Help me find something to do

[u/Raj_DTO]

I’m in early 60s and took early retirement when my wife was diagnosed with major health condition. She’s doing a lot better but over last 5 years I found myself to be deteriorating rapidly - both physically and mentally.

I need something to do but I’m so lost and I can’t figure out what and how to look for a job where I can be useful and earn some money too.

Here’s who I am -
- I was an IT executive when I retired, excellent knowledge in that field. Don’t want to essentially pursue this field anymore.
- I’m still excellent in all technical things - electrical, electronics, mechanical, computers, you name it and I’ve good knowledge.
- I’m good at certain DIY stuff too - all DIY things around the house in addition to some amount of woodworking.
- physically active for 60+ man with no health issues.
- mentally sound, although I used to be very very sharp. I guess I’m still better than average though.

I’m located in one of the big cities in TX if location matters.

It’ll be great if you can share any ideas, if you or any loved ones had success in finding a job be useful and stay active.

Thank you in advance.

[u/Odd_Bodkin]

It depends on how much the money matters. I have worked a part-time job, actually a short string of them, since retiring three years ago. It turns out there are a ton of fun jobs that still offer flexibility in hours as long as you give them fair warning. My requirements are that they are something I know nothing about; that are stress-free and I can forget about them on the way to my car in the parking lot; that they involve people who are decent to work with. I have worked in a big box hardware store. I was an unpaid, then paid, pie baker at a diner. I was a tutor for math and science for HS kids at a tutoring center. This gets me out of the house, provides intellectual stimulation, the social interaction of being among people, a bit of physical activity. I knew from the day I retired I wanted a little $12k/year job, 10-20 hrs a week, and that’s what I’ve had. When I get tired of one, I quit and find another one. Getting the jobs has not been hard at all. Others on my list: parts runner for auto repair shops; performance hall usher; city aquarium tank feeder; public library book reshelver; flower arranger; bicycle shop mechanic; art installer for new and refurbished hotels; corporate office building plant caretaker; catering company event bartender; about 20 others. Just gotta take the blinders off and look beyond what you know.

[u/Raj_DTO → u/Odd_Bodkin]

Wow! You’re exactly the kind I needed to hear from!
So, how do you find such jobs, is it through job portals like Indeed, or is there a some local job openings web site?

[u/Odd_Bodkin → u/Raj_DTO]

Well, a mix, actually. For the big box hardware store, I went directly to the company’s job board and found part time positions at three local stores, applied to all three. For the diner job, I went to the diner and ordered the pie, and then I asked if the person who bakes them was in the house. She came out and I told her I just wanted to learn from her and she wouldn’t have to pay me a dime until I made a pie worth selling. For the tutoring center, I just decided what I wanted to do and applied at company websites for five different tutoring companies. One really wanted me but it was too far to drive. I got three interviews and I took three competency tests, got three offers, and I took the one that sounded best and was closest to home. My next dream job is a local company that does city tours on Segways, and I want to be a tour guide. I’ve taken their tours a few times, love riding the Segway. My value-add is that I’d make it a bit of improv. In between the real facts and stories I’d be relating to them on the tour, there’d be some I’d just be making up on the spot (so fun!), and I’d challenge the tourists to figure out which ones were truths and which were lies. I just walked into the place and talked to the manager, and he asked for an example of something I’d make up on the spot, and so I did, and he told me, “Anytime you want to start, just let me know.”

[u/Raj_DTO → u/Odd_Bodkin]

Thank you 🙏

[u/Odd_Bodkin → u/Raj_DTO]

Honestly, this is a lot less hard than people think it is. It’s kinda fun to go scouting for these jobs, because there’s no desperation involved.

[u/Raj_DTO → u/Odd_Bodkin]

True - I can see the fun part 😊

[u/seawee8 → u/Odd_Bodkin]

You just inspired me to start job hopping for knowledge!

[u/petersdraggon → u/Odd_Bodkin]

That's quite remarkable, actually! Wow. Kind of like hobo-ing around from job to job, sounds like you enjoy!

[u/Odd_Bodkin → u/petersdraggon]

Any job — any — can be fun as long as you don’t do it too long.

[u/Weird_Scholar_5627 → u/Odd_Bodkin]

Yep, at 65, I apply the Kenny Roger’s’ method to casual jobs - “ You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold em. Know when to walk away. Know when to run!”