Find a Part-Time Job That Gives Back

Job seekers today can do meaningful work in a variety of industries and workplaces. But when it comes to hourly work that matters, it's tough to find good opportunities. If you've decided it's time to find a part-time job that gives back, ask yourself these 4 questions before launching a job search.

While many jobs help communities and cities, it's not always easy to see or measure the difference you make. This is especially true for virtual or work-at-home jobs. 

If you’re looking for a role where you will see your work in action, some good places to begin are community centers, assisted living facilities, arts organizations, hospitals, youth services, charities, retirement communities, senior centers, and sports and recreation facilities. In these roles, you might work for a nonprofit, religious organization, private business, or local town or county government.

For people who want to support others in-person in the heart of their communities, a great option is working as a companion caregiver with Papa. It’s not a medical or nursing role, and you don’t need special training. You can get started working in a few days and immediately see the impact you make.

Companion caregivers are matched with older adults, seniors, and families in their communities who need a little extra help. You can offer support with things like companionship, help around the house, shopping, and car rides to and from appointments.  

Consider how you want to give back. Do you want to be more active and hands-on? For example, do you want to help keep local parks clean, support students in a classroom, or brighten the day for people at a senior center? There’s a rich variety of opportunities to choose from. 

Once you’ve identified the way you want to give back, start looking for employers that offer flexible, part-time employment or gig work that fits your schedule. For instance, companion caregivers with Papa, called Papa Pals, can set their own schedules. They decide when, and how often, they work.

Take some time to think about what type of work environment inspires you most. Do you crave quiet or do you enjoy a busy workplace where the time flies by? Or, would you prefer a mix of both?

Whatever your preference, consider how you will feel after the first couple of days. Things like loud music are great at the beginning, but can get repetitive after a while.

Then, ask your potential employer about how much personal interaction you will have. If you want to interact with people in your community, make sure you won’t spend most of your time in an office or behind the scenes.

Part-time jobs have the potential to lead to bigger opportunities. When you have a part-time job that gives back, you can gain skills that will open new doors for you personally and professionally. 

For anyone thinking about entering a new career field, getting a part-time job is a great way to learn the ins and outs of a role to see if it’s a good fit. For example, working part-time as a companion caregiver offers people who are interested in social work, nonprofit work, community outreach, and health care real experience in these areas.

Demand for many skills is growing, but not all jobs are as in-demand as they once were. Begin with a Google search and look for statistics about job growth in the field you want to enter. This is especially important if you eventually want to work full-time in the field.

For example, America’s growing and aging population means that there’s a significant need for more home care aides and companion caregivers. By 2029, employers will need to fill more than 7 million job openings in direct care. That number includes 1.3 million new jobs, plus another 6.1 million jobs to replace people who retire or leave. So, if you get a part-time job in this field, you’ll know there are many opportunities for future employment.

Never forget that jobs that help others are more straightforward than we think. Offering a helping hand around the house, giving a car ride, sharing a fun conversation, encouraging someone to exercise, and providing company on a walk are all things you can do at work. Each of these actions adds up to something bigger.

This is particularly true when you think about the work of companion caregivers. The small gestures and acts of kindness of a companion caregiver add up to make a deep and valued impact on the lives of others. 

From community services to outdoor recreation, and from the arts to health care, there are a multitude of great options to do work that matters. There's no better time to find a part-time job that gives back in your community.

Interested in becoming a companion caregiver with Papa? Click here to apply.