‘Internships’ for middle aged people
Posted by Disco_Deterrent@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 49 comments
As someone (48f) who’s currently stuck in a low paying, deeply unsatisfying office job while looking for something better, I find myself obsessing over some amazing-sounding opportunities and internships I’ve seen for college students and recent grads. I’m talking about entry level roles at historic sites, botanical gardens, museums, and other places like that.
Are there programs that accept older, but hardworking and capable, people who are willing to work for low pay in exchange for the excitement of new life adventures and experiences? I’d absolutely love to spend the summer working at a national park, for example.
I’ve spent my working life chasing what I thought was a “responsible” career path for its consistent salary and benefits. After losing a longtime job in a now-dying industry due to AI, I am now deeply regretting not following my heart more. I’m just struggling to accept that I have 15-20 years left of this soul sucking work that makes me want to scream into a pillow every morning. My heart can’t take much more of this.
Thanks for listening
newwriter365@reddit
My sister recently retired and is bringing her forty years of corporate experience to her volunteer work. They love her and have hinted at making her “staff”. She set boundaries and has been rewarded with a board role and flexible schedule.
If you show up and ask what needs “fixing”, then proposing a solution, you may be rewarded.
Showing up and taking up space, whining about your life or just being miserable isn’t going to help you create opportunities.
_ism_@reddit
i have a similar question. "Just volunteer" doesn't often cut it - they put older volunteers into roles that feel unnecessary and optional, and don't help with meaning making in life, in my experience. around here at least. i'm interested in volunteerism but have some disabilities meaning i can't do just anything they throw at me simply because i want to help and feel like i matter in my role.
pdxjen@reddit
I got my degree at your age and have made a full career pivot. We also lived in an RV for sometime and were camp hosts for a couple of summers in different parts of Colorado. Check out cooljobs for some other camp host types roles.
CommissarCiaphisCain@reddit
Pretty neat. They’re headquartered in my town.
JanaT2@reddit
Volunteer somewhere you have interest and see what doors that opens
goonwild18@reddit
It sounds like you want to volunteer.
Intern programs target accomplished college students to attract them for long-term career grooming and high-value contribution based on the way they think and their exposure to / adeptness in a new way of working. This is the opposite they'd get from someone pushing 50 that didn't figure out how to survive our robot overlords.
Curious_Field7953@reddit
Ahhh, some day you too will be old & I hope it's as kind to you as you are to others.
nervousfungus@reddit
The NPS has a pretty cool Volunteers in Parks program that (at least years ago when I did it) is popular with folks of all ages, backgrounds, nationalities. Lots of retired folks will, for example, live (housing provided) in one place all summer as campground hosts then move onto another place for winter, etc.
Not paid, but a super cool experience. I was an “interpretive” volunteer, which is the education stuff- giving guided tours, doing campfire talks, running the museum, etc. Loved that work.
enigT@reddit
I know last year someone completed an internship at a state house at 60
Disco_Deterrent@reddit (OP)
Very cool!
enigT@reddit
Her name is Lorinda Visnick if you're interested.
jaimonee@reddit
I picked up teaching part time at a local college. I teach about the history of video games (nothing to do with my day job - i work for a marketing agency), which being the dude who grew up on Atari and raised by the arcade, my old man insights are valued. I can tell them why a collecovision controller sucked, or how Dragon's Liar was stupidly hard - because I lived it.
Anyway it added a layer of interest/curiousity/engagement to my career. The biggest surprise to me was how inspiring the students are. They are much kinder and more empathetic to their peers, and they are facing an uphill battle entering into the workforce but are tackling it with optimism and determination.
So yeah, check out local colleges.
Disco_Deterrent@reddit (OP)
This is amazing, thanks for sharing. I’m newly inspired by everyone’s comments and stories!
catcrapmakesmevomit@reddit
At 56 I got accepted to a bachelor program at a local college and I am taking online classes in a major/classes I never took before the I am enjoying the rush if writing papers, research and interaction with students.
Medicine-Illustrious@reddit
I went back for another masters last year at 52. I happened to see a few research assistantships that interested me. They both called me for interviews but they were on a campus an hour away and paid minimum wage. They just seemed so excited to get a person with maturity and experience. Remember what recent grads are like. They are using AI to write emails. Many can’t spell. They don’t know how to use Excel.
Long-Foot-8190@reddit
Can we talk about what our maturity offers without bashing others? My kids both graduated in the last year and the generality that they and their peers are slackers is unkind, untrue and unhelpful. These kids busted their butts too and do not deserve to be torn down to make their parents' generation feel better.
Medicine-Illustrious@reddit
I apologize for the seeming bash. I was basing it on my experience as a manager of student workers and younger professionals from about 2010 to 2022. I also gave a teen and saw the way the curriculum is now in spoon fed bites in many ways compared to what was expected of us. I see a difference but am willing to concede they likely have strengths we do not have.
buddytheelf2023@reddit
I’m 49 and still don’t know how to use excel
CoolDragon@reddit
Ok enlighten me, when TF does “middle age” start?
KungFuAdam@reddit
37 is roughly middle aged! considering average life span is 78ish for men
updatedprior@reddit
I’d say around 45. Wikipedia agrees.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_age
Disco_Deterrent@reddit (OP)
No idea, I just didn’t want to say “old” haha
CoolDragon@reddit
It still sucks 😝
adawnb@reddit
I did a term of AmeriCorps in my mid-40s, in a role along those lines. The pay is VERY low (it’s technically a volunteer service position + living stipend) but I loved the work and the built-in training and networking. My cohort members were mostly in their early-mid 20s but they were cool and it wasn’t unheard of to have people my age in our program. DOGE really hurt AmeriCorps overall but I would still recommend checking it out if you can swing it financially.
Disco_Deterrent@reddit (OP)
Didn’t have a clue AmeriCorps would even be an option at this age. Thank you.
Canyoubackupjustabit@reddit
Peace Corps, too.
FoldAdministrative98@reddit
In the same boat and volunteering ! Wondering if u are a marketing / design professional?
Disco_Deterrent@reddit (OP)
What kind of volunteer work are you doing?
Disco_Deterrent@reddit (OP)
Close, I worked in digital publishing (writing/editing/content strategy) !
fastcatdog@reddit
Start a business AI can’t take. Mobil car detailing $$$ Mobil dog grooming, new window installation, do good work and you’ll always have work.
updatedprior@reddit
If AI takes the jobs from people with the disposable income to pay for car detailing and dog grooming, then you can consider these jobs to be at risk from being taken away by our AI overlords as well.
slade797@reddit
Sadly, most internships are unpaid.
RockItM3@reddit
Internships that in any way advance the company goals or profits need to be paid now. If you intern in a bakery and they throw away any cakes you made, that could be unpaid. But if they sold the cakes, that would have to be paid. Just using that as a clear example between the two.
slade797@reddit
In an ideal world, yes. In actual practice, not so much.
RockItM3@reddit
I mean, the law is the law lol. Downvoting for citing IRS law is pretty standard reddit practice I guess though.
Specialist_Ad2936@reddit
It may be the law, but it is absolutely not the reality
RockItM3@reddit
Then don’t take that internship and report the company.
TrainingLow9079@reddit
When I was job searching in my 40s I longed for this too. There would be such a market for it. Maybe companies/orgs think older people need more money or wouldn't want to start entry level, but there are a lot of people who want to career pivot.
brooklynagain@reddit
Be a docent at a local museum? At this age volunteering may be a a credible path to gaining experience?
This is a great question. All the best!
Disco_Deterrent@reddit (OP)
Thank you!!!!
kmerian@reddit
National Parks always need volunteers, they hire a lot of people out of them
GrapesandGrainsNY@reddit
I’m just here to say this is such a great way of thinking and question. I wish you all the best!
Disco_Deterrent@reddit (OP)
Thanks, much appreciated!
AsparagusCritical581@reddit
Started my internship in cyber at 50 about 6 months to finishing a degree after retiring from usaf after 24 years. Completely different career path. It was with a federal agency that I stayed with for 10 years before I left for greener pastures. Great move for me.
bizzylearning@reddit
Generally, there is no age requirement, but a student eligibility requirement. Perhaps look at that as an option -- enroll part time in a community college in a field related to what you want to enjoy (sounds like history, art history, horticulture, maybe?) and then apply for the internships that spark your interest. Your applications will bring to bear all the transferable skills you've picked up along the way, so you'd be a strong applicant.
FWIW, that's how I got started in my second career -- applied through the college job board for a part-time internship when I went back to school. Loved it!
Disco_Deterrent@reddit (OP)
Ooooh this is intriguing. I never did an internship while actually in college due to working full time. Thanks so much for the suggestion!
Sufficient_Stop8381@reddit
Go to the local community college or trade school and look at trade programs. Some have apprenticeships where you can work during the day and go to school in the evenings to learn a new trade and work towards licensure. Not as fun as working at the botanical gardens but I don’t see robots replacing electricians any time soon. And more and more women are getting into traditionally male service and construction related trades.
StJmagistra@reddit
Have you searched for “job retraining” in your area? Here’s an example of a program in my state: https://wioa-alabama.org/career-services/
Disco_Deterrent@reddit (OP)
I have not! Thanks for the suggestion, looking into this now.