What Kinds of Jobs Are Available to Those Over the Age of 50 Years?

Judging from what you see in the paper and all over the web, it can seem like searching for jobs is an activity --- even a privilege --- limited to recent college grads and young thirty-somethings. However, there is a plethora of reasons to look for a job when you're more mature. While you may not have the same physical abilities of your younger competition, your experience and years of accumulated wisdom can more than make up for it.

Teaching Positions

Your skills and professional knowledge could be in high demand. While public school positions usually require a M.Ed., Teach for America and similar city-based "non-traditional teacher training" programs offer the opportunity to gain this credential while working. Although many people join these programs directly from college, more mature people are encouraged to apply. Meanwhile, if you do not want to work with children, you may qualify to be an adjunct professor at a local college or university, or you could find a firm hiring experienced consultants to train new staff members, allowing you to teach in a corporate environment.

Managerial Positions

Even if you don't have a managerial background, your nonprofessional experience may provide the tools you need to be an effective team leader. By nature, managerial positions cover all disciplines, so you can look for one that fits both your interests and your know-how. Many people will qualify for customer-oriented positions in retail or service industries as shift or store managers. If you have a talent in a particular field, however, you may consider a job as project manager at a firm in a related industry -- translation services, for example, if you are strong with foreign languages.

Writing Positions

Over the years, you may have gained experience writing a variety of documents --- from reports and proposals to contracts to marketing material. Consider putting this experience to work in a new way that emphasizes your special knowledge and interests. If you are particularly well-integrated into your community, you may want to consider a job with one of the new hyperlocal internet news sources, or write about the development of your neighborhood and become a local historian. Writing jobs provide flexibilty as to where, when, and how much you work --- all of which can be important as you get older.

Religious Positions

If you have a religious background, you may want to put your faith to work. Many religious institutions offer subsidies or scholarships for clerical students, and persons of greater maturity are often favored over younger candidates. This type of work is not limited to leading congregations. Many faith-based institutions seek committed individuals for a wide range of duties ranging from administration to community outreach.

IT Professional Positions

Sure, there's a sterotype that says older persons are ignorant of technology, but which generation developed the computers, software and appliances that have shaped the modern world? If you have a background in computer programming or network administration from previous jobs or personal interest, the diversity of IT positions means you can choose among freelance work with flexible hours, an in-house position that offers more stability, and a wide range of dedicated consulting positions that balance the two.

Your Limitations and Your Rights

In addition to those listed above, jobs spanning almost every field and industry are available for persons over 50 years of age. Therefore, the first step may be to consider which jobs are out of reach. If you have physical limitations, you may be unable to perform jobs that require heavy labor, including construction, resource extraction, shipping and warehouse positions. Nevertheless, skilled craftspeople are often sought to oversee apprentices. Secondly, while federal regulations forbid discrimination based on age for almost every type of job (provided you are equally able to perform the required functions), this provision does not apply to law enforcement and public safety officials, or to firefighters.