slides: 10 Creative Ways for Seniors To Keep Working

Get Into Healthcare

If you want to follow the numbers, consider going into healthcare. The highest employment gains in RI for 2018 are predicted to be in Health Care & Social Assistance. For Rhode Islanders ages 55-64, the hospital industry has experienced the most growth in employment, at 13.1%, according to the RI Department of Labor and Training. And for those ages 65-99, hospitals are also the most promising sector at a 7.5% employment growth rate.

Photo: Kenny Holston 21

Try Consulting

Promote yourself by emphasizing your areas of expertise and find your niche. Connect with other RI consultants through LinkedIn. Get space to work around other professionals by renting desk space, such as at The Box Office in Providence, which includes 12 office spaces of 32 recycled shipping containers.

Photo: Matthew Hurst

Start a Company

The time is ripe for entrepreneurship. Take advantage of those contacts you've made through the years and tackle online social media like Twitter, Facebook, eBay, LinkedIn, and blog sites. For those who like crafts, take advantage of the site dedicated to all things artsy, Etsy. Creators, check out Craftland in Providence. Go to RI Quickstart for a whole lot of inspiration on kicking off that business.

Photo: Jef Nickerson

Use Kickstarter

Speaking of kicking, look into starting a Kickstarter project. It's not a money-maker, but it is one of the more exciting ideas online. Those looking for a part-time, purely fun occupation might find unrealized funding through this wonderful platform. Project starters are by no means limited to youngsters. Check out a successful art book project in Providence, here.

Photo: s_falkow

Work Part-Time

Look for part-time and seasonal work with larger companies that offer benefits such as Whole Foods, in Providence and in Cranston, and which lists a formidable number of perks for workers who show their dedication. Starbucks, also an Equal Opportunity Employer, offers benefits to dedicated part-time employees as well. It just might be hard to find your way to work, as there are so many.

Join the Peace Corps

The Peace Corps welcomes a diverse range of people and does not discriminate based on age--in fact, those who have special skills are especially competitive applicants. Visit the RI Returned Peace Corps Volunteers page for more information.

There is also a regional office in Boston that can give Rhode Islanders further help. They even make visits throughout the region during the summer months.

Photo: Peace Corps

Go Back to School

Return to school to gain new expertise and skills. Check out Pathways to Advance Career Education (PATH), which offers help to unemployed adult Rhode Islanders. Also check out RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Adult and Career and Technical Education, which lists more than 30 adult education programs!

Regional Resources

Find SER National, which operates the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). A convenient Service Locator provides resources including an easy-to-use form for locating the nearest SCSEP program--yes, SCSEP is located in RI, CA, and many other states.

Local Resources

You can also get RI-specific information by going to the state department's Division of Elderly Affairs and clicking "Senior Employment" in the left-hand column. Consider state job listings here and go to the RI Department of Labor and Training for more resources such as netWORKri and weekly job listings.

Photo: Knight Foundation

Leverage Your Strengths

If you enjoyed your former job, look into doing that kind of work on a part-time basis and ponder what exactly you liked. If you have a hobby that you do on the side, brainstorm ideas to start turning it into something more. Talk to your family and friends about what they're doing and get together to come up with some creative ideas. Join an online forum for discussion. Talk with people who know you well and make a list of your strengths, then think about how you might apply those in the real world. Remember to enjoy yourself!