Unemployed and Older? Here’s what I ended up doing.
How Older Job Seekers Can Leverage Their Knowledge to Become High-Paid Tutors
It all started with a desperate need for a job. Like so many others during the pandemic, I found myself suddenly unemployed and with bills piling up. I scoured the job boards, applied to countless positions, but nothing seemed to be panning out.
One day, I stumbled upon an article about the booming online tutoring industry. Apparently, college students were in need of help with STEM subjects, and online tutors were making bank helping them out.
At first, I scoffed at the idea. I was a middle-aged woman with no background in STEM whatsoever. How was I supposed to teach these young whippersnappers anything?
But the more I read, the more it started to make sense. Online tutoring allowed for a flexible schedule, which would allow me to continue job hunting while also bringing in some much-needed income. And who knows? Maybe I could learn a thing or two about calculus while I was at it.
So, I decided to take the plunge. I spent the next couple of months learning calculus through online courses and textbooks. I won’t lie — it was a challenge. But I found that the more I immersed myself in the material, the more I began to understand it. And soon enough, I felt confident enough to start offering my services as an online tutor.
To my surprise, it didn’t take long for me to get my first client. A college student struggling with calculus stumbled upon my profile on one of the online tutoring platforms. Despite my nerves, I dove in headfirst, eager to help.
And you know what? It was a success. The student was able to grasp the material more easily with my guidance, and I found that I had a knack for breaking down complex concepts in a way that was easy to understand.
Before long, I had a handful of regular clients, each with their own unique challenges in the world of STEM. And as I continued to hone my skills, I found that I was able to take on even more advanced topics.
Of course, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There were certainly moments where I felt overwhelmed or unsure of myself. And let’s just say that not every student was the easiest to work with.
But overall, I found that online tutoring was a fulfilling and rewarding experience. Not only was I able to help others, but I was also able to continue my own education in a subject that had always felt out of reach.
Now, as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the job market, I find myself telling anyone who will listen about the potential of online tutoring. It’s a flexible and lucrative option for those looking to bring in some extra income while job hunting.
And for those who might be hesitant, I say this — don’t let age or lack of experience hold you back. There are plenty of resources out there to help you learn whatever subject you’re interested in. And with the growing demand for online tutors, there’s no better time to jump in.
So, if you’re one of the many older unemployed workers out there, I encourage you to give online tutoring a try. You never know — it might just be the solution you’ve been looking for. It kept me from becoming one of the miserable people living in her vehicle. Mind you, I know for some it is enjoyable, but when I tried van life I HATED it. So thanks to a little studying, I was able to make it through tough times.
