General Discussion

PaxPixie

(2 posts)

23. Leave the corporate world behind

Reply to MLF1981 (Original post)

Fri Oct 18, 2024, 08:14 PM

Oct 18

I tried to get a job in the corporate sector again after leaving it a few years earlier (15+ years in software) and got nowhere. At the time I was a 48-year-old single woman with a lot of skills. I decided to eshew the corporate world all together and start a petsitting business as a sole proprietor. It took a couple of years to build a solid client base but I eventually earned enough to not only survive but thrive. I chose it because first and foremost I love animals. I'm my own boss. I set my own schedule. I have no overhead. No supplies to track. No building to maintain. I get new clients by referrals from existing clients, some of whom I've had for 20 years. I'm not rich but I want for nothing. If I can do it, you can too. Find what you love and figure out how to make money off it.

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Skittles Joinfortmill diane in sf jfz9580m madwivoter raging moderate

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Highlight:

Damn, finding a new job in middle age is a tough proposition... [View all] MLF1981 Oct 18 OP

Sometimes we need to take steps to reassure marybourg Oct 18 #1

Do you look younger if you shave your grey beard? I'm not usually good at guessing people's age, but grey or ... Jim__ Oct 18 #2

Think about this as a senior. pecosbob Oct 18 #3

That sucks. Happy Hoosier Oct 19 #60

Ageism is real.... I wish you the best of everything in your job search Farmgirl1961 Oct 18 #4

Take a tip from a woman: shave the gray beard off, use some dye on your head hair... Hekate Oct 18 #5

My hair is still coal black... MLF1981 Oct 18 #8

Lucky you with the coal black hair, and I'm sure the beard grooming makes a diff too... Hekate Oct 18 #12

Just remember, you can always grow the hair back after you get the job. Joinfortmill Oct 18 #33

If you go to the day labor again do this: Captain Zero Oct 19 #62

A couple of my kids went through the same thing. Mossfern Oct 18 #6

I used to work for one of the biggest companies in the world. MLF1981 Oct 18 #10

Thank you Mossfern Oct 18 #13

Man oh MAN does this thread touch a nerve with me.... democratsruletheday Oct 18 #37

PhD in a STEM discipline dwayneb Oct 19 #51

I can totally relate. n/t Drum Oct 18 #7

I am sorry for your struggles OC_Lars Oct 18 #9

"I worked part time at a specialty foods market" MLF1981 Oct 18 #11

Very cool OC_Lars Oct 18 #15

I have a friend who makes money working in people's houses...he makes a fortune in Ohio. Demsrule86 Oct 18 #14

Out here in western PA, Deminpenn Oct 18 #16

I'm in Western PA. That doesn't help me. I am not a handyman. I am a teacher with 18 years experience and a PhD AZLD4Candidate Oct 18 #29

I believe there are alternate ways to be certified in PA Deminpenn Oct 19 #45

Thank you. Already tried. DOE said it's up to districts. Districts want already certified AZLD4Candidate Oct 19 #46

Try contacting the school districts Deminpenn Oct 19 #47

I'm in Lawrence County. I have, through phone and email AZLD4Candidate Oct 19 #48

Will ask a few Deminpenn Oct 19 #50

Also, try this link Deminpenn Oct 19 #64

Same with West Michigan, which reminds me.... democratsruletheday Oct 18 #39

That's a huge problem where I live. If you're handy, you're golden. Joinfortmill Oct 18 #34

"People are desperate for someone to help them." This is true in this part of Wisconsin where I live. usaf-vet Oct 19 #55

I'm a long way from Wisconsin... MLF1981 Oct 20 #68

Networking. Asking friends, past co-workers, people in the same trades, etc. erronis Oct 18 #17

Guess I should say I've retired and restarted my career 3 times since I've been 70. erronis Oct 18 #19

It sure is, just a couple of quick thoughts. BootinUp Oct 18 #18

Retail loves older employees bevause Deminpenn Oct 18 #20

I'll be 66 years old in richdj25 Oct 18 #21

USAJobs stollen Oct 18 #22

Leave the corporate world behind PaxPixie Oct 18 #23

Welcome to DU ! KS Toronado Oct 18 #27

your first post you are offering advice Skittles Oct 18 #30

Welcome to DU PaxPixie! FM123 Oct 19 #53

Welcome to DU LetMyPeopleVote Oct 19 #63

Hiya PaxPixie jfz9580m Oct 21 #69

Ageism is so real.... infullview Oct 18 #24

Where are you located? Here in SoCal, we are always looking for people. 4lbs Oct 18 #25

Age discrimination is real. Elessar Zappa Oct 19 #57

Much appreciated... MLF1981 Oct 19 #67

"traditional" hiring is badly broken, and AI is destroying both sides of the table. usonian Oct 18 #26

East Tennessee. MLF1981 Oct 19 #65

Long way to California! usonian Oct 19 #66

When Pennsylvania refused to approve my out of state teacher certification because they do not have a AZLD4Candidate Oct 18 #28

I do not know where you live, but in every state and territory, there is a federally funded workforce center PatrickforB Oct 18 #31

Take heart and hang in. Sometimes hiring slows near the end of the year. Joinfortmill Oct 18 #32

apply for jobs you're overqualified for southmost Oct 18 #35

'...So much for their tired aphorism "A rising tide lifts all boats", huh?' bluboid Oct 18 #36

I was in the same boat as you about 15 yeas ago. kacekwl Oct 18 #38

It seems to me you have skills that would translate well to self-employment. There always seems to be a shortage diane in sf Oct 18 #40

That's what I was thinking too Unwind Your Mind Oct 19 #59

My husband finished out his project at age 64 GenThePerservering Oct 18 #41

It is happening to me now. And hard to prove in my field. JanMichael Oct 18 #42

I hear you. ellie Oct 18 #43

Thanks for the update jfz9580m Oct 18 #44

Hate to say it - consider moving dwayneb Oct 19 #49

My husband lost his factory job samplegirl Oct 19 #52

try Madison, Wisconsin Tetrachloride Oct 19 #54

Just a suggestion, shave off the grey beard, drugstore hair dye is not expensive... brush Oct 19 #56

Kick jfz9580m Oct 19 #58

I used to be in advertising, so I know the feeling. bif Oct 19 #61