15 Surprisingly Great Second Careers for Baby Boomers

Just because you retired doesn’t mean you have to stop working.For some baby boomers, retiring from one career opens the possibility of trying something else. 

Perhaps you want to take on a part-time job or full-time position to supplement your retirement income. This can be especially helpful if you ended up making the decision to retire early and are now finding it more challenging to make ends meet.

Regardless of whether you need some extra cash or want something new to do, here are some second careers you can take on regardless of age.

Consider becoming a virtual assistant if you want to make some extra cash while also working remotely.

Virtual assistants are similar to administrative assistants who book meetings, schedule travel, or answer emails for a client. But as a virtual assistant, you can do all of it from a computer wherever you want to work.

Taking a job as a bartender can be a good change from sitting in a cubicle all day.

As a bartender, you can interact with customers, create unique concoctions, and make extra cash with tips. Bartenders usually work nights and weekends.

Put your accounting, finance, or math skills to work as a bookkeeper for a company or organization.

You can work as a freelancer or try to get a full-time or part-time position. You also might be able to set your own hours.

You probably still have plenty of knowledge about a particular field after years of working in that industry. So, check out consulting jobs.

You can use your extensive knowledge to help clients in a particular industry with problem-solving or learning new ways to do their work.

Another way to spread your knowledge about a particular field is as a teacher or tutor.

Teach others about a specific topic in your industry or help others learn managerial skills. You can also become a tutor, which allows you to set your own hours and help clients either in person or virtually.

You may want to help your community as a fundraiser in your second career.

Check in with local nonprofits who might need someone to help them raise funds for programs, projects, or events.

You don’t have to run for president of the United States to be politically active in your community.

There are plenty of elected positions in your local community that may need someone with your previous work experience or interest in supporting local issues. You can run for city council, school board, library board, or any other number of local positions.

A second career could be a good time to pursue writing if you’re interested in putting words out into the world.

Work for a local community paper writing articles or start your own blog online. Consider publishing books about what you learned during your career, or perhaps try to write that novel you always wanted to publish.

Your work in sales or marketing can come in handy if you decide to work as a sales representative during retirement.

Sell products to customers and draw from your previous experience to tout your understanding of the item you are selling.

If you have a good driving record, consider becoming a driver for a company.

You can take on a position as a driver for services such as Uber or Lyft. Or perhaps you prefer to work as a limo driver. School bus drivers are also in high demand.

Take on a second career as a real estate agent who helps clients find their perfect homes.

You may need to become licensed or take classes to become an agent, but it can be a rewarding job. It allows you to show off your community and help clients find a new place to live.

Use your planning and organizing skills as an event planner for conferences, parties, or weddings.

You can decide your areas of specialty and the types of clients you want to take on as you set your own hours.

There are plenty of pets that need walking, grooming, or baby-sitting, suggesting the possibility of a fun second career.

Become a dog walker who works for several clients throughout the day. You could also open your home to pets while their owners are out for a long day or on vacation.

You don’t have to stay at home if you’re a boomer who wants a second career. Check out ways to get into nature, such as working as a park ranger for a national park or state park.

Maintain trails and other public spaces, or help visitors navigate the park.

If you enjoy investing, use your skills to become a financial planner and help others get ahead financially.

You can help create an investing plan specific to each client’s wants and needs, or simply offer occasional guidance to DIY investors.

Baby boomers don’t have to stop working. There are plenty of opportunities if you want to build up your savings and keep busy with a second career.

See if a second career can help you both make more money and give you some extra purpose during your golden years.