Can you kindly share your advice for late stage career choices?
At the present time, I am a fulltime caregiver for my Mom, who will be 95 years old this October. Given her age, it is no secret that, even though they had me later in life, I am a senior citizen. I really need to get a job, but the only option for me right now is to work from home. I'm hoping someone can give me advice so that I can avoid scams which are everywhere.
Given the state of technology, obtaining remote work should be easy. However, given the type of skills I have and work experience, I believe I will have to pass some type of certification. My skills are in the arts, music(I have a Bachelor's, but who doesn't?) and drawing(still learning) and I don't particularly enjoy giving piano lessons. There are too many factors against it, particularly with an invalid present, cancellations, etc. I also suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, which adds additional challenges. I need an income that is certain.
Some of the sites, which were mentioned on Forbes magazine "top remote jobs" were WorkingSolutions, Flexjobs, and others. These are mostly call center work, and from what I've researched, many are unhappy with the hiring practices.
I was thinking of becoming a Certified Bookkeeper, as I believe it is possible to do this remotely. I don't want to spend anything, either time or money, on learning something that won't lead to a fair chance of employment. I know there are no guarantees, but it's too late for me to become an engineer or pharmacist or physical therapist.
Please give your opinion on what direction I should consider given my circumstances. Thanks in advance.
Given the state of technology, obtaining remote work should be easy. However, given the type of skills I have and work experience, I believe I will have to pass some type of certification. My skills are in the arts, music(I have a Bachelor's, but who doesn't?) and drawing(still learning) and I don't particularly enjoy giving piano lessons. There are too many factors against it, particularly with an invalid present, cancellations, etc. I also suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, which adds additional challenges. I need an income that is certain.
Some of the sites, which were mentioned on Forbes magazine "top remote jobs" were WorkingSolutions, Flexjobs, and others. These are mostly call center work, and from what I've researched, many are unhappy with the hiring practices.
I was thinking of becoming a Certified Bookkeeper, as I believe it is possible to do this remotely. I don't want to spend anything, either time or money, on learning something that won't lead to a fair chance of employment. I know there are no guarantees, but it's too late for me to become an engineer or pharmacist or physical therapist.
Please give your opinion on what direction I should consider given my circumstances. Thanks in advance.
ASKER
Your mother sounds incredible, and So do you! How inspiring!
Hi sheana,
Best to you in this difficult time.
I couldn't agree more with Darrell's 2 cents, and the inspiration provided for all of us by his mother!
You mention that you enjoy the arts, and drawing. Are you aware that you can now design websites for businesses with very little (or even zero) programming or coding experience? Your particular demographic is full of folks adjusting and changing to this new economy that is so different from what you all were raised with...and guess what? all those folks who are starting new businesses for this chapter of their life...they're ALL going to need websites! I would think they would prefer to work with a competent peer than an intimidating millennial, don't you? (no offense, millennials!). This is also something you can do from home, and does not require a certification.
You can start by building a website of your own to learn on for very little investment using your own computer...but before I go into more detail, let me know if that is something that sounds interesting as well as any thoughts on Darrell's comments as well...
Thanks,
Michael | E-E, Onboarding Lead | Experts-Exchange.com
Best to you in this difficult time.
I couldn't agree more with Darrell's 2 cents, and the inspiration provided for all of us by his mother!
You mention that you enjoy the arts, and drawing. Are you aware that you can now design websites for businesses with very little (or even zero) programming or coding experience? Your particular demographic is full of folks adjusting and changing to this new economy that is so different from what you all were raised with...and guess what? all those folks who are starting new businesses for this chapter of their life...they're ALL going to need websites! I would think they would prefer to work with a competent peer than an intimidating millennial, don't you? (no offense, millennials!). This is also something you can do from home, and does not require a certification.
You can start by building a website of your own to learn on for very little investment using your own computer...but before I go into more detail, let me know if that is something that sounds interesting as well as any thoughts on Darrell's comments as well...
Thanks,
Michael | E-E, Onboarding Lead | Experts-Exchange.com
ASKER
Hi Michael,
I agree, Darrell's Mom is an inspiration to everyone...I am in awe. His advice is very encouraging, and age being an inhibiting factor would not ordinarily be an issue, I'm just frightened right now. Watching your parents health decline and losing them makes one face the fact that are time is limited. I would enjoy building websites for my age demographic, I didn't know there was such demand from seniors for their own websites.
I did take an HTML course some years ago, and many years before that, I studied Assembler and Cobol. I'm not a nerd, but I study hard and enjoy learning. I'm just concerned that there are a flood of programmers/website developers that I'd be competing with, some with incredible skills. How would I even begin to get customers?
I am truly interested in hearing more details, and really very grateful that you took the time and trouble to respond to my question. So, I'm all ears.
I agree, Darrell's Mom is an inspiration to everyone...I am in awe. His advice is very encouraging, and age being an inhibiting factor would not ordinarily be an issue, I'm just frightened right now. Watching your parents health decline and losing them makes one face the fact that are time is limited. I would enjoy building websites for my age demographic, I didn't know there was such demand from seniors for their own websites.
I did take an HTML course some years ago, and many years before that, I studied Assembler and Cobol. I'm not a nerd, but I study hard and enjoy learning. I'm just concerned that there are a flood of programmers/website developers that I'd be competing with, some with incredible skills. How would I even begin to get customers?
I am truly interested in hearing more details, and really very grateful that you took the time and trouble to respond to my question. So, I'm all ears.
Some good thoughts already shared in this thread.
I just wanted to share a bit from my side, and a slightly different angle on things as well.
Several years ago I decided that after a 40 year professional career in IT and Software Development that I was ready for a break. I had climbed "the corporate ladder" a bit and enjoyed many aspects of my job, but also had acquired a number of responsibilities that brought me less joy (budgets, meetings, email overload, politics, etc). And fortunately our financial situation gave us some flexibility.
Like you, I shopped around a number of online sites and resources looking for part time work and consulting gigs, etc. I also was underwhelmed in this day and age, it seemed like there should be a lot more things available that way. I was looking in a different area than you, I have always enjoyed building things with computers, writing programs, working with data, etc. So I wanted to get back to that hands on "fun" stuff. But while my brain was solid, my skill set was a little dated.
Ultimately I decided to also explore the age old tired and true method of job location - networking. I started talking to old associates, friends, neighbors etc and exploring what other folks had done, and sharing my situation and interest, etc. Long story short I ultimately stumbled over a prior colleague that saw a possible fit between their needs and my interest. For the past two years it's been working well, I do part time consulting for them and they get a solid senior resource. Yes, I had to refresh some of my skills on my own time / dime, but I did self study online and read a bit (Udemy was a preferred site for me in my field) and got back up to speed on current tools and techniques.
Long story short, I would also encourage you to talk to people and network a bit, there are a lot of opportunities that are found that way, and a company that might see a fit might not know it until you actually cross their radar. And don't second guess yourself and ability, experienced workers are still very valuable and bring an important perspective to the table that entry level folks can't yet.
Life is short though, so like others I'd encourage you to find and do something that you enjoy, in addition to the income side of things.
»bp
I just wanted to share a bit from my side, and a slightly different angle on things as well.
Several years ago I decided that after a 40 year professional career in IT and Software Development that I was ready for a break. I had climbed "the corporate ladder" a bit and enjoyed many aspects of my job, but also had acquired a number of responsibilities that brought me less joy (budgets, meetings, email overload, politics, etc). And fortunately our financial situation gave us some flexibility.
Like you, I shopped around a number of online sites and resources looking for part time work and consulting gigs, etc. I also was underwhelmed in this day and age, it seemed like there should be a lot more things available that way. I was looking in a different area than you, I have always enjoyed building things with computers, writing programs, working with data, etc. So I wanted to get back to that hands on "fun" stuff. But while my brain was solid, my skill set was a little dated.
Ultimately I decided to also explore the age old tired and true method of job location - networking. I started talking to old associates, friends, neighbors etc and exploring what other folks had done, and sharing my situation and interest, etc. Long story short I ultimately stumbled over a prior colleague that saw a possible fit between their needs and my interest. For the past two years it's been working well, I do part time consulting for them and they get a solid senior resource. Yes, I had to refresh some of my skills on my own time / dime, but I did self study online and read a bit (Udemy was a preferred site for me in my field) and got back up to speed on current tools and techniques.
Long story short, I would also encourage you to talk to people and network a bit, there are a lot of opportunities that are found that way, and a company that might see a fit might not know it until you actually cross their radar. And don't second guess yourself and ability, experienced workers are still very valuable and bring an important perspective to the table that entry level folks can't yet.
Life is short though, so like others I'd encourage you to find and do something that you enjoy, in addition to the income side of things.
»bp
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Bill, thank you for the suggestion about networking. I just received an e-mail from my High School, informing me that they have started up a networking group for alumnae. Perhaps I may meet with old friends who have similar issues and from my "era". This is a good thing.
Darrell, I will use every one of your suggestions. I have taken care of my parents' estate, so that is one worry to cross off the list. I will check into Udemy and see what is a good fit. Speaking with various counselors to find a match for what I like and what is in demand will help also.
I am still in amazement about your Mom! If you get a chance, I would love to hear what Certification she received, and what motivated her to go for it. Thanks so much.
Darrell, I will use every one of your suggestions. I have taken care of my parents' estate, so that is one worry to cross off the list. I will check into Udemy and see what is a good fit. Speaking with various counselors to find a match for what I like and what is in demand will help also.
I am still in amazement about your Mom! If you get a chance, I would love to hear what Certification she received, and what motivated her to go for it. Thanks so much.
My mother and father, both, were of the opinion that an active mind is, like an active body, a healthy one.
My father held 2 doctoral degrees, one in physics and one in mathematics. Regrettably my father passed away shortly after my tenth birthday.
My mother held a doctoral degree in chemistry and a masters degree in nursing.
My brothers and I were having a conversation at my mother's 84th birthday party and she indicated she, "...[didn't] have a clue as to what you boys are talking about..." so we asked if she wanted to learn all about this stuff. She, of course, indicated she did. We got her started and, 11 months later had her MCSE Windows Server 2000. She was, and all three of us (her sons) were, exceedingly proud of her late-in-life accomplishment. I think the most amusing part of it all was the expressions on the people at the Sylvan testing center in San Francisco, CA when this (obviously) elderly woman came in to take the adaptive certification exams.
I don't think she missed a single question.
She was unable to complete the upgrade to her MCSE 2003 due to failing physical health, but she was aware, gregarious, intelligent, and cheerful right up to the end.
I aspire to be like her - bright, cheerful, and a life-long learner.
There are lessons to be learned every day. You may not realize, in the moment, that you are learning, but upon reflection, you will see all the amazing things you didn't know yesterday that suddenly or subtly change the shape of who you are tomorrow.
So if you think age is a limiter, you're constructing barriers and locking away opportunities. Your impediments to success are created entirely within your mind.
Even popular culture attempts to communicate this to us:
Sometimes light bulbs (before CFLs or LEDs) will have a filament failure and burn out. They don't repair themselves. They cannot get back up and illuminate. It is said it took over 100 design attempts to make a light bulb that worked reliably. You may not succeed on every attempt. Events and circumstances outside of your control can have repercussions on your efforts. Don't let this stop you. The Wright brothers didn't fly the first time they tried. Edison and Tesla didn't ever succeed on their first attempts. You have great company in this realm. Don't let mis-starts or a lack of immediate success lead you to failure. The only failure there is in this world is giving up and not trying.
My father held 2 doctoral degrees, one in physics and one in mathematics. Regrettably my father passed away shortly after my tenth birthday.
My mother held a doctoral degree in chemistry and a masters degree in nursing.
My brothers and I were having a conversation at my mother's 84th birthday party and she indicated she, "...[didn't] have a clue as to what you boys are talking about..." so we asked if she wanted to learn all about this stuff. She, of course, indicated she did. We got her started and, 11 months later had her MCSE Windows Server 2000. She was, and all three of us (her sons) were, exceedingly proud of her late-in-life accomplishment. I think the most amusing part of it all was the expressions on the people at the Sylvan testing center in San Francisco, CA when this (obviously) elderly woman came in to take the adaptive certification exams.
I don't think she missed a single question.
She was unable to complete the upgrade to her MCSE 2003 due to failing physical health, but she was aware, gregarious, intelligent, and cheerful right up to the end.
I aspire to be like her - bright, cheerful, and a life-long learner.
There are lessons to be learned every day. You may not realize, in the moment, that you are learning, but upon reflection, you will see all the amazing things you didn't know yesterday that suddenly or subtly change the shape of who you are tomorrow.
So if you think age is a limiter, you're constructing barriers and locking away opportunities. Your impediments to success are created entirely within your mind.
Even popular culture attempts to communicate this to us:
Do not try bending the spoon; that's impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth. There is no spoon. Then you'll see that it is not the spoon that bends, only yourself.The spoon is a metaphor for one's perception of their own existence and the self-imposed limitations of that existence.
Remember...the force will be with you; always.While many would argue that "the force" is a mythical power, it is belief in yourself and your abilities; not only already-learned abilities, but also your ability to adapt, to be functional, and to be open to new and changing circumstances in your reality. Don't allow the opinions of others to slow you down or stop your progress towards a goal. As long as you are consistency truthful to yourself, you will achieve success.
Failure is success in progress.- Albert Einstein
Sometimes light bulbs (before CFLs or LEDs) will have a filament failure and burn out. They don't repair themselves. They cannot get back up and illuminate. It is said it took over 100 design attempts to make a light bulb that worked reliably. You may not succeed on every attempt. Events and circumstances outside of your control can have repercussions on your efforts. Don't let this stop you. The Wright brothers didn't fly the first time they tried. Edison and Tesla didn't ever succeed on their first attempts. You have great company in this realm. Don't let mis-starts or a lack of immediate success lead you to failure. The only failure there is in this world is giving up and not trying.
ASKER
Thank you so much for so generously sharing your advice.
The hell it is!
My late mother was 85 received her Microsoft certification, so let us ignore your age for a moment.
I would recommend you genuinely think about what you love to do and look for a job in that or an associated field. Ignore the CFS and other ailments and look at what is possible, not what is impossible.
If taking care of the elderly is something you're good at and enjoy it, look to providing support to those who are in the same situation as you are - providing care to aging family.
Cast aside your doubts and fears and think about yourself and what you really want to do. Someone is wanting to pay you to do that and pass on your experience to others.