Considering A Return to School?

Taking classes, learning a new skill or trying a different sport can all help prevent a decline in our mental acuity as we age.  But many adults over 50 consider going back to school to help them land a new job in a competitive market.  When is it wise to go back to the books?

Forbes magazine recommends doing plenty of research about what fields are more open to job seekers over 50.  In some cases, a two-year or certificate program can pay off greater dividends than investing four years into a bachelor’s degree and incurring debt in the process.  Ask local colleges about auditing a class for free, senior citizen discounts or tuition waivers.  Online classes can also be a good fit for older adults who want to continue learning new things.

The American Association of Community Colleges has launched a Plus50 Ageless Learning initiative that offers practical help for older adults making a career change later in life with re-training.  Follow this link for a list of participating colleges.

As seniors live longer and with better health, retirement from paid work at age 65 is no longer the norm.  Many seniors choose to work to remain active while others need the income to support their lifestyle.

Some occupations offer more opportunities for the mature worker including health care, education, environmental sustainability and professional services.  Top jobs with the most growth in 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, include personal care aides, registered nurses, home health aids and employment in food preparation and retail sales. A few companies are also investing in apprenticeship programs for candidates over 50;  “returnship” retraining programs are catching on to help mature workers gain practical experience and in the UK, the number of “silver apprentices” has nearly doubled, according BBC News.

Job clubs are also on the rise for older workers to offer support, networking and counseling for job seekers.   Check out www.irelaunch.com or my.monster.com for job hunt strategies.  And don’t dismiss volunteering as a way to pave the way to a new career.  Many times volunteer jobs teach new skills to older adults while opening doors to fulfilling employment.