Death doulas, golf marshals and retail workers: Canadians find passion in part-time jobs after retirement
Some Canadians are choosing to reenter the workforce to help with routine, socialization and energy while aging.
Around one year into retirement, 58-year-old Lori O’Neill applied for a seasonal position at her local LCBO in Orillia, Ont. — but she didn’t apply for the money. She had recently worked in marketing for 28 years, and when the manager asked her why she wanted to work, O’Neill said she “needed the social activity.”
“It’s probably the best part of my week,” O’Neill, now a permanent part-time employee, shared. “Most of the people I work with are also retired ... and we go in to have fun and socialize. I don’t find it stressful like it was in the corporate world and you can just get to know the customers who come in.”
O’Neill and her husband had moved to Orillia just before retirement. She said her part-time job helped her get to know her neighbours, many of whom she now considers as friends. Another bonus was learning more about different liquors and wines.
It’s probably the best part of my week. Most of the people I work with are also retired ... and we go in to have fun and socialize.Lori O'Neill
“It’s been a great opportunity for me,” O’Neill said, adding it’s rewarding when a customer appreciates a recommendation or gets excited. “I feel like I’m getting things out of this job that I wouldn’t be getting if I wasn’t working and just retired.”
O’Neill’s sentiment seems to be a shared one among many older Canadians who are in retirement, or contemplating entering the life stage. Though the standard retirement age in Canada has been 65, this doesn’t consider people's longer life spans. For some, retiring at 65 can mean decades without the stimulation and socialization a job brings.
Like O’Neill, some Canadians are choosing to instead spend these decades reentering the workforce in passion industries or low-stakes part-time jobs that help with routine, socializing and energy while aging.
Yahoo Canada spoke to some Canadians who are choosing to work during their retirement years and what benefits doing so might serve them.
Socializing after retirement has physical, mental health benefits
For most of Joel Berger’s life, he worked as a software engineer at Manulife, an insurance company. Being an IT guy was enjoyable for Berger, and the job — which he described as “good, challenging work” — allowed for some flexibility.
Even before his retirement, Berger knew he would eventually transition into a job as a golfing marshal. Golf marshals patrol recreational courses, ensure players follow regulations and assist people during tournaments, among other duties. When Berger retired a few years ago, he began working a couple of days a week.
“I really enjoy it,” Berger noted. “It’s nice to be outside often and with your friends, having a good time. It can be energizing and frustrating at times when you’re not hitting it, but that’s a part of it.” Berger added he doesn’t mind the minimum wage pay, but he’s happy he can play the course for free and sometimes bring a friend.
The mental and physical stimulation Berger gets from his part-time job can’t be understated. Older adults who continue to socialize and avoid social isolation are considered less at risk of premature death. A 2015 study published in the CDC journal Preventing Chronic Disease compared people who didn’t work past the age of 65 to those who did. People who worked were three times more likely to report being in good health and about half as likely to have serious health problems.
O’Neill said her job adds additional purpose and keeps her mind sharp. Similarly, Berger shared he was surprised by how many new friendships he’s made on the job.
“I’ve come to realize that it isn’t just the course that makes golfing great, but also the people you play with — and in this case, work with,” Berger shared. “And it makes the job great.”
Finding the right passion can ‘hit a chord’
Sue Phillips is another Canadian who’s passionate about the job she picked up after retirement. The 68 year old worked in the public school board environment for more than 30 years and noted she “had no intention of trying to find a retirement job.” Instead, she mostly planned on travelling with her partner.
My other job was a job of necessity. It's not the primary goal [with this job]. The primary goal is to support and help people. So it's just been an amazing experience and completely unexpected. ... It’s very rewarding.Sue Phillips
However, when she stumbled upon an end-of-life doula course, Phillips noted it “hit a chord.” She began researching about the role of death doulas and what the role entails. Topics like vigil support, creating advanced care plans and just holding space for someone’s needs at their end of life became responsibilities Phillips could see herself providing as a service to others.
“I jumped right in,” Phillips said. “I just continued to explore all learning opportunities and joined a lot of networking groups. I just kept building my toolbox.” She added the work resonated with her almost immediately and she's been helping families as a critical illness, end-of-life doula since just before the pandemic. “Some of the services are companionship, sitting with someone, caregiver respite, legacy work ... and advocacy.”
Phillips noted being able to carve a space in her field, which she finds “extremely rewarding,” has offered her a sense of purpose unlike that of her first job. “My other job was a job of necessity,” she said. “It's not the primary goal. The primary goal is to support and help people. So it's just been an amazing experience and completely unexpected. ... It’s very rewarding.”
She added she feels fortunate to have a pension and isn't required to work due to financial restraints. Moreover, she noted she no longer faces imposter syndrome or the feeling that she shouldn’t be doing this work: “It’s just satisfying to know that we’re living longer and we can keep learning and can build a passionate environment for ourselves and our families and our community.”
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.