While having life experience is always useful, there are certain jobs where the application of skills and knowledge gained simply by living can be invaluable.
These jobs often revolve around supporting people through the big things in life; for example, making important financial decisions, giving birth, or getting an education.
Every time we go through an experience (particularly if it’s a challenging one), we develop knowledge and skills which can help us cope better or excel in similar circumstances in future. It can also give us empathy for others and their circumstances.
Many Rest Less members have told us that they’re keen to find roles and opportunities where they can use their skills and experience to help others. So, with this in mind, here are 13 job roles where life experience can be an advantage…
1. Teacher
Teaching is more than just a transfer of knowledge. Good teachers usually have a strong desire to help their pupils fall in love with learning, which means adapting lessons to make them as easy to understand and fun as possible. Most of us remember our most inspiring teachers for the rest of our lives!
Teachers with plenty of life experience are often well-equipped at helping pupils look at the bigger picture and understand how hard work and determination now can impact their futures.
If you’re interested in becoming a teacher, there are several routes you can take to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
For example, some people complete an undergraduate teacher-training degree, while others choose a specialised programme geared towards people who are retraining later in life. Our full guide on becoming a teacher explains the options available in more detail.
One option for those who have experience in a subject area — but not necessarily a degree in it – is to join a Now Teach programme. You’ll receive school-led training whilst working towards QTS and will be supported once you become a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT).
The programme is designed to respect and understand the leap of faith that people take when starting a teaching degree later in life.
If you’d like to work in a school environment but teaching isn’t for you, why not put your DIY skills to use as a site manager, caretaker, or premises officer? TIB Services are currently recruiting people who are proactive, helpful, want to make a difference, and are confident with DIY to take on rewarding work within friendly school environments.
You don’t need any qualifications or prior experience to apply and get started.
2. Counsellor
Do you enjoy helping family and friends with their problems? Are you always happy to lend a listening ear and offer some kind words?
Counsellors work with individuals, couples, and families, offering them a safe place to speak and get things off their chest. People seek counselling for many reasons. Some look to fix problems in their relationships, while others try to overcome feelings related to a particularly traumatic experience.
Although counselling can be an incredibly rewarding career path, it can also be challenging. This is where those extra years of life experience can be a real bonus. Individuals who’ve experienced life’s ups and downs often find it easier to empathise with others and their circumstances.
You don’t need a degree to become a counsellor. However, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy has set standards for people wanting to enter the profession which are widely recognised by many employers. You can learn more about how to become a counsellor on the BACP website, or by reading our guide.
3. Midwife
Midwives have a privileged role because they’re responsible for helping mothers deliver babies safely into the world – and there’s nothing more precious than the gift of life!
Giving birth is usually one of the best but most labour intensive experiences that a mother will go through, so midwives must know what to do and say to coach a woman through.
Midwifery is the sort of role where all kinds of life experiences can be valuable. For example, if you worked in coaching or leadership roles in the past, you might find it easier to adopt the calm but firm demeanor needed. Or, if you’ve had your own kids, you’ll likely be able to relate to many of the things mums are thinking or feeling.
Becoming a midwife is a big commitment, so if you’re not sure whether it’s for you, the best way to find out is to spend some time volunteering in a maternity ward.
The next step would be to complete a midwifery degree. This usually takes three years. Like most degrees, there’s a significant cost involved, but depending on your circumstances, you might be able to apply for grants, loans, and bursaries to help you out. Though, it’s worth pointing out that, frustratingly, government-funded postgraduate loans currently have an age cut-off of 60 – something we simply can’t understand.
To learn more, have a read of our guide; How to become a midwife.
4. Local councillor
If you’re keen to make a difference in your local community, it might be worth thinking about becoming a local councillor.
Councillors must live or work in their local area to be elected. They act as advocates and ‘case workers’ for individuals in their constituency who request advice and support.
Councillors spend time in formalised council meetings and out in the community speaking to and working with the public. They’re expected to balance the needs and interests of residents, the political party they represent, and the council.
Councillors don’t earn ‘wages’ as such, but are paid an allowance – the amount of which is decided by how much responsibility they have within their role.
To apply, you’ll need to have good leadership and decision-making skills and be prepared for the fact that the role can be challenging at times. Having plenty of life experience can be useful in giving you awareness of political and social matters, and of how you come across to strangers.
If you think this is a role you could really sink your teeth into, there are two main routes to take. You can either decide to stand independently or represent a political party.
No matter how you choose to stand, it’s important to make sure that you’ve been officially nominated by at least 10 people before the local election. Your nomination papers and written consent must be submitted to your local democratic services department 19 working days before the election date arrives.
5. Care worker
Caring is a role where you can make a real difference in people’s lives. Care workers support individuals who need care due to a range of factors, such as age, disability, and/or illness.
Care workers typically spend their days helping people with everyday tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, washing, and dressing. They also provide emotional support to both the person receiving care and their families – sometimes working alongside other healthcare professionals.
This role can be carried out in a range of different settings – from schools and care homes to hospitals and private housing.
Care work is perfectly suited to those with some life experience under their belt. Older adults tend to have a great deal of emotional intelligence, which is ideal when you’re caring for someone.
You don’t necessarily need any formal qualifications to become a care worker – you just need to be kind, compassionate, and eager to help others. Lots of hospitals, care homes, and care organisations will hire you without previous experience and train you on the job – so there’s no reason why you can’t apply now.
You might find it interesting to read Lina and Caroline’s stories about becoming care workers later in life to learn more. Or you can browse roles on our website below.
6. Driving instructor
Do you enjoy the freedom that driving gives you? Would you like to help others enjoy it safely too?
Driving instructors teach people of all ages to drive and it can be rewarding to see the progress made each time a pupil gets behind the wheel.
The role is ideal for people who are calm, patient, and confident with driving, as you’ll need to try and instill these attributes in your students. Most people who become driving instructors have driven for several years and built up enough experience to feel comfortable coaching a beginner.
As a driving instructor, you could earn anything from £24 to £35 per hour, depending on what area you teach in and whether you work for yourself or a driving school. Some people work for a driving school or agency to help build up confidence in their teaching ability, whereas others choose to work on a self-employed basis.
The journey to becoming an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) is a fairly straightforward three-step process, which you can read about in our article; How to become a driving instructor.
If you enjoy driving, but aren’t sure a driving instructor is the right role for you, you can find lots of driving job ideas that offer flexibility and freedom in our article, here. Or search for driving jobs using the button below.
7. Set up a business
Have you got years of experience in a particular industry or profession? Or perhaps you’re skilled in a hobby that you spend time doing outside of work? If so, it might be worth thinking about how you can use this experience to become your own boss and work to a schedule that suits you.
For example, if you love getting creative in the kitchen, you could set up your own baking business. Or, if you’ve got knowledge and experience in a particular subject area, online tutoring could be for you.
When it comes to setting up a business, the most difficult part is often getting started and building up a client base. But if you’re confident in your ideas and ability to make them work, then the chance to be your own boss, choose your own hours, and set your own rates can be attractive. As the saying goes, fortune favours the brave!
For inspiration, check out our articles; Business ideas that you can start from home, 20 popular self-employment ideas for over 50s, and Popular side hustle ideas that can help you earn some extra cash.
While going into business for yourself can seem daunting, remember that you don’t have to go it alone. You can always get help from experienced professionals.
For example, Auditel is a network of 100 self-employed business consultants that can help you to build your own business, achieve a better work-life balance, save money, and most importantly, enjoy your new venture.
Startup School for Seniors also offers a leading online course aimed at people aged 50 and above to help you turn your business ideas into reality. You’ll also get to benefit from being part of a community of older business owners.
8. Relationship counsellor
Would you enjoy helping couples move past points of conflict, communicate more effectively, and strengthen their bond?
Relationship counsellors provide couples with a safe, non-judgmental environment to communicate and identify underlying issues that could be causing them to argue or feel disconnected.
It can be satisfying to see couples progress as you help them to address and understand their issues . However, as with any counselling role, you’ll need to be able to separate your own thoughts and feelings from those of your clients.
When becoming a counsellor, the trick is to be able to use your past experiences to empathise with and help clients, without letting your own opinions cloud your judgement or create bias.
9. Youth worker
Youth workers support children and young people aged 11–25 years old; enabling them to have a voice and place in society. This is usually achieved by helping them with their social, personal, and emotional development so they can reach their full potential.
The young people who usually benefit from youth work are those who’ve had problems with things like bullying, family relationships, crime, or their health, which means they tend to feel somewhat adrift from their community.
Youth workers are able to help young people look towards a brighter and more positive future. There are many youth workers who’ve been through trying times themselves but have come out the other side and now want to help others do the same.
To learn how to become a qualified youth worker, check out our guide or head over to the National Youth Agency website.
10. Consultant
Consulting is a great career role for professionals who’ve spent many years in a corporate environment building up extensive knowledge and experience. You might be surprised how valuable your skills can be to others…
Consultants simply exchange their knowledge for money and many consultants work as freelancers.
For example, a consultant might be called in every few months on a freelance basis by a local company who needs their website updated. Or a big business may hire you to help with specific projects or initiatives.
For freelance opportunities, you could try starting by signing up to sites like Guru and Upwork to build up a client base. Or, for something more permanent, you can apply for roles on our website.
This is one area where using your personal and professional network can be incredibly powerful. For help with this, you might find it helpful to read our article; How do I start networking to find a job?
11. Financial coach
If you enjoy number crunching and are great at managing money, you could consider a career as a financial coach…
Deciding how to handle our finances can be some of the toughest and most nerve-wracking decisions we make. To be able to make logical and well-informed choices, some people seek financial help from experts.
People who go into financial coaching need to have a solid understanding of money and the different options available to people. While much of this can be learnt through courses or books, having personal experience can provide a better idea of the emotions and consequences linked to making important financial decisions. For example, if you’ve taken out a mortgage or needed to budget after being made redundant.
You don’t need to be a financial expert to get started as a financial coach, as many employers train you on the job. However, it does help if you have a strong academic background (which doesn’t have to be related to finance) or professional experience, such as teaching or general management.
To get inspired, why not take a look at Phil’s story of becoming a financial coach at 60.
12. Life coach
Life is full of ups, downs, twists, and turns and sometimes it can be difficult to work out where we’re supposed to be headed next or to find the courage to make a change. This is where a life coach often steps in.
A life coach’s job is to motivate, inspire, and encourage people to follow a positive life path; whether this means supporting them to leave a toxic relationship or encouraging them to follow their dreams and go to university.
Although it isn’t essential to have life experience to become a life coach, it’ll certainly help you to better understand, relate to, and empathise with clients who could be facing a range of different decisions or dilemmas.
Nearly all life coaches work on a self-employed basis, enjoying the flexibility that the role offers and setting their own hourly rate. You don’t need any formal qualifications to get started, but if you’re new to coaching, it’s a good idea to develop your skills and enhance your credibility by taking a course.
Read our article, How to become a life coach, to learn more.
13. Tour guide
If you’re well-travelled, have excellent communication skills, and a desire to meet new people, touring could be a natural career path for you.
It’s a fairly competitive field, so you’ll need to have determination and a genuine passion for the role. Being a tour guide involves taking groups of people around tourist attractions and places they’ve not visited before, while providing information and ensuring they have a fun experience. Tours can range in length and can be in the UK or abroad.
The best way to get started is by doing some research to make sure you find a tour operator that aligns with your interests. For example, would you prefer to give historic tours at a slower pace or activity-filled tours where you’re hopping from one place to the next?
Many tour operators will be willing to provide training as long as you’re enthusiastic about the role and willing to learn. However, some will expect you to be knowledgeable about the area that you’re applying to work in.
Final thoughts...
There are many jobs in which professional skills and experience are only one aspect of what can help you to succeed.
From being empathetic in a counselling job to having plenty of wisdom to share with your students as a teacher, life experience can give you that extra edge. So, if you’re looking for a new role or considering a career change, remember not to underestimate the value of your journey so far.
For more inspiration, why not check out the job ideas section of our website? Here, you’ll find articles including; 14 career change ideas for the over 50s and 13 career change ideas that don’t need a qualification to get started. And if you’re ready to apply for your next role, you can do so on our website.
Have any of the roles above caught your eye? Does your life experience help you in your role? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.