attention to detail, and poor spelling ????
“very will educated”
[perhaps you meant: very WELL educated]
“Mediocrity breads more mediocrity”
[perhaps you meant: Mediocrity BREEDS more mediocrity]
“are being weened out”
[perhaps you meant: are being WEANED out]

CuriosityX2 of IL 12:14PM April 06, 2010

I drew Social Security at the age of 63. I retired from the transportation industry. I had no retirement benefits. I worked part time jobs till age 66 to make ends meet. I then began a career in the gaming industry. In that industry there is no age problem. As a matter of fact they favor older workers because they are more reliable and have good work ethics. I began my career at $8.25 per hour and when I retired 13 years later at age of 80, my income with basic pay and insentives about $50,000. I also had great benefits such as full medical and dental. A 401k account that when I retired had a six figure amount in it. I decided to retire and was not incouraged to do so by my company. I was given a large retirement party which was attened by my friends and fellow employees.
I tell this story because there are industries that welcome older and retired people. If you have a moral problem with this industry then it's not for you. For me it was God sent and I will be forever greatful. I am still in good health and intend to enjoy my retirement. Gaming was my second carrer but the best one. So all of you retirees stop feeling sorry for yourself and get going.

Mike Smith of MO 12:05PM April 06, 2010

I agree with lots of Baloney. I am 55 years old, very will educated, which seems to be draw back, primarily because employers' feel that they will need to pay me more. I have dumbed down my resume and dressed myself down Considerably. I Maintain my self physically well above my age and do not appear to be near my 50's. This is not my opinion. My point and reason for making that statement is not bragging, but to say, once an employer goes past the appearance factor and looks into the usable years they may get out of me, and their assumed income requirements they opt out and select a younger air headed individual that has the vocabulary of a 12 year old, much less, if any education and discriminate directly against age, This generally because those doing the hiring are in the same position. Mediocrity breads more mediocrity. This is where the quality of our society has gone. Those that want to, that can, have the ability to do the jobs are being weened out and eliminated. Whence the "dumbing down of our society". If we truly have a society left any longer.

s of FL 11:22AM April 06, 2010

I agree, there are so many work that older people can do. Age give more experience so the older people can give good advise to younger people. Train the old age people to do this kind of work can work well.

sala of OH 10:48AM April 06, 2010